Nature's Valley
Encyclopedia
Nature's Valley is a holiday resort and small village on the Garden Route
along the southern Cape coast of South Africa
, tucked between the Soutrivier, the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains
, the Indian Ocean and the Groot River
lagoon. It has a balmy climate and the unusual status of being surrounded by the Tsitsikamma National Park
.
or Paleolithic
man from 1 million years ago, living in caves and under overhangs, collecting food in the tidal zone and hunting a rich variety of wildlife. Various glacial periods interrupted this coastal occupation. San
hunter-gatherers lived in this area from about 10 000 years ago until they were displaced by Khoikhoi
herders from the interior.
reported in 1839: "there is no practical way - not even a footpath, from Plettenberg Bay
to the Tzitzikamma country". Thomas Bain
had already built a road from George
to Knysna
, the so-called "Seven Passes Road", taking from 1867 to 1883 to complete. Access to the coastal area which lay further east was possible only via the Langkloof
valley, lying immediately north of the Tsitsikamma Mountains
. Nature's Valley only became easily accessible after Thomas Bain completed the Groot River Pass in 1880. He and Captain Christopher Harison
(later Conservator of Forests) first explored the route in 1868 to test its feasibility. Harison's interest in the road stemmed from his belief that it could be used to halt the runaway destruction of the forest started by Dutch East India Company
woodcutters in 1777 and carried on by their descendants. At the time that Bain and Harison reconnoitred the route, Bain was supervising the construction of no fewer than six passes, so that 10 years would elapse before he could start work on the Groot River Pass. A hundred years later the demands of road transport would dictate the building of a freeway with enormous concrete bridges - a tribute to the skill of engineers, and bringing in its wake considerable collateral damage to the environment.
In the face of continued pressure to sell a portion of his farm, Barnardo finally relented in 1941 and sold an area of 1.6963 morgen
to a syndicate of ten buyers for the sum of £755. In 1943 Baron Ulrich Behr of Kurland
bought the option to purchase the remainder of Barnardo's property from the van Reenen family, who had acquired the option in the 1920s, but had never exercised it. Behr then went through all the steps necessary to have the land proclaimed for development. In 1953 the township was declared and formally named "Nature's Valley" by Behr, a name that had been used by the syndicate at the suggestion of Wide du Preez of "The Crags".
East of Nature's Valley is the Groot River Lagoon, which marks the end of the Otter Trail
, starting at Storms River Mouth, 60 km further east. This 5-day trail is considered by many hikers to be the finest in South Africa, being strenuous, scenic and extremely varied. The route meanders along the coast through evergreen forest, past boulder-strewn beaches and frequently crossing tannin-stained streams. Huts are available for the hiker at the end of each day, but bookings have to be made well in advance.
The Brenton Blue butterfly, Orachrysops niobe
, was first described from Knysna
by Roland Trimen
in 1858, and was not seen again until discovered in 1977 at Nature's Valley and shortly thereafter in 1979 at Brenton-on-Sea. The Nature's Valley population was assumed to be extinct when no more sightings were made after 1984. The cause of this decline was felt to be the absence of fynbos fires causing a shortage of the butterfly's foodplant Indigofera erecta, and accordingly a controlled burn was carried out in April 2003, with a reintroduction of butterfly eggs in August 2005.
In 2000 researchers from the Albany Museum in Grahamstown
discovered a number of aquatic insect species new to science in the Salt River, which lies at the western end of Nature's Valley. The isolated position of the river, a lack of fish and its acidic and unpolluted water are thought to have been factors in ensuring the undisturbed survival of these primitive forms. New housing developments within the catchment area of the Salt River may threaten the continued existence of these unique insects.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a popular stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Heidelberg in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme western reach of the neighbouring Eastern Cape...
along the southern Cape coast of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, tucked between the Soutrivier, the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains
Tsitsikamma Mountains
The Tsitsikamma mountains are a mountain range located in the Garden Route region of the southern South African coast in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Stretching just over 80 km from the Keurbooms River in the west just north of Plettenberg Bay, to Kareedouw Pass in the east near the...
, the Indian Ocean and the Groot River
Groot River
Groot River may refer to any of the following rivers in South Africa:* Groot River * Groot River * Groot River * Orange River...
lagoon. It has a balmy climate and the unusual status of being surrounded by the Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park
The Tsitsikamma National Park is a coastal reserve on the Garden Route in South Africa. It is well known for indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. On 6 March 2009 it was amalgamated with the Wilderness National Park and various other areas of land to form the Garden Route...
.
History
Nature's Valley, and the surrounding coastline, was occupied by Old Stone AgeStone Age
The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period, lasting about 2.5 million years , during which humans and their predecessor species in the genus Homo, as well as the earlier partly contemporary genera Australopithecus and Paranthropus, widely used exclusively stone as their hard material in the...
or Paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
man from 1 million years ago, living in caves and under overhangs, collecting food in the tidal zone and hunting a rich variety of wildlife. Various glacial periods interrupted this coastal occupation. San
Bushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
hunter-gatherers lived in this area from about 10 000 years ago until they were displaced by Khoikhoi
Khoikhoi
The Khoikhoi or Khoi, in standardised Khoekhoe/Nama orthography spelled Khoekhoe, are a historical division of the Khoisan ethnic group, the native people of southwestern Africa, closely related to the Bushmen . They had lived in southern Africa since the 5th century AD...
herders from the interior.
The Groot River pass
For a long while travel along the Garden Route parallel to the coastline was impossible, due to the extremely deep and precipitous river gorges blocking all east-west traffic. Charles Collier MichellCharles Collier Michell
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Collier Michell, , later known as Charles Cornwallis Michell, was a British soldier, first surveyor-general in the Cape, road engineer, architect, artist and naturalist.-Early life:...
reported in 1839: "there is no practical way - not even a footpath, from Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay, nicknamed Plet or Plett, is the primary town of the Bitou Local Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. As of the census of 2001, there were 29149 population...
to the Tzitzikamma country". Thomas Bain
Thomas Charles John Bain
Thomas Charles John Bain was a South African road engineer, the son of Andrew Geddes Bain, also a road engineer in South Africa.-Biography:...
had already built a road from George
George, Western Cape
George is a city with 203,253 inhabitants in South Africa's Western Cape province. The city is a popular holiday and conference centre and the administrative and commercial hub of the Garden Route.- Location :...
to Knysna
Knysna
Knysna is a town with 76,431 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is part of the Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator, and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road.-History:A...
, the so-called "Seven Passes Road", taking from 1867 to 1883 to complete. Access to the coastal area which lay further east was possible only via the Langkloof
Langkloof
Langkloof is a 160 km long valley in South Africa, lying between Herold, a small village north of George, and Humansdorp. The kloof was given its name by Isaq Schrijver in 1689, and more thoroughly explored by a later expedition under ensign August Frederik Beutler in 1752.The valley has been...
valley, lying immediately north of the Tsitsikamma Mountains
Tsitsikamma Mountains
The Tsitsikamma mountains are a mountain range located in the Garden Route region of the southern South African coast in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Stretching just over 80 km from the Keurbooms River in the west just north of Plettenberg Bay, to Kareedouw Pass in the east near the...
. Nature's Valley only became easily accessible after Thomas Bain completed the Groot River Pass in 1880. He and Captain Christopher Harison
Christopher Harison
Christopher Harison , was a Conservator of Forests and an authority on forest practice in South Africa....
(later Conservator of Forests) first explored the route in 1868 to test its feasibility. Harison's interest in the road stemmed from his belief that it could be used to halt the runaway destruction of the forest started by Dutch East India Company
Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
woodcutters in 1777 and carried on by their descendants. At the time that Bain and Harison reconnoitred the route, Bain was supervising the construction of no fewer than six passes, so that 10 years would elapse before he could start work on the Groot River Pass. A hundred years later the demands of road transport would dictate the building of a freeway with enormous concrete bridges - a tribute to the skill of engineers, and bringing in its wake considerable collateral damage to the environment.
