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From our CEO – Simon Espley
Despite the strategic radio silence from hunters about their trophies, reports are surfacing that more tuskers are being taken in Botswana. The latest is a huge bull with a single tusk weighing an estimated 110 pounds (see the photo below).
With Botswana also suffering from increased poaching in recent years, big-tusked elephants in that country will soon be extremely rare, as they already are in Tanzania, whose population has been hammered by the dual impact of trophy hunting and poaching. Tanzanian trophy hunters have resorted to picking off big bulls that roam from Kenya, which does not permit trophy hunting.
The conservation impact of trophy hunting of these giants is no different to that of poaching. Poachers want the ivory for the market; trophy hunters want it for the wall; both go after the bulls with the biggest tusks. These are the very animals whose experience, genetics and social authority hold herds together. When they are gone, something irreplaceable goes with them.
Botswana has set a record trophy hunting quota of 430 elephants for 2026, the highest anywhere in the world. There are fewer than 90 tuskers left in Africa. Bearing in mind that trophy hunters target big ivory, it does not take a mathematical genius to see the problem here.
And yet Botswana’s politicians and the ‘sustainable use’ lobby ignore this stark reality and distract from criticism by conflating the tusker population with the overall elephant population, making unverified claims about the supposed benefits of trophy hunting and claiming that killing the last remaining big-tusked elephants will reduce human-elephant conflict.
What will it take for common sense to prevail? Time will tell.
Does this mean we should boycott tourism in Botswana and Tanzania? NO, that would undermine remote, conservation-based tourism, and hand even more influence to those who argue that trophy hunting is the best way to generate revenue and jobs from natural resources. Every safari booked strengthens the non-consumptive wildlife economy and shifts the balance further towards photographic tourism. I genuinely believe that this is accelerating the decline of trophy hunting of free-roaming wildlife, and that gives me hope.
So my answer is unequivocal: If you want to help us eradicate the stain of trophy hunting in our wild unfenced areas, now is the time to visit Africa.
What keeps a baboon family together? According to decades of research, it’s the females. Unlike males, which leave their birth groups as they mature, female baboons spend their entire lives surrounded by mothers, daughters and sisters, building lifelong social bonds that do far more than strengthen family ties. Researchers have found that females with the strongest relationships experience less stress, live significantly longer and raise more surviving offspring than those that are socially isolated. Cooperation, grooming, protection and support between female relatives help buffer the challenges of daily life, creating benefits that last a lifetime. Survival isn’t always about strength or speed, but sometimes about the company you keep.
This week, we descend into Tanzania’s spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, where extraordinary wildlife densities meet one of Africa’s richest archaeological landscapes. We also explore new research revealing how elephants are reshaping the Greater Kruger, transforming savannas as restored landscapes reconnect and nature’s ecosystem engineers reclaim their role.
Also in this week’s newsletter: the Okavango Delta is in spectacular flood, and we’ve secured rare high-season availability at one of its classic safari camps. See more under our safari picks below.
Our stories this week
RESHAPING KRUGER
Elephants are transforming Greater Kruger as landscapes reconnect, revealing new insights into savanna ecology, carbon and conservation
NGORONGORO CRATER
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, centred on Tanzania’s famous crater, is a spectacular safari destination of abundant wildlife & ancient history
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Okavango Delta in flood The Okavango Delta is currently experiencing excellent flood levels, transforming this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a shimmering wilderness of channels, lagoons and floodplains alive with wildlife. To take advantage of these exceptional conditions, we have secured exclusive high-season availability at a rustic Delta camp that captures the spirit of Africa’s golden age of safari and experiential travel. Expect expert-guided game drives, mokoro excursions, bush walks and boat safaris in one of Africa’s most extraordinary destinations. Let us tailor-make the perfect Okavango adventure to suit your needs, or explore these exclusive ready-made Delta itineraries (click to view the 4-day or 5-day options). Get in touch with us to plan your adventure.
Classic Tanzania: bush & beach safari – 10 days
The perfect bush and beach trifecta. A classic Tanzanian bush and beach safari that immerses you in iconic locations with time-honoured luxury camps. This is an unforgettable 10-day sojourn that blends the untamed beauty of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit with the tranquil allure of its warm-water beaches. You’ll journey through the awe-inspiring panoramas of the Ngorongoro Crater, the sweeping plains of Serengeti National Park, and the sun-kissed shores of Zanzibar.
We’ve been nominated as Africa’s Leading Tour Operator AND as Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company in the 2026 World Travel Awards, and we’d love your support.
By voting for Africa Geographic, you’re backing a more conscious and meaningful way to travel: one that celebrates Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity, connects travellers with authentic experiences, and contributes to conservation on the ground.
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1. Register here.
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Africa’s Leading Tour Operator 2026
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Every vote genuinely helps, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support!
Our safari guests say…
AG safari guests Cristian and Luisa from the UK went on an unforgettable honeymoon safari to Tanzania.
A truly exceptional honeymoon safari, thoughtfully planned and unforgettable. We booked our honeymoon safari with Africa Geographic, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of our lives. From the very first call, the experience felt personal and thoughtfully designed. Stefan took the time to understand what we enjoyed, what we hoped to experience, and even what pace suited us, before suggesting any destination. Based on that conversation, he recommended Tanzania, and the itinerary he built for us was beautifully balanced and perfectly aligned with what we wanted. The logistics were seamless thanks to Wayne, who handled every detail behind the scenes. Transfers, timings, internal flights – everything worked smoothly, and we always felt supported.
The safari itself was extraordinary. Each place we stayed had its own atmosphere and purpose, and the flow of the trip was perfect: Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Olduvai, Ndutu, and the Serengeti. We had so many highlights – a night game drive where the spotter found a camouflaged chameleon in the dark, the breathtaking views from Maweninga Camp, the huge elephant herds of Tarangire, the surreal beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater, seeing a leopard up close, witnessing a wildebeest river crossing, visiting Olduvai Gorge, and even having elephants walk right up to our tent in the Serengeti… We would recommend Africa Geographic without hesitation to anyone looking for a safari that is personal, well-designed, and truly special.
Explore some of Africa’s wildest corners in this short film, visiting conservation-focused lodges in landscapes home to gorillas, chimpanzees, shoebills, dugongs and much more – with our sister company, Ukuri. (08:58) Watch here
Some two million years ago, a volcano roughly the size of Mount Kilimanjaro exploded dramatically and collapsed in on itself. Millennia later, its caldera’s ancient walls, in what is now the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), are still intact, encircling and cradling one of the most biodiverse and precious wild spaces in Africa. The effect is almost cinematic, creating an impression of motionless time, sheltered and protected from the unrelenting advance of human development.
People, livestock and wildlife have shared the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for generations under one of Africa’s most distinctive multiple-land-use conservation models. While this balance continues today, it has also become the subject of significant conservation and community debate in recent years.
Ngorongoro Crater offers a spectacular wilderness that offers wild marvels, breathtaking scenery and complex insight into human history at every turn.
Quick facts
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) covers approximately 8,292 km² (829,200 hectares) in northern Tanzania and forms part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is recognised for both its exceptional natural heritage (since 1979) and its outstanding cultural significance (added in 2010), reflecting its unique combination of wildlife conservation, living Maasai culture and globally important archaeological sites. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders, the NCA encompasses Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge, Laetoli, several smaller volcanic craters, forests, lakes and vast short-grass plains that host part of the Great Migration‘s annual calving season. While the migration essentially follows a circular route, the northwest of the NCA is considered its starting point. Unlike a national park, the area is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority under a multiple-land-use model that allows wildlife and Maasai pastoralists to coexist across much of the landscape.
The Crater is the area’s flagship tourism feature, but the NCA also encompasses several smaller craters, forests, gorges, mountains, lakes, and wetlands in a smorgasbord of ecological variety. Wildlife aside, the secrets of humanity’s ancient histories are enfolded within Ngorongoro’s unique landscapes, and to many, this is the ‘cradle of humankind’. Some of the most famous paleoanthropological sites in the world are found in Oldupai Gorge (Olduvai Gorge), while Laetoli is home to literal footprints of hominid history.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, given the exceptional biodiversity and historical value, the NCA is a designated World Heritage Site. However, under Tanzania’s national law, it is neither a national park nor a game reserve. It is managed independently by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority as a parastatal organisation.
Delicately meandering through a field of flowers in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The brief, recent history
In the mid-20th century, Ngorongoro was incorporated into the Serengeti National Park, but this was met with considerable backlash from local Maasai pastoralists, who had already been excluded from vast swathes of their homelands to make way for protected areas. Ngorongoro was born of a compromise between conserving history and biodiversity while recognising the value of the land to the Maasai people and neighbouring tribes. This unique multiple-use area was the first of its kind in Africa, and the experiment has proved largely successful. However, burgeoning human populations have necessitated certain policy changes.
These Tanzanian conservation areas are recognised for their ecological importance, historical significance, cultural value and utility for traditional land uses.
Rhinos strolls across the crater floor
The Crater
At 264 km² (26,400 hectares), Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world, surrounded by a heavily forested rim that rises to 2,300m above the grasslands below. The crater’s centre is dominated by the seasonal Lake Magadi (also spelt Makati), fed by the Ngoitokitok Spring and the Munge River. Courtesy of a complex geological history, the alkaline lake is mineral-rich, and every year, lesser flamingos are attracted to its salty, shallow waters during the breeding season between October and December.
The crater boasts high densities of lion
Given the extraordinary biodiversity, it is only to be expected that the wildlife on offer is equally varied and exciting. Almost all of Africa’s most iconic animals, including the Big 5 and beyond, shelter in this geological cradle. Visitors to the crater have the best chance of seeing one of the region’s fabled black rhinos, which are notoriously difficult to spot. The crater’s black rhinos spend their evenings hidden in the yellow-green fever-trees of the Lerai Forest but descend to the open plains during the day. Though hit hard by poaching in the last century, the numbers have been bolstered by translocated black rhinos from South Africa, and each rhino is now individually monitored and protected. The crater now supports one of Tanzania’s most closely protected populations of eastern black rhinos. Intensive anti-poaching measures, veterinary monitoring and carefully managed breeding have helped the population recover steadily over recent decades, making Ngorongoro one of the best places in East Africa to see this critically endangered species.
The crater is also rumoured to be home to the highest lion density in Africa, possibly by creative marketing teams. Regardless of this speculation’s veracity, it is highly unusual to visit the crater without encountering Africa’s largest cat. While Ngorongoro supports one of Africa’s best-known lion populations, their relative isolation within the crater has required ongoing genetic management through carefully monitored natural dispersal and conservation programmes.
The lion’s fiercest competition, spotted hyenas, are also present in large numbers and are the subjects of a decades-long research project. Keep an eye out for these misrepresented predators lurking along the banks of Lake Magadi, waiting for the opportunity to charge through the shallow waters and snatch up an unsuspecting flamingo.
Massive flocks of flamingos in Lake Magadi
Souvenirs of history
Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge is a steep-sided ravine, named for the Maasai word “oldupai”, which means the “place of the wild sisal” in reference to the plants which dominate. Archaeological research in Olduvai Gorge, nearby Lake Ndutu, and surrounding sites has yielded a timeline of our species’ evolution. It traces the progression from scavenging/hunting to the use of stone tools and, eventually, to iron. The scattered fossils, tools and bone fragments reveal the gradual development of communal societies and social complexities that would eventually define our successes (and failures) as a species.
Bone fragments of Homo habilis (approximately 1.9 million years old), Paranthropus boisei (about 1.8 million years old), Homo erectus (1.2 million years old) and, eventually, Homo sapiens (17,000 years ago) have all been found around the gorge.
Just 45km south of Olduvai, the discovery of several sets of footprints preserved for close to 4 million years settled the archaeological debate about whether bipedalism or large brain size evolved first. Famed archaeologist Mary Leakey and her team excavated the Laetoli footprints, which are tentatively believed to have belonged to Australopithecus afarensis. This discovery has been interpreted as proof that early hominids were bipedal long before the evolution of the human brain. Somewhat whimsically, the footprints were discovered by Andrew Hill, who was visiting Dr Leakey at the time. He dodged an elephant dung missile lobbed by a colleague, fell over and found himself staring at history preserved in solidified volcanic ash.
The footprints have since been covered to prevent erosion damage, and none of the active archaeological sites is open to tourists. However, as one of the largest onsite museums in Africa, the Olduvai Gorge Museum offers curious tourists the opportunity to view the footprints’ casts and read about their interpretation. Founded by Mary Leakey in the 1970s, the museum sits on the gorge’s edge and showcases many of the paleoanthropological artefacts from the area.
Walking in the steps of humanity’s history
Ngorongoro’s wildlife
While the geography and history of Ngorongoro are deeply fascinating, the main attraction for most is the spectacular wildlife, even beyond the crater.
Each year around 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, move through the wider Serengeti ecosystem. Between January and March many gather on the nutrient-rich short-grass plains around Ndutu and southern Ngorongoro to calve. The resultant spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for dazzled tourists. Predators and scavengers of every description throw themselves into the wildebeest melee, dodging the sharp horns of defensive mothers to take advantage of the vulnerable calves.
A little cub keeps up with mom’s stride across the crater
For Ngorongoro’s carnivores, this yearly glut increases their own offspring’s chances of survival while providing ample opportunity for inexperienced youngsters to practice their hunting skills. Fortunately, with over 8,000 calves born every day, it is not all death for the calves, and visitors can also soak up the joy of watching the wobbly, fawn-coloured calves find their feet and learn to run.
Quite aside from the adrenaline-inducing predator-prey interactions, Ngorongoro is a paradise for birdwatchers. More than 500 bird species have been recorded across the conservation area, thanks to its remarkable diversity of habitats, from misty montane forests and crater rim woodlands to open grasslands, alkaline lakes and permanent wetlands. Lake Magadi often shimmers pink with lesser flamingos, while grey crowned cranes, secretary birds, kori bustards and a variety of raptors patrol the crater floor. Along the forested rim, birders can look for colourful highland specials such as Schalow’s turaco and the striking augur buzzard, making Ngorongoro one of northern Tanzania’s finest birding destinations.
A large tusker in the heart of the crater
Explore Ngorongoro
If there is a drawback to a safari in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti, it is that each day is focused on exploring the largely open scenery in search of more conventional sightings, which can translate into a kind of safari overload. In contrast, a safari through Ngorongoro can be interspersed with the many diversions and learning experiences.
So many rewarding experiences await visitors to Ngorongoro that an article covering the basics inevitably reads like a checklist. Yet what sets the conservation area apart is the sheer variety it offers beyond a traditional game drive. Descending into the crater for a morning safari is, of course, the highlight for many visitors, but the wider conservation area invites travellers to slow down and explore its geological, cultural and historical treasures.
Maasai warrior crosses the crater edge
The Ngoitokitok Spring remains a popular picnic stop, where visitors can enjoy lunch while watching hippos wallow in the pools below. Guided walks with an armed ranger are available in both Empakaai and Olmoti craters, offering a completely different perspective on the volcanic landscape and the chance to experience Ngorongoro on foot. A visit to Oldupai Gorge Museum brings humanity’s earliest story to life through world-famous fossil discoveries and exhibits, while cultural visits with Maasai communities provide insight into the traditions of the people who have lived alongside wildlife here for generations. During the Great Migration calving season between January and March, many travellers also combine the crater with the nearby Ndutu region, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest gather to give birth on the short-grass plains. For those seeking quieter corners, the remote Gol Mountains and dramatic views of Ol Doinyo Lengai – East Africa’s only active carbonatite volcano – reward travellers willing to venture beyond the crater’s famous rim.
Experiencing the view
For example, the Ngoitokitok spring is a popular picnic spot with visitors. Lunch can be enjoyed to the serenading of grunting hippopotamus bobbing about in the pool below the spring. Alternatively, the two smaller craters, Olmoti and Empakaai, can be explored on foot with an experienced guide and official NCA ranger. Not far from Olduvai Gorge, the gneiss inselberg of Naseru Rock protrudes sharply from the plains, and a trip to the neighbouring Lake Natron Game Controlled Area will allow visitors to see Ol Doinyo Lengai (“The Mountain of God”), an active volcano whose recent rumblings suggest that an eruption is imminent. And while the craters are often bursting with eager tourists, the geologically fascinating Gol Mountains are more remote and less crowded for the adventurous traveller.
Empakai Crater is a stunning, lesser-known volcanic caldera in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Where to stay
Visitors to Ngorongoro can choose from some of Tanzania’s finest safari accommodation, with most luxury lodges perched along the crater rim to maximise the spectacular views. Staying here allows guests to descend into the crater early in the morning before day visitors arrive, making the most of wildlife viewing.
For those visiting during the Great Migration calving season, seasonal tented camps around Ndutu offer front-row access to one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles before continuing onward into the Serengeti.
Elegant lodges offer incredible views as far as the eye can seeElegant lodges offer incredible views as far as the eye can see
Best time to visit Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro is one of Africa’s few safari destinations that delivers outstanding wildlife viewing throughout the year. Because the crater supports a large resident wildlife population, visitors can expect excellent game viewing in any season.
From June to October, the dry season offers cooler temperatures, clear skies and excellent visibility as animals gather around permanent water sources. January to March is particularly rewarding for travellers combining Ngorongoro with the southern Serengeti, as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest gather on the nearby short-grass plains to calve, attracting extraordinary concentrations of predators.
April and May bring the long rains, with fewer visitors, lush green landscapes and attractive accommodation rates. While occasional showers can affect road conditions, photography is often exceptional thanks to dramatic skies and vibrant scenery.
Ngorongoro Crater is a haven for hordes of wildlife, including flamingos, zebras and a lot more
Combining Ngorongoro with the Serengeti and northern Tanzania
Few visitors experience Ngorongoro in isolation. Instead, it forms the centrepiece of Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit, alongside Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.
A typical itinerary begins in Arusha before travelling through Tarangire’s elephant-rich landscapes, spending a night or two at Ngorongoro, and continuing west into the Serengeti. Travellers visiting between January and March often combine the crater with the Ndutu region to witness the Great Migration calving season, while those travelling between June and October usually continue north into the central or northern Serengeti in search of river crossings.
This combination delivers an exceptional variety of landscapes, from ancient volcanic highlands and dense forests to endless plains, making it one of Africa’s most complete safari itineraries.
A leopard in the Ndutu Region of Ngorongoro
Conclusion
Some 3.5 million years ago, a trio of our hominin ancestors took a stroll through some soft volcanic ash towards the local waterhole. They left behind a powerful reminder of our ancient, varied human roots. One can but wonder at the lives experienced by the people who left their footprints in the ash.
In many ways, this legacy has continued in the NCA. The multiple-land-use policy recognises the intimate connection that human residents have to land and its creatures. For tourists, the NCA offers an opportunity to dive back in and reconnect with history, wild spaces, and animals against the primordial backdrop of breathtaking Ngorongoro.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, centred on Tanzania’s famous crater, is a spectacular safari destination of abundant wildlife & ancient history. Read more about Ngorongoro safaris here
The vast Serengeti in northern Tanzania is home to an extraordinary amount of wildlife and plays host to the greatest show on Earth – the Great Migration. Read more about Serengeti National Park here
When the rains beckon, the wildebeest go, and this never-ending circular journey makes for a compelling safari experience. The Mara River crossings during August to October are fraught with danger, and one gets caught up in the drama of the moment, the chaos, the celebration of life. Read all there is to know about the Great Migration here
The first signs are subtle: a snapped marula branch here, a toppled knobthorn there. Then, almost imperceptibly, the landscape begins to change.
Across the Greater Kruger ecosystem, elephants are once again moving freely through landscapes that were, in many instances, inaccessible to them for more than half a century. As conservationists have removed fences and restored connectivity between private reserves and the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most important ecosystem engineers has begun reshaping landscapes that had developed over decades in their absence.
Elephants are nature’s ecosystem engineers, breaking branches and toppling trees to create the diverse mosaic of habitats
A new study published in Biological Conservation has now revealed just how profound the changes can be. Using a combination of long-term field monitoring and aerial count data collected by the Agricultural Research Council (Dr Mike Peel, Animal Production Institute), airborne LiDAR surveys and cutting-edge radar satellite technology (Dr Konrad Wessels, George Mason University), scientists tracked changes in woody vegetation cover and biomass across more than 4,000 km² of private reserves adjacent to Kruger National Park. The results paint a remarkable picture of ecological transformation brought about in a relatively short time by changes in elephant densities following the removal of fences.
What makes this study particularly powerful is that it captures a rare natural experiment. As fences between Kruger National Park and neighbouring private reserves were removed at different times over the past three decades, each reserve effectively represented a different stage of elephant recolonisation. With more than 35 years of elephant and vegetation monitoring, researchers observed how woody vegetation responded as elephants returned to landscapes from which they had long been excluded. The study is further unique in that it relates data collected in the field directly to remotely sensed data, with significant results at scale (spatial and temporal).
Many private reserves bordering Kruger maintained very low elephant numbers for decades. Large trees matured, canopies expanded, nutrient cycling was enhanced, and substantial carbon stores accumulated within the landscape. Importantly, this dense woody vegetation was not necessarily representative of the typical open savanna. Following the erection of veterinary fences in the late 1950s and 1960s, many of these reserves remained largely isolated from elephants for between 50 and 80 years. During that time, large numbers of palatable trees accumulated (for example, Lannea schweinfurthii, Senegalia nigrescens and Sclerocarya birrea) because elephants were no longer browsing, breaking and toppling them as they otherwise would have. The study suggests that the dramatic vegetation changes seen after fence removal represent a transition back to a typical open savanna woody vegetation structure, rather than simply the loss of trees.
When fences were removed, however, elephants responded quickly. In some reserves, elephant densities increased from fewer than 0.5 elephants per square kilometre to more than 5 elephants per square kilometre within two years. The impact was dramatic. Woody canopy cover fell from roughly 50% to 20%, while above-ground woody biomass declined by more than two-thirds. The rapid change is potentially exacerbated by the high density of waterholes in private reserves that allows elephants access to permanent water sources and their favourite trees. These changes unfolded in as little as four years, after which woody biomass approached levels similar to, and in cases lower than, those found across the surrounding Greater Kruger landscape. After four to five years the elephant densities decrease again, but maintain a positive trend similar to Greater Kruger, along with a slower rate of continued woody biomass loss.
The study documents the ecological response to reconnecting landscapes that had been artificially fragmented for decades. Many of these private reserves had been isolated from elephant populations for between 50 and 80 years, allowing unusually dense woody vegetation to develop in their absence. As elephants regained access, they re-established ecological processes that had long been absent, shifting the vegetation towards the more open savanna conditions found across the wider Greater Kruger ecosystem.
The researchers found that the initial spike in elephant density was also temporary. Newly opened reserves experienced a rapid influx of elephants, attracted by decades of accumulated woody vegetation and abundant palatable tree species. As those resources became less concentrated and the vegetation began to resemble neighbouring reserves, elephant densities declined again, but resembled the ever-increasing density of the growing Greater Kruger population.
The study found that newly reconnected reserves experienced a temporary surge in elephant numbers before densities declined as animals dispersed across the wider landscape
Ecosystem engineers at work
Elephants are often described as ecosystem engineers – species capable of physically modifying their environment. They break branches, push over trees, strip bark and create openings in dense woodland. The study also highlights that not all of these changes should be viewed as negative. While elephants reduce woody cover and large trees, they also suppress bush encroachment and create more open savanna. Through these activities, elephants influence everything from habitat structure and biodiversity to nutrient cycling and carbon storage. For some animal species, these changes are beneficial. More open habitats promote grass establishment, support increased grazing opportunities and yield greater structural diversity at the landscape scale. For others, particularly species dependent on large mature trees (e.g. hole-nesting birds, nesting raptors, vultures, bushbabies, genets and even leopards), the consequences are less favourable. If woody cover is reduced too much, highly palatable, shade-loving grass species will become less abundant as the nutrient pumps and tree canopy are removed.
The challenge for conservation managers is that these benefits often come with costs for species dependent on mature trees and for the storage of above-ground carbon.
A new understanding of thresholds
One of the study’s most important findings was the apparent emergence of a threshold. At elephant densities below one and a half elephants per square kilometre, woody biomass changes were relatively modest and difficult to separate from other environmental influences. Above the three-elephants-per-square-kilometre threshold, however, above-ground woody biomass density and tree canopy cover losses accelerated rapidly in a relatively short space of time. This raises questions about long-term trends in elephant densities in the Greater Kruger, their different impacts on large trees versus shrubs, and how these habitat changes may affect other animal species – the topic of ongoing research.
Conserving substantial carbon stocks may not be feasible in conservation areas with elevated elephant densities
The Kruger elephant management paradox
The subdivision of land and the fencing off of protected areas in the Greater Kruger area adjacent to the KNP began in the late 1960s. This disrupted the natural east-west herbivore migration, and because many of the fenced-off areas lacked perennial water, artificial water points had to be constructed. The result was an excessive supply of artificial water points in these areas and the proliferation of water-dependent animal species such as impala and, more recently, elephant, as fences were removed. This means elephant, impala and other water-dependent species are permanently present (temporally continuous utilisation) across the entire adjacent protected-area landscape of the Greater Kruger system, at increased densities, all of the time.
Therefore, while removing fences to join Greater Kruger reestablished elephant movement across the landscape and resulted in more open savanna structure, some processes led to substantial changes in vegetation structure, loss of big trees and significantly reduced carbon stocks.
Woody vegetation in savannas is widely recognised as a critical global carbon reserve that can play an important role in natural climate solutions across Africa, by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere in woody biomass. However, conserving substantial carbon stocks may not be feasible in conservation areas with elevated elephant densities, a reality that conservationists must address.
The study encourages managers to strive for large, connected landscapes with spatial variability in elephant densities – for example, by using management tools such as the strategic placement or removal of artificial waterholes in some areas to create a mosaic of habitat conditions that supports a wide variety of grazing and browsing opportunities. Conservation is increasingly about navigating trade-offs between connectivity, biodiversity, ecosystem function and carbon storage.
Ultimately, the study argues that the goal should not be to maximise either trees or elephants everywhere. Instead, the healthiest savanna landscapes are likely to be large, connected systems with natural variation in elephant densities and vegetation structure. In some areas, dense woodland may persist; in others, elephants will maintain more open habitats. It is this shifting mosaic, rather than any single vegetation state, that supports the greatest diversity of habitats, species and ecological processes.
Looking ahead at Kruger elephants
As more conservation areas reconnect fragmented landscapes, the lessons from Greater Kruger are likely to resonate far beyond South Africa.
The return of elephants is not simply a story about wildlife recovery. It is a story about how one species can reshape an ecosystem, alter the structure of entire landscapes, and remind us that successful conservation often means allowing nature’s most powerful engineers to do what they have always done. Yet it also highlights that when the density of these powerful ecosystem engineers exceeds certain thresholds, it can lead to dramatic changes in habitat structure, the loss of large trees, and reduced carbon stocks, all of which run contrary to other conservation objectives. For example, natural climate solutions projects that aim to mitigate climate change by protecting carbon stocks and enhancing carbon sequestration to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions may only be feasible in areas with sufficiently low elephant densities. The satellite monitoring methods demonstrated and calibrated with in-field data in this study are being applied to the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area to track changes in woody vegetation dynamics driven by multiple drivers, including humans, fire, drought, and, of course, elephants.
About Dr. Konrad Wessels and Dr. Mike Peel
Dr. Konrad J. Wessels is an Associate Professor of Remote Sensing in the Department of Geography and GeoInformation Science at George Mason University. His research applies geospatial science and Earth observation to study environmental sustainability.
Dr. Mike J.S. Peel is a Doctor of Philosophy and Specialist Scientist at the Agricultural Research Council, South Africa and a visiting researcher at the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Reference
Wessels KJ, Peel MJS, Smit IPJ, Armston JD, Li X, Lal P & Urbazaev M. 2026. Assessing the impacts of changing elephant densities on woody vegetation structure in private reserves within the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Biological Conservation 317:111815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2026.111815
Further reading
The Kruger debate: A new study explores how stakeholder opinions differ on managing elephants, from culling to contraception, in APNR, Kruger. Read more on the Kruger debate here
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
The most lucrative wildlife industry
Big news in South Africa is that notorious rhino horn smuggler Dawie Groenewald has been fined R10 million (US$604,000) for rhino horn trafficking. This, after 16 years of evasive manoeuvring.
Groenewald operated a massive rhino horn trafficking syndicate supplying the highly lucrative black market in Southeast Asia. Other syndicate members, including his wife, two prominent veterinarians, a helicopter pilot, and several professional hunters, await their judgment day.
Amongst other nefarious tactics, he took advantage of the ethically flexible trophy hunting industry by organising pseudo hunts, where wealthy Americans and Thai sex workers were used as a front. Hunting rhinos is legal, whereas trading in rhino horn is not. Once the rhinos were killed, the horns were laundered into the illegal rhino horn trade industry and the carcasses buried.
Groenewald was linked to the illegal sale of at least 384 rhino horns, with an estimated value of US$7 million. Not a bad return compared to a US$604,000 downside!
These days, Groenewald is at the centre of a bitter trophy-hunting feud in Botswana, where local communities and rival hunting operators have accused him of a range of wrongdoings, including bribing a government official, to secure a lucrative trophy-hunting concession.
The cost/benefit analysis here does not read well for those trying to shut down the illegal wildlife industries. This cavernous gap between financial benefits and the consequences when caught has to be closed if we are to win the war against the evil ones!
Thirty-five years after cheetahs disappeared from the country of Eswatini, conservationists have brought them back. Two females and two males have been successfully reintroduced to Royal Jozini Private Game Reserve as part of the Southern African cheetah metapopulation programme, laying the foundation for the country’s first breeding population in a generation. With the cats already thriving and beginning to establish neighbouring territories, we hope that the first cubs may not be far away.
The return of an apex predator is always more than the return of a single species. It signals the restoration of ecological processes, renewed genetic diversity and growing confidence that landscapes can once again support the wildlife they once lost.
This week, we head to Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara to discover why there’s so much more to this legendary ecosystem than the Great Migration. We also follow two young Kalahari cheetahs whose contrasting fortunes reveal just how precarious life can be in one of Africa’s toughest landscapes.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Our stories this week
MAASAI MARA HOW TO
This introduction to Kenya’s Maasai Mara explores why the reserve remains one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations
KALAHARI CHEETAHS
Two young cheetahs face vastly different fates in the Kalahari, revealing the realities of survival in one of Africa’s wildest semi-deserts
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Malaria-free Big 5 safari in South Africa – 9 days
Discover two of South Africa’s most spectacular malaria-free reserves on a classic Big Five safari, starting in Marataba within Marakele National Park with guided game drives, bush walks and riverside relaxation, before continuing to community-owned Madikwe Game Reserve, a conservation success known for thriving wildlife, expert guiding, seamless transfers and luxurious, family-friendly lodges. This safari is ideal for families and first-time safari goers
Maasai Mara & gorilla trekking – 10 days
Two of Africa’s greatest wildlife encounters in one unforgettable safari. This expertly coordinated East Africa journey combines two of the continent’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences: a classic Big Five and Great Migration safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, followed by intimate gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Short flights between destinations maximise your time in the wild.
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WATCH
From playful hyena cubs and a rare aardwolf to lions tackling buffalo and endangered wattled cranes, our latest Top Wildlife Clips episode brings you Africa’s most unforgettable sightings from May. Join us for a mini virtual safari across the continent. (07:47) Click here to watch
The Maasai Mara combines iconic wildlife, dramatic scenery and thriving community conservation.
The Great Migration is spectacular, but exceptional safari experiences occur year-round.
Community conservancies protect wildlife while supporting Maasai livelihoods through responsible tourism.
Conservancies offer exclusive safaris with fewer vehicles, walking safaris and night drives.
Choosing the right season and location shapes every Maasai Mara safari experience.
Want to visit Maasai Mara National Reserve to witness its wildlife up close? Check out our ready-made safaris to Maasai Mara here. Or let our travel experts plan the perfect sustainable African safari for you.
The Maasai Mara ecosystem is one of the most famous wilderness areas in Africa and one that attracts visitors from near and far. The breathtaking view of the sunrise from Oloololo (Siria) Escarpment, some 2,000m above sea level and 300m above the plains below, was forever etched into human memory by the film “Out of Africa”.
Below the mountains, the Mara River winds its serpentine route to the south, hidden beneath groves of riverine trees, and the fields of red oat grass stretch as far as the eye can see. It is from here that one can really understand why the Maa people of the area referred to this place as “Mara”, which, literally translated, means “spotted” or “mottled” – concerning the trees and clumps of vegetation that dot the landscape.
Hunting the herds on the plains
Scenically, the Maasai Mara is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The dawn light is a photographer’s dream: golden and soft. Rather than detracting from the natural beauty, the multicoloured hot air balloons drifting silently through the air add something fantastic to the morning atmosphere. For centuries, the Maasai people have shared this land with their wild neighbours – look carefully, and you will find the ancient grooves of the cattle paths worn by millions of bovine hooves marking the routes to salt licks still used today. Look even more carefully, and you might just find an abandoned old Volkswagen bus hidden in a secret valley known only to a few observant or lucky souls.
A leopard marches through a herd of gazelle
The facts
The Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem covers more than 350,000 hectares (3,500km²) of protected and wildlife-friendly land in southwestern Kenya. At its heart lies the 151,000-hectare Maasai Mara National Reserve, surrounded by a network of community-owned conservancies that collectively protect more than 200,000 hectares of critical habitat. Together, these unfenced conservation areas form one of Africa’s most important wildlife landscapes, connecting with the Serengeti ecosystem to the south in Tanzania and extending towards the Loita Plains to the north and east.
The Mara Triangle on the western bank of the Mara River comprises one-third of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is run by the Mara Conservancy on behalf of Narok County Government. The remaining two-thirds of the Reserve, on the eastern side of the Mara River, is run by the Narok County Government.
