Learn more about South Africa with these Instagram accounts

Instagram isn’t just about posting pictures of your lunch, or selfies with you and the pug. Like all social networks, it can actually be used as an educational tool.

Here are a few South African accounts illustrating this point.

@birds_by_rousseau

Follow for: a wealth of information about South Africa’s birds.

Ran by Stellenbosch University lecturer Rousseau Lotter, this account is dedicated to documenting the bevy of bird species prevalent in South Africa. From glossy starlings to doves, to kestrels and spoonbills, this account will help even the novice bird watcher identify their featured subject.

The Cape Glossy Starling shown here is distinguished from some other similar Starlings by, amongst others, a “reddish bronze shoulder patch”, that I managed to capture for the first time in this photo. #Beautiful bird this! . . . #birds_perfection #birds_private #birds_adored #planetbirds #birdsofsouthafrica #yourbestbirds #bns_birds #birds_illife #birds_captures #exclusive_bird #bestbirdshots #kings_birds #bird_brilliance #best_birds_of_ig #igbirds #pocket_birds #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #eye_spy_birds #only_raptors #sabirds #nuts_about_birds #thebirdingsquad #birdsmagazine #menseselense #birds_of_world

A post shared by Rousseau Lotter (@birds_by_rousseau) on Aug 8, 2018 at 4:15am PDT

Yellow-billed Duck on a winter’s day in Cape Town. . . . #birds_perfection #birds_private #birds_adored #planetbirds #birdsofsouthafrica #yourbestbirds #bns_birds #birds_illife #birds_captures #exclusive_bird #bestbirdshots #featherperfection #kings_birds #bird_brilliance #best_birds_of_ig #igbirds #pocket_birds #bird #birdphotography #eye_spy_birds #only_raptors #sabirds #bns_birds #nuts_about_birds #birdsofinstagram #thebirdingsquad #birdsmagazine #menseselense #best_birds_of_world

A post shared by Rousseau Lotter (@birds_by_rousseau) on Jul 20, 2018 at 2:27pm PDT

The Greater Kestrel as you would normally see it perched. . . . #birds_perfection #birds_private #birds_adored #planetbirds #birdsofsouthafrica #yourbestbirds #bns_birds #birds_illife #birds_captures #exclusive_bird #birds_perfection #bestbirdshots #featherperfection #kings_birds #bird_brilliance #best_birds_of_ig #igbirds #pocket_birds #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #eye_spy_birds #only_raptors #sabirds #bns_birds #nuts_about_birds #birdsofinstagram #thebirdingsquad #birdsmagazine #menseselense

A post shared by Rousseau Lotter (@birds_by_rousseau) on Jul 16, 2018 at 3:20pm PDT

@the_mushroom_forager

Follow for: mushroom mushroom.

With more than 1100 posts, Justin Williams’ account aims to document the multitude of mushrooms, herbs and fungi just waiting to be picked in South Africa’s gardens. Granted, you really, really shouldn’t simply pick anything and put it in your mouth — seriously — but this account does an excellent job explaining the history and usefulness of the flora and fungi that surround us.

Have been commissioned to write a feature for Veld and Flora magazine about local fungi, and the first mushroom I thought about was our fynbos morels. I’ve spent 4 special years learning about these rare and exquisite mushrooms and feel like the time has come to put those learnings onto paper and do my part for the greater good of science. Who’d be keen to read it? 🍄 . . . . . . #morel #morelmushrooms #morels #morchella #mushroom #mushrooms #fungi #nature #naturelovers #capenature #capetown

A post shared by Justin Williams (@the_mushroom_forager) on Aug 2, 2018 at 10:06pm PDT

Knowledge from the ancients tells us that some mushrooms are better pickled, and I can vouch when taking saffron milk caps into account. The classic Russian salted method deploys lacto-fermentation and delivers a meaty, flavoursome quality when applied to young mushrooms, a process where their own brine is drawn from course salt to form the pickle. However, an oil and vinegar marinade method is just as good. This is the best form of preservation for these mushrooms. . . . . . . . . . #lacatariusdeliciosus #lactarius #saffronmilkcap #saffies #pinerings #mushrooms #recipe #instarecipe #food #wildfood #instafood #forest #nature

A post shared by Justin Williams (@the_mushroom_forager) on Jun 14, 2018 at 9:05am PDT

The arrival of Amanita muscaria. A sure sign that the cold weather is setting in. A bright red beacon of intrigue. Plus it’s my favorite emoji 🍄 . . . . . . #amanitamuscaria #🍄 #amanita #mushroom #wildmushrooms #fliegenpilz #mukhamor #forest #nature #naturelovers

A post shared by Justin Williams (@the_mushroom_forager) on Apr 26, 2018 at 10:14am PDT

@hike_table_mountain

Follow for: knowledge about Table Mountain.

