South Africa’s biomes

      Savanna Biome

• Savanna is the largest biome in South Africa, covering 34.3% of the country (about 435 000 km²). It is a mixture of grasses and trees or shrubs. Shrub-land, bushveld and woodland are types of Savanna.

• Savanna stretches from the Kalahari in the north-west across to the lowveld in the north-east and southwards to the lowlands of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. It is found from sea level to about 2000 metres above sea level.

• Rain falls in summer and varies greatly across the region, from about 235 mm per year in the Kalahari to over 1000 mm per year in the east.

• Fires are frequent. Most plants can re-sprout after fire.

• More than 5700 plant species grow in the Savanna Biome. They include various types of grasses (e.g. Rooigras) and trees like the Baobab, Mopane, Camel Thorn and Knob Thorn.

• The Savanna Biome is famous for its wild animals, like the Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Giraffe, Plains Zebra and numerous birds. Large game reserves like the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Kruger National Park are found in this region.

• The Savanna Biome is the centre of wildlife tourism and meat production (game, cattle and goats) in South Africa.