Community-owned conservancies currently make up more than 140,000 hectares, with additional land under negotiation. Prominent conservancies within the reserve include (but are not limited to):
Conservancy
Area (km²)
Mara North
292 (29,170 hectares)
Mara Naboisho
210 (21,000 hectares)
Olare Motorogi
135 (13,500 hectares)
Ol Kinyei
75 (7,540 hectares)
Lemek
70 (7,020 hectares)
Ol Chorro Oiroua
65 (6,470 hectares)
Enonkishu
24 (2,400 hecftares)
Nashulai
40 (400 hectares)
Olderkesi
105 (10,500 hectares)
Pardamat Conservation Area
260 (26,000 hectares)
Siana Conservancy
110 (11,000 hectares)
Oloisukut Conservation
93 (9,300 hectares)
Olarro North & South
100 (10,000 hectares)
The concept of individually- or community-owned conservancies should be considered a Kenyan conservation success story. The rangelands surrounding the National Reserve were once cattle grazing lands, but now the communities of landowners rent out the land to tourism operators, and the wildlife is protected. Tourists that visit the conservancies play an enormous role in ensuring the future of these protected wilderness areas by ensuring a continuous revenue stream for the local communities. Given that the use of the land is reserved for paying tour operators, it also means that visitors to these areas are treated to a more exclusive safari experience. With over 70% of Kenyan wildlife existing outside of government-protected wilderness areas, it is easy to see why conservancies will be critical to conservation efforts in the future.
Today, the Greater Maasai Mara’s conservancies are recognised internationally as a benchmark for community-based conservation. They have helped secure vital wildlife habitat beyond the boundaries of the National Reserve, maintained traditional pastoral livelihoods and supported one of the highest densities of large mammals anywhere in Africa. With more than 70% of Kenya’s wildlife occurring outside formally protected areas, these conservancies are increasingly seen as essential to the long-term survival of the country’s wildlife and one of the strongest examples of conservation working hand in hand with local communities.
Hot-air ballooning over the river
Beyond the migration
The Great Migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Every year from August until October, 1.3-1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by roughly 200,000 zebra and several hundred thousand gazelles, make the treacherous journey from the Serengeti into Maasai Mara. Driven by their quest for food, they flow across the landscape and are forced across crocodile-infested rivers: battling currents and leaping over hippo only to be forced to dodge the predators waiting on the opposite bank. It is a chaotic, adrenaline-inducing smorgasbord of survival instincts on a knife-edge and the predators throw themselves into the melee with joyous abandon. Predator-prey interactions are common, and visitors often witness dramatic hunting behaviour.
A cheetah mom with a full litter of cubs navigates the plains
That said, there is far more to the Maasai Mara than the migration. All year round, wildlife enthusiasts are treated to spectacular sightings of the Big 5, and the cheetah sightings are astounding. The Mara remains one of Africa’s premier destinations for cheetah sightings, thanks to its open grasslands and healthy predator populations. The Mara is home to some of the largest hyena clans in Africa. Black rhinos remain uncommon but can occasionally be seen, particularly in the Mara Triangle and selected conservancies. Many visitors have found themselves delighted not only by the larger animals but also by courageous jackal, cheeky bat-eared foxes and graceful serval, as well as the striking crowned cranes and ubiquitous secretary birds.
Crossing the Mara River
The experience
The Maasai Mara has something to offer every taste (and an array of varied budgets), but the knowledge of experienced guides can make the difference between a good safari and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Guides know the weather, the area, the best (and worst) roads and the animals, and they can use that information to make informed decisions. A canny visitor (or guide) can use the topography to their advantage during the high tourist season by using crests and viewpoints to spot sightings from a distance but during the quieter times, finding animals often requires more effort and skill. A particularly good time to visit the Mara is just after the departure of the migration: the grass is shorter; the predators often experience a ‘baby-boom’, and there is far less pressure from other safari vehicles. The Maasai Mara experience also lends itself to women planning their safari – alone or in groups.
Big 5 sightings are abundant
The Mara is enormous and covering ground is essential to experiencing the beauty of this ecosystem in its entirety. The days may be long, but nothing is as refreshing as lunching beneath the boughs of an ancient fig tree, languishing in its shade and perhaps speculating as to how much history the fig has witnessed over its long life. The rains are biannual – the “short rains” usually arrive around November and dissipate sometime in January and then the “long rains” begin again in April until around June. The weather, however, is unpredictable and torrential downpours and afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon. Getting stuck up to the axles in black cotton soil is part of the Mara experience and should simply be accepted in the spirit of adventure.
A cheetah walks the ridge, against the Mara’s fleeting dusk colours
For the most part, the afternoon thunderstorms dissipate just in time for another Mara treat: the sunset. With the dust of the day washed away by the rain, the landscape is once again drenched in gold, this time with the faintest of pinkish hues. The extraordinary beauty of the Maasai Mara and its abundance of wildlife make it deserving of its reputation as one of the most exceptional safari experiences in Africa.
A lioness surveys her kingdom
Reserve or conservancy?
First-time visitors are often surprised to discover that “the Mara” is not a single protected area. The ecosystem is divided between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and a network of community conservancies that surround it.
The National Reserve offers classic Mara landscapes and some of the most famous migration crossings. Conservancies, by contrast, offer lower visitor densities, night drives, walking safaris and greater flexibility for photographers. Many seasoned safari-goers choose an itinerary that combines both, gaining access to the best wildlife experiences across the ecosystem.
Black rhinos remain uncommon but can occasionally be seen, particularly in the Mara Triangle and selected conservancies
Choosing where to stay
One of the defining features of a Maasai Mara safari is the sheer diversity of accommodation. Visitors can choose from classic tented camps, family-friendly safari lodges, intimate owner-run camps and some of Africa’s most exclusive luxury properties.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve tends to offer larger lodges and easier access to migration river crossings, while the surrounding conservancies focus on low-density tourism, smaller camps and more personalised guiding. Many conservancy camps limit guest numbers and vehicle density, creating a more private safari experience. The choice ultimately depends on priorities: maximum wildlife density, photographic opportunities, family travel, exclusivity or budget.
Elegant comfort on the banks of the Mara River
The luxury safari experience
The Maasai Mara has evolved into one of Africa’s premier luxury safari destinations. Exclusive camps in conservancies such as Mara North, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi and Olderkesi combine exceptional wildlife viewing with world-class hospitality, private vehicles, fine dining and highly personalised guiding.
For many travellers, the greatest luxury is not the thread count or wine list but the exclusivity of the experience itself. Conservancy regulations often limit vehicle numbers and guest beds, allowing visitors to enjoy sightings without crowds. Activities unavailable in the National Reserve, such as night drives, guided walks and off-road wildlife viewing, add further depth to the safari experience.
Ballooning over the Mara River
When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara offers a year-round spectacle.
The dramatic Mara River crossings during the Great Migration, August to mid-October, are prime time. This is the peak tourism season, with many tourists and vehicles at the crossing points and predator sightings. The river crossings are all within the national reserve, so crowds are unavoidable. Booking a lodge in a private concession in one of the community reserves means fewer tourists during game drives, except when viewing river crossings. If you wish to view the river crossings, then late September and early October are less crowded than August and most of September.
Alternatively, the ‘Secret Season’ (late mid-October to April) provides lush landscapes, abundant predator action on new calves, and significantly lower visitor numbers for an exclusive, tranquil experience.
Experiencing the thundering herds on foot during a walking safari
When the rains beckon, the wildebeest go, and this never-ending circular journey makes for a compelling safari experience. The Mara River crossings during August to October are fraught with danger, and one gets caught up in the drama of the moment, the chaos, the celebration of life. Read all there is to know about the Great Migration here
A photographic journey through Kenya’s Maasai Mara during the Little Rains, where light, wildlife and vast horizons shape moments of wonder. Check out these epic photos here
Citizen scientists are uncovering rare insights into individual cheetah lives in the Kalahari.
Two young cheetahs reveal how survival depends on opportunity, persistence and luck.
An unusual coalition acceptance highlights the social flexibility of male cheetahs.
A vulnerable orphan’s fate underscores the risks facing dispersing juveniles.
Long-term monitoring helps reveal behaviours and survival challenges rarely witnessed in the wild.
Want to see cheetahs on safari? Check out this cheetah conservation safari. We also have plenty other ready-made safaris to choose from, or let us build one just for you.
In the Kalahari Desert, patience is rewarded.
After years of following cheetahs across this vast, arid landscape, I have witnessed a wide range of behaviours, yet the Kalahari always seems to reveal new stories to those willing to watch carefully and keep an open mind.
When I am in the southern Kalahari, my attention is inevitably drawn to one of the ecosystem’s most iconic predators: the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). I know this population intimately through my involvement in Cheetahs of the Kalahari, an independent citizen-science project focused on the cheetahs of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
The project is run by Wilmari Barnfield, Melanie Gorsler, Mark Kaptein and myself. While the project is not associated with any conservation authority, we rely on visitors to the park to share photographs and sightings, allowing us to identify individual cheetahs and maintain long-term records of the population.
I personally visit the park several times a year, collecting observations while travelling as a regular visitor. Within the project, each cheetah is identified by its unique spot pattern and recorded using identification codes, sighting histories and population data. We maintain detailed records and produce identification guides that enable visitors to recognise individual animals and contribute valuable sightings.
Most often, I focus on females, particularly those with cubs. Their movements tend to be more predictable, making them easier to follow over extended periods. But in December 2025, an unexpected story began to unfold – one centred on a young male.
A brief note on cheetah naming
Throughout this article, individual cheetahs are referred to by names. These names are used solely as a practical way to distinguish known individuals and communicate observations. Within the project, all animals are identified scientifically through unique spot patterns and recorded using formal identification codes.
Citizen science depends on collaboration, and every sighting is important. I often receive messages from visitors excited to share which cheetah they have encountered, and those reports frequently become valuable additions to the dataset. In return, I am always eager to integrate this information into the broader understanding of the population. In remote ecosystems such as the Kalahari, every pair of eyes in the field contributes to the bigger picture.
An unlikely alliance
In December 2025, I began receiving reports of a young lone male cheetah following an established coalition known as the Thompson Twins. Male cheetahs often form coalitions, usually with brothers, to defend territory and improve their chances of survival. Outsiders, however, are rarely welcomed.
At first, the young male – later named Thys – kept his distance. He moved like a shadow behind them: cautious, and persistent. He was noticeably smaller than the coalition males and clearly aware of the risk he was taking.
The young male following the Thompson Twins
Male cheetahs can be aggressively territorial towards rivals. Encounters may escalate rapidly and can result in severe injury or death. For Thys, approaching two dominant males significantly larger than himself was a considerable gamble.
On 15 January 2026, he reduced the distance and moved in close. The reaction was immediate. The Thompson Twins confronted him with force, posturing, biting and asserting dominance. For hours, Thys remained under pressure and unable to break free from their control. But the encounter did not end there.
The Thompson twins confront the young male, ‘Thys’
Thys displayed classic submissive behaviour often seen when a cheetah attempts to join an established coalition. Individuals in this situation frequently use soft vocalisations and make themselves appear as non-threatening as possible by lowering their bodies, flattening their ears and adopting a crouched posture. Such behaviour helps reduce the likelihood of further aggression from dominant males.
Though slightly injured, Thys survived the encounter. In the days that followed, something remarkable happened: the coalition began tolerating his presence.
Despite receiving a number of injuries, Thys survived the confrontation
Gradually, the tension diminished. The three males were observed resting together and later feeding on the same kills. What began as hostility evolved into tolerance and, eventually, apparent acceptance.
Three months later, the trio remained together. For a young male dispersing alone, this outcome is unusual.
The period after leaving the mother is one of the most dangerous stages in a cheetah’s life, particularly for a lone male dispersing before the average dispersal age recorded in the Kalahari, which is typically between 18 and 22 months. Mortality rates are high, especially in an environment where prey availability fluctuates, and encounters with lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas pose constant risks.
The trio remains together
Young cheetahs are still developing their hunting skills and often struggle to secure prey consistently. Some succumb to starvation, while others are injured or killed by predators during this vulnerable phase.
According to long-term research conducted by Gus and Margie Mills and published in Kalahari Cheetahs: Adaptations to an Arid Region, approximately 31% of cubs survive to independence. Survival after dispersal and before successful territory establishment is estimated at between 40% and 60%, depending on environmental conditions. The principal causes of mortality during this period include starvation, predation and the physical demands of long-distance movement.
Thys’ persistence appears to have played an important role in his eventual acceptance by the coalition – a development that may significantly improve his chances of long-term survival.
A different fate and a struggling cheetah mother
At the same time, another story was unfolding.
On 10 January 2026, I spotted a lone cheetah resting in the shade. At first glance, I thought it was a well-known female named Lizzie. As I approached, however, the differences became clear.
This was a young female, no more than a year old. At her estimated age, she would normally still have been accompanying her mother. Yet she was alone.
She did not call out, as separated cubs often do. Instead, she remained silent and watchful. She appeared thin, though not yet emaciated. When she finally moved, something felt unusual.
The young cheetah female
Cheetahs are typically purposeful in their movements. Once they choose a direction, they tend to commit to it unless something intervenes. This young female did the opposite. She hesitated repeatedly, changed direction and appeared uncertain of where to go. Then she disappeared into the dunes.
I searched for her over the following days without success. In a landscape as unforgiving as the Kalahari, uncertainty often carries serious consequences. Yet nine days later, she reappeared alive and in better condition than expected. Once again, she moved north and vanished. Meanwhile, another adult female was becoming a growing concern.
The young female
Eli, Lizzie’s sister, was raising her first litter of four cubs. Unfortunately, she had already lost one cub during the early months. In early January 2026, she had been successfully hunting blue wildebeest calves with increasing confidence. For a young mother, it was a promising start. However, targeting blue wildebeest calves carries considerable risk. Adult wildebeest often defend their young aggressively, and I have received numerous reports and photographs showing cheetahs being charged and attacked during these encounters. Their horns can inflict severe injuries, sometimes fatally.
Eli with her cubsEli hunting a wildebeest calf, facing the wrath of a wildebeest mother
For a female raising cubs, every hunt requires balancing the need to feed herself and her offspring against the danger posed by defensive prey.
By early February 2026, Eli’s condition had deteriorated significantly. She was visibly emaciated. Her hunting behaviour had also changed. Rather than targeting her typical prey, she had begun killing black-backed jackals and Cape foxes – unusual behaviour for such a highly specialised predator. This shift may indicate increased stress, declining condition or difficulty securing preferred prey.
Her cubs also appeared weakened and bore multiple injuries. Despite repeated kills, the condition of the family did not seem to improve.
In February, Eli began to look progressively worse – with bones protrudingEli turned to hunting jackals
On 16 February 2026, I received a report of Eli and her cubs. While examining the photographs, I noticed that one of the young cheetahs appeared slightly larger than the others. After comparing spot patterns, I confirmed that it was not one of Eli’s cubs. It turns out the young female I had encountered earlier had joined Eli’s family group.
By this stage, Eli appeared to be accompanied by only two of her original four cubs, indicating that another cub had likely been lost. Eli seemed willing to tolerate the orphaned female in close proximity – behaviour that is unusual for a female cheetah, particularly a relatively inexperienced young mother.
Unfortunately, neither Eli, her cubs nor the orphaned female appeared to be in good condition.
Eli with three cubs – one of which was an orphaned female not belonging to her
On 22 February 2026, the situation reached a critical point. That morning, Eli was seen with her cubs and the young female. When she eventually moved off, only her cubs followed. The orphaned female remained behind, calling persistently and appearing too weak to keep up. Not long after, reports emerged of a female leopard killing a cheetah in the area. The timing raised immediate questions, but the identity of the victim remained uncertain.
By the end of February, Eli, her cubs and the young female did not appear in good conditionThe young female in very poor condition
Careful examination of photographs and spot-pattern analysis eventually provided the answer. The cheetah killed by the leopard was the orphaned young female.
It is a tragic outcome. Already separated from her mother and forced to navigate independence prematurely, the young female had briefly found companionship alongside another female with cubs of a similar age. Eli’s apparent tolerance of her presence represented an unusual and fascinating behavioural observation. Whether that relationship might have influenced the young female’s future can never be known. Circumstances ultimately took a different course, and her brief, uncertain journey came to an end.
The young female was killed by a leopard
Two cheetah stories, one landscape
These two stories unfolded simultaneously within the same harsh environment.
One tells of a young male who improved his chances of survival through persistence and acceptance into an established coalition. The other highlights the vulnerability of a solitary juvenile attempting to navigate life without maternal guidance. Such outcomes are not unusual in the Kalahari. Life here is shaped by drought, competition, predation and opportunity. For cheetahs, survival is never guaranteed. Yet every sighting contributes to a broader understanding of this remarkable population. Through the observations of visitors, photographers and citizen scientists, individual lives can be followed across years, revealing stories that might otherwise remain hidden among the dunes.
A cheetah mother has been observed simultaneously raising two cheetah cubs of different age classes – behaviour never witnessed in the wild. Read our last update from the Cheetahs of the Kalahari Project here.
About Lucia Quindici
Lucia Quindici is a field guide, naturalist and co-founder of the independent citizen-science project Cheetahs of the Kalahari. Working alongside Wilmari Barnfield, Melanie Gorsler and Mark Kaptein, she helps document and monitor the cheetahs of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park using photographic identification and visitor-contributed sightings.
Citizen scientists contribute important data to the Cheetahs of the Kalahari Project. If you have been to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the last ten years and have photographed cheetah there, share your pics and info with the Cheetahs of the Kalahari Project (cheetahsofkgalagadi@gmail.com). Include the location, date and any important additional info. Read more about the project here.
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
Photos that trigger
Our winning photograph this year is perhaps the most evocative wildlife image I have ever seen. It is also highly polarising, prompting protests that it crossed a deeply personal boundary.
Let me be clear: we welcome all feedback on our selections. Engaging with our community is one of the most rewarding parts of this job, even, and perhaps especially, when that feedback challenges us.
One beautifully reasoned email from a long-time subscriber argued that our winning image represents a slide by the tourism industry into raw voyeurism. He pointed out that 14 of our 53 finalist photos feature predators and prey, suggesting this selection reflects a broader cultural sickness, a bloodlust among tourists who only value nature for its violence. It was a compelling perspective that sparked an interesting email discussion.
I agree with him on one point: the winning photo is undeniably graphic and hard to stomach. It took me several viewings to see past the raw, upsetting visual impact to appreciate the technical mastery behind the lens.
Where our views diverge, however, is the idea that the intense energy of this photograph translates into an industry-wide pathology.
As a species, our fascination with apex predators and the morbid drama of the kill is well-documented. Yet many of us share a profound discomfort with the modern influx of Instagram and YouTube “influencers” who chase engineered drama, cross ethical boundaries and disrupt animal behaviour to fluff up their engagement metrics. But that is not what happened here.
In this instance, the photographer acted with absolute professional integrity. He did not stage the moment, nor did he centre himself in the narrative. The event unfolded naturally, and he simply used his craft to document it.
The profound, visceral impact of this image is precisely why it earned Petr Slavík the title of Photographer of the Year. It reached out, grabbed us by the nerve endings, and communicated an undeniable truth about the wild. That truth may be uncomfortable for a modern humanity accustomed to a pampered, packaged view of nature, but it is an authentic depiction of the brutal struggle for survival that defines the natural world.
So, yes, this is an incredibly tough photo to look at. But no, it does not represent a slide into voyeurism. It represents a mirror held up to nature, entirely unblinking.
We are deeply grateful for the difficult questions our tribe members raise. The resulting dialogue is invaluable, keeping us sharp, reflective, and always questioning our own boundaries.
Elephants may be the architects of Africa’s savannahs, but some of their most important beneficiaries are creatures small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. A 15-year experiment in Kenya found that when elephants disappeared from parts of the landscape, the dung beetles that depend on their dung began disappearing too. In the experiment, nearly a quarter of dung beetle species vanished, along with two-thirds of the individual beetles, in areas where elephants were absent.
This is one of the clearest demonstrations yet of coextinction, where the loss of one species directly triggers the decline of another. What’s more, without the beetles, dung accumulated, seed dispersal declined and nutrient cycling slowed, weakening the processes that keep savannah ecosystems functioning. Protecting elephants means protecting an entire community of life that depends on them, including some of the smallest and easiest to overlook.
This week, we explore the possibilities of safari in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, and bring you a guide to the 11 canid species present in Africa.
Our stories this week
KAZA SAFARI
Journey through KAZA, Africa’s largest conservation landscape, where wildlife, communities and tourism connect five nations
AFRICAN CANIDS
11 African canids, from wild dogs and jackals to foxes, hunt the continent’s deserts, alpine grasslands, savannahs and woodlands
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Southern Africa wild dog safari – 11 days
This unforgettable 11-day journey through Southern Africa, led by expert guides, will take you to all the best spots to see endangered African wild dogs. Visit Hwange, the Okavango Delta, Kwando Reserve, and stop over in Victoria Falls. Experience guided bush walks, game drives and mokoro excursions – all in search of painted wolves.
Namibia safari – Sossusvlei to Etosha – 13 days
A 13-day private guided safari through the best of Namibia. This safari showcases the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and the Atlantic coast at Walvis Bay to the ancient landscapes of Damaraland, the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha and Onguma, and the vibrant capital of Windhoek. With plenty of time to explore, meet local communities and enjoy exceptional wildlife and birding, this is the ultimate Namibian journey.
We’ve been nominated as Africa’s Leading Tour Operator AND as Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company in the 2026 World Travel Awards, and we’d love your support.
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Africa’s Leading Tour Operator 2026
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Our safari guests say…
AG safari guests, John and Kristen from the USA, had a top-notch safari in Tanzania:
“Christian Boix of Africa Geographic planned our safari to Tanzania. His on-the-ground knowledge of Tanzania, professionalism, and responsiveness throughout the process were top-notch. The trip went seamlessly. Our guide’s knowledge was excellent. We saw so much wildlife. The accommodations were beautiful. The staff at every place we stayed were professional, welcoming and attentive. The food was delicious. We also appreciate Africa Geographic’s involvement in conservation efforts. I wouldn’t hesitate to refer Christian and Africa Geographic to others!”
You saw the photographs in our Photographer of the Year competition. Now watch the heartbreaking video. After a failed attempt to cross Zambia’s fast-flowing Luangwa River, a pride of lions became trapped on a steep riverbank. While the adults eventually escaped, two small cubs were left behind. As crocodiles and hippos closed in, the cubs ran desperately along the bank in search of an escape route that never came. Filmed over an entire day by wildlife photographer Marc Mol, the footage captures one of nature’s most brutal realities, including the moment a massive crocodile seizes a cub as it makes a final dash for safety. (08:03) Watch here
KAZA links five nations into Africa’s largest transboundary conservation landscape.
Wildlife corridors enable elephants and other species to move freely.
Tourism creates livelihoods that strengthen conservation and community development.
Local initiatives address human-wildlife conflict through practical, community-led solutions.
Travellers experience interconnected ecosystems, cultures, and iconic safari destinations.
Want to visit the protected areas of Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area on safari? Let us tailor-make your safari to KAZA.
Motoring across a flooded Zambezi floodplain towards an island of low trees, wind in our hair and the late-afternoon sun sinking ever so slightly towards the horizon, it felt like we had slipped into another world.
We were travelling through one of Africa’s last great connected wildernesses – a journey that would take us across rivers and borders, through quiet floodplains and iconic national parks, into places where wildlife still moves as it always has. Along the way, we would encounter elephants, birds and vast landscapes, alongside the people and ideas shaping the future of conservation in this remarkable region.
Just us – four photojournalists in Namibia’s Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), in the far northeast of the country – exploring a legendary southern African safari attraction: the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA).
The acronyms can be off-putting, but to understand what KAZA is about, it helps to first set the scene – to understand who is who, and what is where, on this immense southern African canvas.
Spanning parts of five countries – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – and involving government ministries, local communities and conservation organisations such as WWF and African Parks, KAZA is the world’s largest terrestrial transboundary conservation area.
It is every bit as vast as it sounds: a multi-country conservation landscape roughly the size of France. At its heart lie the Kavango, Kwando and Zambezi river systems, supporting critical habitats upon which both people and wildlife depend.
Kaza: cross-border conservation
At the heart of KAZA’s conservation vision is a simple but powerful principle: wildlife does not recognise political boundaries. For centuries, elephants, buffalo, predators and countless other species moved freely across the vast river systems, floodplains and woodlands that today span five nations. By linking protected areas, conservancies and community-managed landscapes into a single connected ecosystem, KAZA helps restore and maintain these ancient migration routes, allowing wildlife to respond naturally to seasonal changes in water, food availability and breeding opportunities.
This connectivity is particularly important for wide-ranging species such as elephants and African wild dogs, whose long-term survival depends on access to large, interconnected landscapes. By protecting ecological corridors across international borders, KAZA not only supports healthier wildlife populations and greater genetic diversity but also strengthens the resilience of one of Africa’s most important conservation strongholds for generations to come.
One of KAZA’s greatest strengths is the ease with which travellers can move between its diverse destinations. Well-established tourism infrastructure, international airports in hubs such as Kasane, Livingstone, Victoria Falls and Katima Mulilo, and a network of road, air and river connections make multi-country safaris remarkably accessible. Within a matter of days, travellers can experience Namibia’s floodplains, Botswana’s elephant-rich waterways, Zambia’s conservation initiatives and Zimbabwe’s iconic wilderness areas. This seamless connectivity transforms what might once have been separate safari destinations into a single, interconnected journey through one of Africa’s last great wilderness systems.
As we move through it, what becomes clear is that KAZA is not simply a conservation area – it is a living system. Wildlife depends on freedom of movement; communities depend on the land and rivers; and tourism, when done well, becomes the thread that binds both together.
Wild dogs in the Lower Zambezi Region
Stretching from Luengue-Luiana National Park in southeastern Angola, through a mosaic of national parks, forest reserves and community-managed conservancies, to Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, KAZA is increasingly viewed as central to the future of sustainable tourism and conservation in southern Africa.
Vital to its success are the employment and livelihood opportunities it creates, helping secure both the future of wildlife populations and the integrity of the rivers and watersheds upon which all life here depends.
Back to the unsung floodplain
It is April, and the dry season is still a few months away. To the east, two fishermen are bathed in the glow of sunset as they cast a net from their mokoro. All around us, as we drift silently around the island in pursuit of an African black crake delicately stepping between flooded branches, comes the sound of birds settling in to roost.
We drift, we listen, and we begin to understand the rhythm of this place in Namibia’s Zambezi Region, wedged between Angola, Zambia and Botswana.
A landscape of rivers, floodplains and wetlands, Namibia’s Zambezi Region offers a safari experience unlike the country’s more arid destinations. Visitors are drawn by exceptional birding, seasonal concentrations of elephants and buffalo, river-based activities and a sense of exclusivity in one of southern Africa’s least crowded wildlife destinations.
In the dry season, the same scene could feature elephants, buffalo and the multitude of creatures that follow them to water.
Boating in Namibia’s Zambezi Region
This is a landscape where floodplains pulse with life and more than 400 bird species fill the air – a quieter safari experience perhaps, but no less extraordinary. It feels utterly private and exclusive. We find ourselves immersed in a version of Africa that is becoming increasingly rare: uncrowded, unscripted and deeply authentic.
We arrive via Katima Mulilo, the regional hub of the Zambezi Region, just two hours by road from Botswana’s transport gateway of Kasane. When I was in the air force, fresh out of university, Katima was considered the back of beyond. Today, it is thriving – thanks largely to tourism and the industries that support it.
Birding and river guide Vincent Walubita, trained through initiatives linked to KAZA, joins us as our skipper threads the boat through papyrus-fringed channels in search of Allen’s gallinule, hidden among a distracting abundance of egrets, herons and jacanas. With more than 400 species recorded in the region, Vincent explains that seeing fifty or more species on a single cruise is not unusual.
We follow his lead through the waterways, realising that here, knowledge of birds and rivers is not simply a skill – it is a livelihood.
Further west, we visit Horseshoe Bend, a seasonal wetland within the Kwando system where wildlife congregates during the dry months. Elephants arrive in slow procession, antelope edge cautiously in to drink, and predators wait patiently on the margins.
Kwando and the living Bwabwata corridor
Moving further along the B8 highway, deeper into Namibia’s eastern Zambezi Region and the Kwando River landscape, the character of the land begins to shift.
Nearby, at the Sijwa Project, we meet a recycling team transforming waste into opportunity. Forty discarded aluminium cans become a single butter dish destined for use in nearby safari camps. Discarded plastic water bottles are also turned into sustainable ecobricks. It is a small-scale enterprise, but symbolic of a larger KAZA philosophy: conservation creating opportunity, and opportunity reinforcing conservation.
Ecobricks made from bottles are used for construction – one of Sijwa Project’s initiativesThe recycling team at Sijwa
We continue west into Bwabwata National Park, one of Namibia’s most fascinating protected areas. Unlike most national parks, people live within its boundaries, sharing space with elephants, buffalo and predators.
Leopard in Bwabwata
Here, conservation is not separated from daily life. The park forms one of KAZA’s most important wildlife corridors, allowing animals to move between ecosystems much as they have done for centuries. It is a reminder that connectivity – both ecological and social – lies at the heart of the KAZA vision.
Elephants in Bwabwata
Chobe: the gathering of giants
After several days exploring Namibia’s Zambezi Region, we cross into northern Botswana, arriving in Kasane on the edge of Chobe National Park.
The Chobe River frontage, bordering Namibia, is undeniably busy – and for good reason. A collection of lodges and hotels offers front-row access to a floodplain system renowned for its wildlife. We arrive at the river’s edge as elephants gather in their hundreds, creating one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife spectacles. Buffalo spread across the floodplains, hippos churn the shallows, and birdlife fills every branch, reedbed and sandbank.
Close encounters on the Chobe River
Yet as famous as Chobe is for its wildlife, it is the people who reveal tourism’s deeper value.
Guide Richard Kamwi Rungwe demonstrates this almost immediately. Within 20 metres of leaving the riverbank by boat, we have already added giant kingfisher, African pied wagtail and wood sandpiper to our list before the sun has fully risen above the horizon.
His knowledge is not merely impressive; it is a reminder of how conservation and tourism create careers rooted in the natural world.
Darter drying out its plumage along the Chobe River
Crossing the Zambezi
From Chobe, we head east, to Victoria Falls.
Few destinations encapsulate the spirit of KAZA quite like Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke That Thunders”, the world’s largest sheet of falling water straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and serves as a focal point for tourism across the region. Beyond the spectacle of the falls themselves, visitors can enjoy river cruises, wildlife experiences, adventure activities and cultural encounters that support thousands of livelihoods on both sides of the border. As one of Africa’s most recognisable travel destinations, Victoria Falls plays a vital role in attracting visitors whose spending helps sustain conservation efforts and community development throughout the wider KAZA landscape.
We cross the Victoria Falls Bridge, which spans the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia at one of Africa’s most iconic natural landmarks.
Victoria Falls Bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia
A few hours beyond the border, lies Livingstone. While many visitors know Livingstone as the gateway to Victoria Falls, the town has evolved into one of southern Africa’s most versatile safari hubs. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi River and surrounded by wildlife-rich landscapes, Livingstone offers easy access to game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, river safaris, birding excursions and conservation-focused experiences. Its strategic location within the wider KAZA region also makes it an ideal base from which to explore neighbouring Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, allowing travellers to combine iconic attractions with meaningful encounters that highlight the region’s conservation and community initiatives.
On the outskirts of Livingstone in southern Zambia, lies the suburb of Dambwa. Built along a traditional elephant corridor leading up from the nearby Zambezi River, Dambwa provides a vivid example of the challenges that accompany growing human populations in wildlife landscapes.
Here we meet birding guides Gift Ng’andu and Mukumbuta Akayamborwa. They explain how elephants routinely pass through the streets of this expanding settlement, helping themselves to the mango trees that fill household gardens. The result is predictable: conflict between people and wildlife. Gift and Muku are helping to bridge that divide.
Through a WhatsApp-based early warning network, residents can alert them whenever elephants enter the area. The guides then assist in safely encouraging the animals to continue on their way. During peak periods, Gift says, they may receive as many as 40 calls in a single night.
It is a practical, locally driven response to one of conservation’s most pressing challenges. We also visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, where conservation science supports wildlife management across the broader KAZA landscape, providing veterinary expertise, research and monitoring that benefit both wildlife and people.
Inside Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust’s forensic laboratory
Communities at the centre
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park lies only a few kilometres back towards Livingstone, but our focus shifts instead to the remarkable Tukongote Community Project established along this stretch of the Zambezi.
A school, extensive organic gardens and a daily feeding scheme – all supported through tourism revenue – are quietly transforming lives. These are not abstract development interventions. They are practical systems supporting education, nutrition and long-term opportunity.
Organic gardens serve the Tukongote Community
I ask two women preparing lunch for the children whether neighbouring communities feel envious of what has been achieved here. They shake their heads. “No,” they reply. “They try to make their schools better.”
Conversations like these reveal the deeper layer of this journey – how tourism, when it works, extends beyond wildlife viewing to support communities, and in doing so, strengthens the very foundations of conservation across the KAZA landscape.
Many would argue that among the greatest privileges of safari – alongside the landscapes and wildlife – are the human connections and life lessons gathered along the way. Such conversations, and the stories they reveal about tourism’s role in conservation, are found throughout this vast transboundary region.
If safari is a train station, then the Kavango-Zambezi initiative is the platform from which countless journeys depart. And as we step off, we realise this journey has traced not merely destinations, but connections – across countries, ecosystems and communities. For the traveller, KAZA offers something increasingly rare: a safari that is not confined to a single park or even a single country, but unfolds across an entire living landscape.
From the flooded plains of Namibia’s Zambezi Region to the wildlife-rich banks of Chobe, from elephant corridors in Livingstone to the spray and thunder of Victoria Falls, each stop reveals a different facet of one of Africa’s last great connected wilderness systems.
It is a safari defined not only by what you see, but by how those experiences connect – wildlife, people and place – leaving you with the sense that you have travelled through something far larger, and far more meaningful, than a destination.
As the journey draws to a close, what lingers is not a single wildlife sighting or destination, but an appreciation for the connections that bind this remarkable landscape together. Across rivers, borders and ecosystems, KAZA demonstrates that conservation is most effective when wildlife can move freely, communities benefit from tourism, and travellers become part of a larger story. In an increasingly fragmented world, the region offers a compelling vision of what is possible when nations, people and nature work together to protect a shared wilderness for generations to come.
Boating on the Zambezi River in Livingstone
About Angus Begg
Angus’ journey as a traveller began as a journalist, covering pivotal moments in South African history, from Nelson Mandela’s release to the country’s first democratic elections.
