Six Months in South Africa: Dassie Krans in the Mist

Located near Grahamstown, the short Dassie Krans loop trail is a hidden gem. Contorted Protea shrubs edge a rocky precipice that plunges into an African jungle of tangled lianas and lush groundcover. ...

Six Months in South Africa: Hiking Oldenburgia Trail

Hiking Oldenburgia Trail is a fantastic way to explore fynbos vegetation, complete with magnificent king proteas, on scenic, exposed ridges near Grahamstown.   Each weekend (except a rainy one) t...

Six Months in South Africa: Africa Leads in Problem-solving

Africa leads in problem-solving because it faces unbelievable challenges. African innovations created out of necessity are now employed around the world.   Recently, Vilis and I attended a Rhodes...

Six Months in South Africa: Land of Plenty Big Animals

From the giant millipede to the African elephant, South Africa is a land of plenty big animals. This post ranks South Africa’s big, charismatic terrestrial and marine species among the worldR...