Permanent settlement
After Bain's completion of the Groot River Pass, the Forestry Department proclaimed 3 lots in the Valley - one for its own use and the other two sold to private individuals. The first person to settle in the now accessible valley, and who acquired one of the lots from Telfer Anderson, was Hendrik Jacobus Hermanus Barnardo, an enigmatic character, who went to extreme lengths to protect the trees of the area, but enthusiastically led the slaughter of wildlife throughout the region. Barnardo married three times and fathered 19 children. Another member of his family shot the last Tsitsikamma elephant in 1881.In the face of continued pressure to sell a portion of his farm, Barnardo finally relented in 1941 and sold an area of 1.6963 morgen
Morgen
A morgen was a unit of measurement of land in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the Dutch colonies, including South Africa and Taiwan. The size of a morgen varies from 1/2 to 2½ acres, which equals approximately 0.2 to 1 ha...
to a syndicate of ten buyers for the sum of £755. In 1943 Baron Ulrich Behr of Kurland
Courland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
bought the option to purchase the remainder of Barnardo's property from the van Reenen family, who had acquired the option in the 1920s, but had never exercised it. Behr then went through all the steps necessary to have the land proclaimed for development. In 1953 the township was declared and formally named "Nature's Valley" by Behr, a name that had been used by the syndicate at the suggestion of Wide du Preez of "The Crags".
The valley and surrounding area
A network of trails covers the surrounding hills and beaches. The lagoon offers sheltered water for sailing and canoeing, without powerboating and beach buggies. A walk along beaches and a rocky path leads to the Salt River Mouth after crossing Pebble Beach, a large area completely covered in sea-smoothed cobbles.East of Nature's Valley is the Groot River Lagoon, which marks the end of the Otter Trail
Otter Trail
The Otter Trail is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast of South Africa and is named for the Cape Clawless Otter which occurs in this region. This trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and stretches from Storms River Mouth in the east to Nature's Valley in the west, is...
, starting at Storms River Mouth, 60 km further east. This 5-day trail is considered by many hikers to be the finest in South Africa, being strenuous, scenic and extremely varied. The route meanders along the coast through evergreen forest, past boulder-strewn beaches and frequently crossing tannin-stained streams. Huts are available for the hiker at the end of each day, but bookings have to be made well in advance.
The Brenton Blue butterfly, Orachrysops niobe
Orachrysops niobe
Orachrysops niobe, or the Brenton Blue butterfly is a species of butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is endemic to South Africa....
, was first described from Knysna
Knysna
Knysna is a town with 76,431 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is part of the Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator, and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road.-History:A...
by Roland Trimen
Roland Trimen
Roland Trimen FRS was a British-South African entomologist, best-known for South African Butterflies , a collaborative work with Colonel James Henry Bowker....
in 1858, and was not seen again until discovered in 1977 at Nature's Valley and shortly thereafter in 1979 at Brenton-on-Sea. The Nature's Valley population was assumed to be extinct when no more sightings were made after 1984. The cause of this decline was felt to be the absence of fynbos fires causing a shortage of the butterfly's foodplant Indigofera erecta, and accordingly a controlled burn was carried out in April 2003, with a reintroduction of butterfly eggs in August 2005.
In 2000 researchers from the Albany Museum in Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
discovered a number of aquatic insect species new to science in the Salt River, which lies at the western end of Nature's Valley. The isolated position of the river, a lack of fish and its acidic and unpolluted water are thought to have been factors in ensuring the undisturbed survival of these primitive forms. New housing developments within the catchment area of the Salt River may threaten the continued existence of these unique insects.
Mammals
- Chlorotalpa duthieae - Duthie's Golden MoleDuthie's Golden MoleDuthie's Golden Mole is a species of mammal in the Chrysochloridae family. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, temperate grassland, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, urban areas, and introduced...
- Amblysomus hottentotus devilliersi - Hottentot Golden MoleHottentot Golden MoleThe Hottentot Golden Mole is a species of mammal in the Chrysochloridae family. It is found in South Africa, Swaziland, and possibly Lesotho...
- Amblysomus iris corriae - Knysna Golden Mole
- Myosorex varius - Forest ShrewForest ShrewThe Forest Shrew is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, dry savanna, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and temperate grassland.-References:* Baxter, R. 2004. . Downloaded on 30 July...
- Crocidura flavescens - Greater Red Musk ShrewGreater Red Musk ShrewThe Greater Red Musk Shrew is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland. Its natural habitats are moist savanna, temperate grassland, and rural gardens....
- Rousettus aegyptiacus leachii - Egyptian fruit bat
- Rhinolophus clivosus - Geoffroy's Horseshoe BatGeoffroy's Horseshoe BatGeoffroy's Horseshoe Bat is a species of bat in the Rhinolophidae family found in Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, caves, subterranean habitats , and hot deserts.-References:* Jacobs, D., Cotterill, F.W., Taylor,...
- Rhinolophus capensis - Cape Horseshoe BatCape Horseshoe BatThe Cape Horseshoe Bat is a species of bat in the Rhinolophidae family. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, caves, and subterranean habitats . It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* Jacobs, D., Cotterill, F.W. & Taylor, P. 2004. ...
- Nycteris thebaica - Long-eared BatEgyptian Slit-Faced BatThe Egyptian Slit-Faced Bat is a species of slit-faced bat broadly distributed throughout Africa and the Middle East. It can live in widely diverse habitats, including forests, caves, deserts, savannas, shrublands, and grasslands. Its subspecies include:*N. thebaica adana*N. thebaica albiventer*N....
- Miniopterus fraterculus - Black Clinging BatLesser Long-Fingered BatThe Lesser Long-fingered Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, caves,...
- Kerivoula lanosa - Woolly BatLesser Woolly BatThe Lesser Woolly Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in Botswana, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its...
- Myotis tricolor - Cape Hairy BatCape Hairy BatThe Cape Hairy Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna,...
- Pipistrellus kuhlii broomi - Kuhl's Bat
- Eptesicus hottentotus - Long-tailed House BatLong-tailed House BatThe Long-Tailed House Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It can be found in the following countries: Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
- Cercopithecus pygerythrus - Vervet Monkey
- Papio ursinus - Chacma BaboonChacma BaboonThe Chacma baboon , also known as the Cape baboon, is, like all other baboons, from the Old World monkey family. With a body length of up to 115 cm and a weight from 15 to 31 kg, it is among the largest and heaviest baboon species. The Chacma is generally dark brown to gray in color,...
- Lepus saxatilis - Scrub HareScrub HareThe Scrub Hare, Lepus saxatilis, is a species of hare found in South Africa, parts of central Africa, and Namibia. It is found at about 1 - 2 km above sea level. Its dorsal fur is gray and black, while its ventral fur is white. It has a black and white tail, while it has lighter fur around its...
- Praomys verreauxi - Cape Mouse
- Thamnomys dolichurus - Forest MouseWoodland Thicket RatThe Woodland Thicket Rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests,...
- Otomys irroratus - Vlei OtomysVlei RatThe Southern African Vlei Rat is a species of rodent in the Otomys genus of the family Muridae.It is found in Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe....
- Dendromus mesomelas - Climbing MouseBrant's Climbing MouseBrant's Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia....
- Graphiurus ocularis - Cape Dormouse
- Graphiurus murinus - Forest DormouseWoodland DormouseThe Woodland Dormouse is a species of rodent in the Gliridae family. It is endemic to South Africa. It is also known as African Dwarf Dormouse, African Pygmy Dormouse, Woodland Dormouse, or colloquially as Micro Squirrel...
- Hystrix africae-australis - PorcupineCape PorcupineThe Cape Porcupine or South African Porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis, is a species of Old World porcupine. Contrary to its name, this porcupine species inhabits much of Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding the southwestern deserts of the continent. This rodent is nocturnal and inhabits rocky outcrops...
- Bathyergus suillus - Cape Dune Mole RatCape Dune Mole RatThe Cape dune mole rat is a species of solitary burrowing rodent in the Bathyergidae family. It is endemic to South Africa and named for the Cape of Good Hope.-Description:...
- Georychus capensis - Cape Mole RatCape Mole RatThe Cape Mole Rat is a species of mole rat found in the southwestern and southern parts of the Cape of Good Hope Province in South Africa. It the only species in the genus Georychus.-References:...