Capetonian hiker Riaan Vorster knows as much about Table Mountain and its hikes as I do about grilled cheese (that is to say a lot). With 485 posts, his account documents the various routes, paths and scrambles up and down South Africa’s most famous mountain.

View north from Llandudno Peak. #hikingtablemountain #tablemountainhikes #capetownhikingtrails #hiketablemountain #hikescapetown #llandudnopeak

A post shared by Riaan Vorster 060 539 9340 (@hike_table_mountain) on Jul 9, 2018 at 10:12am PDT

Table Mountain architecture. Built-up cave on Silverstream Corner. Who, when, why? Likely built by climbers, as no hiking routes exist nearby. What climbers? Only two climbing routes lead up thereabouts: Silverstream Corner, opened by George Londt in 1920; and Block & Tackle, opened by Mike Mamacos in 1949. So could be either’s handiwork. Used by early climbers as a kind of basecamp on overnight trips. Several exist all over Table Mountain. This one’s located on a narrow ledge far off the beaten track. #hikingtablemountain #tablemountaincaves #tablemountainhistory #climbingtablemountain #capetownhikingtrails #tablemountainadventureguide

A post shared by Riaan Vorster 060 539 9340 (@hike_table_mountain) on Apr 22, 2018 at 6:01am PDT

Aeropetes tulbaghia, drawn to red. #hikingtablemountain #hikestablemountain #tablemountainbeauty #capetownhikes

A post shared by Riaan Vorster 060 539 9340 (@hike_table_mountain) on Jan 11, 2018 at 2:14am PST

@springbok97

Follow for: views about the global aviation industry through the eyes of a South African engineer.

There are a slew of South African aviation accounts on Instagram, but @springbok97 has one of the largest follow pools. Working at London’s Gatwick Airport as an aircraft engineer, @springbok97’s gallery is laced with technical images and informative captions of a number of aircraft models.

Sleeping Springbok😴 – @FlySAA A330-200 ZS-SXX on remote stand at the British Airways maintenance stands at @Heathrow_Airport – Reason for being there, British Airways does the maintenance / turnaround for SAA and part of the deal is SAA can park their aircraft on BA remote stands because the aircraft land early in the morning and depart late in the evening! – #aviationdaily #aviationphotography #aviation #aviator #avgeeks #avgeek #southafrican #southafrica #saa #southafricanairways #airbus #airline #airbuslover #airbuslovers #airbusa330 #a330 #a330200 #a330lovers #heathrow #heathrowairport #london #megaplane #instadaily #instaaviation #instagramaviation @megaplane @instagramaviation

A post shared by Kyle (@springbok97) on Mar 29, 2017 at 5:19am PDT

BOEING MAINTENANCE HANGAR @ LGW – The B787-9 parked next to its “soon-to-be” base maintenance hangar, built and run by @boeing. – The hangar will be big enough to fit 2x B777X’s (with wingtips down) side-by-side or a B787-10 in the right bay and 5 B737-MAX aircraft in the left bay, with a large maintenance apron at the front of the hangar. – This really is going to be a massive operation and one that will bring hundreds of jobs in the near future! – #piloteyes737 #eu_spotters #instagramaviation #megaplane #boeing #boeinghangar #maintenance #aircraftmaintenance #gatwick #gatwickairport #london #hangar #londongatwick #b789 #b787 #dreamliner #b777x #b737 #b737max #aircraft #reflection #trent1000 #rollsroyce #avgeek #avgeeks @gatwickairport @megaplane @instagramaviation @eu_spotters

A post shared by Kyle (@springbok97) on Aug 6, 2018 at 5:00am PDT

*Rare Video* – The awesome C17 crew at FIA18 let me open up the aft door & cargo ramp of the aircraft! – Thanks @cefnoryan for filming for me! – #megaplane #instagramaviation #eu_spotters #avgeek #avgeeks #rarevideo #rare #cargoplane #cargo #c17 #globemaster #c17globemaster #USAF #boeing #boeinglovers #boeingc17 #planespotters #aviation #aviationlovers #behindthescenes #iphone #iphonex #iphoneonly @megaplane @eu_spotters @instagramaviation @militarytopics

A post shared by Kyle (@springbok97) on Jul 30, 2018 at 2:02pm PDT

@checkmyplants

Follow for: beautiful South African plant life.

From plants that eat animals, to plants that can be eaten by us, @checkmyplants is a highly informative account documenting the country’s flora.