Over the years, he has transitioned his passion for storytelling into the realms of photography, videography, and safari guiding, weaving tales of landscapes, wildlife, and people along the way.
Whether crafting a documentary, curating a safari itinerary, freezing a moment through the lens or writing copy for a client, his mission remains the same: to share a destination’s soul with those of curious disposition, and to facilitate engagement with real people and their stories.
Resources
Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations – for good reason. Here’s our ultimate Victoria Falls to-do list: Things to do in Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, the smoke that thunders, is the world’s largest waterfall: a breathtaking African safari destination of myth, magic & romance. Here’s our ultimate Vic Falls guide.
KAZA elephants – new analysis adds vital details: An analysis of elephant population trends in KAZA shows a worrying increase in poaching, slowed population growth, negative population trends outside of protected areas, and the need for more accurate information to combat threats
Africa’s 11 canids range from painted wolves to tiny desert foxes.
Canids evolved as endurance hunters before spreading into Africa from Asia.
African painted wolves are cooperative hunters facing severe conservation threats.
Ethiopian wolves survive only in isolated high-altitude Ethiopian populations.
Foxes and jackals thrive through adaptability across Africa’s diverse habitats.
Want to see some of Africa’s canids on safari? We have ready-made safaris to choose from, or let us build one just for you.
Today, 11 African canids, from excitable African painted wolves and shrewd jackals to the tiny fox species, hunt the continent’s desert, alpine grassland, savanna and woodland.
Some 40 million years ago, the first identifiable canid (dog) species, Prohesperocyon wilsoni, arose in what is now Texas. The fossilised remains were classified as Canid partially because of the absent, upper third molars and an enlarged bulla (a hollow structure in the ear). As canids diversified across North America, evolution favoured them with several cursorial adaptations including long limbs and lightweight bodies. They were built to run from the start – a family trait that served them well and has survived in most species. When cooling climates exposed the Bering land bridge, canid ancestors raced, trotted, and slunk across to spread through Asia, Europe and eventually Africa.
Black-backed jackal fighting off vultures at a kill
African painted wolf (Lycaon pictus)
The most well-known African canid, African painted wolves (wild dogs), are the third-largest extant canid in the world and the largest in Africa. They are coursing, cooperative hunters, with lithe, athletic bodies built for speed and stamina. Their frenetic hunting style exploits panic and confusion, creating fast-paced, exhilarating sightings for those fortunate enough to encounter a pack on the move.
Wild dogs in the Lower Zambezi Region
African painted wolves live in tight-knit packs, and there is little so heart-warming as watching pack members affectionately reaffirming their bonds. In social situations, the intimate relationships are expressed in joyful greeting ceremonies and play sessions, accompanied by an endearing array of squeaks, yips and whines. The alpha pair typically monopolises breeding, while the rest of the pack devote their attentions to feeding and caring for both the mother and her pups during the denning period.
They are the only member of the Lycaon genus and the only canid to have four toes on the front foot (they lack a dewclaw). Human persecution, habitat loss and fragmentation, and disease have all played a role in devastating African painted wolf populations. They are currently listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
Today, roughly 6,600 adult and yearling African painted wolves survive across 39 subpopulations, with only about 1,400 mature breeding individuals contributing to future generations.
Black-backed and side-striped jackals (Canis mesomelas and Canis adustus)
It is bewildering that the average safari-goer dismisses jackals, intent rather on chasing down traditionally iconic creatures. This is unfortunate because jackals are attractive and adventurous little predators in their own right. Both species are consummate survivors with an indiscriminate palate and a boldness that belies their slender physiques. Jackals are opportunistic omnivores that can quickly and efficiently dispatch invertebrates, birds, reptiles, or even small antelope, but will also readily wolf down fallen fruit or seeds. Furthermore, any animal that dares to snatch the scraps out from beneath a hungry lion’s nose should be entitled to automatic respect.
Jackals are monogamous and territorial, though they may gather in larger numbers when there is a more substantial carcass. Grown offspring from the previous year’s litter occasionally stay and help their parents with subsequent pups – before dispersing. Interestingly, though the black-backed jackal is the smaller of the two, where black-backed and side-striped jackals do occur in the same place, the black-backed tends to dominate interactions.
Side-striped jackalBlack-backed jackal
African golden wolf (Canis lupaster)
The African golden wolf is notable mainly for the insights it has provided researchers of African canid evolution. Until recently, it was classified as an African variant of the golden jackal, which is widespread throughout the Middle East and Asia. Though scientists had long argued for a distinction between the two species, genetic analyses confirmed that the African golden wolf is a distinct species and is more closely related to grey wolves, Ethiopian wolves and coyotes than to the Eurasian golden jackal.
Slightly larger than the two jackal species, African golden wolves can catch and kill prey nearly three times their own mass. This is unusual however, and golden wolves tend to confine themselves to smaller prey species such as rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, and insects.
The wolf-like ancient Egyptian deities such as Anubis (the god of death) may have been based on African golden wolves.
African golden wolf
Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis)
The Ethiopian wolf has the lamentable honour of being the rarest carnivore in Africa. Recent estimates from the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme indicate approximately 454 adult Ethiopian wolves in 99 packs across six isolated populations in the Ethiopian Highlands. The species us listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
They are endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands and found at altitudes over 3,000m above sea level, with more than half found in the Bale Mountains, and they can also be seen in the Simien Mountains. The remaining five populations are isolated and fragmented; threatened by habitat degradation, conflict with humans and diseases carried by feral domestic dogs.
Ethiopian wolves in the Bale Mountains
While most African canid species are fairly generalist feeders, these beautiful, russet-coated Simien wolves are particularly adept at hunting Afroalpine rodents, especially big-headed mole-rats. The wolves wait patiently until a rodent emerges from its underground burrow before pouncing and digging frantically at the entrance. Interestingly, some wolves form temporary associations with geladas, and research indicates that their hunting efforts are more successful when they associate with these foraging troops. The wolves do not attempt to hunt the geladas, and the primates appear unconcerned by the canids’ presence.
In 2024, researchers documented Ethiopian wolves feeding on nectar from red-hot poker flowers, potentially making them the first large carnivore known to act as a pollinator.
While Ethiopian wolves tend to be solitary hunters, they live in small packs with an established hierarchy and one breeding female, who, when she dies, is usually replaced by one of her daughters.
Ethiopian or Simien wolf
Bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis)
These little African canids are the world’s most specialised insect-eating canids and, despite their common name, are not true foxes (genus Vulpes). Instead, they are the only Otocyon member, set apart by their unusual dentition adapted for demolishing invertebrates. They have up to 50 teeth (most canids have around 42), with reduced shearing surfaces on the molars and unique morphological adaptations which allow for extremely rapid chewing. The majority of their prey consists of harvester termites.
Bat eared fox and kit, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Bat-eared foxes are highly social and live in mated pairs or small family groups that forage, play and rest together. Somewhat unusually, the males take on the majority of caretaking activities where the young are concerned.
They are easily identified by their enormous ears (second only to the fennec fox below), and their scientific name refers specifically to this characteristic: “mega” meaning large and “otus” meaning ear. Serengeti National Park, Samara Private Game Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve all offer good opportunities to see bat-eared foxes while on safari.
Bat-eared fox, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Cape fox (Vulpes chama)
The only true fox species in sub-Saharan Africa, the delicate Cape fox prefers semi-arid and arid habitats. In true fox fashion, they are omnivores with a taste for everything from small mammals to seeds and fruit. Though common throughout most of Southern Africa, Cape foxes are nocturnal and seldom seen except in certain reserves where they have become habituated to people.
Cape fox
Though they appear to form monogamous bonds, Cape foxes prefer to forage alone, and the male and female usually only associate during the breeding season. When the kits are born in underground burrows, the male will care for and defend both the mother and young for the first few weeks.
The fennec fox is the smallest canid species on the planet, weighing less than 2kg. They are perfectly adapted for the aridity and blistering temperatures of their Sahara Desert habitat. Most noticeably, their enormous ears, proportionately the largest of any canid species in the world, help dissipate heat – not unlike the ears of an elephant.
Fennec fox in the Sahara Desert, Tunisia
Their tiny paws are covered in dense fur to protect against extreme heat and maintain traction on the desert sands. Fennec foxes’ most astonishing achievement is the ability to pant at 690 breaths per minute (over ten breaths per second!) without the expected adverse effects of hyperventilation.
They forage for insects, reptiles, small mammals and birds at night. Plants supplement the diet and aid with hydration.
The fennec fox’s Disney-like appearance has made it a popular exotic pet, even though it is ill-suited to a domestic existence away from its natural desert habitat. Though they are highly social, little is known about the intricacies of their societies, and most behavioural observations have been gleaned from captive individuals.
Pale fox (Vulpes pallida)
Pale foxes are the least studied of all African canids, and little is known about their day-to-day lives or individual numbers. They inhabit the Sahel region of the African continent (the transition zone between the Sahara Desert and savannahs further south). They are distinguished from the Rüppell’s fox (see below) by the black tip on their tails. Just a fraction smaller than the Cape fox, pale foxes are omnivorous and predominantly nocturnal.
Pale fox in Zakouma National Park
Rüppell’s fox (Vulpes ruepelli)
The Rüppell’s fox is confined to the continent’s northernmost reaches and is distinguished by a white-tipped tail and black markings under the eye. Like all desert-dwelling foxes, they have enormous ears, though not quite to the same degree as the fennec fox. Though the species is widely distributed, there is little available information on Rüppell’s foxes.
Rüppell’s fox
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Typically associated with the countryside and alleys of European cities, few people realise that red foxes also occur in Africa’s northern fringes. This species is largest of the true foxes, though the southern grey desert subspecies is significantly smaller and less brightly coloured than its European counterparts. These animals are not as well adapted to truly arid areas as other desert foxes and tend to be more common around rivers and oases where there is better access to water.
Red fox (this is an individual photographed in Europe. In Africa, the red fox tends to be much smaller and greyer than in Europe.)
Barking up the family tree
As the canid ancestors loped their way across Asia and into Africa, they faced competition from the two other hyper-carnivorous predator families: the Felidae (cats) and the Hyaenidae (hyenas). For all predators, the competitive landscape was changing as prey species evolved to run faster through increasingly open habitats. This evolutionary arms race was to shape all three families. The felids came to rely almost exclusively on stealth and ambush, while the dog-like hyenas (distinct from their bone-crunching relatives) all but disappeared (with one exception).
And African canids? They took on the various forms described above – most are lightweight and fleet of foot and all are bright-eyed, intelligent, and adaptable.
[Editorial note: Blanford’s fox (Vulpes cana) has been recorded on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. There is only one record of an individual collected west of the Suez Canal. While it is possible there are resident populations in the African portions of Egypt, this is unconfirmed, and we have thus omitted this animal from our list.]
Further reading
Longing to see African wild dogs? Here are the six best spots to see painted wolves in Africa – for your next safari with us. Here are the 6 top places to see painted wolves on safari.
Jackals are the ultimate survivors of the African bushveld. These social & intelligent canids are expert opportunists and masterful lurkers. Read more about jackals here.
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
Flying mice
One of my favourite bushveld experiences is staking out dry-season waterholes in the arid Kalahari. The endless traffic of thirsty mammals aside, it’s the avian action that I seek.
This time last year, I was in Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve, checking out the fabulous Dinaka Lodge for our safari guests. After my fair share of lions, cheetahs and a host of desert-adapted species such as brown hyenas, ground squirrels, oryxes, and springboks, I needed some time out from game drives.
There is a busy waterhole in front of the lodge, and after watching countless swarms of red-billed queleas descend to drink, like flying mice, often harassed by lanner falcons, shikras and other deadly missiles, I decided to get some video footage. I set up my phone on a stand at the water’s edge, hit start, and retired to my room for a nap. Looking closely at the resulting footage, I see that the flock included many other species, such as shaft-tailed whydahs and fawn-coloured larks. Click the link below to enjoy the spectacle and hear more from me about this epic safari experience. Pour a mug of coffee, or something stronger, and prepare yourself for four minutes of awesomeness (turn up the sound).
Why would a chimpanzee spend more than a decade throwing rocks at the same tree? That’s the question researchers are trying to answer in the remote forests of Guinea-Bissau, where certain male chimpanzees repeatedly return to specific trees to hurl stones, pant-hoot and drum on buttress roots. The behaviour is exceptionally rare, observed in only a handful of chimpanzee communities, and may represent a form of communication, territorial marking or even something approaching symbolism. Intriguingly, some of these “stone-throwing sites” have remained active for more than ten years.
It feels fitting to reflect on nature’s capacity to surprise this week, as we announce the winners of Photographer of the Year 2026. Over 12 weeks, we received 6,084 entries from photographers around the world, selecting just 285 images for our weekly galleries. Again and again, photographers captured moments that challenged expectations: an Ethiopian wolf feeding from wildflowers, a mountain gorilla high in the rainforest canopy, an aardvark emerging into the last light of day, and dramatic encounters that unfolded in fractions of a second. This year’s competition became a celebration of revelation. Africa still rewards patience with the extraordinary. Our winners will soon embark on an Africa Geographic safari to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, where chimpanzee trekking through one of Africa’s most biodiverse forests awaits. See more on the prize in the video at the end of this newsletter.
Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all the incredible photographers who entered!
DID YOU KNOW?
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
WE HAVE A WINNER
WINNING PHOTOS
The wait is over! Announcing the winner, runners-up and highly commended photos from Photographer of the Year 2026!
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Maasai Mara Explorer – 11 days
Two faces of the Maasai Mara. This safari explores two distinct sides of the Maasai Mara, from the wild solitude of the Sand River in the south to the Mara River crossing drama of the central reserve. Expect authentic, owner-run lodges, exceptional guiding, discreet service and superb meals as you experience two unforgettable aspects of this iconic ecosystem.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Uganda – 6 days
A bucket-list pilgrimage to Uganda’s mountain gorillas. Trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the birthplace of gorilla trekking and one of the world’s most exhilarating wildlife experiences. Explore Bwindi’s jungle paradise, spend time with the Batwa people, search for Queen Elizabeth National Park’s tree-climbing lions and discover the rich biodiversity of Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
As we reveal the winners of Photographer of the Year 2026, take a moment to revisit the adventure that awaits them. This year’s winners will journey to Rwanda’s spectacular Nyungwe National Park – one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. Their prize includes chimpanzee trekking, encounters with Rwenzori pied colobus monkeys, forest hikes to hidden waterfalls, walks along Nyungwe’s famous canopy walkway, and the thrill of soaring above the treetops on one of Africa’s longest ziplines. Hosted at the beautiful Munazi Lodge and made possible by our partners African Parks and Ukuri, this unforgettable safari is a celebration of Africa’s wild places and the photographers who bring them to life through their images. (04:37) Watch here
We are proud to announce the winners of Photographer of the Year 2026. This year, a theme emerged as if orchestrated by nature itself – revelation. Again and again, our photographers captured moments that challenged expectations: an Ethiopian wolf feeding from wildflowers, an aardvark emerging into the last light of day, a mountain gorilla high in the rainforest canopy, and a leaf-tailed gecko hidden in plain sight. Photographers documented the drama and unpredictability of life in the wild, from a leopard cub’s final stand against a pride of lions to a jackal and vulture locked in battle over a meal. Africa still has the power to surprise, revealing extraordinary stories to those patient enough to look.
Over the 12 weeks of the competition, we received 6,084 entries, of which we selected 285 in our weekly selections.
Thank you to our generous partners, Ukuri and African Parks, for supporting this celebration of Africa. The overall winner, runners-up and their partners will enjoy an Africa Geographic safari to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Their adventure will include chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here.
A note from our CEO
These photographs are far more than beautiful images. They are acts of patience, devotion and wonder that reflect a fierce respect and unmatched artistry. Again and again, the photographers behind these images have shown us Africa not as a destination, but as a living, breathing masterpiece.
To every photographer who entered: thank you. For the early mornings, the sleepless nights, the long journeys, the uncomfortable hides, the dust, the rain, and the uncertainty. For caring enough to look deeper, to wait longer, and to share what you found.
In a digital world increasingly flooded by the synthetic wave of AI-generated slop, hollow fabrications that dominate our screens, fool the masses, and distort biological reality, your work is a sanctuary. Thank you for refusing to become slaves to the algorithm. For rejecting the cheap distractions of fake perfection that disconnect us from the most vital thing we have: the natural world. By staying true to your lens, you have stayed true to the authentic, unvarnished soul of Africa.
As judges, we have marvelled, debated and been inspired. As lovers of Africa, we are simply grateful. Grateful that so many talented storytellers continue to reveal the soul of this continent through their lenses, and generous enough to share that gift with all of us.
Some photographs stop you in your tracks, while others challenge what you believe is possible. This image does both.
At first glance, the scene appears almost unreal. The dust, the tangle of bodies, the desperate struggle at its centre – it resembles a dark allegory rather than a wildlife photograph. Yet the closer one looks, the more remarkable it becomes. Every subject remains legible within the chaos. The eye moves from lion to leopard cub, from swirling dust to flailing limbs, discovering new details with each viewing. Maintaining focus, composition and exposure during a moment unfolding at such speed is an extraordinary achievement.
Beyond its technical excellence, the image forces us to confront one of nature’s most uncomfortable realities. The systematic elimination of future competitors is less often witnessed and even more rarely photographed. The emotional weight of the scene is impossible to ignore. The leopard cub’s final act of defiance transforms the photograph from a record of behaviour into a story of courage against overwhelming odds. What elevates this image above all others is its authenticity. Nothing here is embellished or staged. It is profoundly affecting. In an era where extraordinary images are often met with scepticism, reality can still surpass imagination. An exceptional and unforgettable piece of wildlife storytelling.
Given the extraordinary nature of the scene, the image, along with a sequence of photographs taken immediately before and after the encounter, was carefully reviewed and authenticated by our judges. It is not AI-generated and has not been manipulated using AI processes. The photograph accurately represents the original event: nature can still produce moments more astonishing than fiction.
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Petr says: “An ordinary morning at the end of the dry season on the Chobe River quickly turned into one of the most dramatic wildlife encounters I have witnessed.
A pride of lionesses with cubs was resting on a rise. They had not made a kill for three days and were carefully watching the surrounding area. About 300 metres away, two leopard cubs, approximately five months old, emerged from the bush near the road. They drank quickly before disappearing back into the thicket. Unfortunately, one of the lionesses noticed them and immediately charged.
The cubs vanished into dense cover, but the entire pride followed. We slowly drove along the road towards the centre of the action. Suddenly, from a shrub only a few metres from our vehicle, we heard roaring, growling and then a piercing scream. The lionesses had found one of the cubs.
In the dust stirred up by the struggle, the leopard cub fought against overwhelming odds. One of the lionesses even allowed a lion cub to join the attack. Unable to stand properly, the leopard cub still managed to bite the young lion. Moments later, one of the lionesses ended the confrontation. The pride moved away. The elimination of competition between apex predators was complete. What remained was the lifeless body of the leopard cub. I tell myself in vain: But this is the law of nature.”
About photographer Petr Slavík
Wildlife photographer Petr Slavík was born in Mělník, Czech Republic. He is the winner of several international wildlife photography awards, including Photographer of the Year in the Czech Nature Photo competition.
Petr is the author of the photographic books Wild Hearts and Close Encounters, co-author of Wild Planet, and creator and producer of the documentary trilogy In the Track of the Predator, broadcast on Prima Zoom television. He also leads photographic expeditions to some of the world’s most remote wilderness areas and serves as a Nikon ambassador in the Czech Republic. Instagram: petrslavikphoto
This photograph reveals something deeply personal while remaining profoundly respectful. The framing is exceptional. By positioning the viewer between the cow’s legs, Metlha transforms a farming scene into something far more immersive. The composition draws us into the centre of the moment while preserving the dignity of those within it. Every element feels deliberate: the father seated behind, the child receiving the milk, and the natural frame created by the cow. The monochrome treatment strips away distraction, allowing gesture, expression and symbolism to take centre stage.
More than documenting an event, the photo preserves a tradition. The act itself is simple, but it carries deep meaning: a blessing for prosperity, health and continuity. The photograph speaks of family, but also of heritage and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Powerful cultural photographs often rely on trust. This image could only have been made because the photographer was accepted into the space and recognised the significance of what was unfolding before him. The result is an honest and beautifully observed portrait of Setswana life.
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Metlha says: “I took this photograph in a village about five kilometres from Botswana’s capital city while on assignment for a news agency, documenting how climate change was affecting farmers.
Early one morning, I joined a family in their kraal. As they milked their cattle, they shared stories about how changing weather patterns were affecting their livelihoods. As the conversation flowed, the family became comfortable with my presence and I was no longer seen as an outsider. While photographing the morning routine, an unexpected moment unfolded. The father called his son over and, instead of handing him the milking duties, sat the boy on his lap and directed fresh milk straight from the cow into his mouth. With my Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EF 24–105mm lens, I quickly moved to the opposite side of the cow to create a stronger composition and captured a moment I never expected.
Later, he explained that some people traditionally believed this act was a blessing, wishing children prosperity and a future filled with cattle. I later converted the image to black and white to reflect a tradition rooted in the past.”
About photographer Metlha Ngubevana
Metlha Ngubevana is a Botswana-based wildlife photographer and visual storyteller who uses photography to advocate for wildlife conservation and celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage. He began his career as a photojournalist with Botswana’s state-owned newspaper before joining Press Photo, one of the country’s leading news agencies. Through journalism, he developed a passion for storytelling and increasingly focused on wildlife, conservation, climate change and culture.
His work has been published internationally through Xinhua News Agency, bringing attention to African wildlife, conservation initiatives and cultural traditions. Today, Metlha works as a photographic guide in Chobe, where he continues to create imagery that connects people with nature and encourages a deeper appreciation for conservation.
Few photographs combine scientific significance, conservation value and visual impact as successfully as this one. At first glance, the image appears beautifully simple: an Ethiopian wolf feeding among vivid red-hot poker flowers in the Afroalpine highlands. But the longer one looks, the more extraordinary the scene becomes. The rich reds of the blooms contrast strikingly with the wolf’s soft coat, while the clean composition isolates a behaviour that until recently was completely unknown to science.
The image documents one of the most remarkable natural history discoveries of recent years. Scientists only recently confirmed that Ethiopian wolves feed on nectar and may transfer pollen between flowers as they forage — making them the first known large carnivores documented acting as pollinators. Amit has transformed a scientific observation into a compelling visual story, allowing viewers to immediately grasp the significance of this behaviour. The photograph also carries considerable conservation weight. The Ethiopian wolf is Africa’s most threatened carnivore, with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. To photograph such a rare species engaged in newly documented behaviour is an extraordinary achievement. Even among the continent’s known wildlife, there are still stories waiting to be discovered.
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Amit says: “Watching and photographing an Ethiopian wolf licking the bright red flowers while unknowingly serving as a pollinator was one of the most surprising moments I have experienced in the field. At first, I was not sure what I was seeing. The wolf approached the flowers calmly and focused on feeding from the blooms scattered across the Afroalpine grassland. As I realised what was happening, I noticed pollen collecting on its muzzle as it moved from flower to flower. Through my camera, I was witnessing a behaviour that had only recently been recognised by science.
This unique behaviour was only recently discovered and documented for the first time. In doing so, the wolves act as pollinators. As they forage, the wolves’ muzzles become covered in pollen, which they transfer from flower to flower while feeding. Individual wolves have been recorded visiting up to 30 blooms during a single feeding session, with members of different packs using the same resource.”
About photographer Amit Eshel
Growing up in a small community in Israel, Amit Eshel developed a fascination with wildlife long before he picked up a camera. Nature was his playground, and his childhood was spent searching for animals, sketching wildlife and dreaming about encounters in the wild.
After graduating with honours in Illustration, Animation and Graphic Design, Amit combined his artistic background with his passion for animals, initially creating wildlife-inspired jewellery using his photographs as reference material. Over time, photography itself became his primary focus. Today, Amit leads wildlife photography expeditions and works on personal projects in remote locations around the world. His photography combines an artist’s eye for composition with a deep interest in animal behaviour and natural history. In 2018, he made the decision to pursue photography professionally and has since built a career dedicated to documenting remarkable wildlife moments.
Atmosphere drives this image. Suspended dust softens the scene, reducing predator and prey to ghostly figures emerging from the haze. The wild dog stands alert in the foreground while the zebra materialises behind it, creating an unusual moment of visual symmetry between two animals that would normally be cast in opposing roles. The muted palette and layered dust transform a familiar wildlife encounter into something far more contemplative: a study of isolation, uncertainty and survival in the aftermath of pursuit.
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Hannes says: “A lone African wild dog stands alert in the foreground while the rest of the pack moves through a haze of dust behind it. In the background, a solitary zebra watches the scene unfold. The muted tones and dusty conditions create a striking atmosphere, drawing attention to the contrast between predator and prey. Layers of suspended dust add depth to the composition, capturing a quiet moment of vigilance in the Kalahari.”
About photographer Hannes Lochner
Hannes Lochner is a South African wildlife photographer, author and safari guide renowned for his work in the Kalahari. His distinctive style combines dramatic light, atmospheric conditions and behavioural storytelling to create images that reveal the character of Africa’s wild places. Hannes leads photographic safaris across Africa, where he shares his knowledge of wildlife, conservation, and photography with guests from around the world. His work reflects a deep appreciation for nature and a commitment to capturing authentic moments in the field. For the past several years, Hannes and his wife, Noa Koefler, a wildlife videographer, have travelled and worked throughout Africa, continually building a body of work that celebrates the beauty, character, and diversity of the continent’s wildlife. His work has appeared in major international publications and has been recognised in numerous wildlife photography competitions around the world.
The scale of this photograph is astonishing. A predator barely three millimetres long is transformed into the subject of a grand portrait, framed by glowing petals and delicate stamens that resemble flowing fabric. The soft backlighting illuminates both flower and mantis, creating a sense of shelter and vulnerability not often seen in insect photography.
Beyond the beauty of the image lies a testament to patience and fieldcraft. Finding a newly hatched mantis is challenging enough; presenting it with such elegance and intimacy is another achievement entirely.
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Hendrik says: “As a macro photographer, I have learned to recognise areas where certain insects are likely to occur. After following what was probably the same female mantis for some time, I discovered an egg case and visited it regularly over a six-week period. This was only the second time I had witnessed common green mantis babies emerging. I was fortunate to spot a few of them as they scattered after hatching. This individual, which was about a day old and only 3mm long, paused among the stamens of a flower early one morning.
To create a greater sense of scale and intimacy, I used a 28mm lens with extension tubes and photographed from a low angle to capture the backlighting and early morning atmosphere. For me, this image best captured the balance between vulnerability and predatory instinct in such a tiny creature.”
About photographer Hendrik Louw
Hendrik Louw has been pursuing photography for more than 27 years, ever since picking up a second-hand camera and joining a photographic club in 1999. While he enjoys many genres of photography, his true passion lies in macro photography, particularly the fascinating world of frogs, mantises and spiders. Hendrik’s work reveals the beauty and complexity of often-overlooked creatures. His images have earned recognition in numerous international photography competitions, and he regularly shares his passion through workshops and photographic congresses. Outside of photography, Hendrik works as an environmental manager and climate change specialist.
Few images convey panic quite as effectively as this one. Backlit spray fills the frame as the baboon charges through the water, pursued by a lioness emerging from the chaos behind it. The silhouettes, illuminated droplets and monochrome treatment reduce the scene to pure movement and tension.
What makes the photograph compelling is knowing that this was only one chapter in a remarkable sequence of events. Devon recognised the moment instantly, reacted decisively and produced an image that captures the drama of the chase at its most intense.
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Devon says: “I had been photographing hippos at sunset, hoping to capture a backlit spray image as one surfaced. Suddenly, chaos erupted on the far side of the pool when a large baboon began barking loudly enough to disturb everything around it.
Looking up from my camera, I saw the baboon running for its life with a lioness in pursuit. The baboon plunged into the water, apparently assuming the lioness would not follow. It was right: she turned away moments after this photograph was taken. However, the baboon soon found itself surrounded by hippos standing up in the shallow water around it.
The baboon eventually scrambled back to shore, where the lioness resumed the chase. The entire sequence lasted only seconds. Being able to react, recompose and adjust my settings came from years spent behind a camera, understanding animal behaviour, and, of course, a little bit of luck.”
About photographer Devon Jenkin
Born in Zimbabwe, Devon Jenkin has spent much of his life working in Africa’s wild places as a guide, camp manager and wildlife film crew support specialist. Today he works as a wildlife photographer and photographic guide, sharing his passion for conservation and authentic wildlife experiences through photography and small-group safaris.
This is a photograph built on patience, persistence and good fortune. The helmet vanga is one of Madagascar’s most sought-after endemic birds, rarely seen and even more rarely photographed at its nest. To find a helmet vanga is a privilege; to follow it to an active nest is an extraordinary stroke of luck. The vivid blue bill and striking eye immediately draw attention, while the fork of the tree creates a natural frame around the bird and her eggs. Beyond its visual appeal, the image documents a fleeting and privileged encounter with one of Madagascar’s most remarkable species.
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Heste says: “To see the iconic helmet vanga (Euryceros prevostii), it is essential to have a local guide. The dense rainforests on the steep slopes of Marojejy hide some very special animals. I was fortunate to be guided by Volamamy Richelin from the nearby village of Manantenina. Our main objective was to find the elusive silky sifaka. While following a group of sifakas, Richelin spotted a helmet vanga. We followed the bird and were fortunate enough to watch her fly to a nest containing two eggs. Richelin worked closely with two local trekkers from the village, whose knowledge and experience helped us find these remarkable animals in very challenging conditions.”
About photographer Heste de Beer
Heste de Beer is a wildlife photographer driven by a passion for finding unusual and special animals in remote places. While photography is an important part of the experience, her primary goal is to spend time observing wildlife and documenting their daily activities and interactions. Through her images, she hopes to share the beauty of these encounters with others.
Aardvarks are among Africa’s most elusive mammals, making any meaningful sighting memorable. To photograph one in warm afternoon light, fully exposed and going about its business before darkness has fallen, is rare. The rich golden tones, clean composition and alert posture of the aardvark combine to create a portrait that feels both intimate and celebratory, shining a spotlight on a species few people ever have the privilege of seeing.
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Laura says: “An aardvark is one of the rarest African mammals to find, let alone photograph, and seeing one has long been a dream of mine. As a South African, I had grown up with only fleeting glimpses of this fascinating creature, usually at night and only for a few moments.
Aardvarks are nocturnal and typically emerge under the cover of darkness to feed on ants and termites. However, they are sensitive to cold and need to feed in bursts, returning to their burrows to digest and keep warm. A sudden cold snap in the central Kalahari caused temperatures to drop dramatically, limiting the amount of time this aardvark could spend feeding at night.
As it was shortly after a full moon, there was only a brief period of darkness before moonlight illuminated the landscape. Extending its feeding period into the early evening became worthwhile, creating an exceptionally unusual opportunity to observe an aardvark at sunset. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch this individual digging, feeding and moving about completely relaxed and indifferent to our presence. It also offered a chance to appreciate the unique features of one of Africa’s most elusive mammals in beautiful natural light.”
About photographer Laura Dyer
Laura Dyer is a South African wildlife photographer, photographic guide and safari leader. She leads small-group and bespoke safaris throughout Africa and is passionate about inspiring a love of the natural world through photography. Alongside guiding and teaching photography, Laura works with lodges, conservation organisations and filmmakers to help raise awareness of wildlife and conservation issues across the continent.
This image transforms a familiar predator-prey scene into something almost dreamlike. Backlighting, dust and shadow combine to create a striking silhouette, while the wild dog’s projected shadow adds an unexpected layer of visual intrigue. The photograph distils the energy and chaos of a feeding frenzy into a single, elegant frame where shape and atmosphere become the dominant storytelling tools.
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Greg says: “The day’s excitement seemed over. We were returning to camp at Chitake Springs after an afternoon game drive and dusk was settling over the dry riverbed. Suddenly, a pack of African wild dogs burst into camp and brought down an impala a short distance from where we were standing. What followed was one of the most exhilarating wildlife photography experiences of my life. The dogs fed frantically in the deep, dry sand, throwing vast clouds of dust into the still evening air.
I positioned myself at eye level and chose to shoot directly into the light. Rather than revealing detail, the backlighting transformed one of the dogs into a silhouette. The dust became an essential part of the image, acting like a natural screen and revealing the shadow of my subject behind it. For a brief moment, the combination of fading light, swirling dust and the intensity of the feeding created a scene unlike anything I had witnessed before.”
About photographer Greg du Toit
Based in Hoedspruit, South Africa, Greg du Toit is a fine-art wildlife photographer whose work is created entirely through authentic encounters in Africa’s wildest spaces. Describing himself as an old-school wildlife photographer, Greg uses light as his creative tool, simplifying and distilling natural scenes to create images that connect viewers with the essence of Africa’s wilderness.
Conflict unfolds in an instant, and Kevin has captured it at precisely the right moment. The jackal’s expression, the spread wings of the vulture and the extended talons create a frame filled with tension and movement. Scavengers are often overlooked in wildlife photography, yet this image highlights the fierce competition that surrounds every feeding opportunity and the risks animals take to secure a meal.
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Kevin says: “I often search for interactions between jackals and other predators. I find jackals fascinating: they are clever, quick and remarkably brave. On this occasion, an old elephant carcass had attracted a variety of predators and scavengers. The interactions between the jackals and vultures were particularly intense and highly photogenic. The jackal in this image was doing everything it could to prevent the vultures from feeding.
At one point, the jackal grabbed a vulture by the chest and ended up with a mouthful of feathers. The vulture immediately retaliated, grabbing the jackal’s face with its talons and possibly injuring its eye. Fortunately, I had already set my camera for a fast shutter speed, allowing me to capture the action sharply at the decisive moment.”
About photographer Kevin Dooley
Kevin Dooley’s love for adventure and wild places began in childhood and eventually led him into a career combining portrait and wildlife photography. Today, Kevin and his wife Tricia operate a safari and photographic adventure company. As a certified African ranger and wildlife guide, he is passionate about sharing wildlife experiences and encouraging others to appreciate and care for the natural world.