- Cryptomys hottentotus - Common Mole RatCommon mole ratThe Common mole rat, Cryptomys hottentotus, is a burrowing rodent found in the continent of Africa, specifically in the southwest Cape province, South Africa. It is also found in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The common mole rat belongs to the...
- Mellivora capensis - RatelRatelThe honey badger , also known as the ratel, is a species of mustelid native to Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other badger species, instead bearing more anatomical similarities to weasels...
- Ictonyx striatus - Striped PolecatStriped PolecatThe Striped Polecat is a member of the Mustelidae family which somewhat resembles a skunk. It is found in savannahs and open country in sub-saharan Africa excluding the Congo basin and west Africa.Like other polecats, this carnivore is nocturnal...
- Aonyx capensis - African Clawless OtterAfrican Clawless OtterThe African clawless otter , also known as the cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second largest freshwater species of otter. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas...
- Genetta tigrina - Cape GenetCape GenetThe Cape Genet , also known as the Blotched Genet, Large-spotted Genet or muskeljaatkat in Afrikaans, is a carnivore mammal, related to the African Linsang and to the civets. It can be found in Africa from Senegal to Somalia, and south to Namibia and South Africa, though it is absent from the...
- Herpestes ichneumon cafer - Egyptian MongooseEgyptian mongooseThe Egyptian Mongoose , also known as the Ichneumon, is a species of mongoose. It may be a reservoir host for Visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan.-Range and habitat:...
- Herpestes pulverulentus - Cape Grey MongooseEgyptian mongooseThe Egyptian Mongoose , also known as the Ichneumon, is a species of mongoose. It may be a reservoir host for Visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan.-Range and habitat:...
- Atilax paludinosus - Water MongooseMarsh MongooseThe Marsh Mongoose, or Water Mongoose, is a medium-sized mammal but a large mongoose. Weight can range from , with an average range of . From the head to the base of the tail, these animals range from , with the tail adding . It is a member of the mongoose family and the only member of its genus...
- Felis lybica cafra - WildcatWildcatWildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
- Leptailurus serval - ServalServalThe serval , Leptailurus serval or Caracal serval, known in Afrikaans as Tierboskat, "tiger-forest-cat", is a medium-sized African wild cat. DNA studies have shown that the serval is closely related to the African golden cat and the caracal...
- Caracal caracal - CaracalCaracalThe caracal is a fiercely territorial medium-sized cat ranging over Western Asia, South Asia and Africa.The word caracal comes from the Turkish word "karakulak", meaning "black ear". In North India and Pakistan, the caracal is locally known as syahgosh or shyahgosh, which is a Persian term...
- Panthera pardus melanotica - LeopardLeopardThe leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
- Loxodonta africana - African Bush ElephantAfrican Bush ElephantThe African Bush Elephant or African Savanna Elephant is the larger of the two species of African elephant. Both it and the African Forest Elephant have usually been classified as a single species, known simply as the African Elephant...
- Procavia capensis - Cape HyraxCape HyraxThe Rock Hyrax , or Cape Hyrax, is one of the four living species of the order Hyracoidea, and the only living species in the genus Procavia. Like all hyraxes, it is a medium-sized terrestrial mammal, superficially resembling a guinea pig with short ears and tail...
- Potamochoerus porcus koiropotamus - BushpigBushpigThe bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus, is a member of the pig family and lives in forests, woodland, riverine vegetation and reedbeds in East and Southern Africa. Probably introduced populations are also present in Madagascar and the Comoros archipelago. Bushpigs are mainly nocturnal. There are...
- Pelea capreolus - Grey RhebokGrey RhebokThe Grey Rhebok or Grey Rhebuck is a species of antelope endemic to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland....
- Tragelaphus scriptus sylvaticus - BushbuckBushbuckThe bushbuck is the most widespread antelope in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is found in rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaics and bush savannaforest and woodland. Recently, genetic studies have shown that the bushbuck, is in fact a complex of two geographically and phenotypically...
- Cephalophus monticola - Blue DuikerBlue DuikerBlue Duiker is a small forest dwelling duiker found in the Central Africa and southern South Africa.Blue Duikers stand around 35 centimetres tall at the shoulder and weigh 4 kilograms.They are the smallest of the antelope family. Blue Duikers have a brown coat with a slight blue tinge – hence...
- Oreotragus oreotragus - KlipspringerKlipspringerThe Klipspringer, Oreotragus oreotragus, is a small species of African antelope.-Name:The word klipspringer literally means "rock jumper" in Afrikaans/Dutch...
- Raphicerus melanotis - Cape Grysbok
Birds
- Cape Spurfowl
- Red-necked Spurfowl
- Common QuailCommon QuailThe Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe, .- Description :It is a small rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with...
- Helmeted GuineafowlHelmeted GuineafowlThe Helmeted Guineafowl is the best known of the guineafowl bird family, Numididae, and the only member of the genus Numida...
- Egyptian GooseEgyptian GooseThe Egyptian Goose is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae, and is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen...
- African Black DuckAfrican Black DuckThe African Black Duck is a species of duck of the genus Anas. It is genetically closest to the mallard group , but shows some peculiarities in its behavior and plumage; it is accordingly placed in the subgenus Melananas pending further research.The African Black Duck is an...
- Yellow-billed DuckYellow-billed DuckThe Yellow-billed Duck, Anas undulata, is a 51–58 cm long dabbling duck which is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa.This duck is not migratory, but will wander in the dry season to find suitable waters...
- Red-billed TealRed-billed TealThe Red-billed Teal, Anas erythrorhyncha, is a dabbling duck which is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa typically south of 10° S. This duck is not migratory, but will fly great distances to find suitable waters...
- Scaly-throated HoneyguideScaly-throated HoneyguideThe Scaly-throated Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife...
- Greater HoneyguideGreater HoneyguideThe Greater Honeyguide is a bird in the family Indicatoridae, paleotropical near passerine birds related to the woodpeckers. Its English and scientific names refer to its habit of guiding people to bee colonies....
- Lesser HoneyguideLesser HoneyguideThe Lesser Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,...
- Brown-backed Honeybird
- Knysna WoodpeckerKnysna WoodpeckerThe Knysna Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is endemic to South Africa.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland....
- Cardinal WoodpeckerCardinal WoodpeckerThe Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens, is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species found in a wide range of habitats from dense forest to thornbush...
- Olive WoodpeckerOlive WoodpeckerThe Olive Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27...
- Crowned HornbillCrowned HornbillThe Crowned Hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus, is an African hornbill. It is a medium-sized bird, with a length between 50 and 54 cm, and it is characterized by its white belly and black back and wings. The tips of the long tail feathers are white. The eyes are yellow; the beak is red and...
- African Hoopoe
- Green Wood-Hoopoe
- Narina TrogonNarina TrogonThe Narina Trogon, Apaloderma narina, is a medium-sized , largely green forest bird in the Trogonidae family, the most widespread and catholic in habitat choice of three Apaloderma trogons...
- European RollerEuropean RollerThe European Roller, Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East and Central Asia and Morocco....
- Half-collared KingfisherHalf-collared KingfisherThe Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata is a species of kingfisher that feeds almost exclusively on fish and can be found near water at all times. It can be found on shores and around larger bodies of water in southern and eastern Africa....
- Malachite KingfisherMalachite KingfisherThe Malachite Kingfisher is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate related movements....
- Brown-hooded KingfisherBrown-hooded KingfisherThe Brown-hooded Kingfisher is a species of bird in the Halcyonidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife...
- Giant KingfisherGiant KingfisherThe Giant Kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in Africa, where it is a resident breeding bird over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert other than the arid southwest....
- Pied KingfisherPied KingfisherThe Pied Kingfisher is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Their black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish makes it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a...
- Speckled MousebirdSpeckled MousebirdThe Speckled Mousebird is the largest species of mousebird, as well as one of the most common.- Description :This bird is about 35 cm long, with the tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs about 57 grams...
- Red-faced MousebirdRed-faced MousebirdThe Red-faced Mousebird is a species of mousebird or coly. It is a common in southern Africa from Zaire, Zambia and Tanzania south to the Cape. Its habitat is savanna with thickets, fynbos scrub, other open woodland, gardens and orchards.This bird is about 34 cm long, with the tail...
