The face of Southern Africa is a reflection of its turbulent geological past, as well as a huge range of climatic conditions. Few parts of the world contain such diverse and beautiful landscapes as this region where a desert stands in stark contrast to the lush eastern sea-board and the Cape mountains to the south. This diversity of habitats is one of the reasons for the extraordinary profusion of plants, insects and animals found here.

Leucadendron salignum in flower in fynbos on the Cape Peninsula. Beyond are False Bay and the southern Hottentots Holland Mountains. South Africa

Lotheni River valley, KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, South Africa

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Aloe dichotoma and Ursinia calenduliflora on granite in the Goegap Nature Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa

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Aloe pillansii on Cornell's Kop, Richtersveld, Northern Cape, South Africa