Eragrostis capensis also known as heart-seed love grass. This grass flowers from September to May, it is one of the first grasses to re-sprout after fire and is grazed by game until more palatable grasses become available. It is found in vlei areas and often along road sides where additional rain water collects in sandy and loam or clay soils. 
Salvia Africana-lutea also known as dune salvia, wild sage, geelblomsalie. This shrub is very attractive and unusual due to its colouring – grey green leaves and red brown flowers. The leaves are very aromatic and have been used as a substitute for sage. Salvia specie infusions have been extensively used medicinally for colds, flu and bronchitis 
Ruschia intricata is a striking “vygie” also known locally as the doringvygie. The leaves are small and cylindrical and grey green in colour. The whole plant becomes completely covered in glistening purple with yellow flowers from July to September. 
Gladiolus floribundus subsp. floribundus, a beautiful gladiolus with large flowers that vary from creamy pink and mauve with dark median stripe on each lobe. Upper lobes are larger than the lower lobes. The leaves are stiff sword like leaves. It seems to favour sandy soils or stony ground on mountain slopes. 
Hermannia saccifera also known as Komynbossie or Sterpoprosie is a sprawling shrublet less than 30cm tall with vibrant yellow flowers the leaves are sometimes “sticky” and are toothed. Hermannia saccifera seems to be browsed only occasionally when animals are stressed for food. 
Peter Boardman from Red Rocks 27 needs no introduction to Gondwana. He is a very enthusiastic and dedicated birder. He has compiled a wonderful record over the years of his bird sightings when he visits the reserve from the UK. Peter has complied a list of what he regards as “common” birds, by which he means species which he would be d 
The two new lion cubs born on the reserve don’t need any introduction as they have attracted many photographers in recent weeks! We have some exciting news regarding the buffalo. We will be introducing an enlarged free roaming herd onto the main reserve in July! The two buffalo bulls currently roaming on the main reserve h 
The Bontebok is an antelope that consists of two subspecies, the Blesbok and the endangered Bontebok. The Blesbok have a larger range whereas the Bontebok only occur in the Fynbos and Renosterveld areas of the western cape.The two antelope are difficult to tell apart, the Blesbok is a lighter shade of brown compared to the Bontebok and has a 
There is an abundance of sunbirds at the moment in response to the availability of flowering plants at Gondwana. The warbling, tinkering, tittering calls of the birds can be heard all over the reserve and dashes of iridescence catches the eye. We have six species of sunbird in this region which include the Malachite, Amethyst, Southern Double-colla 
Dogs are known as a man’s best friend, our closest companions, our protectors and even lifesavers. Now more than ever dogs are helpful with protecting animals too. With a good dose of intelligence, a fantastic sense of smell and brilliant hearing, dogs such as the German Shepard and Belgian Malinois to name a few are perfect for challenges such a 