- Red-chested CuckooRed-chested CuckooThe Red-chested Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is a medium-sized bird , found in Africa south of the Sahara.-Distribution and habitat:...
- Black CuckooBlack CuckooThe Black Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. The species is distributed widely across sub-Saharan Africa...
- Klaas's CuckooKlaas's CuckooThe Klaas's Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,...
- African Emerald CuckooAfrican Emerald CuckooThe African Emerald Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
- Diederik Cuckoo
- Burchell's Coucal
- Alpine SwiftAlpine SwiftThe Alpine Swift syn. is a species of Swift. The bird is superficially similar to a large Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes...
- African Black Swift
- Little SwiftLittle SwiftThe Little Swift , is a small bird, superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles...
- Horus SwiftHorus SwiftThe Horus Swift, Apus horus, is a small bird in the swift family. It breeds in sub-Saharan Africa. It has an extensive continuous distribution from eastern and southern South Africa north to southern Zambia and central Mozambique, and has recently colonised the De Hoop Nature Reserve area of the...
- White-rumped SwiftWhite-rumped SwiftThe White-rumped Swift is a small swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a House Martin, it is completely unrelated to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.Swifts have very short legs...
- Knysna TuracoKnysna TuracoThe Knysna Turaco , or, in South Africa, Knysna Lourie, is a large turaco, one of a group of African near-passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in the mature evergreen forests of southern and eastern South Africa, and Swaziland. It was formerly sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the...
- Barn OwlBarn OwlThe Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
- Cape Eagle Owl
- Spotted Eagle OwlSpotted Eagle OwlThe Spotted Eagle-Owl is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the Eagle owls. Its height is forty-five cm and its weight is from 480 to 850g . It has a to wingspan. The facial disk is off white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow...
- African Wood Owl
- Fiery-necked NightjarFiery-necked NightjarThe Fiery-necked Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
- European NightjarEuropean NightjarThe European Nightjar, or just Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus, is the only representative of the nightjar family of birds in most of Europe and temperate Asia.- Habitat and distribution :...
- Rock Dove
- Speckled PigeonSpeckled PigeonThe Speckled Pigeon or Rock Pigeon is a pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over a good deal of its range, although there are sizeable gaps in its distribution.This species builds a large stick nest...
- African Olive Pigeon
- Lemon Dove
- Laughing DoveLaughing DoveThe Laughing Dove is a small pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in the tropics in Africa south of the Sahara, the Middle East and southern Asia east to India. In India it is also known as the Little Brown Dove...
- Cape Turtle Dove
- Red-eyed DoveRed-eyed DoveThe Red-eyed Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common, if not abundant, species in most habitats other than desert....
- Emerald-spotted Wood-dove
- Tambourine DoveTambourine DoveThe Tambourine Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in woodlands and other thick vegetation in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Its range extends from Senegal east to Ethiopia and Kenya and southwards through eastern Africa to south-eastern South Africa, but it is absent...
- Denham's Bustard
- African FinfootAfrican FinfootThe African Finfoot is an aquatic bird inhabiting the rivers and lakes of western, central, and southern Africa.-Description:...
- Buff-spotted FlufftailBuff-spotted FlufftailThe Buff-spotted Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
- Striped FlufftailStriped FlufftailThe Striped Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:...
- Common MoorhenCommon MoorhenThe Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
- Red-knobbed CootRed-knobbed CootThe Red-knobbed Coot or Crested Coot, , is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae.It is a resident breeder across much of Africa and in southernmost Spain on freshwater lakes and ponds. It builds a nest of dead reeds near the water's edge or more commonly afloat, laying about 8...
- Common Whimbrel
- Marsh SandpiperMarsh SandpiperThe Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to central Asia....
- Common Greenshank
- Wood SandpiperWood SandpiperThe Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola, is a small wader. This Eurasian species is the smallest of the shanks, which are mid-sized long-legged waders of the family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
- Common SandpiperCommon SandpiperThe Common Sandpiper is a small Palearctic wader. This bird and its American sister species, the Spotted Sandpiper , make up the genus Actitis. They are parapatric and replace each other geographically; stray birds of either species may settle down with breeders of the other and hybridize...
- Ruddy TurnstoneRuddy TurnstoneThe Ruddy Turnstone is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. It is now classified in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family Charadriidae...
- SanderlingSanderlingThe Sanderling is a small wader. It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia...
- RuffRuffThe Ruff is a medium-sized wading bird that breeds in marshes and wet meadows across northern Eurasia. This highly gregarious sandpiper is migratory and sometimes forms huge flocks in its winter grounds, which include southern and western Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australia...
- Water Thick-kneeWater Thick-kneeThe Water Thick-knee is a species of bird in the Burhinidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,...
- Spotted Thick-kneeSpotted Thick-kneeThe Spotted Thick-knee, Burhinus capensis, also known as the Spotted Dikkop or Cape Thick-knee, is a stone-curlew in the family Burhinidae.- Description :...
- African Black OystercatcherAfrican Black OystercatcherThe African Oystercatcher or African Black Oystercatcher, is a large wader which is a resident breeder on the rocky coasts and islands of southern Africa...
- Black-winged StiltBlack-winged StiltThe Black-winged Stilt or Common Stilt is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family . Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize...
- Grey PloverGrey PloverThe Grey Plover , known as the Black-bellied Plover in North America, is a medium-sized plover breeding in arctic regions. It is a long-distance migrant, with a nearly worldwide coastal distribution when not breeding....
- White-fronted PloverWhite-fronted PloverThe White-fronted Plover or White-fronted Sandplover, Charadrius marginatus, is a small wader. This plover is resident in much of Africa south of the Sahara on rocky, sandy or muddy coasts and large inland rivers and lakes....
- Blacksmith LapwingBlacksmith LapwingThe Blacksmith Lapwing or Blacksmith Plover occurs commonly from Kenya through central Tanzania to southern and southwestern Africa...
- Black-winged LapwingBlack-winged LapwingThe Black-winged Lapwing is an east African species that is found from the Ethiopian highlands in the north to central Kenya , and again at middle to coastal elevations in eastern South Africa . It is a habitat specialist of short grass in well-watered temperate grasslands...
- Arctic SkuaArctic SkuaThe Parasitic Jaeger, also known as the Arctic Skua or Parasitic Skua, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae....
- Kelp GullKelp GullThe Kelp Gull , also known as the Dominican Gull, breeds on coasts and islands through much of the southern hemisphere. The race L. d. vetula occurs around southern Africa, and nominate L. d...
- Grey-headed GullGrey-headed GullThe Grey-headed Gull is a small gull which breeds patchily in South America and Africa south of the Sahara. It is not truly migratory, but is more widespread in winter. This species has occurred as a rare vagrant to North America and Spain. It is also known as the Grey-hooded Gull...
- Caspian TernCaspian TernThe Caspian Tern is a species of tern, with a subcosmopolitan but scattered distribution. Despite its extensive range, it is monotypic of its genus, and has no subspecies accepted either...
- Swift Tern
- Sandwich Tern
- Roseate TernRoseate TernThe Roseate Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in bill colour and minor plumage details....
- Common TernCommon TernThe Common Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution, breeding in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and east and central North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. It is sometimes...
- Arctic TernArctic TernThe Arctic Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar breeding distribution covering the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America...
- OspreyOspreyThe Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
- African Cuckoo Hawk
- Black-shouldered KiteBlack-shouldered KiteThe Black-shouldered Kite or Australian Black-shouldered Kite is a small raptor found in open habitat throughout Australia and resembles similar species found in Eurasia and North America, which have in the past also been named as Black-shouldered Kites...
- African Fish EagleAfrican Fish EagleThe African Fish Eagle or – to distinguish it from the true fish eagles , the African Sea Eagle – is a large species of eagle that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water occur that have an abundant food supply. As a result of its large range, it is known in many...
- Palmnut Vulture
- African Marsh HarrierAfrican Marsh HarrierThe African Marsh Harrier is a bird of prey belonging to the harrier genus Circus. It is found in southern, central and eastern Africa from South Africa north to Sudan with a vagrant record from Nigeria. It is particularly common in the Okavango Delta in Botswana...