This image succeeds because it reveals a landscape in an entirely unexpected way. Rising through a blanket of mist, the dark monoliths resemble islands adrift in an ocean of cloud. The photograph balances scale, atmosphere and simplicity beautifully, transforming one of Angola’s most extraordinary geological formations into a scene that feels almost surreal. It is a reminder that Africa still holds landscapes capable of surprising even the most experienced travellers.
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Cliff says: “We were camped at the base of the Black Stones in Pungo Andongo, central Angola. These massive rock formations have stood here for hundreds of millions of years and have witnessed centuries of history.
At 5am, however, my focus was entirely on the weather. A thick mist had settled across the Malanje Plateau and visibility was almost non-existent. I launched my drone to see whether there was anything above the cloud layer. As soon as the drone broke through the mist, the landscape was transformed. The surrounding savanna disappeared beneath a blanket of white, leaving only the dark peaks rising through the fog like islands in a sea.
It was one of those rare moments where a familiar landscape becomes something completely different, revealing a perspective that would otherwise remain hidden.”
About photographer Cliff Fawcett
Cliff Fawcett is an Royal Photographic Society-accredited photographer whose work explores the psychology of photography and why certain images resonate so strongly with viewers.
Combining a background in human behaviour with a passion for exploration, Cliff has spent the past several years travelling across continents in his 1997 Land Rover Defender, documenting remote landscapes and testing visual storytelling in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
This image offers a refreshing perspective on one of Africa’s most photographed species. Rather than focusing on power or dominance, Mark presents the gorilla as part of its rainforest environment, surrounded by layers of moss, mist and foliage. The soft palette and careful framing create a sense of calm, while the elevated position of the gorilla reveals a behaviour and viewpoint less commonly seen by photographers.
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Mark says: “This photograph was taken in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during a personal photographic project focused on mountain gorillas in the canopy. Most mountain gorilla photography naturally happens on the forest floor, where families feed, rest and move through dense vegetation. On this occasion, I hoped to photograph a large male elevated in the trees and framed by the rainforest itself.
After a demanding climb through steep, wet terrain, I was able to position myself closer to eye level with this gorilla as he fed calmly among moss-covered branches. The forest was cold, misty and beautifully still. Soft light filtered through the canopy, creating depth and helping separate him from the distant trees.
What makes this image meaningful to me is the quietness of the moment. Mountain gorillas are often photographed for their strength and dominance, yet here the story felt very different. He was balanced, composed and completely at home in the canopy. I chose not to frame the image too tightly because I wanted the surrounding forest to be part of the story.”
About photographer Mark Fernley
Mark Fernley is a British wildlife photographer, photo safari host and co-founder of Untamed Photo Safaris. His work focuses on ethical wildlife photography, animal behaviour and creating images that place wildlife within the atmosphere of their natural environment. Together with his wife, Jaren Fernley, he leads specialist photographic safaris across Africa, helping photographers create meaningful encounters and compelling wildlife images.
It takes skill to capture a moment like this in the chaos of the waterhole. Timing is everything in action photography, and this image captures the decisive fraction of a second when predator and prey narrowly miss each other. The finch erupts from the water in a spray of droplets while the jackal’s jaws snap shut just behind it. The fleeing birds in the background and the painterly quality of the light add depth and drama to an already extraordinary moment.
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Hannes says: “The harsh conditions of the Kalahari dry season draw wildlife of every size to the precious waters of a shrinking waterhole. As a female red-headed finch rose from the water’s edge, droplets scattering into the air around her, a black-backed jackal launched itself forward in a sudden burst of speed.
The photograph captures one of the countless dramas that unfold around scarce water sources in the Kalahari. Every visit carries both opportunity and risk, and even the smallest creatures must remain constantly alert. In this instance, agility and timing prevailed, and the female finch lived to drink another day.”
About photographer Hannes Lochner
Hannes Lochner is a South African wildlife photographer, author and safari guide renowned for his work in the Kalahari. His distinctive style combines dramatic light, atmospheric conditions and behavioural storytelling to create images that reveal the character of Africa’s wild places. Hannes leads photographic safaris across Africa, where he shares his knowledge of wildlife, conservation, and photography with guests from around the world. His work reflects a deep appreciation for nature and a commitment to capturing authentic moments in the field. For the past several years, Hannes and his wife, Noa Koefler, a wildlife videographer, have travelled and worked throughout Africa, continually building a body of work that celebrates the beauty, character, and diversity of the continent’s wildlife. His work has appeared in major international publications and has been recognised in numerous wildlife photography competitions around the world.
What a delightful encounter with one of Madagascar’s most remarkable reptiles. Curled up, the leaf-tailed gecko appears perfectly at home, its camouflage so effective that it can easily be overlooked. The image captures a charming moment with a species that is both difficult to find and challenging to photograph, making the guide’s sharp eye and the photographer’s careful composition all the more impressive.
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Lynn says: “Only at my guide’s insistence did I look more carefully and realise that it was not a plant but a leaf-tailed gecko. I had been completely misled by the astonishing camouflage of this animal. The shape of the gecko’s head echoed that of its tail, which was held above its body like a branch. The texture of its skin resembled weathered foliage, making it difficult to separate the animal from its surroundings.
What fascinated me most was how my brain kept switching between seeing a plant and seeing an animal, trying to determine where one ended and the other began. I was drawn to the simplicity of the scene and the elegance of an animal so perfectly adapted to its habitat. The image invites viewers to slow down, look again and discover something they may not have noticed at first glance.”
About photographer Lynn Rosenzweig
Born in South Africa and now based in the United States, Lynn Rosenzweig has been passionate about photography since receiving her first film camera at the age of 17. Her work is driven by a fascination with animal behaviour, wildlife interactions and the stories that emerge through careful observation. Through decades of travel and exploration, she has documented wildlife, landscapes and cultures around the world, always seeking moments that reveal something deeper about the natural world.
We had a lot of entries of this magic moment from Jens, and it was very difficult to choose our favourite as they were all so magnificent. But this incredibly unique image of the frog hiding in the sea of butterflies just shows how rewarding it can be when patience pays off. The young African bullfrog becomes both hidden and celebrated within the frame. The rich colours, unusual subject combination and low perspective create a photograph that feels distinctly Kalahari: some of the reserve’s most remarkable stories unfold on a miniature scale.
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Jens says: “With great excitement, I visited the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana in mid-March after a period of heavy rain. On my first day, I came across a small muddy pond next to the track where young African bullfrogs were engaged in their quest to survive. At the same time, thousands of butterflies were gathering around the mineral-rich edges of the pond.
To photograph the frogs and butterflies, I positioned my vehicle beside the puddle and spent several days lying beneath it to escape the heat. For five to seven hours each day, I worked from ground level, often in uncomfortable positions, trying to capture the little frogs as they hunted among the countless butterflies. The effort was well worth it when everything came together in this scene.”
About photographer Jens Cullmann
Born and raised in Germany, Jens Cullmann discovered wildlife photography in the early 2000s through a combination of his love for photography and travel. Today, much of his work focuses on Southern Africa, where he is drawn to authentic wildlife moments and the beauty, strength and fragility of nature. Patience and persistence remain at the heart of his photographic approach.
Few images resonated with audiences this year as powerfully as this one. The photograph captures a behaviour that has fascinated and moved observers for decades: an elephant mother’s prolonged attachment to her dead calf. The composition is simple, but it is the emotional weight of the moment that gives the image its power. It is a difficult scene to witness and a poignant reminder of the complexity of elephant behaviour.
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Sam says: “A lot of wildlife photography centres on action, but it is often the quieter moments that leave the strongest impression. We had been tracking a herd of desert-adapted elephants through the harsh landscape of Damaraland when one particular cow drew our attention. At her feet lay a stillborn calf.
As the herd browsed, she never seemed to lose contact with the calf. At times she would touch it gently with her trunk, at others she would pick it up and carry it to the next feeding area. Sometimes she carried it in her mouth.
After speaking to several local guides, we learned that she had been carrying the calf for almost a week. When we found the herd the following day, she had finally left it behind.
It is difficult not to anthropomorphise situations like this, but it appeared that the elephant was gradually coming to terms with the loss of a calf she had carried for nearly two years.”
About photographer Sam Hankss
Sam Hankss has been passionate about wildlife and Africa for as long as he can remember. After visiting South Africa as a child, he developed a dream of becoming a safari guide and later worked as a guide in the Greater Kruger, where his love for photography flourished. Today, he travels widely across Africa, leading photographic trips and sharing his passion for wildlife and conservation through guiding and photography.
This image demonstrates just how powerful light can be as a storytelling tool. Emerging from darkness and dust, the hyena appears almost ghostlike, its reflection adding another subtle layer to the composition. The photograph challenges common perceptions of a species often portrayed harshly, presenting the animal instead as elegant, mysterious and perfectly adapted to the night.
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Caesar says: “Emerging from the darkness, a spotted hyena crosses the edge of a waterhole beneath the African night. Backlit by a carefully controlled light source, its outline glows against a cloud of dust, transforming a familiar scavenger into something altogether different. The reflection below mirrors its presence, creating a scene where reality and illusion briefly meet.
Often misunderstood, the spotted hyena is one of Africa’s most intelligent and successful predators, playing an important role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Here, in the stillness of the night, it becomes a symbol of the hidden life that unfolds after sunset.
This image was photographed in Shompole Conservancy, Kenya, from a dedicated wildlife photography hide that allowed close observation while ensuring the animal remained completely unaware of human presence.”
About photographer Caesar Sengupta
Caesar Sengupta is a wildlife conservation photographer, freelance writer and photography educator. He is a Canon India EOS Maestro and founder-director of DCP Expeditions LLP, a photography learning and community platform established in 2010.
A qualified medical microbiologist by training, Caesar leads photography workshops and expeditions while using photography and writing to highlight biodiversity, conservation and the lesser-known stories of the natural world.
This image captures the essence of the Simien Mountains: vast, dramatic and wild. The imposing male gelada anchors the composition while the playful youngsters and rolling mountain backdrop provide scale and context. The soft post-rain light and layered landscape elevate the image beyond a wildlife portrait, creating a powerful sense of place. Amit was in the exact right place at the right time to capture such a picturesque and voluminous image. What makes the photograph particularly successful is its balance. The geladas are neither overwhelmed by the scenery nor isolated from it. Instead, Amit presents them as part of a vast and fragile Afroalpine ecosystem, creating a portrait that feels both intimate and grand.
Photo and photographer details – read more
Amit says: “I photographed this male shortly after rain while he grazed calmly and kept watch over two playful youngsters near the edge of a cliff in the Simien Mountains. Low clouds hung over the landscape and the cool air added to the atmosphere of the scene. Geladas are unique primates that thrive exclusively in the rugged Ethiopian Highlands, living at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,400 metres above sea level. They are the only living primates that primarily graze on grass, with blades and seeds making up most of their diet. Across these highlands, increasing pressure from agriculture continues to fragment the grasslands on which geladas depend. Watching this male feeding while remaining aware of the youngsters around him offered a glimpse into the daily life of one of Africa’s most remarkable primates.”
About photographer Amit Eshel
Growing up in a small community, Amit Eshel developed a fascination with wildlife long before he picked up a camera. Nature was his playground, and his childhood was spent searching for animals, sketching wildlife and dreaming about encounters in the wild.
After graduating with honours in Illustration, Animation and Graphic Design, Amit combined his artistic background with his passion for animals, initially creating wildlife-inspired jewellery using his photographs as reference material. Over time, photography itself became his primary focus.
Today, Amit leads wildlife photography expeditions and works on personal projects in remote locations around the world. His photography combines an artist’s eye for composition with a deep interest in animal behaviour and natural history. In 2018, he made the decision to pursue photography professionally and has since built a career dedicated to documenting remarkable wildlife moments.
The strength of this image lies in its subject matter. Leopard and hyena encounters are usually defined by conflict, tension or avoidance, making this moment of uneasy coexistence particularly compelling. Drawn together by the demands of the dry season, predator and scavenger briefly set aside their rivalry to drink from the same water source. It is a fascinating behavioural moment and a reminder that survival often requires compromise in Africa.
Photo and photographer details – read more
Lucy says: “I was staying at Kavinga on the Ruckomechi River with my mother and father before we headed down to the floodplain to spend a week walking in the area. I took this image on 18 September 2025. The rains had not yet arrived, so animals visited the camp waterhole regularly throughout the night. I was sitting at the bird hide after supper, long after most people had gone to bed, hoping to see a civet I had photographed the previous evening. Instead, a female leopard arrived to drink. Moments later, a young hyena wandered up, seemingly unconcerned that the leopard was already at the waterhole. The leopard was clearly unhappy about the situation but equally determined to drink. She even attempted to swat the hyena at one point, although I missed the shot because it startled me so much.
After taking a drink, she slipped quietly back into the darkness. The entire encounter took place only a few metres from where I was sitting, and my heart was in my mouth the whole time.”
About photographer Lucy Gemmill
Born in Cambridge, UK, and raised on a small farm in Essex, Lucy Gemmill spent 15 years working as a commercial pilot across southern Africa, Central Africa and Central Asia before settling in Johannesburg with her family.
She began her photography journey in 2017 and quickly developed a passion for wildlife and landscape photography. Whenever possible, Lucy returns to Mana Pools, where she enjoys exploring the wilderness on foot and photographing the landscapes and wildlife that make the area so special.
South Luangwa is famous for its leopards, yet this image feels refreshingly different. Surrounded by dense green vegetation after an exceptionally wet season, the young male is photographed in an environment that contrasts with the more familiar dry-season imagery often associated with the park. The monitor lizard kill adds further interest, offering a glimpse into a less commonly photographed aspect of leopard behaviour. Combined with the leopard’s direct gaze and the photographer’s low perspective, the result is an arresting portrait of one of Africa’s most charismatic predators.
Photo and photographer details – read more
Harry says: “During April and May this year, I was fortunate to be based at Msandile River Lodge on the edge of South Luangwa National Park. Known by many as the Valley of the Leopard, I had high expectations for leopard encounters. A biblical wet season, however, meant many roads were inaccessible early in the season and the abundant greenery provided plenty of cover for these elusive cats.
Within my first few days, we came across a monitor lizard that had been killed right beside the road. Suspecting a leopard was nearby, we decided to wait. After more than an hour, our patience was rewarded when a young male emerged from the thicket and approached his kill.
I had taken the passenger seat of the vehicle, which meant there was nothing between me and the leopard sitting just three metres away. As he settled down to feed, I slowly lowered my camera to get as close to eye level as possible. For a brief moment, he looked directly down the lens. After finishing his meal, he disappeared back into the bush. I was left with a racing heart and the feeling that I had witnessed something very special.”
About photographer Harry Martin
Harry Martin is a professional wildlife photographer who has spent the last 12 years leading photographic tours from Scotland to Namibia. With a background in zoology and a lifelong fascination with wildlife, his work combines natural history, storytelling and a strong ethical approach to photography. Having started his photographic journey with 35mm film in 2005, Harry now helps photographers create memorable wildlife encounters and meaningful images in some of the world’s most spectacular wilderness.
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
An Insane Night in the Bushveld
It started quietly enough. Just after dark, I headed out for a night cycle along the bushveld tracks, my headlamp cutting through the ink. The bushveld was alive. After spotting hyenas, genets, bushbabies, and a massive, thrumming porcupine, I was pedalling back home when a lithe form shape-shifted into the beam ahead. A gorgeous leopard, watching me watch her from just ten metres away. After a mutually respectful shared moment, I left her to the night and headed home.
But the bushveld was not done with me …
Last night yielded precious little sleep in our household. At first, we drifted off to the comforting soundtrack of distant lion groans and the odd elephant squeal echoing from the nearby Greater Kruger. Then, around midnight, all hell broke loose.
Nearby, a duiker’s agonising death scream pierced the dark, immediately followed by a chaotic cacophony of wild dog chittering and hyena cackling. A minute later, dead silence. Ten minutes on, another duiker, and another pitched battle between arch-rivals. I ventured into the garden with a spotlight, only to find dozens of dancing, glowing eyes staring back at me from just beyond the fence.
After another brief respite, a larger ungulate’s desperate protests rang out, and once again the angry mobs battled for the spoils. Our two Jack Russells, usually defenders of the realm, completely abandoned their posts and sought comfort in our arms. We lay there in the dark, absorbing the raw, unfiltered reality of nature doing her thing.
Every now and then, nature ignores the rules. In the grasslands of Mpumalanga, a wattled crane and a blue crane have paired up and successfully raised a hybrid chick. This is one of the most obscure documented bird pairings in southern Africa. Remarkably, the youngster has changed appearance as it grows, first resembling a wattled crane, then a blue crane, and now looking increasingly like its wattled parent again. Yet, according to researchers from Endangered Wildlife Trust, it still runs with the speed and agility of a blue crane.
Hybridisation between crane species is exceptionally rare. The researchers have ringed and genetically sampled the bird to follow its future, hoping to answer an intriguing question: if it survives to adulthood, will it find a mate of its own? For now, this unusual youngster offers a fascinating glimpse into crane biology and a rare opportunity for study.
This week, we round up the best safari destinations in Botswana and bring you a concise comparison of East Africa’s spice islands, examining which is best for your travel style.
Our stories this week
Botswana’s top safari destinations
Discover Botswana’s top safari destinations, from the Okavango Delta and Chobe to Mashatu, Selinda and the Makgadikgadi Pans
Zanzibar vs Pemba vs Mafia
Which island is best? It depends on what you’re after: culture, beaches, variety, remote diving, untouched landscapes, or marine life. Check out our comparison guide
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Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
From desert to delta – 10 days
Journey through three of Botswana’s most iconic landscapes. The arid Central Kalahari, the lush Okavango Delta, and the mighty Chobe River. Enjoy luxurious lodges, fine dining, and seamless service as you follow wildlife from salt pans and desert dunes to glistening lagoons and wide rivers. This safari is shaped by water and the life it sustains.
Ruaha and Mafia Island bush and beach – 8 days
Discover two of Tanzania’s extraordinary and contrasting destinations. The wild beauty of Ruaha National Park, where ancient baobabs tower over elephant herds and prowling predators, to the turquoise waters of Mafia Island, a barefoot hideaway of coral gardens and castaway calm. This classic safari-and-sea combination captures the true spirit of Africa: untamed, soulful, and unforgettable.
AG safari guest, Anne from the UK, had a super safari experience in the Timbavati, Greater Kruger:
“A safari trip to Timbavati. I have recently returned from a visit to a wonderful lodge in the Timbavati area. My trip was organised by Stefan and Wayne at Africa Geographic, and they went out of their way to make everything perfect. From the moment I arrived in Johannesburg to landing at Tanda Tula, everything went smoothly. The lodge itself was super: great game drives, lovely food and a very friendly welcome from everyone. My journey back went just as smoothly, and I was even escorted through the airport to await my flight. I was treated not just professionally but as a friend, and I hope I shall be able to make use of their services again. I must also endorse what others have said about their commitment to both conservation and community development.”
As the Okavango Delta’s annual floods reach their peak, Botswana’s most iconic wilderness is transformed into a labyrinth of waterways, islands and floodplains. This is a season of dramatic contrasts: frosty winter dawns, prowling lions adapting to life in the water, vast herds on the move, and painted dog pups taking their first tentative steps from the den. Watch this short film from Great Plains Conservation for a glimpse into one of Africa’s most dynamic wildlife spectacles. (03:29) Watch here
Botswana is one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations. Vast protected landscapes, low visitor densities and a conservation-first tourism model have created some of the continent’s finest wildlife experiences. From the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the desert sands of the Kalahari and salt-crusted pans of Makgadikgadi, Botswana rewards travellers with extraordinary wildlife, exceptional guiding and a sense of wilderness that is increasingly rare.
The country’s safari regions are remarkably diverse. A single itinerary can include mokoro excursions through floodplains, close encounters with elephants along major rivers, predator tracking in remote reserves and nights on a dry salt pan beneath star-filled desert skies.
These are the top Botswana safari destinations, along with what makes each one worth adding to your safari wish list.
The Okavango Delta is the crown jewel of Botswana tourism and one of the world’s most remarkable wilderness areas.
Each year, floodwaters from Angola spread across northern Botswana, creating an intricate network of channels, lagoons, islands and floodplains. This annual flood transforms the Kalahari landscape and supports extraordinary wildlife densities.
The delta is home to large populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and African wild dog, alongside hundreds of bird species. Wildlife viewing is exceptional throughout the year, particularly during the dry season when animals concentrate around permanent water.
The Okavango is also synonymous with the classic luxury safari experience. Vast private concessions, limited vehicle numbers and diverse safari activities create a highly immersive wilderness experience. Visitors can explore by game drive, mokoro, boat or on foot, with each activity revealing a different side of the ecosystem.
For many travellers, the Okavango Delta is the defining Botswana safari experience.
The Okavango Delta’s seasonal floodwaters create a vast wetland ecosystem where elephants, predators and birdlife thrive in one of Africa’s finest safari destinations
Chobe National Park: Africa’s elephant capital
Chobe National Park is famous for one thing above all else: elephants. The park supports one of the largest elephant populations on Earth, with tens of thousands moving through its forests, floodplains and river systems. During the dry season, enormous herds gather along the Chobe River, creating some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife spectacles.
The river itself is central to the Chobe experience. Boat safaris allow visitors to observe wildlife from a unique perspective as elephants swim between islands, buffalo gather on the banks, and crocodiles bask in the sun. Also expect excellent sightings of lion, leopard, spotted hyena, sable antelope and a remarkable diversity of birdlife.
Away from the Chobe River, Savute (also spelt Savuti) offers abundant wildlife encounters, including lions that specialise in hunting elephants during the dry season and leopards that catch catfish in drying pools.
For first-time safari visitors, few destinations deliver wildlife abundance quite like Chobe.
Large elephant herds gather along the Chobe River, making Chobe National Park one of the best places in Africa to witness elephant behaviour at scale
Khwai: Predator country and photographic paradise
The Khwai region lies on the edge of the Moremi ecosystem and consistently ranks among Botswana’s most productive wildlife areas.
Permanent water from the Khwai River sustains wildlife throughout the year, attracting large concentrations of herbivores and predators. Lions, leopards, African wild dogs and spotted hyenas are regularly encountered, while elephants move through the area in impressive numbers.
Khwai has become particularly popular among photographers because of its diverse habitats and excellent wildlife densities. Open floodplains, woodlands and riverine forests provide varied settings for wildlife viewing and photography.
Unlike many protected areas in Botswana, Khwai allows activities such as night drives and walking safaris, creating opportunities for sightings and experiences not possible in national parks alone.
The Khwai River sustains wildlife year-round, attracting lions, leopards, wild dogs and elephants to this photographer’s paradise on the edge of the Moremi ecosystem
Kwando Reserve: One of Africa’s great predator destinations
For serious wildlife enthusiasts, the Kwando Reserve is often considered one of Botswana’s best-kept secrets.
The reserve’s combination of river systems, floodplains and woodland habitats supports exceptional predator populations. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs all thrive here, creating some of the country’s most exciting wildlife viewing opportunities.
Large buffalo herds attract predators year-round, while elephants are a constant presence across the landscape.
Kwando is particularly appealing to repeat safari travellers looking for a more remote and exclusive experience. Wildlife sightings are often dramatic, and the reserve’s relatively low visitor numbers contribute to an authentic wilderness atmosphere.
Known for dramatic predator encounters, Kwando Reserve supports healthy populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs in a remarkably wild landscape
Central Kalahari Game Reserve: The wild heart of Botswana
Covering more than 50,000 square kilometres, it is one of the largest protected areas in the world. Endless grasslands, fossil river valleys and rolling dunes create landscapes that feel truly untamed.
Following seasonal rains, vast numbers of springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest move across the plains, attracting predators including cheetahs, brown hyenas and the region’s famous black-maned lions.
The reserve is less about constant wildlife sightings and more about experiencing scale, solitude and wilderness. For travellers seeking a deeper connection to Botswana’s desert ecosystems, few places compare.
Endless grasslands and fossil river valleys define the Central Kalahari, where lions roam one of Africa’s largest protected wilderness areas
Makgadikgadi Pans: Botswana’s most unique safari landscape
These immense salt flats are the remnants of an ancient inland sea that once covered much of northern Botswana. During the dry season, the pans stretch to the horizon in every direction, creating one of the continent’s most striking landscapes.
When seasonal rains arrive, the transformation is dramatic. Fresh grasses emerge, attracting large herds of zebra and wildebeest. This movement forms part of southern Africa’s second-largest zebra migration.
A brown hyena on the salt flats
The region is also known for its cultural heritage, archaeological significance and desert-adapted wildlife. Visitors can combine game viewing with exploration of ancient landscapes that reveal Botswana’s deep natural history.
For travellers seeking experiences beyond traditional safari activities, the Makgadikgadi delivers something genuinely different.
Ancient salt pans stretch to the horizon in the Makgadikgadi, a landscape transformed by seasonal rains and southern Africa’s great zebra migration
Known as the Land of Giants, Mashatu is famous for its large elephant bulls, ancient baobab trees and impressive predator populations. Leopards are particularly well represented here, making the region a favourite among wildlife photographers.
The reserve’s varied terrain includes sandstone ridges, riverbeds, open plains and woodland, creating excellent habitat diversity and year-round wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mashatu also offers a different visual character to northern Botswana. The dramatic landscapes, combined with outstanding wildlife encounters, make it an excellent addition to a broader Botswana safari itinerary.
Mashatu’s giant elephants, ancient baobabs and renowned leopard sightings have earned it the nickname Land of Giants in Botswana’s eastern wilderness
Why Botswana remains Africa’s premier safari destination
What sets Botswana apart is the sheer variety of safari experiences available within one country. Travellers can glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta, watch elephants gather along the Chobe River, track predators in Kwando and Selinda, explore the vast grasslands of the Central Kalahari and marvel at the endless salt flats of the Makgadikgadi.
The country’s commitment to conservation and low-impact tourism has helped preserve extraordinary wilderness areas while creating some of Africa’s most sought-after safari experiences.
Whether you are planning a first safari or returning to Africa’s wild places, Botswana offers a collection of destinations that consistently rank among the continent’s finest.
From zebra migrations to the Okavango Delta’s waterways and the salt pans of the Kalahari, Botswana offers some of Africa’s most diverse and rewarding safari experiences
Further reading
Botswana: My dream safari – A personal journey through Botswana’s iconic wilderness areas and wildlife encounters. Read more for first-hand safari inspiration.
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
His name was ZITO
We have confirmed the identity of the super tusker elephant killed in 2024 by a trophy hunter in Tanzania – possibly the last such giant in the Grumeti area, with tusks that sweep the ground.
Trophy hunters will tell you that picking off the big-tusked elephants is sustainable, and many even laud it as “conservation in action”. There are only about 25 super tuskers left in East Africa, and 6 were hunted in 2024 “in the name of conservation”.
As an aside, five of the six killed in Tanzania were Kenyan elephants that roamed across the border into Tanzania.
Tanzania allows trophy hunting, and Kenya does not. Of the remaining super tuskers still alive, Tanzania has approximately 5, and Kenya has 20 after the 2024 killings. Those numbers clearly spell out the impact of trophy hunting on the large-tusked elephant gene. Enough said.
My rule of thumb is that if an activity further reduces the population of a free-roaming species or a genetic trait already in decline, then that activity is, by definition, unsustainable.
Our sharing of Zito’s identity on social media this week elicited understandable anger and confusion about why this is still a thing in a world where free-roaming wildlife is diminishing. It also solicited the predictable ad hominem attacks on AG by trophy hunters and continued justification of their fetish for killing in the name of fun and ego.
Madagascar’s forests may hold far more life than scientists ever realised. A major new global biodiversity project using innovative survey methods has revealed that the island’s insects, fungi and other overlooked species follow completely different patterns of diversity to larger animals like lemurs and birds. The findings suggest that conservation areas designed around famous wildlife may be missing vast amounts of hidden biodiversity entirely. Researchers estimate Madagascar could harbour around 255,000 arthropod species alone, many still unknown to science, with every remaining patch of forest containing unique life found nowhere else on Earth. The project is also pioneering one of the largest standardised biodiversity monitoring systems ever attempted, using everything from insect traps to fungal spore samplers and camera traps to map life across the planet. Watch this space!
Meanwhile, Photographer of the Year 2026 reaches its final stages with two finalist galleries packed with astonishing moments: brutal predator encounters, surreal light, dense forests, impossible behaviour and breathtaking species from across Africa. And for safari dreamers, we head to Tembe Elephant Park: South Africa’s remote sand-forest wilderness, famous for giant tuskers, intimate Big Five sightings, spectacular birding and one of the country’s most atmospheric safari experiences.
Our stories this week
Tembe Elephant Park
Close elephant encounters, rare sand forests, and slow safari magic define Tembe Elephant Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Finalists – Gallery 1
The finalists for Photographer of the Year 2026 are here! Submissions are now closed. Winners will be announced in early June
Finalists – Gallery 2
Here is Gallery 2 of finalists for Photographer of the Year 2026! Winners will be treated to a safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
VOTE TO CELEBRATE AFRICA
We’ve been nominated as Africa’s Leading Tour Operator in the 2026 World Travel Awards, and we’d love your support.
By voting for Africa Geographic, you’re backing a more conscious and meaningful way to travel — one that celebrates Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity, connects travellers with authentic experiences, and contributes to conservation on the ground. Register and vote for us here.
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Best of Malawi’s safari parks – 10 days
The best-of-Malawi safari takes you to the Big 5 havens of Majete Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park and the rugged wilderness of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. The three parks are managed by African Parks, and their conservation success stories are what responsible travel is all about. Come and find out for yourself and make a real difference where it counts.
Art safari in the Big 5 Timbavati – 7 days
Whether you are a passionate beginner or a seasoned creator, this unique art safari offers the chance to hone your skills with professional wildlife artist Alison Nicholls. Soak up the atmosphere of the Big-5 Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger, South Africa and channel it into artistry! 6-12 September 2026: only 2 spots left!
First identified in April 2017, Hatulo1 is an impressive, well-natured 45- to 50-year-old bull in his prime. Readily recognised by his symmetrical tusks, he roams widely across the landscape, and experts believe he will surely become Tsavo’s top tusker in time.
We have partnered with Tsavo Trust to protect these natural rarities, of which only an estimated 50–100 remain in the world, and at least eight still call Tsavo home. Through consistent aerial and ground monitoring, dedicated teams work tirelessly to secure a safe future for Hatulo1, safeguarding him from the constant threats of ivory poachers and trophy hunters.
This vital work is only possible because of you. We invite you to donate to our Guarding Tuskers campaign to help ensure Tsavo’s majestic giants can continue to live wild and undisturbed.
Discover the Top 7 experiences you can enjoy when staying at Ukuri lodges, from gorilla watching and chimp trekking to guided bush walks, cultural encounters, exceptional birding, and unforgettable Big 5 wildlife viewing. Set in some of Africa’s most remote and extraordinary wilderness areas, every Ukuri journey combines authentic adventure with meaningful conservation impact. (03:19) Watch here.
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
This is Photographer of the Year 2026 Finalists Gallery 2. To see the other Photographer of the Year Finalists gallery, click here: Gallery 1.
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
This is Photographer of the Year 2026 Finalists Gallery 1. To see the other Photographer of the Year Finalists gallery, click here: Gallery 2.
Tembe Elephant Park is a community-owned Big Five game reserve famous for big-tusked elephants in Maputaland, South Africa, next to Ndumo Game Reserve.
Experienced local guides carefully read elephant behaviour to keep close encounters respectful and safe.
The park protects some of South Africa’s largest elephants and rare sand forest ecosystems.
Tembe’s slow safari rhythm rewards patience with extraordinary wildlife moments beyond traditional game viewing.
Community-run Tembe Elephant Park Lodge supports conservation and local livelihoods through low-impact safari tourism.
Want to visit Tembe Elephant Park on safari? Book your Tembe safari here. Ukuri brings you lodges and bush camps that offer tangible, measurable benefits for conservation & communities.
There’s a magnificent elephant standing in the middle of the narrow sand track ahead of us in Tembe Elephant Park. Tembe is a community-owned Big Five game reserve famous for big-tusked elephants in Maputaland, South Africa. The afternoon heat presses down like a heavy hand. He has claimed the only patch of deep shade beneath a beautiful pod mahogany tree. There he stands, perfectly still, as if leaning into the cooler air, thinking deep elephant philosophical thoughts.
Our guide gently reverses the game-drive vehicle and pauses at a respectful distance. He nudges us slightly off the track and switches off the engine. The thundering diesel noise is replaced by the afternoon bush orchestra: insects hum, and a rainbird (Burchell’s coucal) trills its melodic call, pleading with the few clouds in the sky to release their rain and cool us all down.
It’s an elephant-in-his-kingdom kind of moment, the sort of photograph you dream of taking. But we’ve clearly disturbed this giant’s catnap. He nonchalantly scoops up a trunkful of sand and tosses it over his shoulder, dust shimmering in the heat, before stepping towards us. My heart begins to race. I’m using a wide-angle lens, and his mighty bulk quickly fills my viewfinder.
I lift my eye from the camera. Now my heart threatens to leap into my throat. He is right there on my side of the vehicle. The leathery folds of his skin, the fringe of his eyelashes, the slow sway of his trunk – I could reach out and touch him without even stretching.
And then, as quietly as he arrived, he is gone, melting back into the bush, an occasional cracking twig the only sign that he is still there. My heart resumes its usual position, but the rest of me is left in a state of absolute wonder that borders on reverence.
But before I tell you more…
Taking a dust bath at the waterhole
Where is Tembe Elephant Park?
Tembe is home to some of South Africa’s largest elephants and a rare sand forest ecosystem. You’ll find this community-owned park on the border between southern Mozambique and South Africa in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
It is far off the usual safari-goers’ beaten track and, to be honest, a bit of a schlepp to get to. But as I discovered, there is no other place that will give you such incredible, calm, face-to-face moments with elephants on their terms, in their territory.
However, before you jump in your car and head off to Tembe Elephant Park, there are two important things you need to know. First, this is rough 4×4 sandy territory with deep, shock-absorber-eating and axle-breaking holes.
Secondly, and most importantly for everyone’s safety – human and elephant alike – the chances of having encounters like ours are slim unless you are on a guided game drive with Tembe Elephant Park Lodge. You see, the guides are familiar with most of the park’s elephants.