Another Orbea variegata in bloom 😍😻🧚🏽‍♀️it looks like a painting 👩🏽‍🎨 🎨

A post shared by CheckMyPlants (@checkmyplants) on Aug 5, 2018 at 8:30am PDT

I love it when Lithops begin to split open 😀🖤 sometimes they split from 2 leaves to 2 leaves, and sometimes to 4 leaves. This one looks like it’s going to split into 4… what you think? It’s always tricky figuring out when to water your lithops and this is the time to NOT WATER! Basically, when they are splitting, they absorb the moisture from the old leaves into the new leaves. If you water then you risk the old leaves staying big and choking off the new leaves. Thanks @cactusjungle for the information 🖤🙏🏾🤓 #WHPlight

A post shared by CheckMyPlants (@checkmyplants) on Jul 29, 2018 at 3:25am PDT

Succulents come in all forms of shapes and sizes, and is it just me, but does this one look like a lady striking a beautiful pose? 😱😍🖤 This beauty is from the @babylonstoren collection and is called Fockea edulis. The name ‘edulis’ indicates the plant is edible, which is why it was known as “Hottentot Bread”. Ernst van Jaarsveld tells me that the stems are edible, fresh or roasted and were used by local San, Koi and pioneer farmers. 🥖 This plant is from Southern Africa, including Namibia and can be found in warmer drier areas, like in dry savannah’s and rockeries. These plants are dioecious, so a male plant and a female plant are needed to produce seeds and their flowers bloom in late summer and are pollinated by fruit flies. Interestingly this plant never goes into complete dormancy and always carries some leaves. This is an easy-to-grow caudiciform plant, and in the wild, the caudex is partially or totally buried. #WHPlight

A post shared by CheckMyPlants (@checkmyplants) on Jul 13, 2018 at 11:01pm PDT

@veldandsea

Follow for: a different understanding about the food you consume every day in South Africa.

Speaking of plants that can be eaten by us, this account takes that idea to the next level. Roushanna Grey’s @veldandsea demonstrates the “alternative lifestyle” that’s possible in South Africa. The account also sheds light on the abundance of “wild food” that lurks on almost every South African’s doorstep.

Sunday rainbow home forage and harvest bowl 🌈🌿💚✨ . . . #eattherainbow #wildfoodlove #winter

A post shared by Roushanna Gray ~ Veld + Sea (@veldandsea) on Jun 24, 2018 at 3:14am PDT

Full moon winter forage 🍃🍄☘️🌝 Oxalis, veldkool and pine ring mushrooms for brunch with a citrus buchu, musky rose Pelargonium, bietou berry and flower tea 🦋 The less your food has to travel, the tastier it is 🌿 . . . . . #aftertherain #fullmoon #wildfood #wildfoodlove #winter #seasonalfood #hyperlocal #slowfood #veldandsea #capetown #foraging

A post shared by Roushanna Gray ~ Veld + Sea (@veldandsea) on May 29, 2018 at 2:45am PDT

Alikreukel ( Turbo sarmaticus / giant turban ) freshly plucked from the ocean bed, cooked in sea water and herbs, chopped and mixed with avo, wasabi mayo, diced red onion, sesame oil, pepper and served in their shells. Collecting restrictions are 5 per day per person with a minimum size of 63.5mm. (We only got one each) Photos by @checkmyplants 💙 . . . . #gastropoda #wildchefs #coastalforaging #outdoorcooking #oceanside #freedive #forage #campfirecooking #freedive #snorkel #wildfood #outdoorkitchen

A post shared by Roushanna Gray ~ Veld + Sea (@veldandsea) on Mar 17, 2018 at 10:03am PDT

@southafrica

Follow for: endless proof that South Africa is the most beautiful country on Earth.

While it’s not maintained by the SA government of any legal body, @southafrica does an excellent job in showcasing just how gorgeous the nation is. Snaps are reposted from a number of stellar local photographers and include snaps of wildlife, cityscapes, landscapes and people.

The stunning Magwa Falls in Mboyti. Photo by @graeholliday #ThisIsSouthAfrica

A post shared by SouthAfrica (@southafrica) on Aug 9, 2018 at 2:27am PDT

Family first. Photo by @willbl #ThisIsSouthAfrica

A post shared by SouthAfrica (@southafrica) on Jul 13, 2018 at 3:02am PDT

It’s a winter wonderland in Ceres. Photo by @thewanderlustmovement #ThisIsSouthAfrica

A post shared by SouthAfrica (@southafrica) on Jul 5, 2018 at 1:05am PDT

Feature image: Memeburn