- Black HarrierBlack HarrierThe Black Harrier, Circus maurus, is a medium-sized African harrier of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.When perched, this bird appears all black. However, in flight a white rump and flight feathers become visible. Its morphology is comparable to that of other harriers, with a slim body, narrow...
- African Harrier-hawk
- African GoshawkAfrican GoshawkThe African Goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.As defined here following the Handbook of the Birds of the World, it is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,...
- Little SparrowhawkLittle SparrowhawkThe Little Sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,...
- Rufous-chested SparrowhawkRufous-chested SparrowhawkThe Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk , also known as the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family...
- Black Sparrowhawk
- Steppe Buzzard
- Forest Buzzard
- Jackal BuzzardJackal BuzzardThe Jackal Buzzard is a 45–55 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Archer's Buzzard, and the Augur Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having different...
- Black EagleBlack EagleThe Black Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae, and is the only member of the genus Ictinaetus. They soar over forests in the hilly regions of tropical Asia and hunt mammals and birds, particularly at their nests...
- Booted EagleBooted EagleThe Booted Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey. It is about in length and has a wingspan of . Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae....
- Martial EagleMartial EagleThe Martial Eagle , is a very large eagle found in open and semi-open habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus.-Description:...
- Long-crested EagleLong-crested EagleThe Long-crested Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. It is currently placed in a monotypic genus Lophaetus....
- African Crowned Eagle
- Rock Kestrel
- Peregrine FalconPeregrine FalconThe Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
- Little GrebeLittle GrebeThe Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
- Red-tailed TropicbirdRed-tailed TropicbirdThe Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, is a seabird that nests across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the rarest of the tropicbirds, yet is still a widespread bird that is not considered threatened. It nests in colonies on oceanic islands....
- Cape GannetCape GannetThe Cape Gannet, Morus capensis, originally Sula capensis, is a large seabird of the gannet family, Sulidae.They are easily identified by their large size, black and white plumage and distinctive yellow crown and hindneck...
- African DarterAfrican DarterThe African Darter , sometimes called the Snakebird, is a water bird of sub-Saharan Africa.-Taxonomy:The African Darter is a member of the darter family, Anhingidae, and is closely related to American , Oriental , and Australian Darters.-Description:The male is mainly glossy...
- Reed Cormorant
- Crowned CormorantCrowned CormorantThe Crowned Cormorant, Microcarbo coronatus, is a small cormorant that is endemic to the waters of the cold Benguela Current of southern Africa. It is an exclusively coastal species and is always found at least 10 km away from land...
- White-breasted CormorantWhite-breasted CormorantThe White-breasted Cormorant is a member of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Great Cormorant, in which case it is referred to as Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus. However some authorities The White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus) is a...
- Cape CormorantCape CormorantThe Cape Cormorant or Cape Shag, Phalacrocorax capensis, is a bird endemic to the southwestern coasts of Africa.It breeds from Namibia south to southern Cape Province. In the nonbreeding season, it may be found as far north as the mouth of the Congo, and also extends up the east coast of South...
- Little EgretLittle EgretThe Little Egret is a small white heron. It is the Old World counterpart to the very similar New World Snowy Egret.-Subspecies:Depending on authority, two or three subspecies of Little Egret are currently accepted....
- Grey HeronGrey HeronThe Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
- Black-headed HeronBlack-headed HeronThe Black-headed Heron is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It is mainly resident but some west African birds move further north in the rainy season....
- Purple HeronPurple HeronThe Purple Heron is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. The European populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa; the more northerly Asian populations also migrate further south within Asia...
- Cattle EgretCattle EgretThe Cattle Egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the Western Cattle Egret and the Eastern Cattle Egret...
- Green-backed HeronGreen-backed Heron"Green-backed Heron" is a collective term for certain herons. Small and compact among herons, these birds often feature green plumage – rare among the Ardeidae –, in particular on the back, wings and scapulars....
- Black-crowned Night HeronBlack-crowned Night HeronThe Black-crowned Night Heron commonly abbreviated to just Night Heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australasia .-Description:Adults are...
- White-backed Night Heron
- Dwarf BitternDwarf BitternThe Dwarf Bittern is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
- Hamerkop
- Lesser FlamingoLesser FlamingoThe Lesser Flamingo is a species in the flamingo family of birds that resides in Africa and in southern Asia...
- Hadeda Ibis
- African Sacred Ibis
- African SpoonbillAfrican SpoonbillThe African Spoonbill is a long-legged wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The species is widespread across Africa and Madagascar, including Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It lives in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water and...
- Great FrigatebirdGreat FrigatebirdThe Great Frigatebird is a large dispersive seabird in the frigatebird family. Major nesting populations are found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as a population in the South Atlantic....
- African PenguinAfrican PenguinThe African Penguin , also known as the Black-footed Penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters. It is known as Brilpikkewyn in Afrikaans, Inguza or Unombombiya in Xhosa, Manchot Du Cap in French and Pingüino Del Cabo in Spanish...
- Indian Yellow-nosed AlbatrossIndian Yellow-nosed AlbatrossThe Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche carteri, in the albatross family, and is the smallest of the mollymawks. In 2004, BirdLife International split this species from the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross; however Clements has not split it yet, and the SACC has not either, but recognizes...
- Southern Giant PetrelSouthern Giant PetrelThe Southern Giant Petrel , also known as the Antarctic Giant Petrel, Giant Fulmar, Stinker, and Stinkpot, is a large seabird of the southern oceans. Its distribution overlaps broadly with the similar Northern Giant Petrel, though it overall is centered slightly further south...
- Pintado Petrel
- Blue PetrelBlue PetrelThe Blue Petrel is a small seabird in the family Procellariidae. This small petrel is the only member of the genus Halobaena but is closely allied to the prions.-Taxonomy:...
- White-chinned PetrelWhite-chinned PetrelThe White-chinned Petrel or Cape Hen, Procellaria aequinoctialis, is a large shearwater in the family Procellariidae. It ranges around the Southern Oceans as far north as South Australia, Peru and Namibia, and breeds colonially on scattered islands....
- Black-headed OrioleBlack-headed OrioleThe Black-headed Oriole is an African passerine.It has a very striking appearance with a bright yellow body, contrasting black head and flesh-coloured beak....
- Fork-tailed DrongoFork-tailed DrongoThe Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis, also called the Common Drongo, African Drongo or Savanna Drongo, is a drongo, a type of small passerine bird of the Old World tropics. The species was earlier considered to cover Asia, but the Asian species is now called the Black Drongo...
- Blue-mantled Crested-flycatcher
- African Paradise-flycatcher
- Black-backed PuffbackBlack-backed PuffbackThe Black-backed Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are...
- Southern TchagraSouthern TchagraThe Southern Tchagra is a passerine bird found in dense scrub and coastal bush in southern and south-eastern South Africa and Swaziland....
- Southern BoubouSouthern BoubouThe Southern Boubou is a bushshrike. This family of passerine birds is closely related to the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, and were once included in that group....
- Olive BushshrikeOlive BushshrikeThe Olive Bushshrike is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe....
- Cape BatisCape BatisThe Cape Batis, Batis capensis, is a small passerine bird in the wattle-eye family. It is resident in the highlands of southern and eastern South Africa and Zimbabwe....
- Black CrowCape CrowThe Cape Crow or Black Crow is slightly larger than the Carrion Crow and is completely black with a slight gloss of purple in the feathers. It has proportionately longer legs, wings and tail too and has a much longer, slimmer bill that seems to be designed for probing into the ground for...
- Pied CrowPied CrowThe Pied Crow is a widely distributed African bird species in the crow genus.Structurally, the Pied Crow is better thought of as a small crow-sized Raven, especially as it can hybridise with the Somali Crow where their ranges meet in the Horn of Africa...
- White-necked RavenWhite-necked RavenThe White-necked Raven, Corvus albicollis, is somewhat smaller than the Common Raven or indeed its nearest relative, the Thick-billed Raven C. crassirostris.-Description:...
- Common FiscalCommon FiscalThe Common Fiscal is a member of the shrike family found through most of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also sometimes named Fiscal Shrike, as well as Jackie Hangman or Butcher Bird due to its habit of impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store the food for later consumption. It is sometimes split...
- Grey Cuckoo-shrikeGrey Cuckoo-shrikeThe Grey Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats...