Our guide, Kulu, has been taking people out twice a day for the last 13 years. He has learnt to judge an elephant’s demeanour. He can decide whether they might allow you into their space without feeling threatened or crowded. It’s a fine line that’s easy to misread when all you see is a wonderful photo opportunity. That’s when close encounters can quickly turn from magical to dangerous.
Ready for your own unforgettable elephant safari? Let Africa Geographic help you plan an extraordinary wildlife journey across Africa’s wildest places.
On more than one occasion, Kulu decided not to stop, picking up on minute elephant cues that you or I would never even notice. On other occasions, I noticed an elephant pause, raise its trunk to scent this noisy vehicle, and then relax as if to say: “Oh, it’s you again, Kulu.”
These moments of trust and understanding don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of Kulu’s years of quiet attention and deep respect for the elephants, and that respect is exactly what keeps close encounters calm rather than dangerous.
An elephant tests my resolve not to flinch
We stopped for the traditional afternoon game-drive sundowners on the edge of a massive swamp, where a matriarchal herd of elephants went about their elephant business. A young elephant mock-charged a heron that ignored it. Boisterous teenagers tested their strength against each other in a game of elephant wrestling, while their mothers and aunties worked steadily on their liquid intake, just like any normal extended family gathering.
We finished our sundowners at the same time as the elephant mothers and aunties. At some unknown elephant signal, the entire family moved out of the swamp towards us. Kulu suggested we sit in the vehicle and wait to see if they would come closer.
One of Tembe’s elephants moved peacefully close to the vehicle at its own pace
One very large and very daunting aunty casually moved closer to the game-drive vehicle until she was about four metres away. She paused and raised her trunk to catch our scent, I presumed. Satisfied, she stepped closer and deftly wrapped her trunk around a small dry shrub, breaking it with a massive crack and leaving a small stump in the ground.
She stepped over the stump and rocked it back and forth with her hind foot. Now she was so close I could feel the cool air wash over me as she flapped her ears. Each time they slapped against her body, it sounded like a huge bass drum resonating through her.
During her stump-rocking performance, she watched us as if she were testing our nerve: would we flinch or wouldn’t we?
After what felt like a lifetime, she stopped and moved to the back of the vehicle, where she paused. Her tummy rumbled lightly, as if she were giggling to herself, before she disappeared into the bush.
And the rest of the herd? They, too, melted away into the bush.
Close elephant encounters in Tembe happen on the elephants’ terms, guided by experienced local guides
A wild dog kill sighting adds to the unpredictability of Tembe’s slow safari rhythmA pod of hippos lurks as a herd comes down to drink
Wildlife of Tembe
Tembe protects an elephant population that once wandered freely across what is now the Mozambique border, and the park has long been famous for producing enormous tuskers. The legendary bulls Isilo, Induna and Makobona, three of the largest tuskers in southern Africa, once walked these sand forests. Though all three have since died of natural causes, Tembe still shelters impressive bulls carrying vast ivory that seems almost impossibly heavy as they move silently through the bush.
Tembe is also a Big Five reserve, although the dense sand forest and thick vegetation mean wildlife sightings are less predictable than in more open safari destinations. Buffalo, lion, leopard, black rhino and white rhino all occur here, along with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and a variety of antelope, including nyala, kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck, reedbuck, steenbok, grey duiker and the tiny suni.
And then there are the birds. More than 340 species have been recorded in Tembe Elephant Park, making it a deeply rewarding destination for birdwatchers willing to slow down and listen carefully to the forest around them. Specials include the African broadbill, pink-throated twinspot, lemon-breasted canary, eastern nicator and the elusive Rudd’s apalis.
A Tembe lion lounges beside the sandy track, unconcerned by the slow-moving safari vehicle nearby
When an elephant holds your gaze
It’s our last day at Tembe Elephant Park, and the bush feels steeped in that bittersweet quiet that comes when you know you’re about to leave a place you’re not quite finished with.
Two elephants appear on the narrow sand track ahead. We stop and simply wait to see if they’ll approach us.
One of them angles towards us, unhurried, pausing every few steps to snack on the lush green grasses lining the track. It is so still that I can hear the grass squeak as she plucks it from the earth with her trunk. Before each mouthful, she gives the bundle a gentle shake, dust and tiny insects drifting away in the light. She comes closer and closer until she is on my side of the vehicle, and then she stops. I lower the camera. Some moments are better felt than photographed.
I can see the wiry hairs on her trunk, the map of creases around her eye, the fine dusting of sand across the folds of her skin. I lift my gaze and meet hers.
Her eyes seem to travel straight through me, peeling back the layers I didn’t know I wore, laying my soul bare to her slow, ancient appraisal. Time stretches thin and quiet between us. At last, I have to drop my eyes; I can no longer bear the weight of that careful inspection. I feel as though I’ve failed some invisible elephant examination.
“She comes closer and closer until she is on my side of the vehicle, and then she stops”
The air stirs as her ears move. Each leisurely flap sends a soft, cool breath over me, a low, steady drumbeat that seems to nudge my racing heart into her slower rhythm. The rest of the world falls away until there is nothing but her, the hush of the bush, and this small, ridiculous human trying not to move. And then my tummy rumbles. I freeze, holding my breath, praying she hasn’t heard it. Of course she has. She answers with a deep belly rumble of her own and then a gloriously inelegant fart that would put any teenage boy to shame – thankfully without the smell. I don’t respond. It’s only then that I realise I’ve been holding my breath for most of this strange, shared silence. I glance up and catch what can only be described as a twinkle in her eye. I let my breath slip out as quietly as I can. Her tummy rumbles lightly in reply and, apparently satisfied that I pose no threat and very little entertainment, she drifts towards the back of the vehicle.
One of Tembe’s large-tusked elephants
There, she decides that the rear pillar is exactly the right height for a back scratch. Her immense body leans into it, and the whole vehicle rocks, bolts creaking, as she works an itch only she can feel. Kulu shouts at her in Zulu to stop, but she ignores him with the calm assurance of a creature who knows this land has always been hers. Only when he turns the key and the engine coughs to life does she finally step away, vanishing into the green tangle.
The second elephant follows, and within moments the track is empty again, as if they were never there – except for the echo of drumbeat ears and the wild, impossible calm they’ve left behind.
When giants let you in
Long after we leave Tembe Elephant Park, I can still feel the soft drumbeat of her ears in the air, as if the rhythm had settled somewhere in my ribs and refused to leave. For a few brief days, the giants of this sand forest had opened a quiet doorway and allowed us to step, very carefully, into their world.
Tembe Elephant Park is not a place for ticking species off a list or chasing photographs to show where you’ve been. It is a place of initiation. A place where time slows to the pace of an elephant’s heartbeat, and you realise you are not the main character in this story at all, but a guest on borrowed ground. Someone to be weighed and then, if you’re lucky, quietly accepted.
You leave with nothing more tangible than dust in your clothes and the sense that something inside you has quietly shifted. That is the true souvenir of Tembe: the knowledge that, for a heartbeat or two, the giants let you in – and the quiet understanding that they did not need to.
An elephant herd gathers at a small waterhole in TembeBuffalo herds move across Tembe’s lush grasslands after seasonal rains soften the sand forest landscapeGiraffes browse quietly among Tembe’s sand forest clearings and open grassy areas
The pace of Tembe Elephant Park
Tembe Elephant Park is a remote sand forest reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Days here are slow and quiet: unhurried drives, time at waterholes, and long stretches where very little seems to happen until it suddenly does.
If you prefer fast-paced, checklist safaris, Tembe may feel too still. If you’re happy to let the bush and the elephants set the rhythm, this is your kind of place.
Viewing elephants from the cool sanctuary of a hide
Safety and guided drives
The calm, close encounters with elephants in Tembe Elephant Park don’t happen by accident. This is big-elephant country, with narrow sandy tracks and dense bush. For everyone’s safety – yours and the elephants’ – guided game drives with experienced rangers are essential.
Tembe Elephant Park Lodge guides know the individual elephants and can read subtle changes in their behaviour. They decide when it’s safe to sit quietly and when it’s time to give the elephants space. That judgment is what keeps encounters magical rather than dangerous.
Walking through Tembe’s rare sand forest reveals a quieter, slower side of safari travel
4×4 and self-driving experiences in Tembe Elephant Park
The roads in Tembe are deep, soft sand with axle-eating holes. This is proper 4×4 territory, not a quick detour in a high-clearance SUV. You do need a 4×4 to self-drive in Tembe, and even then, you’ll spend much of your time in low range.
You can self-drive the routes if you have a 4×4. But the best viewing – and any close elephant moments – are usually from the lodge vehicles. They’re built for the terrain and positioned with both safety and the elephants’ comfort in mind.
Tembe’s sandy roads belong as much to lions as they do to elephants
Accommodation at Tembe Elephant Park
Tembe Elephant Park Lodge is the only accommodation available inside Tembe Elephant Park. It offers a full tented safari package, including meals and two activities per day, at a very affordable rate.
The lodge’s location inside the park means you’re immersed in the sounds of the sand forest day and night, with elephants, antelope and birdlife often passing close by.
Tembe Elephant Lodge offers an intimate tented safari experience deep inside elephant country
Tembe Elephant Park Lodge: A community-run safari lodge
Tembe Elephant Park Lodge is a community-run initiative that currently employs 55 people. Your stay helps support the Tembe people, whose ancestral land this is and who are closely involved in protecting the sand forest and its elephants.
The lodge feels less like a polished resort and more like being welcomed into a place that still belongs, first and foremost, to its original custodians.
One of the loveliest surprises at the Lodge is the massage in your own private bush spa behind your safari tent. After hours of bumping along sandy tracks, it feels wonderfully indulgent to have your muscles unknot to the sound of birds and rustling leaves. It’s oddly grounding too – a small human comfort in the middle of elephant country.
Staying here gives you the best chance of those calm, close encounters that Tembe is known for – on the elephants’ terms, in their own sand forest home.
Seen from above, Tembe’s wetlands and swamps form lifelines for elephants and other wildlife
Tucked away in South Africa’s Eastern Cape you’ll find another elephant park: Addo Elephant National Park is a conservation triumph and a wildlife lover’s paradise. Read more about Addo here.
For more destinations, lodges and bush camps that offer tangible, measurable benefits for conservation & communities, check out Ukuri.travel.
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
When my Landy is the safest overnight accommodation 🙂
We have many leopards and hyenas in the neighbourhood, so warthogs have to find whatever overnight accommodation they can to avoid being supper. Oftentimes, termite mound burrows are fully occupied, or predator activity nearby makes them a temporary fear zone. And so we frequently have hog families sleeping under my Land Rover.
Of course, they are welcome. BUT using the car in the early morning can be a hazardous undertaking, because their hurtling exit with flashing tusks could seriously damage and even kill me. So, part of my morning ritual is to check for resident hogs and scare them off, as this video illustrates.
One morning, a few years back, one of the hogs would not budge from under the vehicle and was found to be dead by snake bite. This is bushveld life!
There’s a Cape robin-chat outside my window that seems incapable of sleep. When I’m burning the midnight oil, his flittering and fluting keep me company long after dark. But this isn’t simply insomnia: it’s a symptom of the Anthropocene. Artificial light is reshaping the dawn chorus itself, pushing some birds to sing at hours far earlier and later than they should. A recent study found that robins living near streetlights begin singing well before sunrise and continue later into the night. Species like blackbirds, great tits and blue tits are also shifting their daily rhythms. Artificial light is also disrupting bats, drawing insects away from some species while exposing others to predators as they avoid illuminated skies altogether.
The research highlights urban lighting as a powerful ecological force, but also one that can be managed. Dimming, shielding or switching off unnecessary lights could help restore more natural behaviour for urban wildlife, and return a little darkness to the wild world.
And now, to the light. We’ve entered the final stage of Photographer of the Year 2026. Four galleries now hold the Top 108 photographs of the year: astonishing colour, dense forests, gorgeous infants, brutal hunts, impossibly rare species and split-second moments that feel almost unreal. Somewhere in these galleries is our winner. Check them out below.
Our stories this week
TOP 108 – GALLERY 1
The final stage of Photographer of the Year 2026 begins. Top entrants will win a chimpanzee-trekking trip to Munazi Lodge in Rwanda
TOP 108 – GALLERY 2
From dense forests to predator action, these Photographer of the Year entries showcase Africa at its wildest and most beautiful
TOP 108 – GALLERY 3
The race to crown our Photographer of the Year 2026 intensifies, and the talented winners will travel to Nyungwe, Rwanda
TOP 108 – GALLERY 4
Explore another powerful Photographer of the Year gallery filled with astonishing species, raw emotion and moments
VOTE TO CELEBRATE AFRICA
What makes an Africa Geographic safari different?
Deep local knowledge, carefully chosen lodges, and tailor-made journeys designed around extraordinary experiences in Africa’s wildest places. For over 30 years, we’ve helped travellers experience Africa meaningfully.
We are proud that this approach has earned Africa Geographic a nomination for Africa’s Leading Tour Operator 2026 in the prestigious World Travel Awards. If you’d like to support us, you can vote for Africa Geographic here.
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Cheetah conservation safari – 7 days
This safari is all about cheetahs, and more. Experience luxury in malaria-free Big 5 reserves in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and Great Karoo while tracking cheetahs and discovering inspiring rewilding success stories. Enjoy family-friendly activities, authentic farmhouse-style lodges, and meaningful travel with purpose.
Kenya’s Super Tuskers – 9-days
Time spent with tuskers is an investment in your soul. Journey to Kenya’s stunning Tsavo and Amboseli in search of the large-tusked elephants that define Africa’s vast open landscapes. Along the way, look for Tsavo’s famous maneless lions, gerenuk, elusive striped hyenas and hirola, the world’s rarest antelope. Enjoy unique experiences, such as viewing hippos and crocodiles from an underwater hide and meeting orphaned elephants.
AG safari guests Theresa and William from the USA, enjoyed a dream safari to Tanzania that they will treasure forever:
“Amazing Adventure by Africa Geographic. Stef, Wayne, and the rest of the team helped us realise our dream of an African safari. Our guides Julius, Kaseem and John shared their vast knowledge of the wildlife and habitats. Such beautiful things we saw, memories to be shared and cherished. We can’t recommend Africa Geographic highly enough.”
Planning an African safari for August or September? These peak safari months deliver dramatic wildlife sightings, excellent gorilla experiences, dry-season game viewing, predator action and iconic events like the Great Migration river crossings. In this video, Africa Geographic breaks down what to expect, where to go, and why booking early is essential for Africa’s busiest safari season. (02:09) Watch here
The super tusker elephant trophy hunted in Tanzania has been identified. Zito, possibly the last super tusker in the Grumeti area, was a popular encounter for tourists.
Originally published 30 October 2024
Updated 25 May 2026: We can confirm that the elephant trophy-hunted was indeed Zito. The photo of the trophy hunting party with Zito’s carcass has surfaced on social media, two years after the super tusker was killed. According to the “Hunting and wildlife breeding” Facebook page, the professional hunter responsible is Mike Fell, who is known for posting photos of his trophies on social media under the title “Horn of the Hunter“. At the time of writing, Fell’s Instagram profile photo was of Zito’s carcass.
Updated 1 November 2024: One contact on the ground suggests that the tusk weight of the hunted elephant allegedly weighed in at 132 and 127 pounds.
Super tusker elephants have at least one tusk weighing over 100 pounds/45kg. Zito is an elephant known to roam Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem, Grumeti Game Reserve (on the northwest border of Serengeti National Park), and Maswa Game Reserve (south of Serengeti’s western corridor), and was formerly observed in Siana Conservancy in Kenya. Zito is a cross-border elephant and one of the last super tuskers to roam Tanzania’s greater Serengeti ecosystem.
Zito was first recorded on the Elephant Voices Mara Elephant Database around 2012 as “M190” after being seen in the Siana Conservancy, east of Maasai Mara National Reserve, in Kenya.
Gini Cowell, Field Operations Manager at the Elephant Aware conservation project (based in Siana, in the Mara ecosystem), observed this elephant for some time between 2009 and 2011 in Kenya. “Even all those years ago I remember him being very magnificent with his long, splayed tusks,” says Cowell.
“On one occasion, I remember this particular male walked calmly towards our vehicle, and he stopped to observe us while casually munching on an acacia tree branch. We noticed that he had a relatively large wound on his right rump region, which did not appear very deep or life-threatening, but he would swat at it with his tail to keep flies away. It still didn’t affect his disposition. He was clearly at ease and completely undisturbed by our presence. I strongly recall how he was so huge, majestic and yet so gentle towards us.”
Zito is likely between 50 and 60 years old. Observers have estimated Zito’s tusks to weigh between 100 and 110 pounds. He was last spotted in Grumeti in July 2024. Reports of a Maswa super tusker hunt first started doing the rounds in early October.
A video of Zito currently doing the rounds on social media. Source: Unknown (please contact us if this is your video)
A scan of trophy hunting forums reveals that Maswa was historically a popular hunting ground for super tuskers but that these elephants have now been mostly shot out.
Zito is so named for the size of his tusks – Zito means “weight” in Swahili. Zito has been referred to as “gentle and unassuming” and “incredibly relaxed” in the presence of humans.
“There is a mutual, informal agreement among stakeholders and hunters in the region that this elephant is off-limits for hunting,” says one prominent property owner in the Serengeti area.
The cross-border elephants of Tanzania and Kenya have been in the spotlight since Africa Geographic broke the news that two known super tuskers of the Amboseli ecosystem were hunted in Tanzania, near the Kenya border.
Soon after the death of these two super tuskers, another three large tuskers were hunted in Tanzania near the border, despite various calls by conservationists, scientists and the public to halt hunting in this area, frequented by Amboseli’s important elephant population. This brought the total to five large-tusked elephants hunted along the border in just eight months.
While Zito does not belong to the unique Amboseli elephant population, he has often been spotted along the border between the Serengeti and Kenya.
Zito photographed in Grumeti between 2019 and 2022
Super tuskers are increasingly rare, with an estimated 84 remaining in Africa. The targeting of super tuskers like Zito is a trend that threatens the future of this genetically distinct elephant population
Zito photographed in 2019
Africa Geographic is seeking more information about this hunt, including photos of the dead elephant. As usual, all informant identities will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Anyone with more information on this trophy hunt is urged to send more details to editors@africageographic.com. Likewise, if you have any photo evidence of Zito alive after September 2024, please share this information and pics.
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 4 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other galleries, follow the links to: Gallery 1, Gallery 2 and Gallery 3
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 3 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other galleries, follow the links to: Gallery 1, Gallery 2 and Gallery 4
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 2 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other galleries, follow the links to: Gallery 1, Gallery 3 and Gallery 4
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 1 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other galleries, follow the links to: Gallery 2, Gallery 3 and Gallery 4
Okavango flooding like never before & our final photo entries
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
According to a BBC report, a tourist in Seychelles complained about being woken by birds at dawn. At a Thai resort in a primary forest, guests were so disturbed by frogs croaking at night that staff were asked to go out and round them up. Then there was the guest at a Kenyan tented camp who complained about a hippo brushing against their tent.
If this widening disconnect between modern humans and real life doesn’t alarm you, consider this: the same report suggested many children at tourism resorts have lost both the appetite and ability to play outdoors or appreciate nature. Nature simply doesn’t provide enough stimulation anymore.
Apparently, we’ve become so conditioned to sanitised, air-conditioned environments that traffic, sirens and screens lull us to sleep, while birdsong and frogs disrupt our circadian rhythms.
Now add the explosion of AI-generated fantasy masquerading as reality, and the expectation gap grows even wider. How long before children would rather visit Wakanda to marvel at pterodactyls hunting Homo sapiens and volcanoes erupting every few minutes?
This is why real safaris matter. Not staged experiences. Not digital fantasy. But authentic encounters with wild Africa: unpredictable, humbling, sometimes uncomfortable, always unforgettable.
Contact my awesome crew for a safari that celebrates and benefits nature and local people.
One of the most arresting images in this week’s Photographer of the Year selection shows a Damaraland elephant mother carrying her stillborn calf across the Namib Desert: touching, smelling and lifting the tiny body long after death.
Scientists have documented similar behaviour around the world: elephants standing vigil over dying relatives, carrying dead infants for days, revisiting bones and carcasses, and even appearing to bury calves beneath soil and vegetation in India. Separately, discoveries of large numbers of elephant bones in the same area (usually linked to droughts, poaching or natural die-offs) helped inspire enduring myths like the elephant graveyard made famous in The Lion King (an image that still haunts a whole generation of us!). What remains undeniable is elephants’ unusual engagement with death, and how deeply this behaviour unsettles us.
This is the final week of new entries for Photographer of the Year 2026, and it’s a spectacular one. Next, our judges begin the difficult task of narrowing down the finalists through our last rounds of voting.
This week, we explore the rare flood conditions creating one of the Okavango’s most extraordinary safari seasons in decades. It’s not too late to be one of the lucky few to witness this extraordinary phenomenon – we’ll help you plan. Plus, if you’re planning your first safari, check out our beginner’s guide to safaris below.
Our stories this week
FINAL PHOTO ENTRIES – 1
Here are our favourite pics from the final week of entries for Photographer of the Year 2026, as chosen by our judges
FINAL PHOTO ENTRIES – 2
Our top photos selected for Week 12 of Photographer of the Year. Finalists stand a chance to win a trip to Nyungwe, Rwanda
DELTA IN FLOOD
Rare floodwaters are transforming Botswana’s Okavango Delta into an extraordinary season of water, wildlife and safari exploration
BEGINNERS SAFARI GUIDE
Your first time going on safari? Here’s a complete guide to safari planning for beginners – where, when, how and more
Help celebrate Africa Geographic
We are often asked what makes an Africa Geographic safari different. It starts with deep local knowledge, carefully chosen lodges, and an understanding that timing and place are everything.
Every journey is tailored and designed to reveal Africa at its most extraordinary. We’re proud to announce that this approach has earned Africa Geographic nominations for the World Travel Awards 2026 in two categories: Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company and Africa’s Leading Tour Operator.
Southern Africa mega safari – 22 days
Be swept off your feet with wall-to-wall wildlife action on this iconic southern African safari. You’ll visit Greater Kruger to experience the Big 5 and rarer treasures. You’ll also visit South Africa’s mother city, Cape Town, and her winelands. Plus, you’ll experience the wilds of the Okavango Delta and Chobe Riverfront in Botswana, and the majesty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The iconic Kenya safari – 12 days
Journey to where iconic landscapes meet, from Kilimanjaro to the Mara and northern Kenya’s wild frontier. Discover Kenya’s most iconic landscapes, from Nairobi to the elephant plains of Amboseli, the predator-rich Maasai Mara and the wild frontier of Laikipia. Search for giant tusker elephants, the world’s rarest antelope, the Big Five and three hyena species, meet orphaned elephants, feed endangered giraffes and connect with local communities, with flights between destinations maximising your time in the wild.
Your safari just helped expand the range of Africa’s most endangered predators.
Thanks to your booking with Africa Geographic, we’ve just donated a portion of our safari earnings to the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Wild Dog Range Expansion Project: an urgent project with the goal to secure safe habitat, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and give Africa’s wild dog population room to recover.
With only around 700 breeding pairs remaining, African wild dogs are among Africa’s rarest carnivores. Every viable kilometre of habitat matters, and your safari booking has helped secure it.
This is what travelling with Africa Geographic means. A portion of every safari we book goes directly to projects like this – because the places you explore deserve to be protected, and the animals you encounter deserve a future.
From ghost-like melanistic leopards to bizarre hyena mysteries and dazzling Kruger birdlife, the first episode of our Top Wildlife Clips of 2026 series is packed with unforgettable safari moments from across Africa. Journey with us from the Okavango Delta to Namibia’s dunes as we showcase April’s most thrilling wildlife encounters, captured by our tribe of safari-goers in the wildest corners of the continent. (06:04) Watch here
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 1 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other gallery, follow the link: Gallery 2
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is now closed for entries. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 2 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other gallery, follow the link: Gallery 1
Exceptional rainfall is driving one of the largest floods in the Okavango Delta in decades.
Saturated floodplains are allowing water to spread rapidly across the Delta system.
Rising water levels are transforming safari access, wildlife movement and travel experiences.
Mokoro and boating safaris are expanding into channels inaccessible during lower flood years.
Experts believe the 2026 flood will become a benchmark event remembered for decades.
Want to visit the Okavango Delta on safari? Browse our top Okavango Delta safaris here. Or, let us plan your handcrafted, unique Okavango Delta safari. Book now to catch the 2026 floods!
The first sign of a great Okavango flood year is not dramatic. Water begins gathering quietly in channels that have lain shallow for seasons. Floodplains soften. Papyrus beds push further into the landscape. Then, gradually, the Delta expands outward – across grasslands, into woodlands and through ancient waterways that only fill in exceptional years, created by elephants, hippos and termites. In 2026, that transformation is unfolding at a scale few travellers will have witnessed before as the Delta enters an exceptional flood year. Across northern Botswana, rising water levels are reshaping one of Africa’s great safari landscapes into a vast network of navigable channels, flooded islands and thriving wetlands.
Strong rainfall across the Angolan highlands, combined with local rains and already saturated systems due to the 2025 rains, is expected to produce one of the most expansive inundations in recent decades. This convergence of conditions has been described as a “rare” and “landmark inundation” event, placing the Delta in a state of full ecological expression.
Exceptional floodwaters are spreading further through the Okavango Delta this year, creating one of the most expansive inundations in recent memory
“What makes this year particularly significant is the sequence of hydrological events that has unfolded over the past two seasons,” says Ross Exler, AG Okavango Delta safari expert. “An above-average local rainfall year in 2025 was followed by a strong flood, while 2026 has already brought exceptionally heavy rains ahead of what is expected to be another major inundation. As a result, parts of the Delta are receiving incoming floodwaters while already holding water levels comparable to the peak of the 2025 flood season.” These unusually saturated base conditions are allowing the 2026 flood to spread faster and further through the system, intensifying the scale and reach of the inundation.
This is not simply a seasonal rise in water levels. It is a system-wide transformation that reshapes landscapes, redistributes wildlife, and changes how travellers experience one of Africa’s most important wilderness areas.
The significance of a year like this lies in how completely it changes the atmosphere of the Delta, says Exler. “When the water arrives in volume, the entire system changes character,” he explains. “You feel it everywhere – in the movement of animals, the opening of channels, the soundscape, even the pace at which you travel through the landscape.”
A system defined by water in the desert
The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s most unusual ecosystems. It is an inland delta, formed where the Okavango River flows into the sands of the Kalahari Desert rather than the sea. This geological structure creates a permanent oasis in an otherwise dry landscape, spreading across 6,000km² to 15,000km², depending on water levels. Channels, lagoons, floodplains and islands shift constantly with the movement of water, constantly changing the rhythm of travel through the Delta.
New channels to little-visited areas will bring delightful wildlife experiences
A flood that begins far away from the Okavango Delta
The Okavango’s floodwaters originate in the Angolan Highlands. The river travels more than 1,600 kilometres before reaching Botswana, arriving months after the rains. Floodwaters typically reach the Delta around May and peak in June and July, when surrounding landscapes are at their driest.
In 2026, above-average rainfall upstream has intensified this process. Reports note a “stronger, earlier flood cycle” driven by rainfall in Angola and Botswana. Experts describe the 2026 inundation as the result of a powerful convergence of upstream inflows, local rainfall and already saturated ground conditions following heavy rains in both the Angolan Highlands and the Delta itself. “This is all on the heels of excellent 2025 rain and flood seasons,” says Exler.
As the flood pulse moves through the system, water is spreading more quickly and more widely, reconnecting channels and revitalising landscapes that have remained dry for years. For travellers, years like this reveal the Okavango at full expression.
The 2026 flood is allowing mokoro journeys deep into the Delta’s flooded interiors, where travel becomes quieter and more immersive
What makes 2026 a peak flood year in the Okavango Delta
For those visiting the Okavango this year, the experience will be defined by water. Mokoros and boats are moving into areas rarely accessible during lower flood years, while wildlife adapts to expanding floodplains and newly connected channels.
Flooding in the Okavango follows natural cycles, but some years stand out. This year’s combination of heavy upstream rainfall, local precipitation and already saturated conditions is expected to produce unusually high water levels. In practical terms, the Delta will expand further, fill more completely and remain inundated for longer.
This year’s flood is allowing travellers to explore parts of the Delta rarely accessible in drier seasons
How the Okavango Delta expands and transforms
As floodwaters move through the Delta, main channels fill first, followed by secondary waterways before water spills into surrounding floodplains. Channels shift, new waterways form, and floodplains become temporary wetlands. Water pushes into woodland and across terrain that is usually dry.
Wetland plants expand into previously upland areas as the Delta becomes a more continuous system of water and islands. For travellers, this changes both access and perspective. The landscape becomes more fluid, and movement follows the water.
In peak flood years, the Okavango transforms into a vast mosaic of channels, lagoons and isolated islands surrounded by water
The ecological importance of high water
Flooding is the foundation of the Okavango’s ecological system. It redistributes nutrients, supports plant growth and creates habitats for a wide range of species. Permanent channels support aquatic life, while seasonal floodplains provide grazing for herbivores, and elevated islands sustain woodland ecosystems.
High water years amplify these dynamics. Floodplains become more productive, habitats expand, and wildlife movement increases. The result is a system operating at peak productivity.
High flood levels are reshaping wildlife movement across the Delta. Elephants have no trouble adapting quickly to deeper channels and flooded plains
Wildlife response to rising water
The Okavango supports an extraordinary density and diversity of wildlife. “Because the Okavango provides a mix of habitats, including the optimal habitat for many species, the abundance of resident species is world-class,” says Delta expert Exler.
Rising waters will reshape wildlife movement and concentrate activity along islands and dry ground
During the flood season, herbivores move toward newly flooded grazing areas while predators follow prey. Wildlife also concentrates on higher ground where water is limited, creating predictable movement patterns and exceptional sightings. Species that depend on water, such as hippos and crocodiles, coexist with terrestrial animals that move between islands and floodplains.
A buffalo moves through floodwaters in the Okavango Delta. This year will bring one of the most expansive inundation seasons in recent years, as rising water reshapes grazing patterns across the landscape
A landscape designed for exploration
The Okavango is known for the variety of ways it can be explored. Its waterways allow for movement by boat and mokoro, while islands and drier areas support vehicle and walking safaris. The mokoro remains one of the defining Delta experiences, gliding quietly through narrow channels among lilies, reeds and papyrus.
The Okavango’s waterways support a rich aquatic ecosystem that expands dramatically during high flood years
In high flood years, water-based access expands significantly. “In a normal flood year, water-based activities are more restricted to permanently flooded channels,” says Exler. “This year, many channels that do not typically flood will become navigable, and will provide a rare experience to venture into savannah and woodland by water. This allows for a very unique water-based game-viewing experience.”
Floodwaters also connect parts of the Delta that are otherwise isolated, opening routes into remote regions rarely accessible during drier years. For travellers, this means exploring landscapes available under exceptional flood conditions.
Flooding brings more opportunities for water-based wildlife viewing
A season shaped by water
Tourism in the Okavango is closely linked to the flood cycle. During peak inundation, water-based activities dominate, and wildlife viewing conditions are extended as animals respond to changing water distribution across the system.
Unlike rivers that rise and fall rapidly, the Okavango’s flood spreads gradually, sustaining productive habitats over long periods. Years like 2026 represent a distinct phase in the Delta’s cycle. Travel becomes more water-based, wildlife patterns become more defined and the landscape itself feels larger and more interconnected.
“This is also an opportunity to experience a rare event, which has an outsized impact on the form and function of the Delta ecosystem,” says Exler.
Flood-adapted species such as red lechwe thrive in the Okavango’s seasonal wetlands and expanding floodplain
A Delta at full expression
The Okavango is a system built on movement and change. In 2026, the Delta is expected to reach one of its most expansive states in recent memory. Water levels are rising across the system. Channels are opening. Floodplains are filling. Wildlife is responding.
“This flood is going to reach channels that only the elders in local communities remember seeing filled,” says Exler. “It will become a benchmark flood – one that people talk about for years, possibly decades, because of the sheer scale of water moving through the system.”
This is the Delta in its most complete state – a landscape shaped by water, operating at scale and offering a luxury safari experience defined by immersion, access and ecological richness.
Floodwaters are transforming woodland habitats across the Delta, creating dynamic landscapes for guided walking safaris
Further reading
Plan your Okavango Delta safari: when to go, where to stay and how to experience Botswana’s iconic inland oasis in intimate camps
The Okavango Delta is an enormous watery oasis, home to an astonishing variety of wildlife and host to some of the best Botswana safaris. Here’s all the insight you need into understanding its ecological and conservation significance
Check out this fantastic gallery of images by Hannes Lochner, which will have you booking your Okavango Delta (Botswana) safari with us and packing your bags
Moremi Game Reserve lies at the heart of the Okavango Delta and is the only formally protected section of the Delta. Read more about Moremi here
Africa’s migratory species sustain ecosystems and livelihoods: From zebras to whales, their movements regenerate landscapes, support biodiversity, and underpin tourism, food security, and cultural heritage.
Ten remarkable migrations define the continent’s natural rhythm: Including the Great Wildebeest Migration, Botswana’s zebra trek, Zambia’s Kasanka Bat Migration, and South Africa’s Sardine Run, each is a spectacle of survival and renewal.
Seasonal rains and resources guide these journeys: Whether following fresh grass, insects, ripened fruit, or ocean currents, migrations see species adapting with Africa’s changing climates and habitats.
Protecting migratory corridors is essential: Conservation tourism, protected areas, and community-led efforts are vital in preserving these age-old natural highways for future generations.
Migratory animals are vital to Africa’s ecological balance. They drive natural cycles across borders and biomes. They regulate ecosystems, disperse seeds and fertilise soils. Their seasonal movements connect distant landscapes, ensuring the renewal of grasslands, wetlands and oceans. Yet their importance extends beyond ecology: they support food security, safari tourism, and cultural identity for communities across the continent.
Some of these migrations are among the most significant natural events on Earth. From birds and bats to whales and wildebeest, the continent’s migratory species draw tourists who wish to witness these bucket-list spectacles in person. Ethical safaris can now bring travellers face to face with nature’s great journeys without leaving a heavy footprint.
