The Compass: South Africa

Surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, South Africa has some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth, a vibrant culture, spectacular wildlife, and a dramatic, inspiring past.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC VIEW ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

South Africa

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTIAN VORHOFER, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, South Africa has some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth, a vibrant culture, spectacular wildlife, and a dramatic, inspiring past. In this edition, meet the wild African cat that has adapted to life in a big city surprisingly well, learn about the ancient humans that survived a supervolcano, and travel to the African lodges leading the way in wildlife conservation. Let's explore South Africa.

ANIMALS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAY CABOZ This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city surprisingly well Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES OATWAY, GETTY IMAGES How rhino protectors in South Africa have become a major threat to the species The long-awaited trial of a star wildlife ranger on poaching-related charges illustrates the extent of criminal syndicates’ reach in Kruger National Park. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY MÉLANIE WENGER Africa’s only penguins face an uncertain future As the birds formerly known as “jackass penguins” struggle to find food, South Africa debates whether to give them a leg up by banning commercial fishing near their island colonies. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY NICHOLE SOBECKI South Africa plans to end controversial captive lion industry The country’s environment department will stop issuing permits to breed, keep, hunt, or interact with captive-bred lions. READ MORE SHARE

SCIENCE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDIA, UIG VIA GETTY IMAGES These ancient humans survived a supervolcano In South Africa, humans not only survived but thrived during the biggest volcanic eruption of the last two million years. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CLARK Ancient child’s bones deepen mystery of enigmatic human relative Teeth and skull fragments found in the maze-like recesses of a South African cave fuel debate on how Homo naledi lived—and whether it disposed of its dead. READ MORE

HISTORY & CULTURE

PHOTO COURTESY THE WALTHER COLLECTION Rescued portraits offer rare glimpse Into apartheid-era life Made during a period fraught with racial struggle in South Africa, S.J. “Kitty” Moodley’s studio portraits celebrate photography as a tool of self-representation. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY POOL-THEANA CALITZ-BILT, AP How Nelson Mandela fought apartheid—and why his work is not complete This activist dedicated his life to dismantling racism—and went from being the world’s most famous political prisoner to South Africa’s first Black president. READ MORE

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

ACCESS THIS ARTICLE AND MORE BY SUBSCRIBING NOW

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALICE MANN The drum majorettes of South Africa can outwork you Part sports team, part club, teams of “drummies” around Cape Town perform in competitions of athleticism, precision, and character. READ MORE SHARE

TRAVEL

DREAM NOW, GO LATER

PHOTOGRAPH BY ARIADNE VAN ZANDBERGEN, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO These African lodges lead the way in wildlife conservation Here’s where to see majestic animals and help to preserve their habitat in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and South Africa. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY LEISA TYLER, LIGHTROCKET / GETTY IMAGES Looking to escape the cold? Head to South Africa These wild and beautiful places offer equally wild and beautiful activities for those looking to extend the summer. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY SL PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY IMAGES Everything to know about Cape Town Cape Town is a city of mind-boggling cultural diversity, complexity, and intense natural beauty. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY MIKE SUTHERLAND Cycling through southern Africa: Big trip, bigger rewards A National Geographic cartographer bikes South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe on a mission to embrace conservation and support local communities. READ MORE SHARE

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT? Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

SHOP DONATE SUBSCRIBE TRAVEL

READ OUR LATEST STORIES

SHOP

DONATE

SUBSCRIBE

TRAVEL

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: mitch.dobbs.pics@blogger.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. © 2022 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.