- Black Cuckoo-shrikeBlack Cuckoo-shrikeThe Black Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural...
- Brown-throated Martin
- Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
- White-throated SwallowWhite-throated SwallowThe White-throated Swallow is a small bird in the swallow family. It is a common species, found in southern Africa, which has benefited from the increased nesting opportunities presented by the construction of bridges and dams....
- Greater Striped SwallowGreater Striped SwallowThe Greater Striped Swallow is a large swallow. It breeds in southern Africa, mainly in South Africa, Namibia and southern Zimbabwe. It is migratory wintering further north in Angola, Tanzania and southern Zaire.This is a bird of dry open country, such as grassland, and has a preference for hills...
- Rock Martin
- House MartinHouse MartinThe Common House Martin , sometimes called the Northern House Martin or, particularly in Europe, just House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia...
- Black Saw-wing
- Cape BulbulCape BulbulThe Cape Bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is an endemic resident breeder in coastal bush, open forest, gardens and fynbos in southern South Africa. This species nests mainly in the southern spring from September to November...
- Sombre Bulbul
- Terrestrial Bulbul
- Cape GrassbirdCape GrassbirdThe Cape Grassbird or Cape Grass Warbler is an African warbler found in southern Africa.-Taxonomy:It was formerly placed in the Sylviidae family and is the only member of the genus Sphenoeacus...
- Victorin's Warbler
- Long-billed Crombec
- Little Rush-warbler
- Knysna Warbler
- Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler
- Willow WarblerWillow WarblerThe Willow Warbler is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia...
- Cape White-eyeCape White-eyeThe Cape White-eye, Zosterops pallidus, is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is native to southern Africa.-Taxonomy:There are six subspecies. Traditionally, the western nominate group and the eastern capensis group have been treated as separate species; the Orange River White-eye ...
- Grey-backed Cisticola
- Levaillant's CisticolaLevaillant's CisticolaLevaillant's Cisticola or Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens, is a small passerine bird Levaillant's Cisticola or Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens, is a small passerine bird Levaillant's Cisticola or Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens, is a small passerine bird (though Tinkling...
- Neddicky
- Karoo PriniaKaroo PriniaThe Karoo Prinia or Spotted Prinia, Prinia maculosa, is a small passerine bird. This prinia is a southern African endemic resident breeder in Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland....
- Bar-throated ApalisBar-throated ApalisThe Bar-throated Apalis is a small African passerine bird belonging to the genus Apalis of the family Cisticolidae.It inhabits forest and scrub in Southern and East Africa from southern and eastern parts of South Africa north as far as the Chyulu Hills in Kenya...
- Bleating Warbler
- Cape Rock-thrushCape Rock-thrushThe Cape Rock Thrush is a member of the thrush family of birds. This rock thrush breeds in eastern and southern South Africa. It is a common endemic resident, non-migratory apart from seasonal altitudinal movements in some areas....
- Olive ThrushOlive ThrushThe Olive Thrush is, in its range, one of the most common members of the thrush family . It occurs in east African highlands from Eritrea and Ethiopia in north to the Cape of Good Hope in south...
- Southern Black FlycatcherSouthern Black FlycatcherThe Southern Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina, is a small passerine bird of the genus Melaenornis in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae native to Africa....
- Fiscal FlycatcherFiscal FlycatcherThe Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is a resident breeder in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, and a vagrant to Namibia...
- Spotted FlycatcherSpotted FlycatcherThe Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range....
- African Dusky FlycatcherAfrican Dusky FlycatcherThe African Dusky Flycatcher or Dusky Alseonax, Muscicapa adusta, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. It is a resident breeder in Africa from Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Ethiopia south to South Africa...
- White-starred RobinWhite-starred RobinThe White-starred Robin is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher and chat family Muscicapidae. It is also sometimes more simply called the Starred Robin. It is monotypic within the genus Pogonocichla. There are around twelve subspecies. The species is found in East and Southern Africa...
- Cape Robin-chatCape Robin-ChatThe Cape Robin-Chat, Cossypha caffra, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.It is a mainly resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa from Kenya south to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland...
- Chorister Robin-chatChorister Robin-chatThe Chorister Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in South Africa and Swaziland...
- White-browed Scrub-robin
- African StonechatAfrican StonechatThe African Stonechat is a species of the Old World flycatcher family , inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family , to which the chats are convergent...
- Red-winged StarlingRed-winged StarlingThe Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio, is a bird of the starling family Sturnidae native to eastern Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape in South Africa. It is known in Afrikaans as the Rooivlerkspreeu.-Taxonomy:...
- Black-bellied Starling
- Wattled StarlingWattled StarlingThe Wattled Starling is a nomadic resident in eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of grassland, open woodland and cultivation....
- Common Starling
- Orange-breasted SunbirdOrange-breasted SunbirdThe Orange-breasted Sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea, is the only member of the bird genus Anthobaphes although it is sometimes placed in the genus Nectarinia...
- Grey Sunbird
- Amethyst SunbirdAmethyst SunbirdThe Amethyst Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
- Malachite SunbirdMalachite SunbirdThe Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa is a small nectivorous bird found in the southern part of the Southern African region.- Taxonomy :...
- Collared SunbirdCollared SunbirdThe Collared Sunbird, Hedydipna collaris , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Collared Sunbird is in fact mainly insectivorous.Sunbird flight is fast and...
- Southern Double-collared SunbirdSouthern Double-collared SunbirdThe Southern Double-collared Sunbird or Lesser Double-collared Sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus , is a small passerine bird which breeds in southern South Africa. It is mainly resident, but partially migratory in the north-east of its range.-Habitat:This sunbird is common in gardens, fynbos, forests and...
- Greater Double-collared SunbirdGreater Double-collared SunbirdThe Greater Double-collared Sunbird , is a small bird in the sunbird family.-Taxonomy:The subspecies C. a. stuhlmanni and C. a...
- Cape SugarbirdCape SugarbirdThe Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer, is one of the six bird species endemic to the Fynbos biome of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.-Description:...
- Cape WeaverCape WeaverThe Cape Weaver is a resident breeding bird species endemic to South Africa.This common species occurs in grassland, agricultural and fynbos habitats, often near rivers...
- Yellow BishopYellow BishopThe Yellow Bishop or Yellow-rumped Widow is a resident breeding bird species in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.This common weaver...
- African QuailfinchAfrican QuailfinchThe Black-faced Quail-Finch , also known as the African Quail-Finch, is a common species of estrildid finch found in almost all parts of Africa except at far north of Africa...
- Swee WaxbillSwee WaxbillThe Swee Waxbill Estrilda melanotis also known as Yellow-bellied Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in of Sub-Saharan Africa....
- Common WaxbillCommon WaxbillThe Common Waxbill , also known as the St Helena Waxbill, is a small passerine bird belonging to the estrildid finch family. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa but has been introduced to many other regions of the world and now has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km²...
- African FirefinchAfrican FirefinchThe African Firefinch , also called the Blue-billed Firefinch due to the color of its bill, is a common species of estrildid finch found in almost all parts of Africa...
- Pin-tailed WhydahPin-tailed WhydahThe Pin-tailed Whydah, Vidua macroura, is a small songbird. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.This whydah is found in many open habitats including open woodland, scrub and cultivation....
- House SparrowHouse SparrowThe House Sparrow is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the House Sparrow occurs naturally in most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia...
- Southern Grey-headed SparrowSouthern Grey-headed SparrowThe Southern Grey-headed Sparrow is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Grey-headed Sparrow. It is found in savanna and woodland in Angola and Zambia down to South Africa....
- Cape WagtailCape WagtailThe Cape Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which includes the wagtails, pipits and longclaws....
- Cape CanaryCape CanaryThe Cape Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in eastern and southern Africa and has been introduced to Mauritius and Réunion....
- Brimstone CanaryBrimstone CanaryThe Brimstone Canary or Bully Canary, Serinus sulphuratus, is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in central and southern Africa....
- White-throated CanaryWhite-throated CanaryThe White-throated Canary is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.-Description:The White-throated Canary is a small bird about 15 cm long with generally dull-coloured plumage and a yellow or yellow-green rump. It has a heavy horn-coloured beak and brown irises. Its legs are brown...
