Camping is a great way to get close to nature. Here are some green tips to help you keep your wild camping spot as pretty as you found it.

It's a rewarding job, but only when there is a success story. Mark Gamble works for Educo Africa helping to improve the quality of life for people living in disadvanged communities. Nature plays an important role in the programme and time spent in the mountains often brings great rewards.

Not everyone has been gnawed on by a leopard and lived to tell the tale. Not everyone has lived in the Kruger National Park for 32 years either. But these are just two of many things that make section ranger Johann Oelofse interesting.

Laura Horwitz is my office colleague. She is an American. Over an impromptu interview near the fax machine, she tells me what she likes about South Africa’s national parks.

With spring in the air, our kids will soon be shaking off their winter clothes and heading outdoors! Tom Van der Zee, author of Stings, Bites, Poisons and Spikes, talks to us about bees and wasps and gives a few pointers from the book.

The raptors in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park have an enthusiastic new champion for their cause.

How much do you know about the world's largest land mammal? Try our quiz and find out. Check out our elephant photographs in our new elephant gallery.

Flowers have begun showing off their bright colours. Scott Ramsay was recently in the Namaqua National Park and photographed these magnificent blooms. Scott is spending a Year in the Wild visiting 31 of South Africa's most-loved national parks and reserves. Get regular updates at www.yearinthewild.com and follow Scott's trip on Facebook.

In our most recent poll, Wild asked our readers to vote for their ideal way to spend a winter’s day. The majority of you voted for cuddling up by the fire in a cosy cabin, so here are our suggestions for some of the best fireside destinations to visit this winter: