DISCOVER
( Pseudobarbus agulhas) and the Heuningnes galaxias( Galaxias sp. nov. heuningnes).
The return of megafauna Rewilding efforts have extended beyond plants and small fauna. Hippopotamus, listed as‘ vulnerable’, and Cape buffalo, classified as‘ near threatened’, have been reintroduced to wetlands they last inhabited roughly 200 years ago. Both species have successfully established breeding populations, marking a significant milestone in restoring natural ecological processes.
The wetland and lake systems are also home to Rau quagga, part of the Rau Quagga Project, which aims to breed animals that closely resemble the extinct quagga using plains zebra with near-identical genetics.
A tour with a difference Although the wetlands lie on privately owned land belonging to generational farming families and the community of Elim, limited public access is offered each year through Wildlife Guided Tours. During the summer months, weather permitting, visitors can explore the wetlands on guided game-viewing vehicles, learning about the landscape and encountering wildlife along the way. No two visits are ever the same. Sightings may range from elusive mammals to unexpected birdlife,
AUTUMN 2026 • rovesa. co. za | 31