Here are 10 great African migrations worthy of your bucket list:
Burchell’s zebras cross the waters of Moremi Game Reserve, in the Delta
Two distinct migrations occur: one between Chobe and Nxai Pan, and another linking the Okavango Delta with the Makgadikgadi Pans. From December to March, rains turn the salt pans emerald-green, drawing zebras to graze and foal before they trek north as the land dries. Flamingos and springbok share these ephemeral plains, shimmering in heat haze and mirage.
Zebras on the move in Botswana
Why they migrate: To follow the rains and access seasonal grazing, ensuring water and nutrition for the herds and their young. Best time to go: December to March for the lush Makgadikgadi Pans and foaling season; May to July for returning herds and predator action. Where to go: Visit Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan or the Boteti River area. One significant benefit of setting out on an African zebra migration safari is that it is most dramatic during Botswana’s low tourism season, meaning lower lodge rates and fewer safari vehicles. Experiencing the annual occurrence on a mobile safari is the quintessential migration experience, allowing travellers to trace portions of their long, wild journey.
2. The Great Wildebeest Migration – Tanzania and Kenya
A wildebeest river crossing in the Serengeti
Across the Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Earth’s greatest natural dramas unfolds: the Great Wildebeest Migration. Each year, over a million wildebeest, joined by zebra and gazelle, move in a circular rhythm dictated by rain and grass – travelling a total of 800km or more during each cycle. From January’s calving season on the southern Serengeti’s nutrient-rich plains to the perilous Mara River crossings in August, their instinct to follow renewal turns the landscape into a living theatre of survival.
The herds begin in Tanzania’s Ndutu area in January, sweeping northward through the Western Corridor and Grumeti, reaching Kenya’s Maasai Mara by midyear. Come November, they journey south once more, the cycle unbroken.
Braving the Mara River
Why they migrate: To follow seasonal rains and fresh grazing across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, ensuring survival and reproduction in changing conditions. Best time to go: February for calving in Ndutu; June–July for the Grumeti River crossings; August–October for the Mara River crossings drama. Where to go: Join a mobile migration camp or stay in key locations – Ndutu, Grumeti, or the Mara Triangle – to follow the herds’ path. Balloon safaris, guided safaris and remote camps offer unforgettable front-row seats.
3. Liuwa Plain wildebeest and antelope migration – Zambia
Wildebeest in Liuwa Plain National Park
Far from the crowds, on Zambia’s remote western horizon, Liuwa Plain National Park hosts Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration – around 45,000 blue wildebeest sweeping across silvered grasslands, accompanied by zebra, oribi and red lechwe. Managed by African Parks and the Barotse Royal Establishment, Liuwa’s revival tells a story of conservation triumph. Once decimated by poaching, it now thrives with returning predators – hyena clans, wild dogs, cheetah and lion prides descended from the legendary Lady Liuwa.
Driven by November rains, the wildebeest and antelope herds move with the storms in search of grazing, echoing the seasonal pulse of the Zambezi floodplains. The park’s vastness – unmarred by roads or crowds – makes this migration an experience of pure solitude.
Why they migrate: To track seasonal rainfall and reach the nutrient-rich grazing that follows the first rains across the Zambezi floodplains. Best time to go: November to April, when rains bring green grass, new life and the peak of the migration. Where to go: Liuwa Plain National Park. Guided drives and walks offer exclusive access to this unspoiled wilderness – a rare place where solitude and spectacle still coexist. Liuwa Plain offers excellent wildlife safaris.
4. The Great Nile Migration – South Sudan and Ethiopia
Tian in Boma and Badingilo National Parks
In the vast, little-known wilderness of South Sudan and Ethiopia, a natural wonder long hidden by conflict and isolation has been revealed – the world’s largest land mammal migration. Each year, an estimated six million antelope – including white-eared kob, tiang, Mongalla gazelle and reedbuck – move across the Boma–Badingilo–Jonglei landscape, a 200,000 km² ecosystem (including Boma and Badingilo National Parks) that stretches east of the Nile and into Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park. This is the Great Nile Migration.
This immense migration, newly confirmed by aerial surveys led by African Parks and the Government of South Sudan, surpasses even East Africa’s Serengeti–Mara movement in scale. The herds follow ancient floodplains and seasonal rains between January and June, painting the plains in motion as they move north and east in search of fresh grazing. Among them, predators and scavengers shadow the flow.
Tiang seen from the air
Why they migrate: To track seasonal rainfall and the fresh grazing that follows the shifting floodplains. Best time to go: The great herds cross the grasslands and wetlands from January to June Where to go: The migration takes place across the Boma and Badingilo National Parks in South Sudan, and Gambella National Park in Ethiopia. The parks are not easily accessible to the general public, and the migration happens across vast, remote areas. Therefore, it is not possible to visit these parks to see the migration. The migration has only recently been surveyed from the air to confirm its scale. However, a pilot tourism project in Maruwa, in Boma NP, is currently being developed, and Gambella is accessible through exclusive chartered aircraft safaris.
5. Kasanka Bat Migration – Zambia
8 million straw-coloured fruit bats take part in the Kasanka Bat Migration
When dusk falls over Kasanka National Park, Zambia, the sky comes alive. From late October to December, around 8 million straw-coloured fruit bats – the largest mammal migration on Earth – descend upon a single patch of swamp forest. Drawn from across central Africa, these nocturnal nomads follow the ripening of wild fruits such as musuku, fig and mango.
The Kasanka Bat Migration unfolds in Kasanka’s evergreen mushitu forest. By day, the bats hang from the trees, cloaking branches in motionless mass. At twilight, they erupt in clouds, their flight paths carving ribbons across the sky. And at sunrise, they flock back to their roosts in a kaleidoscope of wing beats and sunrays.
Why they migrate: Food – their seasonal feast in the fruiting forests of Kasanka. Best time to go: Early November to mid-December, when the colony is at its peak. Where to go: Kasanka National Park. Visit the various hides in the park, where you can witness sunrises and sunsets silhouetting millions of wings against the miombo canopy.
6. Rift Valley flamingo migration – Tanzania and Kenya
Flamingos in Lake Nakuru
Across East Africa’s ancient Rift Valley, shallow soda lakes shimmer pink with life. Here, millions of lesser flamingos gather in synchrony – their curved bills filtering cyanobacteria from saline waters. These ethereal birds drift between Lakes Bogoria and Nakuru in Kenya and Natron in Tanzania, migrating as water levels shift and feeding grounds bloom with microscopic algae. Lake Natron in northern Tanzania remains a regular breeding site, where the mineral flats harden into nursery islands safe from predators. Yet this fragile rhythm faces disruption – rising rainfall and dilution of the soda lakes threaten the flamingos’ delicate food balance and nesting zones.
Flamingos in flight over Lake Natron
Why they migrate: To feed on nutrient-rich cyanobacteria and to breed when lake chemistry aligns. Best time to go: June to October, when dry-season mirages and reduced rainfall reveal vast flocks. Where to go: Kenya’s Lake Bogoria and Lake Nakuru, or Tanzania’s remote Lake Natron. Travellers can fly over red waters and flamingo colonies on a helicopter safari. Witnessing massive flocks of flamingos taking flight against the backdrop of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano is an experience for the books!
7. Whale Migrations – Southern Africa
Humpback whale
Every winter, the Southern Hemisphere’s great whales journey north along Africa’s coastlines, tracing ancient “blue corridors” through the ocean. Southern right whales leave their Antarctic feeding grounds in June, seeking South Africa’s temperate shallows to calve and nurse. Humpback whales follow similar routes, travelling up to 25,000 kilometres from the icy Southern Ocean to the subtropical bays of Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.
From Hermanus to Aliwal Shoal, these giants breach and tail-slap, echoing haunting songs that carry through the surf. But their journeys are fraught: shifting ocean temperatures and declining krill stocks threaten their feeding cycles and body condition.
Southern right whale off the coast of Hermanus, South Africa
Why they migrate: The whales head to warmer waters or their newborns, and the safety of calm coastal waters Best time to go: June to November for humpbacks and southern rights along South Africa’s Whale Coast. Mozambique’s Inhambane and Zanzibar’s southern shores offer epic sightings from July to October. Where to go: From land-based lookouts in Hermanus, Gansbaai, Plettenberg Bay and Zanzibar, or on ethical boat safaris in Sodwana and Watamu. False Bay and Kleinbaai, are also well known for land-based and boat-based viewing.
8. Migratory birds – across the continent
European bee-eater
Each year, the skies above Africa become invisible highways for millions of migratory birds. Species such as barn swallow, steppe eagle, Amur falcon, European roller and white stork traverse thousands of kilometres. These journeys follow the shifting seasons – birds flying north to Europe and Asia to visit temperate climes, then south to escape the northern winter and feed in Africa’s rich wetlands, savannahs, and deltas. Around 185 species fly from Europe and Asia to southern Africa alone.
The East African Rift Valley and the Sahara are crucial corridors, while the Mediterranean bottleneck at Gibraltar channels flocks in waves so vast they seem to cloud the horizon. Some raptors ride thermals for hours each day; others, like the tiny willow warbler, could go 2 days without food or rest when crossing the sea.
Why they migrate: To seek out better food sources and optimal conditions for breeding. Some breed in their African destinations while others breed in the north. Most migrants are insect- or seed-eaters, travelling thousands of miles as the seasons change to seek out resources. Most Palearctic migrants breed in the northern hemisphere and spend the non-breeding season in Africa. A smaller number, known as intra-African migrants, breed and move within Africa following seasonal rains and food availability. Where to go: Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes from September to April; Botswana’s Okavango Delta in summer; and South Africa’s wetlands and savannahs in the austral spring. The Zambezi floodplains also host large numbers of Palearctic waders and terns in the wet season.
Amur falcons are one of hundreds of species that make the annual flight across hemispheres
9. Barbel Run – Botswana
A frenzy of barbel during the Barbel Run
When the Okavango Delta in Botswana absorbs the floodwaters each year, the underwater plains of the Panhandle erupt with life. The Barbel Run – Africa’s hidden migration – is a frenzy of silver and muscle as catfish (Clarias gariepinus) surge upstream, churning the shallows in pursuit of smaller fish fleeing the advancing waters.
The barbel creates an intense feeding chain. Tigerfish slash through the bait balls, birds dive-bomb from above, and tourists gather to witness the spectacle.
Exploring the waterways of the Okavango Delta
Why they migrate: Triggered by rising water and temperature, barbels move en masse to spawn and hunt as the delta floods. Best time to go: August to October, when water clarity peaks and predator activity intensifies. Where to go: The Okavango Panhandle. Guided mokoro or boat excursions offer front-row seats to this underwater carnival.
10. The Sardine Run – South Africa and Mozambique
A sardine bait ball in the Indian Ocean
Each winter, between May and July, South Africa’s eastern coastline hosts a dramatic natural display – the Sardine Run. Billions of sardines (Sardinops sagax) surge northward from the cold waters of the Agulhas Bank to KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique, driven by seasonal currents and the promise of spawning grounds.
The sea churns with life as dolphins, sharks, gannets, and whales converge in a feeding frenzy. The sardines, forming shimmering bait balls up to 20 metres across, twist through turquoise surf under aerial and underwater assaults.
Why they migrate: A genetically distinct subpopulation follows the cooling winter currents to breed – an instinctive annual journey. Best time to go: June to July, when the run peaks off South Africa’s Wild Coast. Where to go: From a dive boat at Port St Johns or Coffee Bay (both in South Africa), where divers hover amid swirling silver clouds – a cathedral of movement beneath the waves.
Final thoughts
Africa’s great migrations are the continent’s lifeblood, connecting landscapes and species across invisible frontiers. Yet every flight path, river course and ancient trail now depends on our willingness to protect it. By supporting conservation-driven lodges, protected areas and community projects, travellers help safeguard these natural highways. Supporting conservation-focused lodges, parks and community-led initiatives offers a way to keep these wild journeys alive.
Further reading
Botswana’s zebra migrations: Botswana hosts two zebra migrations, one of which is the longest mammal migration in Africa. The zebras travel in search of water and grazing
The Great Wildebeest Migration explained: The Great Wildebeest Migration is the quintessential African safari experience. Here’s our detailed guide on everything you need to know
Africa’s migratory animals under threat: Africa’s migratory animals – from wildebeest & birds, to dugongs & whales – are under threat due to habitat loss and climate change, according to a UN report
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
Once upon a time …
There was an American lady who spent 53 daystravelling solo in Africa. She journeyed to Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa.
To better understand the vast Serengeti, rather than simply witness it, she immersed herself in the philosophy of guiding and learning to track and understand animal behaviour. She marvelled at huge skies, black-maned lions and absolute luxury in Tswalu Kalahari, and she tracked pangolins in the emerging safari haven of Mozambique’s Gorongosa. Then she visited Malawi’s Liwonde, Nkhotakota and the Big 5 Majete to witness some of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories – the restoration of once-poached reserves into naturally behaving ecosystems where people and wildlife thrive.
Barbara is currently on the final leg of her sojourn in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. She is enjoying hands-on conservation work – monitoring camera traps, anti-poaching patrols and updating field observations for the area’s predator population.
Amazingly, many of her stays have been in empty or near-empty lodges. Barbara chose to travel outside the prime safari season to avoid crowds and enjoy exclusive, unhurried wildlife encounters.
Her safari was compiled by our safari expert Stef and managed remotely by our 24/7 concierge crew.
Did you know some elephants mine underground? On Kenya’s Mount Elgon, elephants disappear into volcanic caves at night, navigating pitch-black lava tunnels to chip salt-rich rock from the walls with their tusks. Scientists say this behaviour is unique in the animal kingdom, and may explain why these elephants have unusually short, worn tusks. This is a survival strategy for this population of elephants, of which there are only a few hundred left. Heavy rainfall strips minerals from Mount Elgon’s soils, forcing elephants to seek sodium deep underground. Yet another glimpse into the wondrous and bizarre of our planet.
Today, this bizarre Earth wishes Sir David Attenborough a happy 100th birthday: a fitting tribute to the man who fundamentally changed how the world sees wildlife. By blending science, storytelling and an intimate view into animal behaviour, Attenborough has turned distant ecosystems into something personal and urgent, inspiring generations to care about conservation. We try to do the same here at Africa Geographic.
This week, we feature our penultimate weekly selection of Photographer of the Year 2026 photos. And for those wondering whether now is the right time to travel, we explore 10 reliable African safaris that offer seamless journeys, expert guiding, and clarity amid global uncertainty. We also spotlight South Africa, a country where Big Five safaris, dramatic coastlines, world-class food, and unforgettable landscapes come together in one remarkable journey.
DID YOU KNOW?
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
PENULTIMATE GALLERY
Here are our top entries for Week 11 of Photographer of the Year, as chosen by our judges! Winners will head on a chimp-trekking safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
RELIABLE SAFARIS
Where to travel in Africa now: 10 reliable safari destinations offering seamless travel, expert guiding, and wonderful wild experiences – even in uncertain times
SOUTH AFRICA
A South Africa safari offers the world in one country, from the Big 5 & luxury lodges of Greater Kruger to the fine dining and cosmopolitan pizazz of Cape Town
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Botswana + Namibia landscapes and wildlife – 16 days
The best of Namibia and Botswana. This journey blends the freedom of a Namibian self-drive with the ease of a fly-in Botswana safari, from towering red dunes, ancient cultures and desert-adapted wildlife to the wildlife-rich floodplains and forested islands of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River, home to prolific predators and abundant wildlife.
Okavango Delta celebration – 11 days
Immerse yourself in two remote private concessions in Botswana’s Okavango Delta on this extended safari, a rare opportunity to slow down and feel the pulse of one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. Fly, drive, boat and glide by mokoro through vast waterways, encountering wildlife at every turn and savouring unforgettable moments of absolute safari bliss.
Seasoned AG safari guest Roger, from the UK, enjoyed a rather wet, but unforgettable, safari to Laikipia and the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, Kenya:
Kenya, March 2026. “The day we were leaving, Christian received a phone call from our first camp telling us it was flooded, and not to come!! Christian made several calls and managed to get us into two alternate camps. Without his extensive network and knowledge, this wouldn’t have been possible with any normal agent at such short notice. He saved the day!
Our first stop was Ol Pejeta, where we saw a number of rhinos, including the last two remaining northern white rhinos. Our next stop was Laikipia Wilderness Camp, which we had visited 3 years ago. We had seen Giza, the black leopard, but only at night. This time, we also saw her during the day. We also saw 10 different leopards during the 4-night stay. It was my first time seeing wild dogs swimming across the river. Next, we went to Oltepesi in the Mara. Due to the heavy rains, we were limited to the areas we could access. However, we had good sightings, including a failed attempt by lions to hunt a buffalo, and lion cubs jumping across a river. The final stop was Saruni Basecamp in the Naboisho Conservancy. Notable sightings included a newborn giraffe and buffalo. Considering the fact that we had rain every day, it was still a great trip. It could have been a disastrous start, but Christian rescued it.”
Got a wildlife moment that gave you goosebumps? We want to see it. From heart-stopping predator action to once-in-a-lifetime rare sightings, we’re looking for Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife clips – no fancy gear required. Send us your best African wildlife videos for a chance to feature in our monthly Top Wildlife Clips selection. (02:07) Watch here
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 closes for submissions at midnight on 7 May. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Winners will be announced in June.
Here are the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week
Africa’s top safari regions offer low-density travel across vast, well-managed wilderness areas.
Okavango Delta, South Luangwa, and Serengeti deliver reliable wildlife viewing with expert guiding.
Established reliable safaris and logistics ensure seamless journeys between camps, airstrips, and remote ecosystems.
Namibia, Liuwa Plain, and Kafue provide space, solitude, and emerging conservation success stories.
Travel here directly supports conservation, making each journey both meaningful and impactful.
Want a safari that runs smoothly, without the stress of an uncertain world? Explore our ready-made reliable safaris here, safe for travel right now. Or let our travel experts design a seamless, luxury safari for you.
Now is the best time to travel to Africa
Travel requires trust: in timing, in place, and in the people who guide you once you arrive. But there are times when global travel feels uncertain. Yet across Africa’s great wilderness areas, little has changed. Seasons hold. Wildlife follows ancient patterns. Safari operations continue unabated.
Safari, by its nature, is a controlled and well-managed form of travel. The continent’s leading destinations operate within defined ecosystems, with established logistics, low visitor densities, and experienced teams on the ground. For travellers seeking clarity, simplicity and reliability, a safari is the most consistent kind of holiday, offering:
Low-density tourism across vast private concessions and protected area
Strong conservation management, often under organisations such as African Parks and well-established private reserves
Streamlined safari logistics, from charter flights to lodge-based itineraries
High-quality guiding, which defines the experience as much as the wildlife itself
Direct conservation impact, where tourism revenue sustains ecosystems and communities
We’ve gathered our list of some of the most dependable safari experiences on the continent right now, places where logistics, conservation, and wilderness combine to offer a confident and deeply rewarding journey.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta remains one of Africa’s most precisely managed wilderness systems. Seasonal floodwaters transform the landscape between May and September, creating a mosaic of channels, islands, and floodplains that support exceptional biodiversity.
Safari here is structured around water and exclusivity. Camps are widely spaced within private concessions, ensuring minimal vehicle traffic and consistent wildlife encounters without crowding. Activities are varied – mokoro excursions, boating, walking safaris, and game drives – allowing for a layered understanding of the ecosystem.
Planning is key. Peak flood season offers the most iconic Delta experience, while the drier months concentrate wildlife on shrinking islands. Access is seamless via light aircraft from Maun, with most itineraries combining multiple concessions.
The Delta works because it is both predictable and dynamic – flood cycles are reliable, but each year reshapes a new experience.
Mokoro exploration in the Okavango Delta
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa is one of Africa’s most well-rounded and reliable safari destinations, defined by the Luangwa River and its seasonal oxbow lagoons. Wildlife densities are high, particularly during the dry season from July to October, when animals concentrate along the riverbanks.
The area is best known as the birthplace of the walking safari, and guiding standards remain among the highest on the continent. This is not incidental – it reflects a long-established culture of mentorship and field-based training.
The Nsefu sector, in particular, offers a quieter, more traditional experience, with fewer camps and strong historical continuity.
South Luangwa works because it balances authenticity with consistency. It is not overly curated, yet it delivers reliable wildlife viewing and some of Africa’s finest guiding.
Abundant buffalo herds and hippo pods in South Luangwa
Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania
The Serengeti is known for the Great Migration, but the ecosystem is far more complex. Seasonal movement defines the experience, with herds shifting between the southern plains, central Serengeti, and northern corridors into the Mara.
The northern circuit allows for efficient travel between key regions, while private concessions and mobile camps offer access to migration routes without the congestion seen in public areas.
Timing dictates everything. Calving season (January–March) offers predator action on the southern plains, while river crossings typically occur mid-year in the north.
The Serengeti is a fail-safe destination due to its scale and structure. Even at peak migration, there are ways to experience it without compromise – provided the itinerary is designed with precision.
More than just the migration in the Serengeti – offering one of Africa’s most reliable safaris
Greater Kruger, South Africa
The Greater Kruger system combines accessibility with consistently high-quality wildlife viewing. Kruger National Park and its surrounding reserves allow guided walks, and night drives, and within certain private concessions, off-roading driving.
Big 5 sightings are a particular strength, supported by long-term monitoring and experienced guides. Seasonal variation influences vegetation and wildlife movement, but good game-viewing is possible year-round.
Malaria considerations can be managed, and infrastructure is among the best in Africa. Direct flights into regional airstrips simplify access significantly.
Greater Kruger works because it is dependable. Logistics are straightforward, guiding is professional, and wildlife viewing is consistently strong. It is often the most practical starting point for reliable safari travel.
Elephants come down to drink in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Namib-Naukluft is one of Africa’s largest protected areas, but it is Sossusvlei that defines the experience: towering red dunes, white clay pans, and stark shadow and light that shift with precision through the day. This is not a wildlife-driven safari. It is about landscape, contrast, and space.
Early mornings are essential. The dunes are best climbed at first light. Deadvlei, with its skeletal camelthorn trees, offers one of Namibia’s most recognisable scenes: stark, controlled, and entirely silent.
Access is straightforward via Windhoek, with a range of well-run lodges on private concessions bordering the park.
This region strips reliable safaris back to their essentials: distance, stillness, and a landscape that does not compete for attention. Think minimal infrastructure, and a clear emphasis on environmental preservation in a controlled, self-contained wilderness.
Sossusvlei dunes, Namibia
Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia
Liuwa Plain offers excellent and reliable safaris and hosts the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa. It is one of Africa’s most compelling conservation destinations. Once heavily depleted, the park has been restored under African Parks management, with wildlife populations steadily increasing.
The landscape is defined by open grasslands and seasonal flooding, which support its lesser-known but significant wildebeest migration. Predators, particularly hyenas, are a key feature of the ecosystem. Access remains limited, which is part of its appeal. Camps are small, visitor numbers are low, and the experience retains a strong sense of isolation.
The green season (November to May) is particularly rewarding, with dramatic skies and migratory movement.
Liuwa Plain is less well-known and therefore not overrun by tourists, allowing visitors to witness an ecosystem that has finally achieved equilibrium, offering one of Africa’s most reliable safaris.
Wildebeest in Liuwa Plain National Park
Laikipia Plateau, Kenya
Laikipia in Kenya represents a shift in safari thinking. Rather than a single protected area, it is a network of private conservancies and community lands that collectively support high wildlife densities and innovative conservation models.
The region is known for species diversity, including black rhino, Grevy’s zebra, and African wild dog. It is also home to various black panthers: melanistic leopards that have been well documented in the area.
Activities extend beyond traditional game drives to include walking, horse riding, and cultural engagement. Laikipia is not a wilderness isolated from people, but one shaped by coexistence and long-term stewardship. It is a land of staggering beauty & biodiversity – a mosaic of wildlife conservancies.
Rhinos under towering fever trees in Laikipia
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a leading gorilla trekking destination in Africa – a place where critically endangered mountain gorillas flourish. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is one of the most tightly regulated wildlife experiences in the world. Permits are limited, group sizes are small, and trekking is well structured.
The terrain is demanding – steep slopes, dense vegetation, variable weather – but the structure ensures both conservation integrity and visitor safety.
Encounters are time-limited, typically one hour with a habituated group, but the experience is intense and focused.
Rwanda’s infrastructure is efficient, with Kigali serving as a convenient gateway and relatively short transfer times to the park.
Volcanoes works because of control. Every aspect of the experience is managed, resulting in a consistent, high-quality encounter that prioritises both wildlife and visitor experience.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Mana Pools National Park is defined by the Zambezi River and its floodplains, where seasonal dynamics shape both access and wildlife distribution. It is known for walking and photographic safaris, iconic elephants, rich birdlife, and dreamlike light. The dry season (June–October) offers the most stable conditions, with animals concentrating along the river.
The park allows for a slower, more deliberate approach to wildlife viewing. Elephants, often seen standing on their hind legs to feed, are a defining feature. Camps range from simple to high-end, but all operate within a low-density framework.
Mana Pools prioritises experience over infrastructure. It is not heavily developed, and that preserves its character as one of Africa’s most immersive wilderness areas.
An elephant visitor in camp, Mana Pools
Kafue National Park, Zambia
Kafue National Park in Zambia is one of Africa’s largest national parks, yet it remains under-visited. Its diversity is significant, from river systems to woodland and the Busanga Plains – an area known for seasonal flooding and predator concentrations.
Recent conservation investment has improved protection and infrastructure, particularly in key areas such as Busanga, where lion and cheetah sightings are frequent.
The park is best approached as a multi-region destination, with itineraries that combine the northern and southern sectors. Access typically involves light aircraft and some road transfers.
Kafue works because of its trajectory. It is improving, expanding, and becoming increasingly reliable – without losing the sense of space that defines it.
A leopard in Kafue National Park
A steady continent
Africa’s safari destinations do not operate on short-term cycles. They are shaped by long-term ecological processes, conservation investment, and accumulated expertise. That is what makes them reliable.
Travel here is not without complexity, but it is structured, intentional, and supported by systems refined over decades. For travellers seeking clarity in uncertain times, that structure offers something rare: a journey that is both predictable in its logistics and unpredictable in its moments. For travellers seeking clarity in uncertain times, these journeys stand out as some of Africa’s most reliable safaris.
Every river has a character, and every waterway symbolises vitality. Life in Africa revolves around its rivers, streams and lakes, defining the essence of the wildernesses they flow through. A safari can be more than game drives, so why not opt for one of the continent’s numerous safaris on and around her waters, and explore Africa through its lifeblood?
Below is a list of our favourite iconic waterways that make for epic safaris.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: Water safaris by mokoro and boat
The swampy wildlife oasis of the Okavango Delta is one of the most extraordinary safari destinations in Africa, and a ride in a mokoro is an essential part of any exploration. These traditional dugout canoes cut silently through the wetlands’ many channels, propelled by expert guides’ poles. Aside from the peaceful immersion in one’s surroundings, this is the perfect way to encounter wildlife – from elephants to frogs and everything in between. In the deeper channels and lagoons, motorboat excursions open up even more of the delta, offering a different perspective and access to areas the mokoros cannot reach.
Glide by mokoro on the waters of the Okavango DeltaDeeper delta waters can be explored by motorised boat
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia: Rafting on Batoka Gorge’s white waters
At Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi River plunges 100 metres off a basalt plateau before being forced through a narrow and twisting path of Batoka Gorge. The rapids below the falls are classified as Grade V and are widely acknowledged as offering some of the best white water rafting in the world.
Adrift on inflatable rafts, armed with just a plastic oar and a lifejacket, visitors throw themselves at the river’s mercy. Nothing is quite as humbling as experiencing the sheer power of a churning river (especially while underneath it). And after the rather steep climb out of the gorge on somewhat shaky legs, a sundowner imbibed looking out over the “smoke that thunders” is a must! This is one of the most epic water safaris you’ll ever experience.
Clouds of mist over the Smoke that ThundersWhite river rafting on Batoka Gorge, Victoria Falls
Jinja, Uganda: Kayak the Nile
The Nile River is the longest in the world, and its journey begins at the edge of Lake Victoria as it spills out of the lake into a series of plunging rapids. Not much compares to the thrill of riding the tumbling waves, pitting skill against the tremendous power of the torrent. And there are plenty of long flat stretches of calm water to steady the nerves, recover the muscles and marvel at the beauty of rural Uganda.
If this sounds too much (or perhaps when one’s shoulders and arms have had enough), opt for an ice-cold drink on a sedate sunset boat cruise.
The raging waters of the River NileAdrenaline junkies can Kayak the River Nile at Jinja
Mambili and Lokoué Rivers, Odzala-Kokoua NP, Congo-Brazzaville: River cruise through the Congo Basin
In the heart of the Congo Basin, the Mambili and Lokoué rivers weave through Odzala-Kokoua National Park’s lush rainforest, offering a water safari unlike any other. A river cruise here means gliding past forested banks alive with movement – from the flicker of colourful birds to the stealthy ripple of a slender-snouted crocodile. Keep watch for breaching tiger fish, shy sitatunga antelope, water monitors, and troops of agile and grey-cheeked mangabeys. If you’re lucky, you might even glimpse the elusive De Brazza’s monkey or a forest elephant pausing for a drink. These tranquil waterways not only connect remote lodges like Camp Imbalanga but also provide one of the best vantage points for spotting the park’s rich wildlife without disturbing it. Deep within the forest, you can also bear witness to the wild activities around another water wonder: Odzala-Kokoua’s baïs, clearings in the forest where western lowland gorillas and forest buffalos head to drink. You can watch all the action from the comfort of a tree-top hide alongside these baïs.
Boating the winding waters of the Congo BasinAG’s Simon Espley and Brendan Taylor enjoy a boat cruise on the Mambili RiverSpotting a slender-snouted crocodile basking on a branch
Chobe River, Botswana and Namibia: Cruise on a riverboat
The Chobe River is Africa’s elephant Eden, its lush floodplains and surroundings home to the world’s highest density of these magnificent pachyderms. This corner of the continent is renowned for its water safaris. Explore the various channels and side creeks or meander peacefully, watching elephants snorkel and wrestle in the water. From predator to prey, the abundance of life on display along the riverbanks tinges any voyage with more than a hint of excitement.
Spot Chobe’s abundant wildlife from a riverboatSunset over Chobe
Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania: Float or dive lazy waters
Only two parks in Tanzania offer chimpanzee trekking: Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Parks, and both are found on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. The terrain of these parks is mountainous, and if the chimps are particularly capricious, a trek might entail several hours of strenuous hiking. As such, there is no doubt that the only way to celebrate a successful day is to leap with joy into the cool embrace of the clear waters of the world’s longest freshwater lake. Sandy beaches are perfect for lazing the days away or soaking up romantic sunsets. Or, to make the most of water safaris to Lake Tanganyika (which hosts over 350 fish species), explore the waters by diving, snorkelling or kayaking.
The peaceful waters of Lake Tanganyika, on the edge of Gombe and Mahale National ParkExplore the waters by kayaking, diving and snorkelling
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe and Zambia: Explore vast shorelines
The fertile shores of Lake Kariba and its fresh waters attract diverse birdlife and wildlife, including elephants, buffalo and various antelopes. Keep an eye out for lions and leopards too. Lake Kariba’s water safaris can be enjoyed in simple pleasure or luxurious style. Dozens of lodges perched on the water’s edge allow you to awaken to the copper glow of the sun rising over the endless lake. Spend the day admiring the scenery or watching elephants browse the shoreline of Lake Kariba. And at the end of the day, the calm waters are the ideal place to admire the starlit skies. There are plenty of opportunities to explore the shorelines from the water, whether on a catamaran cruise, motorboat or even a houseboat. For a wilderness retreat on the shores of Lake Kariba, visit Matusadona National Park, which is easily combined with safaris to Hwange National Park for a truly epic African safari.
Elephants enjoying the deep waters of Lake Kariba, Matusadona National ParkWhere the lake meets luxury – tranquillity on the shores of Lake Kariba, with endless viewsCruise Lake Kariba’s shorelines on a catamaran cruise or motorboat
Lake Malawi, Malawi: Barefoot safaris
Lake Malawi offers a plethora of fun for every intrepid safari goer, from the super active to the deeply relaxed. Across the shoreline of Lake Malawi, tiny beach villages and lodges offer many opportunities to explore the waters – above or below the azure ripples. Boat trips provide the perfect vantage to appreciate the lake’s blazing sunsets. Snorkel or dive beneath the surface to take in the fishy kaleidoscope darting around the rocks in the shallows. Sailing and kayaking are at the top of the list for those eager to investigate the various bays and coves along the shoreline. And for beach lovers, there is ample opportunity to lounge along Lake Malawi’s sandy shores and breathe in the crystalline waters, drink in hand.
Barefoot bliss alongside Lake MalawiSoft sandy beaches overlooking endless waters
Lake Ihema, Akagera NP, Rwanda: Birding and big game safaris from the water
Bordered by papyrus swamps and dotted with islands, Lake Ihema – Rwanda’s second-largest lake – is a sanctuary for aquatic birds and a prime spot for relaxed game viewing. Boat cruises here are unhurried affairs on this vast lake in Akagera National Park, which features the Big 5. Drift past pods of hippos, enormous Nile crocodiles, and buffaloes grazing at the shoreline. The air rings with the calls of fish eagles, kingfishers, and hamerkops, and the keen-eyed may spot jacanas tiptoeing across lily pads or even a rare shoebill in the reeds. Morning, afternoon, and sunset departures each offer their own magic – from soft dawn light catching a heron’s wings to fiery skies reflected in still waters. It’s the perfect complement to a northern Akagera game drive, rounding out your wildlife checklist with sightings only possible from the lake’s calm surface.
Boat cruises on Lake Ihema are unhurried affairsSpotting hippos from the boatElephants dip and sip in Lake Ihema
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
The demand for African safaris has been subdued in the last few months, due to the war in Iran and international political uncertainty. It is what it is.
That said, early booking season demand was high, and, fortunately, our booked guests are in expert hands if they have doubts or experience logistical issues with their itineraries. Ground handling operates as usual, but inbound logistical arrangements can be tweaked where necessary. Our safari experts and concierges are on hand to provide 24/7 support.
