Protea Compacta

This tree protea (also called a sugarbush) was photographed in the Marakele National Park while going up the two towers mountain.

Tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus)

Photo taken in the Marakele National Park.

Shoulder Height: +-1.2m

Weight: Males +-140kg. females +-125kg

ID pointers : hartebeest like body, shoulders higher than rump, dark facial blaze, reddish-brown in colour, horns widely lyrate, purplish sheen.

IUCN Status: Least concern

Warthog

Photographed in the Marakele National Park.

Shoulder Height: +-60-70cm

Weight: Males 60 - 105kg. females 45 - 70kg

ID pointers : pig like appearance, sparsely haired body, large wart-like lumps on the face, curved upward pointing tusks, thin tail with dark hairy tip held erect when running.

Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)

This magnificent animal was photographed in the Marakele National Park.

Shoulder Height: +-1.4 to 1.6m

Weight: Males +-250kg. females +-180kg

ID pointers : Large type of buck, 6-10 vertical strips, grey-brown in colour, large rounded ears, bulls carry long spiral horns.

IUCN Status: Least concern

African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

This very young animal was spotted at the Heia Safari Lodge outside JHB. Also a dangerous animal when cornered/wounded.

Shoulder Height: +-1.4m

Weight: Males +- 700kg. females +-550kg

ID pointers : Very cattle like appearance, very large, massive horns that covers the top of the head. found mainly on savanna plains.

IUCN Status: Least concern

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Taken in the Heia Safari lodge just outside JHB. Very dangerous and unpredictable animals.

Shoulder Height: +-1.5M
Weight: Males 1000 - >2000kg. females 1000 - 1700kg
ID pointers : Large barrel shaped body, short thick legs, massive head, broad muzzle, close to water.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)

This was also take in the Heia Safari Lodge. This Zebra is also called the Burchell's Zebra.


Shoulder Height: +-1.3m
Weight: 290 - 340kg
ID pointers : Stocky pony like build, sometimes a shadow stripe (brown stripe between), black & white stripes extend onto the underparts.

IUCN status: Least concern

White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum)

This was taken at the Heia Safari Lodge just outside JHB. Seen here with a calf.
Shoulder Height: +-1.8M

Weight: Males 2000 - 2300kg. females 1400 - 1600kg
ID pointers : Broad square muzzle, large head carried low, hump on the neck, large pointed ears

IUCN Status: Near Threatened