South Africa is also one of the most fascinating places on earth for its geographical and cultural diversity. It offers abundant safari and tour possibilities, an astounding array of outdoor sports and activities as well as more refined options such as wine tasting in the Western Cape Region or luxurious train rides. Its varied and breathtaking landscapes and landmarks are renowned worldwide. South Africa is a dynamic fusion of African, European and Asian influences and it is the interplay between these various cultures and heritages, which gives meaning to the slogan: "A world in one country".
Hippos
Hippos are not good swimmers. They are bottom dwellers, keeping slow-moving water ways open by acting as dredgers against siltation and vegetation growth. They wear pathways along the bottom, can push their way to the surface in deep water and slowly return to the bottom. This is not swimming as they cannot control their buoyancy.
Spotted hyena
Spotted hyena often sit in water to cool off. They are unable to perspire and so pant nasally, the evaporation from the moist mouth and nasal cavities cooling the inhaled air and the blood going to the brain.
zebras
zebras have individual striped patterns, as well as their left and right side patterns differing.
Leopard, cheetah and wild dogs
Leopard, cheetah and wild dogs have dark bodies with a highly visible and contrasting white patch at the end of the tail. This is used as an easily visible "follow beacon" for young and other members of the pride/pack through long grass or thick bush. Lions have a black tip on their tail, contrasting with a light tan body.
Lions
Lions are the only true social cats with a matriarchal social structure. Groups are formed and based on close bonds among females, not necessarily closely related. Males fight for the right to rule a territory and have access to its females but may form coalitions with brothers, half-brothers or strangers.
Spotted
Spotted hyena cubs have a black coat for the first three months of life. When twin females are born, one usually kills the other. This is because hyenas are a matriarchal society. Spotted hyena females are bigger than males, and because they dominate food sources, stay that way. Hyena generally dominates all other predators except for lion. In numbers they can intimidate and drive lions off a kill particularly because of superior teamwork. Female genitalia have changed in appearance to mimic those of males, possibly linked to when the species evolved into a matriarchal society.
Elephants
Elephants can swim well, not needing to stay in contact with the bottom. The trunk will be used as a snorkel when crossing deep water. Dust or mud bathing after a swim helps protect the skin from sunburn. Suckling calves do not use the trunk to suckle but use the mouth directly.
white rhino
white rhino male can reach up to 2 300kg whereas a large black rhino weighs around 1 100kg. A white rhino has pointed ears, a flattish back with a bump near the middle, and elongated head, a square upper lip for grazing. The young usually runs ahead of the mother and the tail curls back when alarmed.