- Protea Seedeater
- Streaky-headed SeedeaterStreaky-headed SeedeaterThe Streaky-headed Seedeater or Streaky-headed Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a common resident breeder in suitable habitat in much of Africa south of the Sahara....
- Cape SiskinCape SiskinThe Cape Siskin, Serinus totta, is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the southern Cape Province of South Africa...
- Golden-breasted BuntingGolden-breasted BuntingThe Golden-breasted Bunting, Emberiza flaviventris, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It occurs in dry open woodlands in Africa south of the Sahara, but is absent from the equatorial forest belt.There are three subspecies:...
Snakes
- Typhlops delalandii - Pink Earth Snake
- Leptotyphlops nigricans - Black Worm Snake
- Lycodonomorphus rufulus - Brown Water Snake
- Lamprophis aurora - Aurora Snake
- Lamprophis inornata - Olive House Snake
- Boaedon fuliginosus - Brown House Snake
- Philothamnus hoplogaster - Green Water Snake
- Philothamnus natalensis - Natal Green Snake
- Prosymna sundevallii - Southern Shovel-snout
- Pseudaspis cana - Mole Snake
- Duberria lutrixDuberria lutrixDuberria lutrix, or the common slug-eater, is a small, ovoviviparous, molluscivorous, non-venomous snake .-Range:The species contains a number of subspecies, including D...
- Slug-eater - Dasypeltis scabra - Common egg-eater
- Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia - Red-lipped Snake
- Amplorhinus multimaculatus - Reed Snake
- Dispholidus typus - BoomslangBoomslangThe boomslang is a large venomous colubrid snake.-Taxonomy & etymology:It is currently the only species in its genus, although several species and subspecies have been described in the past...
- Psammophylax rhombeatus - Spotted Grass Snake
- Psammophis crucifer - Cross-marked Grass Snake
- Homoroselaps lacteus - Dwarf Garter Snake
- Hemachatus haemachatus - Rinkhals
- Naja nivea - Cape Cobra
- Causus rhombeatusCausus rhombeatusCausus rhombeatus is a venomous viper species found in subsaharan Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:With an average length of 60 cm, this is the largest member of the genus Causus. The longest individual ever recorded was a 93 cm male collected in eastern Zimbabwe.The head...
- Night Adder - Bitis arietansBitis arietansBitis arietans is a venomous viper species found in savannah and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rain forest regions. It is responsible for causing the most fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution and...
- Puff Adder - Bitis atroposBitis atroposBitis atropos is a venomous viper species found only in mountainous regions in southern Africa. A small species. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
- Berg Adder - Bitis cornuta albanicaBitis cornuta albanicaBitis cornuta albanica is a venomous viper subspecies restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa.-Description:This subspecies does not have the horns that are characteristic of the nominate race, B. c. cornuta...
- Hornsman Adder
Trees, shrubs and lianes
- Acokanthera oppositifolia
- Afrocarpus falcatusAfrocarpus falcatusAfrocarpus falcatus, commonly known as the Sickle-leaved Yellowwood and False Yellowwood Afrocarpus falcatus, commonly known as the Sickle-leaved Yellowwood and False Yellowwood Afrocarpus falcatus, commonly known as the Sickle-leaved Yellowwood and False Yellowwood (formerly also Outeniqua...
- Allophylus decipiens
- Andrachne ovalis
- Apodytes dimidiataApodytes dimidiataApodytes dimidiata is a bushy tree, with white fragrant flowers and small, dark red berries. It is usually about 5 m tall , and it is indigenous to Southern Africa.The taxonomical family placement for this and other Apodytes is currently under debate...
- Berzelia intermedia
- Brachylaena glabra
- Brachylaena neriifoliaBrachylaena neriifoliaBrachylaena neriifolia is a small tree, native to river valleys in Southern Africa....
- Brunia nodiflora
- Buddleja salignaBuddleja salignaBuddleja saligna, the False, or Bastard, Olive, is almost endemic to South Africa where it has a wide distribution. It occurs most often in ravines and against outcrops, and is distributed from coastal elevations to the central plateau at elevations Buddleja saligna, the False, or Bastard, Olive,...
- Buddleja salviifolia
- Burchellia bubalina
- Calodendrum capenseCalodendrum capenseCalodendrum capense is an African tree which was first studied at The Cape in South Africa and cultivated widely for its prolific flower display...
- Canthium mundianum
- Canthium obovatum
- Canthium pauciflorum
- Canthium ventosum
- Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia
- Carissa bispinosa
- Cassine aethopica
- Cassine eucleaeformis
- Cassine papillosa
- Cassine parvifolia
- Cassine peraguaCassine peraguaCassine peragua is a medium-sized tree with fragrant flowers, decorative fruits and a saffron-coloured trunk. It is indigenous to the Afro-montane forests of South Africa....
- Cassine tetragona
- Cassinopsis ilicifolia
- Celtis africanaCeltis africanaCeltis africana is a tree in the Cannabaceae family. This is a common and widespread forest tree from South Africa to Ethiopia. It is a fast growing and popular garden tree in South Africa and is easily propagated....
- Chionanthus foveolatusChionanthus foveolatusChionanthus foveolatus is a medium-sized, evergreen, Afromontane tree that is indigenous to South Africa....
subsp. foveolatus - Chrysanthemoides moniliferaChrysanthemoides moniliferaChrysanthemoides monilifera...
- Clausena anisata
- Clematis brachiata
- Clutia affinis
- Colpoon compressum
- Cunonia capensisCunonia capensisCunonia capensis is a small tree, found in the afromontane forests of Southern Africa, and along rivers....
- Curtisia dentata
- Cussonia thyrsiflora
- Cyathea capensisCyathea capensisCyathea capensis, also known as the Forest Tree Fern, is a widespread and highly variable species of tree fern. It is divided into two subspecies: C. c. capensis from the Old World Tropics and C. c. polypodioides from the New World Tropics. It is the only member of the family Cyatheaceae found in...
(L.f.) J.E. Sm. - Cynanchum ellipticum (Harv.) R.A.Dyer
- Diospyros dichrophylla
- Diospyros glabra
- Diospyros whyteanaDiospyros whyteanaDiospyros whyteana is a small African tree of the ebony family. Bearing dark green, strikingly glossy leaves and creamy fragrant flowers, it is increasingly cultivated in Southern African gardens as an attractive and strong ornamental tree...
- Dodonaea viscosaDodonaea viscosaDodonaea viscosa is a species of flowering plant in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, that has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions of Africa, the Americas, southern Asia and Australasia.-Description:...
var. angustifolia - Dovyalis rhamnoides
- Ekebergia capensisEkebergia capensisEkebergia capensis is a tree in the Meliaceae family. It is commonly known as the Cape Ash. Its range extends from the Eastern Cape of South Africa to Sudan and Ethiopia.-References:...
- Empleurum unicapsulareEmpleurum unicapsulareEmpleurum unicapsulare or False Buchu, is a South African shrub belonging to the family Rutaceae and occurs from the south-western districts of the Cape Province to the Uitenhage area....
(L. f.) Skeels - Erica floribunda
- Euclea polyandra
- Euclea racemosaEuclea racemosaEuclea racemosa is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that is indigenous to the coastal areas of South Africa....
- Euclea schimperi var. schimperi
- Euclea undulata
- Faurea macnaughtoniiFaurea macnaughtoniiFaurea macnaughtonii is a species of tree in the Proteaceae family. It is found in South Africa and Swaziland.The wood has a strong aromatic smell and is used for making tableware.-Source:...
- Ficus burtt-davyi
- Ficus sur
- Gnidia denudata
- Gonioma kamassi
- Grewia occidentalisGrewia occidentalisGrewia occidentalis is a small, hardy, attractive tree indigenous to Southern Africa.A small, scrambling, deciduous tree reaching a height of about 3m, its purple, star-shaped flowers appear in summer, followed by distinctive four-lobed berries...
- Halleria lucidaHalleria lucidaHalleria lucida is an small, attractive, evergreen tree that is indigenous to Southern Africa. It is increasingly grown as an ornamental tree in African gardens.-Appearance:...
