Seasons

Gondwana’s Seasons

No matter the weather a Cape Safari will always be a magical experience!

Summer (Nov – Feb)

Fynbos Highlights
Yellow pincushion comes out just in time for Christmas
Birding Highlights
South Africa’s national bird the Blue Crane, finds refuge on Gondwana where they breed and raise their chicks on the plains.
Wildlife Highlights
Antelope species continue to produce young. Black wildebeest calves and impala lambs are abundant.
Average temp: 20.3C
Lows 10C – Highs 33.7C

Autumn (March – May)

Fynbos Highlights
Fynbos in full bloom look out for Ericas, & Bearded Proteas
Birding Highlights
We welcome back nomadic nectar feeding bird species such as the Cape Sugarbird and Orange breasted Sunbird. Species such as the male Malachite Sunbird moults into its metallic green plumage.
Wildlife Highlights
Many antelope species such as impala go into rutting season where they challenge each other in noisy, boisterous disputes in a struggle to gain and hold a territory.
Average temp: 17.9C
Lows 7C – Highs 31.9C

Winter (June – Aug)

Fynbos Highlights
Protea forests are in full bloom. Purple Ericas in bloom in our wetland areas, “heather on the hills”
Birding Highlights
Nectivores birds are abundant (sunbirds & sugarbirds) – The endemic Orange Breasted Sunbird is nesting at this time of year on the reserve
Wildlife Highlights
If Gondwana’s lion pride has cubs they usually come out of hiding at this time of the year and we get our first sightings of them
Average temp: 13.9C
Lows 7.5C – Highs 27.7C

Spring (Sept – Oct)

Fynbos Highlights
Sweet thorn acacia (Acacia karoo) will start to flower, attracting bees to pollinate the bright yellow flowers. September bush (Polygala myrtifolia) flowering with bright pink flowers (leaves are made into a poultice for treating gout). Various gladiolus species and other bulbs are in flower.
Birding Highlights
Burchells coucal: also called the rain bird has started calling. The Zulu culture believe that one should plant your crops when this bird calls as rain is expected.
Migratory birds: We say good bye to many of the sunbirds as they migrate to higher altitudes, but we welcome back the summer residents, Red-chested Cuckoo, Didericks Cuckoo, White-rumped Swifts, European Swallows
Wildlife Highlights
Reptiles have become active: many snakes (puffadders, boom slang, night adder, karoo padloper) Eland, red hartebeest, gemsbok are calving with many babies seen on the reserve.
Average temp: 15.9C
Lows 7.9C – Highs 31.9C