The African wilderness is a place of constant change. Seasons shift, temperatures fluctuate, and the wildlife must adapt to survive.  At Londolozi, we experience sweltering summers and crisp, dry winters, and while some animals remain active year-round, others have developed fascinating strategies to endure extreme conditions.

While many people are familiar with hibernation—where animals enter a state of deep sleep during cold winters—fewer know about aestivation, a similar process that occurs in order to avoid dry and drought conditions. Though both are forms of dormancy that help animals conserve energy when resources are scarce, they serve different purposes and are triggered by opposite conditions.

As we move through March, bringing on the start of Autumn, seasons are beginning to shift. The intense heat of summer is gradually giving way to the cooler, drier months ahead. Recent rainfall has left the bushveld lush and vibrant, but soon the landscape will begin to dry, and temperatures will drop, bringing a new set of challenges.

Hibernation – Escaping the Cold

As the rainy season fades and winter approaches, temperatures will steadily decline, and food sources will become less abundant. Some animals at Londolozi respond by entering a state of torpor, a short-term form of hibernation that allows them to conserve energy. While true hibernation is rare in this region, several species enter torpor to endure the winter.

• Dwarf mongooses: These highly social animals will remain in their termite mound dens for longer periods during cold spells, slowing their metabolism to conserve energy.
• Reptiles like tortoises and skinks: As ectotherms that gain their body temperature from their surroundings, they become far less active in winter, often sheltering under rocks or in burrows to avoid the cold.
• Certain frogs: Species like the African Bullfrog may burrow into mud to escape the dryness that accompanies winter, entering a semi-hibernation state.

Though winter at Londolozi is not as harsh as in temperate regions, the cooler nights and reduced availability of prey make torpor a crucial survival tool for some species.

Tracker Rob “Prof” Hlatshwyao and I were so excited when he spotted this little guy! African Bullfrogs are something of a rarity here and seeing this one poised on the edge of this mud wallow, potentially freshly emerged from an underground winter slumber was a real treat!

Aestivation – Beating the drought

While some animals slow down to survive the chill of winter, others struggle with the arid conditions of the winter months. With March still holding onto some of the last summer rains, the bush remains green, but as the dry season nears, water sources will start to dwindle, forcing certain species to enter aestivation.

• Leopard tortoises: During especially dry spells, these tortoises will seek shelter in shaded areas or burrow into the ground to avoid dehydration.
• African Bullfrogs: These amphibians are experts at aestivation, burrowing deep into the mud and forming a mucous cocoon to retain moisture until the rains return.
• Snails: Certain species seal themselves inside their shells with a layer of mucus, effectively waiting out the dry conditions.

Unlike hibernation, which can last for months, aestivation varies in duration and often depends on the severity of the dryness. With winter approaching, animals that rely on aestivation will soon start preparing as the bush dries out.

Nature is full of remarkable adaptations, and the ability to enter a state of dormancy—whether to survive the cold or escape dry conditions —is one of nature’s most fascinating strategies. Next time you’re out on game drive, think about the hidden stories of these animals. Whether it’s a tortoise tucked away in the shade or a mongoose curled up in its den, each one is responding to the challenges of the wild in its own way.