- Hartogiella schinoidesHartogiellaHartogiella is a genus of flowering plant within the family Celastraceae.It contains one species, Hartogiella schinoides , a medium-sized tree from the southern Western Cape province of South Africa...
Codd - Heteromorpha arborescens
- Hippobromus pauciflorus
- Ilex mitisIlex mitisIlex mitis is a tall, dense, evergreen tree that is indigenous to Southern Africa. It makes an excellent fast-growing hedge for gardens - growing tall, straight and dense.-Appearance:If not pruned, Ilex mitis can grow to a height of 20 meters or more...
- Kiggelaria africanaKiggelaria africanaKiggelaria africana is a large, robust, low-branching African tree.Despite its common name, it is not related to the more familiar fruit-producing Peach tree although the leaves do superficially look similar.-Appearance:A well-shaped, robust, evergreen tree with grey-green leaves...
- Lachnostylis hirta
- Laurophyllus capensis
- Leucadendron adscendens
- Leucadendron conicum
- Leucadendron eucalyptifolium
- Leucospermum attenuatum
- Maerua cafra
- Maerua racemulosa
- Maytenus acuminataMaytenus acuminataMaytenus acuminata is a variable, medium-sized, evergreen tree indigenous to Africa, including South Africa. Here it is especially common on the verges of afro-montane forest. It produces small, white flowers and bright orange or red berries. In cultivation it is useful as a light shade tree or as...
- Maytenus heterophylla
- Maytenus peduncularis
- Myrica humilis
- Myrica cordifolia
- Myrica serrata
- Nuxia floribundaNuxia floribundaNuxia floribunda is a species of tree, native to Africa. It usually grows to between 3 and 10 metres tall, although it occasionally may grow as tall as 25 metres. It has a crooked trunk, rough flaking bark and a rounded canopy...
- Ochna arborea
- Ocotea bullataOcotea bullataOcotea bullata is a species of flowering tree in the family Lauraceae, native to South Africa. It produces very fine and valuable timber which, along with Yellowood, was much sought after to make traditional furniture. Due to over-exploitation it is now a protected species. Other names for it are...
- Olea capensisOlea capensisOlea capensis, the Black Ironwood tree, is an African tree species belonging to the olive family . Olea capensis is widespread in Africa. It is found almost throughout Africa south of the Sahara desert from the east in Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, south to the tip of South Africa, and west to...
subsp. capensis - Olea capensisOlea capensisOlea capensis, the Black Ironwood tree, is an African tree species belonging to the olive family . Olea capensis is widespread in Africa. It is found almost throughout Africa south of the Sahara desert from the east in Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, south to the tip of South Africa, and west to...
subsp. macrocarpa - Olea europaea subsp. cuspidataOlea europaea subsp. cuspidataOlea europaea subsp. cuspidata is a subspecies of olive previously described as Olea cuspidata and Olea africana. It is has various local common names, including African olive, wild olive, iron tree, Indian olive or zambujeiro da India....
- Olea exasperata
- Olinia cymosa
- Colpoon compressum Berg.
- Passerina falcifolia
- Pittosporum viridiflorum
- Platylophus trifoliatus
- Podocarpus latifoliusPodocarpus latifoliusPodocarpus latifolius is a large evergreen tree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae; it is the type species of the genus Podocarpus....
- Polygala myrtifolia
- Protea mundii
- Protea neriifoliaProtea neriifoliaProtea neriifolia, also known as oleanderleaf protea, is a flowering plant. which is endemic to South Africa.-Description:It forms a large shrub from about 3 metres to 5 metres in height...
- Prunus africanaPrunus africanaPrunus africana, or Red Stinkwood , is an evergreen tree native to the montane regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Islands of Madagascar, Sao Tome, Fernando Po and Grande Comore at about 900–3400 m. of altitude. The mature tree is 10–25 m. high, open-branched and often pendulous in forest,...
- Psoralea pinnataPsoralea pinnataPsoralea pinnata is an erect evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to a height of to tall.- Description :This plant has fine deep green linear leaves that are deeply divided with a length of about...
- Psychotria capensis
- Pterocelastrus rostratus
- Pterocelastrus tricuspidatusPterocelastrus tricuspidatusPterocelastrus tricuspidatus is a medium-sized evergreen tree, indigenous to South Africa....
- Pyrenacantha scandens Planch. ex Harv.
- Rapanea melanophloeosRapanea melanophloeosRapanea melanophloeos, commonly known as Cape Beech, Kaapse Boekenhout or IsiCalabi, is native to the afromontane forests of Southern Africa.-Distribution:...
- Rhamnus prinoidesRhamnus prinoidesRhamnus prinioides, the Shiny-leaf Buckthorn, is an African shrub or small tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It was first described by French botanist Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1789.-Description:...
- Rhoicissus tomentosaRhoicissus tomentosaRhoicissus tomentosa is a vigorous, evergreen vine that is indigenous to the afro-montane forests of southern Africa...
- Rhus chirindensis
- Rhus crenataRhus crenataRhus crenata is a species of Rhus native to South Africa, where it occurs in frost-free and light frost areas....
- Rhus glaucaRhus glaucaRhus glauca is a small tree or bush that is commonly found along the coastline of southern Africa. Although commonest near the coast, it is also found inland among fynbos vegetation....
- Rhus longispina
- Rhus lucidaRhus lucidaRhus lucida, Varnished Kuni-Rhus Blinktaaibos . This small tree has a distribution along the West Coast of South Africa from Saldanha Bay around the Cape and up the East Coast almost until the Mozambique border...
- Rhus tomentosaRhus tomentosaRhus tomentosa , Real Wild Currant, Umhlakoti or Korentebos is a small, bushy, evergreen tree that occurs in fynbos and coastal shrub in South Africa. It is naturally most common in forest margins.The sprays of small greenish flowers emit an unpleasant smell that attracts flies...
- Rhus undulata
- Rothmannia capensisRothmannia capensisRothmannia capensis is a South African tree belonging to the Rubiaceae, usually about 5 m high in the open, but reaching 20 m under forest conditions. It occurs from the south-western Cape Province along the coastal regions and inland to the Waterberg and Soutpansberg in the Transvaal. It...
- Salix mucronataSalix mucronataSalix mucronata is a tall, graceful, evergreen Willow tree. It grows along riverbanks in South Africa and is used for a wide range of traditional medicines....
subsp. capensis - Schefflera umbellifera
- Scutia myrtina
- Secamone alpiniSecamone alpiniSecamone alpini is a species of forest creeper in the Asclepiadaceae family.Its natural habitat is the afro-montane forests of Africa....
- Schotia afra var. afra
- Schotia latifolia
- Scolopia mundii
- Scolopia zeyheri
- Sideroxylon inermeSideroxylon inermeSideroxylon inerme is a Southern African coastal tree, with dense foliage, black berries and small, dainty white flowers. The tree's formal name means "Iron-wood" in Greek, referring to its very hard timber....
- Sparmannia africana
- Strelitzia alba
- Strychnos decussata
- Tarchonanthus camphoratusTarchonanthus camphoratusTarchonanthus camphoratus , is a shrub or small tree, native to eastern and Southern Africa and Arabia....
- Trichocladus crinitus
- Trimeria grandifolia
- Vepris lanceolataVepris lanceolataVepris lanceolata is a large, evergreen tree of South Africa.-External links:*...
- Virgilia oroboides
- Zanthoxylum capense
- Zanthoxylum davyi
See also
- Tsitsikamma National ParkTsitsikamma National ParkThe Tsitsikamma National Park is a coastal reserve on the Garden Route in South Africa. It is well known for indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. On 6 March 2009 it was amalgamated with the Wilderness National Park and various other areas of land to form the Garden Route...
- Garden RouteGarden RouteThe Garden Route is a popular stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Heidelberg in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme western reach of the neighbouring Eastern Cape...
- Plettenberg BayPlettenberg BayPlettenberg Bay, nicknamed Plet or Plett, is the primary town of the Bitou Local Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. As of the census of 2001, there were 29149 population...
- KeurboomstrandKeurboomstrand, Western CapeKeurboomstrand is a resort town near Plettenberg Bay on the Western Cape of South Africa. It takes its name from the indigenous keurboom tree which grows in the region. The Keurbooms River runs nearby.-History:...