The Endangered Wildlife Trust is one of South Africa’s most respected conservation bodies. It works to save endangered wild animals of all kinds. This includes wildlife living in all kinds of ecosystems – in ponds, in the sea, in the air, on clifftops, in grasslands and along dry riverbeds. more

Vervet monkeys are easy to see in South Africa. Widespread through most of the eastern half, especially around acacia trees, they are fascinating to watch. They have highly developed social lives and language skills. Like all monkeys, they are critical for the health of trees and forests. more

Wildlife conservation safaris offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the life and work of wildlife veterinarians and park ecologists. Your safari helps to fund vital conservation work for individual species, and you’ll get an experience you’ll never forget. more

Dolphins in South Africa’s waters are protected by some of the strongest cetacean conservation laws in the world. There are several species, but only 3 occur so close inshore that they are reliably seen. They include the famous bottlenose dolphin, the beautiful common dolphin, and the shy humpback dolphin. more

The Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project protects the delicate high grasslands and craggy peaks of what some have termed Africa’s greatest water factory. The project also provides a sanctuary for rare birds, mammals and alpine flowers. more

Marine volunteer projects in South Africa are clustered mainly around Great White Shark and dolphin research, although the whales that visit the country’s shore each year provide a fascinating dimension to marine conservation activities. Exposure to penguins, seals and prolific pelagic bird populations add to these exciting marine voluntourism programmes. more

Motswari Private Game Reserve, deep in the Timbavati bushveld, offers an authentic African bush experience in the land of rare white lions. This family-owned destination has been accredited by both Green Globe and Fair Trade in Tourism. It prioritises conservation and people above cigar bars and individual plunge pools. more

Animal conservation in South Africa is moving away from safeguarding animals behind fences. Now the trend is expansion, and linking conservation projects and areas along natural corridors. Everyone is involved – from river catchment authorities to private landowners to government parks. more

A tour of Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is an ideal add-on to any safari or wildlife lover’s itinerary. This Garden Route wildlife sanctuary is unusual in that it rehabilitates terrestrial and marine creatures, and offers visitors an opportunity to be up-close to 6 of South Africa’s 7 indigenous wildcat species. more

South African indigenous cooking methods are as deliciously diverse as the people who cook and eat in South Africa. Whether you’re intrigued by San suppers or you just want to know why we braai (barbeque) such a lot, the study of how we cook is an alimentary journey of discovery. more

South African food conservation is more relevant now than any time in our country’s past. Conserving South Africa’s food resources, indigenous ingredients and traditional cooking methods is vital not only for future generations but also to ensure that travellers get a true taste of our land, seas, cultures and history. more

Most nature reserves recommend you bring binoculars. At Bartholomeus Klip, the guide has a magnifying glass to show you the inner secrets of the highly specialised fynbos plants from this region. The renosterveld is a specific and endangered kind of vegetation within the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. more

Southern right whales were so-called because they were the ‘right’ ones to hunt. Their tendency to move slowly and live near the surface also makes them perfect for whale-watching, either boat-based or from the shore. Every year thousands swim up from Antarctica to enjoy the spa-like conditions of the southern Cape. more

St Lucia Tours and Charters is famous for its hippo and crocodile tours on the St Lucia estuary. But it can also take you to see humpback whales coursing the seas on their way to Mozambique; turtles coming to lay eggs; and the Big 5 in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. more