Perhaps lower visitor volumes during the upcoming peak safari season will lead to a better safari experience for those who do visit our shores. Fewer people translates into a more intimate experience, where the silence of the wilderness and unhurried wildlife encounters foster a deeper connection and sense of journey.
Here in Africa, life goes on. The Greatest Show on Earth continues unabated, and Africa continues to weave her magic, as she has done since the beginning of time.
Heatwaves have long been blamed for wildlife die-offs. But research from the Universities of Pretoria and Cape Town on heat stress in African birds shows it’s humidity that turns heat deadly. The researchers found humidity dramatically increases the risk of mass mortality in tropical species.
In South Africa, this insight helps explain a shocking event from a few years ago, when dozens of blue waxbills died during a 45°C heatwave in Phongolo Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. The study found that while these birds can tolerate even higher temperatures in dry air, humid conditions prevent effective cooling, pushing them into fatal overheating.
When humidity is factored in, the risk of die-offs rises sharply: a critical shift in how scientists understand climate threats. For Africa’s birds, the danger isn’t just rising heat, but air that no longer allows them to shed it.
This week, we help you prepare for your own time in the wild with a practical safari packing guide; and reveal new insights into the Maasai Mara’s hidden wildlife corridors uncovered by camera traps. Plus, it is the LAST WEEK TO ENTER PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2026. We bring you one of our final, unmissable galleries from our latest entries.
LAST WEEK TO ENTER!
It’s your last chance to enter Photographer of the Year 2026. This year’s winner will travel to Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park, a misty rainforest alive with chimpanzees and other primates, birds, and ancient trees. Entries close at midnight on 7 May 2026. Click here to read more about the competition.
Our stories this week
UNMISSABLE PHOTOS
Our top pics for Week 10 of Photographer of the Year, as chosen by our judges!
Last chance to enter & win a chimp-trekking safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
MARA’S HIDDEN CORRIDORS
A new camera-trap project in Kenya’s Maasai Mara has revealed how a little-seen part of the ecosystem functions
SAFARI PACKING
Packing for an African safari? Essential guide: neutral layers, sun protection, soft bags, plus tips for strict 15–20kg+ limits.
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Maasai Mara specialist photographic safari, Kenya – 9 days
Fancy a guided photographic safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara? Join award-winning photographer Arnfinn Johansen on this exclusive safari for four guests. Highlights include guided game drives with an experienced Maasai guide in a modified photographic vehicle and accommodation at Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp. Departure Dates: 20-28 November 2026
Ultimate South Luangwa – 8 days
Discover the untamed beauty of South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – a renowned leopard stronghold and the birthplace of walking safaris. Embark on expertly guided bush walks and game drives, spend a night under the stars in a secluded sleepout, and refine your photographic skills in one of Africa’s finest hides. An authentic safari experience that reconnects you with the wild at its most raw and real.
Your safari helped support the Mouse-Free Marion project.
Thanks to your safari booking with us, you have made a real difference. We’ve just donated a portion of our safari earnings to Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion Project. Africa Geographic has sponsored 19 hectares of the island via the “Sponsor a Hectare” initiative. Marion Island is approximately 30,000 hectares in size, and through this crowdfunding initiative, the project aims to raise R30 million, a part of the total funds needed to implement the eradication operation. With every hectare requiring a donation of R1,000, our sponsorship helps inch them closer to this vital target.
Saving this habitat is a conservation imperative. Marion Island is a globally important breeding site, home to millions of seabirds, including one-third of the world’s wandering albatrosses, as well as species found nowhere else on Earth. Tragically, stowaway mice accidentally introduced to Marion Island in the 19th century have impoverished the island’s habitats and are now literally eating seabird chicks and adults alive. Without intervention to remove the mice, many of these precious species are expected to become locally extinct.
A portion of every AG safari booking goes directly to vital conservation projects like these.
A rare glimpse into one of Africa’s most elusive mammals. Eye of the Pangolin follows two determined filmmakers on a continent-spanning quest to capture all four African pangolin species on film. From arid savannahs to dense jungles, their journey reveals the quiet magic of these remarkable creatures, and the urgent fight to save them from extinction. (45:00) Click here to watch
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is open for submissions. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 16 February 2026 to midnight on 7 May 2026. Judging will take place from February to June, and the winners will be announced in June.
Here are the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week
A new camera-trap project in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve has revealed how a little-seen part of the ecosystem functions, to the benefit of conservation.
The Maasai Mara is widely understood as an open savannah ecosystem. This perception is shaped by tourism, which concentrates on daytime wildlife viewing across grassland plains. However, ecosystems are not uniform. Within the Mara are pockets of dense forest, riverine habitat and secluded valleys that are rarely observed directly. This project provides evidence that these hidden habitats are not peripheral – they are actively used by a wide range of species, including endangered black rhinos.
The project was conducted by wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas in collaboration with the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s Rhino Unit, Narok County Government and The Safari Collection’s Footprint Trust. The work focused on a forested river crossing used by wildlife moving through dense vegetation.
* All photographs are by Will Burrard-Lucas, captured using his Camtraptions camera trap systems. For the full photographic narrative behind the project, see the original blog post here.
A buffalo moves through the river crossing recorded by camera traps, part of a multi-species corridor linking feeding and shelter areas in dense vegetation
Camera traps as a monitoring tool in Maasai Mara
Camera traps are remote, motion-activated cameras used to record wildlife without the need for human presence. They are particularly useful for monitoring elusive or nocturnal species, which are difficult to observe through conventional field patrols.
In this study, a camera was mounted above a river crossing, with a passive infrared sensor detecting animal movement. Multiple flashes were used to illuminate the scene at night while retaining environmental detail. This setup allowed continuous monitoring over several months. Rangers checked the system periodically to replace batteries and memory cards.
The value of this method lies in its ability to collect consistent, unbiased data. Unlike direct observation, camera traps do not depend on visibility conditions or human presence. This makes them particularly effective in dense vegetation where animals are easily missed.
Eland pass cautiously through the crossing, one of several species documented using this hidden route within the Maasai Mara’s forested habitats
Understanding rhino movement and population status
Black rhinos are critically endangered and require intensive monitoring. In the Maasai Mara, individuals are identified through ear-notching – a method where small, unique patterns are cut into the ears – and some are fitted with GPS tracking devices.
These tools generate data on individual identity and movement patterns. However, gaps remain when animals move through areas that are difficult to access or observe. The camera trap addressed this gap. Instead of repeatedly recording a single individual, it captured multiple rhinos using the same corridor. This indicates that the river crossing functions as a movement route between feeding areas.
Importantly, several individuals recorded had not been seen for extended periods. One rhino last observed in 2023 was confirmed alive through the images. This type of confirmation is critical in population monitoring. Conservation decisions rely on accurate estimates of how many animals exist and where they move. Camera-trap data strengthens these estimates by filling in observational gaps.
According to the Rhino Unit, sightings increased by 30 percent in 2025, with 27 unique individuals recorded.
A black rhino crosses the river corridor, one of several individuals recorded and used to confirm population presence after long absences from ranger sightings
Wildlife corridors and ecosystem function in Maasai Mara
A wildlife corridor is a route that animals use to move between habitats. These pathways are essential for accessing food, water and breeding areas. In fragmented or complex landscapes, corridors allow populations to remain connected.
The river crossing documented in this project functions as such a corridor. It is used not only by rhinos but by a range of species, including elephants, hippos, bushbuck, giraffe and leopard.
A tower of giraffes descends the riverbank, captured by remote cameras that reveal how even tall, visible species use concealed pathways
This diversity indicates that the corridor plays a broader ecological role. It supports movement across habitat types – from open plains to forested areas – and allows species to use different resources within the ecosystem. One of the most significant findings was the presence of a greater kudu. This species had not been recorded in the area for many years.
The confirmation of kudu presence has implications for management decisions. Reintroduction of the species had previously been considered. The new evidence suggests that a natural population persists, reducing the need for intervention.
A greater kudu crosses the river at night, the first recorded sighting in this area for many years and evidence that the species persists naturally
The role of hidden habitats in Maasai Mara
Riverine forests and dense vegetation zones often receive less attention than open savannahs. However, they provide important ecological functions.
These habitats offer shelter, shade and access to water. They also support species that avoid open areas, particularly during the day. In this case, the forested crossing enabled animals to move with reduced exposure. The project also documented nocturnal activity – a largely unobserved aspect of the Mara. Night-time movement is significant because many species adjust their behaviour to avoid heat, predators or human disturbance.
Camera traps provide one of the few ways to study this behaviour in detail.
An elephant calf follows its mother across the river, illustrating how family groups rely on sheltered corridors for safe movement through the landscape
Environmental change and risk
One image captured a rhino crossing the river during a flash flood. This event reflects a broader environmental trend in the Mara. Flash flooding has become more frequent, partly due to deforestation in upstream areas. With less vegetation to absorb rainfall, water runs off more quickly, causing rivers to rise rapidly.
This has implications for wildlife. Increased flooding can alter movement routes, damage habitat and create additional stress for animals already under pressure.
A black rhino crosses the river during a flash flood
The conservation picture
This project demonstrates how combining technology with field knowledge improves conservation outcomes. Rangers contributed detailed understanding of rhino behaviour and landscape use, while camera traps provided continuous, independent data. The integration of tools such as GPS tagging, EarthRanger tracking and camera traps allows for a more complete picture of how animals use the landscape.
This approach supports better decision-making. It helps identify key habitats, monitor population trends and detect changes that may require intervention. It also highlights that well-known ecosystems still contain poorly understood components. The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most studied reserves, yet this project reveals how much remains hidden.
Lions move through the crossing, demonstrating predator use of the same corridors as prey species
A documented but largely unseen Mara
The images from this work show a different aspect of the Mara – one defined by dense vegetation, nocturnal movement and concealed wildlife activity. They are also a practical demonstration of how visual documentation can contribute to scientific understanding.
By confirming the presence of missing individuals, identifying active corridors and recording rare species, the project provides data that directly supports conservation management. This is the significance of the study. It shifts attention from what is visible to what is essential – the processes and habitats that sustain wildlife populations beyond the view of most observers.
A herd of wildebeest crosses a forested river corridor rarely seen by visitors, highlighting how even common species use concealed movement routes
This interesting introduction to Kenya’s Maasai Mara will have you contacting Africa Geographic to book your next African safari. Read more about Maasai Mara here
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
Two weeks to go, and our 2026 Photographer of the Year has been a corker!
The quality of photos submitted this year for our annual celebration of Africa’s exuberant diversity has been through the roof! From gobsmacking avian jewels to great apes posing in dappled forest light and predators waging war, the entries have blown us away.
Entries close at midnight on 7 May, so get those photos in to stand a chance of being amongst our winners and joining me in Rwanda’s stunning Nyungwe National Park for chimp-trekking and an immersion into the abundance of life in this, Africa’s largest tract of protected high-altitude montane rainforest.
We will also search for 12 other primate species, including a mega-troop of over 400 Rwenzori pied colobus monkeys, and over 345 bird species, including 29 Albertine Rift endemics. We will teeter across the extraordinary elevated Canopy Walkway to gasp at the incredible views into the forest, and the really brave will chance the 2km zipline over the tops of the trees.
We will also learn about what makes this African Parks jewel one of the world’s greatest conservation success stories. All of this from our base at the new Munazi Lodge, the only available accommodation inside the national park.
Chimpanzees are our closest, most relatable relatives. A new long-term study from Uganda reveals just how complex – and volatile – their societies can be. Researchers in Kibale National Park documented a rare community split that escalated into sustained, coordinated violence, with former allies turning on one another in deadly raids over several years – a civil war of sorts.
The findings suggest that shifting social relationships alone can fracture even the strongest groups, offering rare insight into how conflict emerges in tightly bonded societies.
This week, we explore everything you need to know about chimpanzees, from behaviour and habitat to where to see them on safari. We also tackle the question of how safe it is to travel in Africa, and showcase our Week 9 Photographer of the Year gallery, packed with unforgettable moments from the continent.
Did you know? Your African safari choice makes a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR African safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
INCREDIBLE PICS
Here is Gallery 1 of Photographer of the Year Week 9 – the top pics as chosen by our judges! Enter & win a chimp-trekking safari
MORE EPIC PICS
Here is Gallery 2 of our best pics for this week! There are only two weeks left to enter Photographer of the Year 2026. Don’t miss out
THE CHIMPANZEE
Everything you need to know about chimpanzees: habitat, behaviour, threats, and how to see them on an African safari
Why an African safari is one of the safest holidays you can choose? Discover low-risk, expert-led adventures in remote wilderness
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Ultimate chimpanzee trekking safari – 8 days
Journey deep into Uganda’s forests to meet our closest wild relatives on this immersive chimpanzee safari, from the lush canopies of Kibale National Park to the dramatic Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Track chimps, search for tree-climbing lions and connect with conservation and community along the way, all in the shadow of the Mountains of the Moon.
Okavango Delta and Vilanculos bush & beach safari – 12 days
An epic pairing of authentic bush camp and seaside luxury. This bush-and-beach escape begins in the Okavango Delta with game drives and mokoro excursions, led by expert Bushman guides in a predator-rich wilderness. Then, you’ll ease into barefoot bliss in Vilanculos, with white-sand beaches, warm ocean swims, and sunset dhow sails.
AG safari guests and best friends Debbie, Judy and Diane from the USA went on a special celebratory safari to South Africa, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls:
“Grace in the wild. Africa Geographic was amazing to work with. They tailored a trip specifically for us based on our wants and needs. They take the time to listen to you and understand what you are looking for from this sometimes once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are professional, courteous, friendly and with you every step of the way. Their job does not end until you are home. If I could give them more than 5 stars I would!”
A conservation triumph with a complicated future. Mountain gorillas have surpassed 1,000 individuals, a milestone once thought impossible. But success has brought a new dilemma: more gorillas, the same limited habitat, and rising tension within an already crowded forest. This powerful documentary follows scientists, rangers and local communities in Rwanda as they confront the next chapter in gorilla conservation, where every solution carries a cost. (52:00) Click here to watch
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is open for submissions. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 16 February 2026 to midnight on 7 May 2026. Judging will take place from February to June, and the winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 2 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other gallery, follow the link: Gallery 1
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is open for submissions. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 16 February 2026 to midnight on 7 May 2026. Judging will take place from February to June, and the winners will be announced in June.
Here is Gallery 1 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other gallery, follow the link: Gallery 2
A family safari in Africa is an excellent choice for a holiday – whether you’re travelling with children or bringing together several generations of your family.
Family safaris work best when destinations match the ages, health needs, and energy levels of your group.
Malaria-free reserves offer easy logistics and reliable wildlife for young children.
Private reserves and conservancies provide flexibility, exclusivity, and family-focused accommodation.
River and activity-led destinations suit teenagers who need variety beyond game drives.
Iconic parks like the Serengeti and Greater Kruger reward families seeking classic, high-impact wildlife experiences.
Safaris are uniquely suited to multi-generational family holidays, bringing everyone together through shared wildlife encounters and unhurried time in nature that becomes a lasting set of collective memories. Family safaris succeed when logistics are simple, wildlife viewing is rewarding, and experiences can be shaped around different ages and energy levels. Africa offers several destinations that meet these requirements, from malaria-free reserves ideal for young children to private conservancies and river systems better suited to teenagers and multi-generational groups. This guide focuses on destinations that consistently work well for families, based on practical considerations and long-standing Africa Geographic travel experience.
Family sundowners in Laikipia
Choosing the right family safari destination
The best family safari destination depends on children’s ages, family size, and travel goals. Malaria-free reserves and private villas suit young children and multi-generational groups. Private conservancies and river systems work better for older children and teenagers. With careful planning, Africa offers family safari experiences that are safe, engaging, and genuinely shared across generations.
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa
Best for young children and multi-generational groups
The Waterberg Biosphere lies within easy reach of Johannesburg and is entirely malaria-free. Its rugged landscapes support good wildlife diversity, including Big Five species in private reserves such as Marataba.
Rhino watching underneath the Kransberg mountains of the Waterberg
Marataba is a private concession inside the greater Marakele National Park. The broader Waterberg region is recognised for conservation success, including important rhino populations. Activities centre on guided game drives and time spent exploring a rugged, scenic reserve well suited to shorter stays and family travel.
For families, the appeal lies in short transfer times, flexible game drives, and well-designed family accommodation. Private villas and family units allow different generations to travel together while maintaining space and privacy. Activities often include child-focused nature walks, junior ranger programmes, and flexible schedules that suit younger attention spans. This is a strong choice for first-time safari families and celebratory gatherings.
Family bush dinner under the stars
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Best for young children and multi-generational safaris
Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s most reliable family safari destinations. Located close to the Botswana border, this malaria-free reserve is widely valued for excellent Big Five sightings as well as wild dogs, cheetahs and brown hyenas, making it particularly rewarding for first-time safari travellers. Activities focus on game drives with strong guiding and reliable viewing conditions.
Many lodges here are designed with families in mind, offering family suites, private vehicles, and guides experienced in hosting children. Shorter game drives and flexible mealtimes make it easier to accommodate mixed-age groups. Madikwe is particularly well-suited to grandparents travelling with grandchildren, where safety, comfort, and predictable wildlife viewing are priorities. This is a strong option for multi-generational safaris, with accommodation and guiding that can adapt to different ages and interests in one group.
Madikwe focuses on game drives with strong guiding and reliable viewing conditions
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa
Best for families with older children and curious learners
The Kalahari is a vast semi-arid region of dunes, open savannah and desert-adapted ecosystems that stretches across parts of southern Africa. It offers a different safari context to high-density Big Five reserves, with an emphasis on space, survival strategies, and wildlife that has evolved to thrive in dry conditions.
Tswalu Kalahari, in South Africa’s Northern Cape, is a private reserve that provides access to this landscape in a refined, low-impact way. Wildlife viewing here is shaped by the open terrain and clear visibility, with activities focused on game drives and guided exploration that reward curiosity, observation, and time spent understanding the environment.
Tswalu works best for families with older children who are interested in ecology and animal behaviour. Predator sightings can be excellent, and the focus often shifts to understanding adaptation and survival in extreme environments. The Kalahari suits families looking for space, quiet, and learning rather than constant game-drive intensity.
Aardvark spotting in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
Best for multi-generational celebrations and families with teenagers
Victoria Falls is a UNESCO-listed destination where the Zambezi River plunges into a dramatic gorge, creating one of Africa’s most famous natural landmarks. Victoria Falls adds a non-safari dimension to a family trip. The falls themselves are a major draw, and a range of activities appeal across age groups. It is known for guided falls tours, scenic flights such as the “Flight of Angels,” and river-based experiences including sunset cruises on the Zambezi. It also pairs well with nearby wildlife viewing, including waterhole sightings from certain safari-style hotels and lodges.
For multi-generational families, it works well as a shared experience anchored by visits to the falls, river cruises, and cultural tours. Families with teenagers benefit from the optional adventure activities available nearby, while younger children can still enjoy the spectacle and accessible excursions. Victoria Falls is best paired with a safari extension rather than treated as a standalone wildlife destination.
Victoria Falls as seen from Zambia
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Best for first-time safari families and multi-generational groups
Hwange is the ideal destination for first-time safari-goers
Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, set on the fringes of the Kalahari in the country’s northwest. It is famous for massive elephant and buffalo herds, large male lions, and one of Africa’s largest wild dog populations, with frequent sightings around pumped waterholes in the dry season. Activities are typically focused on game drives. The terrain is relatively flat, and game viewing often centres around waterholes, creating consistent sightings without long drives.
Camps here have a strong guiding culture and are accustomed to hosting families. The pace is relaxed, making it suitable for younger children, while wildlife density keeps all ages engaged. Hwange is a good option for those seeking a classic family safari experience without logistical complexity. With a balance of reliable viewing and flexible daily structure, it is well-suited to milestone trips where several generations want to travel as one.
Game viewing in Hwange often centres around waterholes
Greater Kruger, South Africa
Best for all ages, including multi-generational groups
Guided walk in Thornybush, Greater Kruger
The private reserves adjoining Kruger National Park, such as Sabi Sands, MalaMala, Timbavati, Klaserie and Thornybush, forming part of the Greater Kruger, offer some of the most reliable wildlife viewing in Africa. Responsible off-road driving in the private reserves and low vehicle density create close encounters with Big Five species. Activities centre on game drives in high-quality habitats with consistently strong predator sightings.
For families, private villas and exclusive-use lodges are key. These allow full control over daily schedules, private guides, and activities tailored to the group’s needs. This is one of the most versatile destinations for families spanning multiple generations, offering shared wildlife experiences while still allowing space and comfort for older travellers.
Kruger’s private reserves, such as MalaMala, offer private guides, and activities tailored to group needs
Cape Town, South Africa
Best for multi-generational celebrations and families with young children
Cape Town is a rare family destination that combines a major city break with easy access to nature – framed by Table Mountain, washed by two oceans, and surrounded by pristine wilderness. It works well for families because it offers flexible days that can mix beaches, mountains, culture, food, and wildlife without long transfers.
Idyllic Camps Bay beach in Cape Town
For a family safari itinerary, Cape Town is most effective as the start or finish of a broader trip, paired with nearby Big Five reserves and the Cape Winelands. Highlights for mixed ages include the Table Mountain cable car, the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point, penguins at Boulders Beach, the V&A Waterfront and Two Oceans Aquarium, and time in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch for vineyards and restaurants. It is also a practical choice for families because it can be combined with malaria-free wildlife reserves and tailored with private guides, private vehicles, and accommodation ranging from boutique hotels to private villas and five-star luxury safari lodges.
Views over Cape Town’s picturesque coast
Laikipia Plateau, Kenya
Best for multi-generational safaris and families with older children
Laikipia is a diverse conservation region made up of wildlife conservancies, ranchlands and community areas bridging Kenya’s savannah and the country’s arid north. It is known for combining wildlife viewing with a wide range of activities. This variety makes it one of Kenya’s most flexible and family-friendly safari regions. Wildlife is diverse, and conservation models here emphasise community involvement and low-impact tourism.
Guided bushwalk in Loisaba, Laikipia
Families benefit from flexibility. Horse riding, camel rides, tracking on foot, and cultural interaction keep older children and teenagers engaged. Accommodation often includes private houses ideal for extended families. Laikipia suits families who want participation and learning alongside wildlife viewing.
Horseback riding in Loisaba, Laikipia
Maasai Mara conservancies, Kenya
Best for families with children of mixed ages
There are various private conservancies that form part of the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, such as Naboisho and Mara North Conservancies, that offer high-quality wildlife viewing with more controlled vehicle numbers than the main reserve.
On foot in Mara North Conservancy
Think similar wildlife experiences to what awaits in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with fewer vehicles and greater flexibility. The area around Naboisho and Mara North are best known for strong predator sightings and the chance to experience the Mara in a quieter, more exclusive setting. Activities often include game drives and, depending on the conservancy rules, added experiences. Night drives and walking safaris are permitted, and guiding standards are high.
For families, this means shorter, more engaging activities and guides skilled at working with children. The conservancies are well-suited to families wanting the Mara ecosystem without the crowds, and they work well for both school-age children and teenagers.
Mara’s conservancies offer shorter, engaging activities, and guides skilled at working with children
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Best for families with teenagers
Lower Zambezi lies on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, forming part of a vast cross-border ecosystem. The park ranges from escarpment terrain down to fertile alluvial plains and riverine woodland, where much of the wildlife is concentrated.
Lower Zambezi combines land and river-based safari experiences. Canoeing, boating, and walking safaris create a varied programme that appeals to active older teenagers and young adults.
This destination requires confidence with water-based activities and typically suits families with teenagers rather than very young children. It works particularly well for families seeking shared adventure and hands-on exploration in a less structured safari environment.
Lower Zambezi offers epic game drives
Samara Karoo Reserve, South Africa
Best for young children and educational family trips
Samara is a private reserve in South Africa’s semi-arid Karoo, offering a contrasting safari environment to the savannah reserves of the north and east. It is known for wide, open landscapes and conservation-led wildlife experiences. Wildlife viewing in this malaria-free family safari destination includes large mammals and reintroduced predators, set within dramatic landscapes.
Families benefit from walking safaris, tracking, and a clear conservation narrative that is accessible to children. Samara suits families interested in understanding rewilding and long-term ecological restoration rather than high-density game viewing.
Samara also suits multi-generational travel particularly well, with enough variety and flexibility to keep different ages engaged without compromising comfort.
Samara specialises in family-friendly activities
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Best for young children and multi-generational families
Kwandwe is a private reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, straddling the Great Fish River. It is known for high biodiversity and dramatic topography, and for its long-term rehabilitation from farmland to restored wildlands. Activities focus on game drives and conservation-oriented safari experiences in a malaria-free region.
An interpretive walk with the kids in Kwandwe
Kwandwe is well known for its family-friendly approach. Flexible activities, private vehicles, and child-focused programmes make it easy to tailor safaris around young guests.
The reserve combines good wildlife viewing with strong conservation and community projects, offering educational value alongside comfort. For families travelling with grandparents, parents, and children together, it offers an easy pace and shared experiences that work across generations.
Game viewing on foot in Kwandwe
Savute – Chobe National Park, Botswana
Best for families with older children
Savute forms part of the broader Chobe region in northeastern Botswana, an area known for some of Africa’s strongest wildlife encounters. Chobe incorporates multiple safari areas including Savute and the Chobe Riverfront, supporting a wide range of habitats and wildlife density.
Savute is a more remote and intense safari destination, known for predator interactions and dramatic landscapes. It is best suited to families with older children who can handle longer drives and more rugged conditions. For these families, Savute offers a powerful wildlife experience and a sense of immersion that rewards patience and attention. The combination of strong wildlife viewing and well-supported lodge infrastructure makes this a reliable choice for larger family celebrations.
Savute is known for dramatic predator interactions
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Best for families with school-age children
Amboseli is one of Kenya’s best-known national parks, celebrated for its large elephant herds and open, accessible wildlife viewing. The park’s landscapes range across open plains and seasonal wetlands, supporting a high concentration of large mammals. Activities are primarily game drives, with wildlife often easy to see thanks to open terrain, which is ideal for younger safari-goers.
Amboseli is famous for its epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro vand its well-protected tusker elephants. Cultural interactions with local Maasai communities add an educational dimension. Amboseli works well as part of a broader Kenyan itinerary and suits families seeking clear wildlife viewing with manageable logistics.
Mount Kilimanjaro towers over the elephant legends of Amboseli
Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Best for families with curious older children
Samburu lies in Kenya’s arid north and offers a safari defined by dry landscapes, riverine habitats, and species adapted to harsher conditions. It is famous for wildlife diversity and for sightings that differ from Kenya’s more southerly parks. Activities focus on game drives, often with a strong emphasis on learning about adaptation and ecology.
Samburu’s arid landscapes support species not found in southern Kenya, including the Samburu Special Five (gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and beisa oryx).
For families, this offers a learning-driven safari focused on adaptation and diversity. Lodges here often cater well to families and groups, and the reserve suits children interested in understanding how wildlife survives in harsher environments.
Soaking up the magical arid landscape of Samburu
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Best for multi-generational celebrations and families with older children
The Serengeti is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife regions, dominated by wide grassland plains and huge seasonal movements of grazing animals. It is best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration and high predator density, particularly big cats drawn to large herds. Activities are typically focused on game drives, with camps positioned to access key wildlife areas through the year. It offers the kind of scale and abundance that keeps multi-generational groups engaged, especially when a family trip is built around a major shared safari experience.
For families, the Serengeti works particularly well when planned with comfortable, family-friendly camps and a paced itinerary that allows for downtime between game drives. It also suits older children who will appreciate the intensity of big cat sightings and the movement of large herds, especially during peak migration periods.
Big cat sightings are a prominent highlight of Serengeti safaris
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Best for multi-generational safaris and families with school-age children
Ngorongoro Crater is a vast volcanic caldera with a concentrated wildlife system on its crater floor, based on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. It is famous for high-density game viewing within a compact area, including regular Big Five sightings. Game drives are the main activity, with the crater offering a structured safari experience ideal for travellers wanting strong viewing in a short time.
Learning to read the bush news with Maasai tribesmen
With Big Five sightings and some of Africa’s highest lion densities, it delivers rewarding wildlife viewing without the need for long, tiring days in the vehicle.
For families, this concentrated format is practical. It suits mixed-age groups who want reliable game viewing within a structured, manageable schedule, making it a strong choice for multi-generational travel. Ngorongoro also pairs naturally with the Serengeti, helping families combine sweeping landscapes with focused wildlife experiences in one itinerary.
The lush crater floor of Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro is a strong choice when travelling with a diverse family group of varying ages
The Spice Islands – Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia (Tanzania)
Best for multi-generational celebrations and families with young children
The Spice Islands – Zanzibar (Unguja), Pemba, Mafia and a host of smaller associated islands serve as beach retreats and watersports havens for all budgets and privacy expectations. Only a short distance from the Tanzanian coast, Zanzibar sits at the crossroads of historic trade routes between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, giving it a distinct cultural identity alongside its island appeal.
Zanzibar is best known for its gorgeous beaches, spice tours, local cuisine, and Stone Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobbled streets, back-street markets, and Swahili trading-port architecture built from coralline ragstone and mangrove timber. Beyond the capital, families can slow the pace on palm-fringed beaches, explore rocky shores and private jetties, and visit the mangrove forests of Jozani Forest Reserve. Across the broader island group, Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia are also recognised for some of East Africa’s finest beaches and several of its best dive sites, making them an ideal post-safari extension for families who want rest, swimming, and shared time together.
White sandy beaches of Zanzibar
Final thoughts on your family safari
A family safari is at its best when the destination matches the people travelling – the ages of the children, the comfort needs of older relatives, and the pace that allows everyone to enjoy the experience. Malaria-free reserves and private lodges in South Africa make early family safaris easy and rewarding, while Kenya, Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania offer deeper wilderness, richer variety, and more adventurous activities for older children and multi-generational celebrations. With thoughtful planning and the right camp, a safari becomes more than a holiday – it becomes shared time in nature, shaped by unforgettable sightings and memories that stay with a family long after the journey ends.
A rustle in the forest canopy, a distant pant-hoot, and suddenly you are no longer just an observer, you are in their world. Chimpanzees, our closest wild relatives, live lives that mirror our own in uncanny and often unsettling ways: forming alliances, showing tenderness, erupting into conflict, and expressing emotions that feel deeply familiar.
To encounter chimpanzees in the wild is to glimpse the raw threads of our shared ancestry, played out in the dense forests of Africa, where survival is increasingly uncertain, and every meeting feels both a privilege and a reckoning.
A chimpanzee vocalising in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Chimpanzee basics
Chimpanzees live in western and central African primary and secondary woodlands and forests, farmland and fallow oil palm plantations. They are among the smallest of the great apes and, alongside bonobos, our closest living relatives, sharing approximately 98–99% of our DNA.
They live in troops averaging 35 members (the largest known troop has 150 members). Home ranges vary – one of the smallest is 6km² at Budongo in Uganda, and one of the largest is 72km² at Semliki, also in Uganda.
Like humans, chimpanzees are omnivorous. They are opportunistic feeders, with fruit forming half of the diet, supplemented by leaves, stems, seeds, flowers, bark, pith, honey, mushrooms, resin, eggs, and animal prey such as insects and medium-sized mammals. They are the most carnivorous of the great apes (other than humans) and are known to form hunting parties to track down and catch species such as colobus monkeys.
Chimpanzees are proficient tool users, using sticks to extract bees, ants and termites from their nests, and stone and wooden hammers to crack nuts. They are also known to hammer tree buttress roots with sticks and their feet to communicate with other chimps.
Chimpanzees reach puberty at 7–8 years of age. Females have a reproductive cycle of approximately 35 days and typically begin reproducing between 10 and 15 years of age, depending on environmental conditions. Chimpanzees reproduce year-round and have a gestation period of 230 days. Twins are occasionally born, but the norm is a single infant, and weaning is at 4–5 years of age.
A female may give birth to several infants over her lifetime, typically at intervals of 4–6 years, and remains reproductive into her late forties. Infant survival varies significantly by region and threat level, with mortality often linked to disease, predation, and human pressures. In some populations, fewer than half of infants survive to adulthood. Chimpanzees can live into their 40s in the wild and over 50 years in captivity. Generation time is estimated to be 25 years.
A vocal chimp in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Taxonomy
There are two species in the genus Pan: the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and the bonobo or pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus).
There are four subspecies of common chimpanzee, namely the Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus); the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (P. t. ellioti); the Central chimpanzee (P. t. troglodytes); and the Eastern chimpanzee (P. t. schweinfurthii). Chimpanzee taxonomy and genetics are ongoing fields of study.
A chimpanzee munches on wild figs in Nyungwe National Park
Conservation status and populations
Chimpanzees are legally protected across their range under national laws and international agreements such as CITES, although enforcement is often inconsistent. It is, therefore, illegal to kill, capture or trade in live chimpanzees or their body parts. This legal standing, however, does not prevent the killing of chimpanzees throughout their ranges.
The common chimpanzee is the most abundant and widespread of the great apes (estimated population of approximately 170,000 to 300,000 individuals) and yet is classified as ‘Endangered’ on IUCN’s Red List because of high levels of poaching, infectious diseases, habitat loss, and deterioration of habitat quality. There has been a significant population decline in recent decades, and it is expected to continue for the next 30-40 years.
The estimated population reduction over three generations (75 years) from 1975 to 2050 is suspected to exceed 50%. Major risk factors include the ongoing rapid growth of human populations, poaching for bushmeat and the commercial bushmeat trade, diseases that are transferable from humans to animals (such as Ebola), the extraction industries and industrial agriculture, corruption and lack of law enforcement, lack of capacity and resources, and political instability in some range states.
“Population estimates vary widely and remain uncertain due to the difficulty of surveying dense forest habitats, but all subspecies are experiencing declines. The Western chimpanzee is now classified as Critically Endangered, while the others remain Endangered.
Chimpanzees live in troops averaging 35 members
The bonobo is restricted to the lowland forests of the DR Congo and has a population estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 individuals, although only 30% of its historic range has been surveyed. Bonobos are classified as ‘Endangered’ on IUCN’s Red List because of high levels of poaching, loss of habitat, deterioration of habitat quality and diseases that are transferable from humans to animals (such as Ebola).
In some areas, local taboos against eating bonobo meat still exist, but in others, these traditions are disintegrating due to changing cultural values and population movements. There has been a significant population decline over the past 15-20 years, and it is expected to continue for the next 60 years.
Bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Major threats to chimpanzees
POACHING
Poaching is the greatest threat to chimpanzees, with some local populations having been extirpated due to sustained hunting pressure. Increases in human populations, easy availability of guns and ammunition, transport system efficiency, and financial incentives for supplying urban markets with bushmeat have resulted in swathes of land in the forest zone of Africa being cleared of wildlife.
Chimpanzees are generally hunted opportunistically with snares and guns but are sometimes targeted because they provide more meat than smaller mammals, such as duikers, and are poisoned because they threaten local crops. Poaching is especially intense near mining sites and logging camps, where bushmeat is usually the primary source of protein available. The explosion of these extractive industries has introduced a network of roads into what were once vast, roadless forest blocks. Truck drivers provide transport logistics to what has become a lucrative bushmeat industry.
Baby chimpanzees are sometimes trafficked as pets when their parents are killed for bushmeat.
HABITAT LOSS AND DEGRADATION
Subsistence/slash-and-burn agriculture
The conversion of forest to farmland across Africa has severely reduced the availability of chimpanzee habitat. Parts of West Africa had lost up to 80% of their original forest cover by the early 2000s. Extensive subsistence farming in the Albertine Rift area (eastern DR Congo, western Rwanda and western Uganda) has destroyed much of the sub-montane forest used by chimpanzees. Central Africa is experiencing lower forest cover loss.
Logging, mining and oil
Timber concessions result in the removal of important food trees and subsequent habitat degradation. The disturbance factor due to logging activities is also high. Mining and drilling for oil devastate wildlife habitat and lead to large-scale human settlement and the building of roads, railways and other infrastructure.
The Thinker – a chimpanzee in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Industrial agriculture
Expansion of industrial agriculture, including oil palm, continues to threaten chimpanzee habitat across parts of West and Central Africa
Major transportation infrastructure
Massive road projects, sometimes several kilometres wide, fragment chimpanzee habitat and enable human settlement in previously wilderness areas.
All of the above extraction industries result in habitat fragmentation due to the building of roads and introduce infrastructure and channels for the trade in wildlife products. They also cause human migration and introduce diseases to chimpanzees.
DISEASE
Infectious diseases that are zoonotic (transferable between humans and animals), especially Ebola, are a significant cause of great ape die-offs. Ebola outbreaks can spread rapidly through both human and great ape populations. Humans are more mobile than apes, crossing large rivers and other barriers that apes do not, and they can carry the disease with them.
Because chimpanzees and humans are so similar, chimpanzees are susceptible to many of the diseases that afflict humans. Infectious diseases, including outbreaks of respiratory disease and anthrax, are the leading cause of death in several chimpanzee populations that have been habituated to human presence.
There is something profoundly humbling about locking eyes with a chimpanzee in the wild. Their expressions, social bonds and sheer presence blur the line between human and animal in a way few wildlife encounters can.
There are several places in Africa to trek for chimpanzees, from the accessible highland forests of Kibale National Park or in Budongo Forest, both in Uganda, to Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park, where the sheer biodiversity on offer will leave you speechless, to the remote forests of Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania, where the chimps often venture onto the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Each option has its own appeal and additional activities. Trekking for chimps is best woven into a more extensive itinerary, due to the distances and logistics involved.
Unlike traditional game drives, chimpanzee trekking is an active, immersive forest experience. Guided by expert trackers, you follow fresh vocalisations, footprints and feeding signs through dense forest until you locate a habituated troop. The encounter is often dynamic – chimps move, feed, groom, argue and play – offering a raw, unscripted wildlife experience that unfolds at close range.
Treks can range from 1 to 4 hours (sometimes longer), depending on chimp movements. Terrain varies from gentle forest paths to steep, humid slopes. A reasonable level of fitness is required, but the reward is one of Africa’s most intimate wildlife encounters.
Responsible chimpanzee trekking directly supports conservation through park fees, community employment, and habitat protection. Choosing ethical operators ensures your presence contributes to the survival of these endangered apes.
Chimp trekking in the forest
Encountering chimpanzees in the wild
Read our CEO Simon Espley’s account of encountering chimpanzees in the wild, for a taste of what this incredible experience can be like:
“The alpha male chimp was sitting in the forest path ahead, staring into the distance in a melancholy way as if contemplating life’s challenges, chin resting on balled fist. My party and I were waiting it out, aware that it was us who were intruding on his territory and home. He knew we were waiting because every few minutes he would glance our way disdainfully. The rest of the troop were spread about us, a fair distance away in the forest understorey, quietly relaxing and socialising. Life was good. For now.
He then gave a heaving sigh and swaggered towards us, gangster-like. Being first in the path, I stepped aside and into the thick forest understorey, holding my breath as 50kg of muscle and sinew brushed past me. And then all hell broke loose.
With no warning or apparent reasoning, he went charging off into the forest, screaming hysterically and attacking other troop members. Chaos ensued as the entire troop erupted into a sudden burst of raw, chaotic violence. Smaller chimps were flung about by their limbs, and larger members charged about like drunkards in a barroom brawl, pant-hooting and screaming at full volume. Thirty seconds later, it was all over, as the cacophony subsided into whimpers and then silence. No harm done then. My group and I were wallpaper to the drama, wary observers, ignored.
This naked savagery was in sharp contrast to what we had witnessed the previous day. A mother was nursing a tiny infant, and this same large male approached her and tried to touch the baby. The mother slapped his hand and gave him a look that would instantly freeze boiling water. He cringed, adjusted his strategy and tried again – same result. After several attempts, she permitted a few seconds of gentle (for him) patting before nudging him aside and ambling off with her baby. The big male seemed crestfallen, confused even, as he gazed after her.
These encounters took place in Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park, and I was lucky enough to be accompanying a small party of Africa Geographic safari clients. I have encountered chimpanzees in several areas in Africa, and continue to be fascinated by them.”
~ Simon Espley, CEO of Africa Geographic
Daydreaming in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Final word on chimpanzees
Yes, chimpanzees are under severe pressure and facing an uncertain future, mainly because of the antics of that other great ape, Homo sapiens. But there is hope because chimpanzees are a resilient species living in vast swathes of equatorial forest in the heart of Africa.
We close with a quote that reflects chimpanzees in a different light than the above scientific notes:
“In what terms should we think of these beings, nonhuman yet possessing so very many human-like characteristics? How should we treat them? Surely we should treat them with the same consideration and kindness as we show to other humans, and as we recognise human rights, so too should we recognise the rights of the great apes? Yes.” ~ Jane Goodall
The forests of Uganda’s Kibale National Park are an oasis for countless primate species, including chimpanzees, and an array of fauna and flora. Read more about Kibale here
Picture it: you’ve arrived on safari, greeted by a world of possibility (and wildlife) that will shape each day of your stay. The rhythm of safari life is wonderfully fluid. Between game drives, meals, spa treatments, pool time and wildlife wandering past your room, deciding how to spend your hours becomes a rather delightful challenge.
If you’re wondering what a day on safari might look like, and when the best wildlife moments tend to unfold, here’s our guide to help you shape your perfect luxury safari experience.
What would your ideal safari day look like?
Safari mornings
This is hands down the Africa Geographic team’s favourite time of day. Ask any guide, and nine times out of ten, they will tell you that the early morning is when the bush truly shines. If there’s one drive you don’t want to skip, it’s this one.
Safari mornings begin in the soft pre-dawn hush, with steaming coffee and cool air shaking off any lingering sleep. The excitement comes from not knowing what lies ahead. Nocturnal animals are still on the move, leaving fresh tracks (nature’s morning newspaper) while diurnal species begin to stir and take advantage of the pleasant temperatures.
Returning from a night on the prowl
For similar reasons, early morning is also the ideal time for a guided walk. Whether you’re tracking wildlife on foot or scanning the horizon from a vehicle, the colours, scents and sounds are heightened at dawn. And no matter where you are in Africa, sunrise rarely disappoints. It’s a feast for the senses and a perfect time for photography. Just imagine the channels and floodplains of the Okavango Delta coming alive at dawn as elephants, lechwe and herons move through the mist. Or picture a morning on the plains of Serengeti National Park, where predators return from nighttime hunts while great herds drift across grasslands.
Expect: Crisp air, top wildlife activity, beautiful light, fresh tracks, high energy.
Sleep in, and you may miss a magical morning sunrise
Midday on safari
By late morning, most guests return to camp for brunch or lunch, followed by downtime during the heat of the day. In general, midday is not peak wildlife-viewing time; most animals sensibly retreat to shade to rest or ruminate, and the harsh overhead sun makes photography trickier.
There can still be action in the middle of the day
But safari is never predictable. This is the perfect time to visit waterholes, where elephants snorkel, and rhinos wallow in mud baths. And because many guests are back at camp, there’s always the chance of having a special sighting all to yourself. Cheetahs and leopards sometimes hunt at this time, taking advantage of reduced competition from lions and hyenas. Or picture a midday in Greater Kruger, where midday hours can surprise you with elephants gathering at waterholes and leopards resting in the shade of marula trees.
Expect: Slower wildlife activity, excellent waterhole viewing, quiet bush time, relaxed hours at camp.
Elephants gather at the water in MalaMala, Greater Kruger
The best way to spend the afternoon
As the heat begins to ebb, the bush revives. Animals emerge from the shade, birds pick up their chorus, and the golden light returns. Even in winter, early afternoons are warm, but don’t trust anyone who says it never gets cold in Africa: take a jacket for the evening return.
Sunset on safari is a daily performance, with skies painted in reds, oranges and soft pinks. For those hoping to see elusive nocturnal creatures such as aardvarks or pangolins, winter afternoons offer the best chance, as they may begin moving earlier than usual. Destinations such as South Luangwa and Chobe National Parks are famous for fiery sunsets, making afternoon drives especially rewarding.
The perfect way to end a day on the Luangwa River
Expect: Great general game viewing, warm colours, classic sunsets, and increasing animal activity.
At sunset, the wilderness comes alive
Safari under the stars
Evening drives and night drives offer a different experience altogether. Yes, predators are on the move, and nocturnal species begin their nightly routines. But sightings are often fleeting, and your guide’s careful spotlight work must always prioritise ethical viewing, especially near hunts.
Sunset views on an evening drive
Still, night drives reveal safari characters you may otherwise miss: bushbabies leaping through branches, chameleons glowing under torchlight, civets slinking along sandy tracks. And then there’s the soundtrack: roaring lions, whooping hyenas, and a sky filled with stars stretching across the wilderness. Imagine an evening in Hwange National Park, where night brings the sounds of roaring lions and restless elephants filtering through from the riverbanks and teak forests.
Trailing a leopard on a night drive in Greater Kruger
Note that not all national parks permit night drives; choose a private reserve or conservancy if you’d like to include them.
Expect: Mysterious atmosphere, nocturnal wildlife, dramatic night sounds and astronomical moments.
The magic of the bushveld night sky
The FOMO factor
If you’re looking for consistency, the morning game drive is usually the most rewarding safari outing of the day. That said, safari is also a holiday, if you want to skip a drive and indulge in a massage or enjoy elephants drinking at the lodge waterhole, go for it. Just remember that Murphy’s Law is alive and well in the bush… and your fellow guests may return with the inevitable “you’ll never guess what we saw!”
Expect: Unforgettable moments, whether you head out or stay in camp.
Sometimes staying in camp is a great safari option
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
Today’s featured photo by friend and method photographer Jens Cullmann reminds me of an encounter I had with a herd of 1,000+ buffalo in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
Way back, before the mainstream safari industry discovered South Luangwa as the extraordinary destination it is, I was bushwalking with one of the valley’s early-days lodge managers. We were following lion spoor, and of course, the lions were hot on the heels of buffalo. Sure enough, after a while, we heard and smelt the herd, and climbed a termite mound to get a better view.
Judging by the approaching dust cloud and amplified bellows and grunts, the herd was heading our way, and fast. So we perched on the highest point of the termite mound and waited. Within minutes, we were surrounded by a swirling cloud of choking dust and agitated, odorous bovines. We were crouched on a tiny, vulnerable island in a swirling sea of chaos, senses sharpened, adrenaline surging. After what seemed like hours but was probably ten minutes, the massive herd had moved on, avec dust cloud, and we warily descended the termite mound after scanning the area for lions. Were it not for the relative safety of the termite mound, my tree-climbing skills would have been sorely tested that day.
Safari memories like this are my soul food, fueling my passion for Africa’s wild places.
We often think of human impact on wildlife as something visible: fences, roads, shrinking habitats. But some of the most important changes are harder to spot. Elephants and livestock have shared space for generations across Africa’s rangelands. Now, a new study suggests a miniscule threat developing in this setting. As livestock numbers rise, elephants’ gut microbiomes begin to shift, picking up microbes associated with cattle while losing beneficial ones. It’s not visible in behaviour or body condition. But changes in gut bacteria are often early warning signs of stress or declining health.
As livestock increasingly dominate shared landscapes, this research points to a consequence of coexistence. Understanding the full picture of how wildlife lives alongside us is key to protecting the landscapes they depend on.
This week, we take you to wild Ruaha, where ancient baobabs and vast elephant herds define one of Africa’s last true wildernesses; unpack whether the Great Migration is the ideal starting point for your first safari; and showcase our Week 8 Photographer of the Year selections, a thrilling collection of moments you won’t want to miss. There are only THREE WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER and compete for the coveted winner’s title – have you got the winning pic in the bag? Send through your entries so we can decide.
Did you know? Your African safari choice makes a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR African safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
THRILLING PHOTOS
Here are our top pics for Week 8 of Photographer of the Year, as chosen by our judges! Enter & win a chimp-trekking safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
WILD RUAHA
The ancient Ruaha landscape, dominated by baobabs & elephants, is home to a wide variety of wildlife for a perfect wilderness safari
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
Is the Great Migration the right starting point for your first African safari? Here’s our first-timer’s guide
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
South Luangwa, Victoria Falls & Lake Malawi safari – 13 days
Explore the majesty of the mighty Zambezi River and Victoria Falls, and then head into the heart of the raw wilderness of South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – the birthplace of walking safaris and one of Africa’s leopard hotspots. Your last stop is Nankoma Island on Lake Malawi, where you’ll enjoy sun-soaked adventure and ultimate relaxation.
Ethiopia – the Cradle of Humankind – 8 days
This historic tour takes you on a journey to discover churches hewn from rock, World Heritage Sites, castles, ancient tombs, art, and archaeological artefacts. You’ll enjoy historical city sites, boat trips to see monasteries, Ethiopian cuisine and traditional entertainment.
Your safari just helped efforts to save South Africa’s most threatened bird, the Botha’s Lark
Thanks to your safari bookings with Africa Geographic, you have made a real difference. We’ve just donated a portion of our safari earnings to an incredible conservation project: BirdLife South Africa’s Botha’s Lark Project. The Botha’s Lark, South Africa’s most threatened bird, is down to approximately 340 individuals. Found only in a small part of the country’s high-altitude grasslands, there is nowhere else for this bird to live. BirdLife South Africa’s dedicated Grasslands Conservation team is fighting to save this little-known species from extinction (learn more in the video below).
As an NGO, BirdLife South Africa’s conservation work depends on the generosity of organisations such as Africa Geographic to support and advance its important mission.
When you travel with AG, you do more than explore Africa’s wild places – you help protect them. A portion of every AG safari booking goes directly to vital conservation projects like these.
Ready to plan your next life-changing safari? Let us craft your dream journey – and know that your adventure supports the creatures that need it most. Check out some of our safari ideas here.
WATCH
South Africa’s most endangered bird is fighting for survival – and it’s not alone. This video follows the inspiring collaboration between conservationists, farmers and communities working to protect this fragile grassland species before it’s too late. (19:37) Click here to watch
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is open for submissions. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 16 February 2026 to midnight on 7 May 2026. Judging will take place from February to June, and the winners will be announced in June.
Here are the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week
Legend has it that there was once a young baobab, the first of its kind, growing near a small waterhole. The baobab spent many hours admiring its attractive neighbours – the elegant, fanned palms and luscious green fig-trees, verdant sausage trees with their bright profusion of pink flowers and darkly mysterious jackalberry trees. Finally, the day came when the young baobab was tall enough to spy its reflection, and it was horrified by what it saw. Instead of the lean, sophisticated figure it had imagined, it was bulbous and bulging, with wrinkled bark and tiny, nondescript flowers. Offended by this perceived injustice, the young baobab complained and complained to the creator until its perpetual whining reached a fever pitch and the tree found itself ripped from the ground and flung back into the earth, headfirst, far from water, never to see its reflection again. Nowhere else is this more evident than in Ruaha.
Looking at the baobabs scattered across the plains of Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, it is not hard to see why these mysterious “upside-down” trees have inspired countless such legends. The ancient baobabs are just part of Ruaha’s scenic beauty, an untamed wilderness that is perhaps one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.
An elephant family crosses the dry riverbed
Ruaha NP and the larger ecosystem
Ruaha National Park is now over 20,000km² (2 million hectares), thanks to the inclusion of Usangu Game Reserve and important wetland spaces into the park in 2008. The semi-arid park is one of the largest protected areas in East Africa and part of a vital ecosystem in central Tanzania, which includes Muhesi, Kisigo and Rungwa Game Reserves, as well as surrounding Wildlife Management Areas and community regions. The entire Ruaha landscape spans 45,000 km² (4.5 million hectares) and supports one of the most significant lion populations in Africa, as well as one of the largest elephant populations in Tanzania. The unfenced landscape and large numbers of wildlife have resulted in some of the highest levels of human-wildlife conflict in Africa, prompting several organisations to work to mitigate these effects.
An elephant visiting camp
The park is named for the Ruaha River, which flows through an extension of the Great Rift Valley, and, along with a few larger tributaries, it is one of the few permanent water sources in the park. No doubt the existence of this central river system is just one of the reasons why the greater Ruaha ecosystem has a rich and complex history. The first trade routes used by Arab caravans passed through what is now the park, and later, early European explorers followed these paths as well. In the late 19th century, the celebrated Chief Mkwawa of the Hehe people resisted German attacks before eventually fleeing to the rocky outcrops in the park.
Ruaha offers true wilderness
Scenery and seasons of Ruaha
These rocky outcrops are just one aspect of Ruaha’s dramatic scenic variety, which straddles the transition between open East African savannahs and Miombo woodland. The rivers are probably the main attractions, flowing through steep, rocky gorges in sections before lazily stretching out to create wide, sandy beaches fringed by towering palm trees. There are two rainy seasons in Ruaha, similar to the seasons in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, with ‘short rains’ falling during November and December and the much heavier downpours of the ‘long rains’ occurring in March and April. During some years, this distinction is quite blurred, and the rainy season extends from November until April. The dry season runs from June until October, and it is during this period that the rivers become all-important to the wildlife of Ruaha and large herds of elephants, giraffe, buffalo, kudu and impala are drawn to the water, trailing predators in their wake.
Away from the rivers, the Ruaha scenery is no less impressive. The ancient baobab trees are among some of the largest in Africa and are essentially self-contained ecosystems in their own right. Fruit bats are the primary pollinators (though insects also play a role). Their hollows serve as nesting sites for owls, ground hornbills, and other birds, and are home to countless reptiles, insects, and bats. The succulent-like capacity for water storage in the baobab’s bark and its delicious, nutritious fruits make the baobab truly irresistible to elephants. Even these giants of Africa are dwarfed by the massive trees towering over them. Some of these baobabs even have old spikes driven into their bark, serving as ladders for the park’s former human occupants to harvest honey from beehives.
There are plenty of opportunities for game viewing throughout the park
Wildlife abounds in Ruaha
As already mentioned, Ruaha is said to be home to some 10% of the world’s lion population and is listed as one of Tanzania’s Lion Conservation Units, with regular sightings of large lion prides of 20 or more individuals. Leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, and painted wolf (African wild dog) sightings are also frequent, especially when prey species are forced to congregate near water. Lucky visitors might even have a chance to spot the elusive striped hyena. Elephant sightings are a given, and though they tend to be more dispersed during the drier months (probably to avoid over-utilising an area), the rainy season can see combined herds of hundreds of elephants moving together. Ruaha National Park is also one of the few places where greater and lesser kudu occur together.
A healthy and well-fed lion cub leads the chargeProwling the iconic baobabs
Not to be outdone, the birdlife is equally varied, with over 570 species recorded in the park, thanks to the park’s diverse habitats. While the dry season may be the best time for mammal sightings, the rainy months offer the best birding opportunities as seasonal migrants like the sooty and Eleonora’s falcons move through the area. Black eagles, ashy starlings, black-masked and yellow-collared lovebirds and the Ruaha hornbills (Tanzanian red-billed hornbill) are all resident in the area, and the inclusion of the Usangu swamps means exciting new opportunities for enthusiastic birders. Those who wish to visit the swamp must do so by arrangement with park management, as most of it remains inaccessible for now.
A family of cheetahs in Ruaha
Best of all worlds
As is the case with most national parks, there is a wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets, with the added appeal that park rates are lower than those of the more popular reserves of East Africa. While it is possible to self-drive through the park, the more exclusive lodge options offer more ways to explore the extraordinary landscape, including expertly guided drives, night drives, photographic guidance, and walking safaris. The park’s proximity to the vast Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) also allows for combining trips into a single all-encompassing safari experience.
Poolside at Ikuka Safari CampKigelia Ruaha offers a quiet canvas refuge that is only disturbed by elephant visitors
While names like Serengeti and Maasai Mara may dominate the safari scene in East Africa, Ruaha National Park is perhaps East Africa’s best-kept secret. Those who go to the effort of travelling slightly off the beaten track are well rewarded with a truly wild, untouched piece of Africa at its finest and, best of all, very seldom have to share with others. For those seeking a pure safari experience, unsullied by modern development and tourist crowds, Ruaha National Park offers the perfect combination of breathtaking beauty, a profusion of predators, and an unparalleled sense of isolation and peace.
Riding on the wild side to find the best sightings
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
There are moments when I am like a proud father watching his daughter graduate from university or his son land his first real job. Today is one of them, thanks to the video towards the end of this newsletter.
Not only is the video of exceptional quality ;-), but the story and the contribution of Nyungwe National Park and its new lodge to grassroots conservation and community upliftment are so significant that my heart swells with joy and pride at our involvement via Ukuri. Munazi Lodge is the only lodge inside the park, and a gem for chimp trekkers, bird watchers and hikers.
I will be joining our Photographer of the Year winners in Nyungwe later this year, and I cannot wait. This will be my second visit; the first was marred by my contracting Covid and being barred from entering (Covid is a threat to the chimp population). I spent 4 days in a hotel on the outskirts of the park while a colleague had an epic time shooting mouth-watering video footage just as African Parks broke ground for the new lodge.
Rwanda is a huge conservation tourism success story, and Nyungwe is an unpolished jewel in that crown.
There’s something about seeing close relatives turn on one another that unsettles us. Lions killing a leopard. A cobra swallowing another snake. But in this week’s Photographer of the Year 2026 gallery, you’ll find incredible instances of both, and more. Difficult as they are to see, they are impossible to ignore, and represent real and raw nature in action.
Disconcerting as it is, science suggests that snakes eating other snakes is more common than we once thought. A recent global review documented over 200 snake species engaging in cannibalism or snake-eating behaviour, making the behaviour far more widespread than previously understood. In most cases, this is not a strategy or method of eliminating competition, nor is it an evolved diet of some kind. It’s just a matter of opportunity. Species like cobras specialise in eating other snakes, for no reason other than opportunistic predation. Still, witnessing it unfold is something else entirely. Dive into this week’s gallery for this moment, and many more that will stop you in your tracks.
This week, we also explore how reintroducing African wild dogs is only part of the solution to restoring their populations: true success depends on restoring space and functioning ecosystems. Plus, don’t miss our guide to walking safaris, the most immersive way to experience the African bush.
Did you know? Your African safari choice makes a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR African safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
HEART-STOPPING PICS
Here are our top pics for Week 7 of Photographer of the Year, as chosen by our judges. Enter & win a chimp-trekking safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
SPACE FOR DOGS
African wild dogs are benefiting from reintroduction efforts, but conservation success relies on reshaping of ecosystems & space restoration
WALKING SAFARIS
A walking safari is the most immersive way to experience the African bush. Here’s our guide to the best walking safari destinations and safari ideas
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Botswana wildlife safari & Victoria Falls – 9 days
This iconic safari combines the wildlife riches of Khwai in the eastern reaches of the Okavango Delta, and Chobe National Park in Botswana, with the awe-inspiring majesty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. First, you’ll visit Khwai to get your predator fix, then move on to Chobe to witness massive herds of elephants and other wildlife along the banks of the Chobe River. Last but not least, the grand finale: witnessing the mighty Zambezi River plunging into the misty gorges below at iconic Victoria Falls.
Garden Route self-drive – 13 days
Follow South Africa’s iconic self-drive route from Table Mountain to the Cape Winelands, through the wide-open Karoo to the forests, mountains and white-sand beaches of the Garden Route and Big Five safari country near Addo. Travel at your own pace with expert guidance, tailored experiences and 24/7 support throughout.
AG safari guests Cristian and Luisa from the UK went on an unforgettable honeymoon safari to Tanzania.
A truly exceptional honeymoon safari, thoughtfully planned and unforgettable. We booked our honeymoon safari with Africa Geographic, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of our lives. From the very first call, the experience felt personal and thoughtfully designed. Stefan took the time to understand what we enjoyed, what we hoped to experience, and even what pace suited us, before suggesting any destination. Based on that conversation, he recommended Tanzania, and the itinerary he built for us was beautifully balanced and perfectly aligned with what we wanted.
The logistics were seamless thanks to Wayne, who handled every detail behind the scenes. Transfers, timings, internal flights – everything worked smoothly, and we always felt supported.
The safari itself was extraordinary. Each place we stayed had its own atmosphere and purpose, and the flow of the trip was perfect: Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Olduvai, Ndutu, and the Serengeti. We had so many highlights – a night game drive where the spotter found a camouflaged chameleon in the dark, the breathtaking views from Maweninga Camp, the huge elephant herds of Tarangire, the surreal beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater, seeing a leopard up close, witnessing a wildebeest river crossing, visiting Olduvai Gorge, and even having elephants walk right up to our tent in the Serengeti… We would recommend Africa Geographic without hesitation to anyone looking for a safari that is personal, well‑designed, and truly special.
Into one of Africa’s oldest forests. Nyungwe, a 25,000-year-old montane rainforest, is a sanctuary of rare primates, misty canopies and extraordinary biodiversity. Track chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, cross a canopy bridge, or soar above the treetops on Africa’s longest zipline. At its heart lies Munazi Lodge: an intimate, unfenced retreat where every stay directly supports conservation and local communities through African Parks. Wild, immersive, and deeply purposeful travel: this is Nyungwe. (07:54) Watch here.
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is open for submissions. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 16 February 2026 to midnight on 7 May 2026. Judging will take place from February to June, and the winners will be announced in June.
Here are the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week
Wild dog reintroduction projects improve biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and predator-driven ecological recovery
Gorongosa National Park showcases a successful wild dog population recovery and ecosystem restoration impact
Conservation funding challenges delay reintroductions, limiting the expansion of African wild dog populations and genetic diversity
Want to see wild dogs on an African safari? Check out this unique safari focused on finding wild dogs. See the prompts to find other ready-made safaris and to contact us to craft a safari just for you.
There are few sights in Africa as captivating as a pack of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) on the move: coordinated, alert, and bound together by one of the strongest social structures in the animal kingdom. Often called Painted Wolves, no two individuals carry the same markings, each coat a mosaic as unique as a fingerprint. Yet despite their beauty and remarkable biology, these animals are sliding toward extinction.
Once ranging widely across sub-Saharan Africa, African wild dogs have vanished from 25 of the 39 countries they historically occupied. Today, only around 700 breeding pairs remain. Their decline has been steady and, in many places, largely unnoticed.
As apex predators and highly efficient cooperative hunters, wild dogs play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. They are true keystone species, shaping ecosystems in ways that extend far beyond their numbers. Where they thrive, biodiversity often follows.
Pups practice their cooperative hunting skills
For many years, conservation efforts focused on familiar threats: snaring, persecution, and disease. While these remain significant, a more insidious challenge has emerged: the steady erosion of space. As landscapes become increasingly fragmented, Wild Dogs are left with fewer safe areas to roam, hunt, and raise their young. The IUCN Species Survival Commission further highlights how climate change is compounding this pressure, reducing the resilience of already vulnerable populations. Today, wild dogs persist in just 8% of their historical range, much of it outside formally protected IUCN Category I–IV protected areas.
Yet, there is hope, and it lies in restoring space.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Endangered Wildlife Trust established the Wild Dog Range Expansion Project: an ambitious, collaborative effort to return this species to landscapes where it once thrived. Its guiding principle is simple: conserve what we have, and restore what we’ve lost.
Each restoration effort is carefully planned and guided by international best practices and years of experience. It begins with understanding the landscape: its threats, its opportunities, and its people. From there, tailored strategies are developed using a diverse toolkit of interventions, which may include reducing human–wildlife conflict, strengthening protection efforts, monitoring populations, conducting reconnaissance to better understand little-known or fragmented populations, and, where needed, re-establishing populations through reintroductions or augmentations.
Relocating wild dogs as part of the Wild Dog Range Expansion Project
Central to this work is collaboration. The EWT has also helped drive the Wild Dog Advisory Group, a unique network in Africa that has, for over 28 years, brought together conservationists, researchers, and practitioners from across the continent. In a field where lessons are often hard-won, this platform ensures knowledge is shared, mistakes are not repeated, and successes can be scaled.
Equally important are the people on the ground. Lasting conservation depends on local capacity and support, and significant effort is invested in training field teams, building expertise, and developing sustainable funding models. Communities are stakeholders in this process and essential partners in securing the future of the species.
A moment of play
Success, in this context, is measured in resilience. Are there safe, connected spaces for wild dogs to move through? Are packs forming, breeding, and persisting? Is healthy genetic diversity being maintained? These are the indicators that matter.
Encouragingly, the results are beginning to show. Across South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia, more than 1.5 million hectares of habitat have been secured or restored for wild dogs. Over 350 individuals, forming 35 packs, now roam landscapes where the species had long been absent. These achievements are the product of strong partnerships with national authorities and conservation organisations such as African Parks, the Gorongosa Restoration Project, and Peace Parks Foundation, as well as committed landowners — all working toward a shared vision.
Moving wild dogs after darting
Gorongosa National Park stands out as a reintroduction success story. From just 29 wild dogs introduced as four packs, the population has grown to more than 200 individuals. This remarkable recovery was featured in an award-winning PBS Nature documentary, which explored how the return of predators restored ecological balance through what is often referred to as “nature’s fear factor”. The presence of carnivores reshapes prey behaviour, allowing vegetation and broader ecosystems to recover. The strength of this population has even enabled Gorongosa to support Malawi’s own reintroduction efforts.
But conservation success can come with unexpected challenges. In a sense, African wild dogs are becoming victims of their own success. Population growth from reintroduction efforts is beginning to outpace the availability of safe space.
Dispersing groups, which would naturally leave their natal packs to form new ones, have to be carefully managed. Capable of travelling hundreds of kilometres in a short time in search of new pack members, they frequently move beyond protected areas and into landscapes where they are exposed to a range of human-induced threats. This often necessitates their capture and temporary placement in secure holding facilities. From there, unrelated males and females are typically brought together, bonded, and prepared for release into suitable and secure landscapes.
Wild dog pups emerge cautiously, their survival dependent on the strength of the pack
At present, however, 24 wild dogs are being held in temporary facilities, waiting for new homes. Suitable sites have been identified, but financial constraints are delaying these reintroductions. To do this work responsibly requires significant investment: constructing holding bomas, employing and training local monitoring teams, undertaking community engagement, and providing essential equipment such as vehicles, accommodation, and tracking collars. Each reintroduction requires approximately R3 million over five years.
In a world where conservation stories are too often defined by loss, the return of African wild dogs shows that recovery is possible. It begins with space, is sustained through collaboration, and ultimately depends on a collective willingness to invest in the future of Africa’s wild landscapes.
This work reaches far beyond a single species. It drives ecosystem recovery, supports socio-economic development, and is emerging as a blueprint for large carnivore reintroductions across Africa and beyond. Through its institutional knowledge, extensive experience, and ability to convene partners, the Endangered Wildlife Trust continues to play a pivotal role in securing a future for one of Africa’s most extraordinary predators: a future that, not long ago, seemed increasingly out of reach.
About Cole du Plessis and the Endangered Wildlife Trust
Cole du Plessis is the Manager of the Carnivore Range Expansion Project at the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), where he coordinates the Wild Dog Range Expansion Project across southern Africa. His work focuses on restoring viable populations of large carnivores through reintroductions, habitat expansion, and cross-border collaboration.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is one of Africa’s leading conservation organisations, dedicated to protecting threatened species and ecosystems through science-based, collaborative action. Working across southern and East Africa, the EWT focuses on biodiversity conservation, habitat connectivity, and the reduction of human–wildlife conflict. Its Wild Dog Range Expansion Project is a flagship initiative widely recognised as a model for large-carnivore conservation, helping restore ecological balance while supporting communities and sustainable land-use practices.
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
Does anybody remember the days when we had to harness a blend of gut feel, experience and skill, with a touch of luck, to find animals in national parks and reserves?
When we would discuss the night before, which tracks to take come sparrow, for various considered reasons? When we listened out for alarm calls, watched prey species posture and stopped often to identify birds and wait for dung beetles and Matabele ants to cross the track. When the journey was the goal and the pace was relaxed. We would often spend days without a notable sighting, but the process was fun, and success would buoy us and fuel days of searching.
These days, visitors to our protected areas open their sightings app, select the sighting of choice and join the queue of impatient, irritated lemmings before rushing off to the next notification. I wonder how satisfying that experience is for app users, or if it’s just another layer of modern-day stress …
The demand for authentic safari experiences grows, and we are now taking bookings for 2027 and 2028.
But in Ethiopia’s city of Mekelle, these often-maligned scavengers are performing an indispensable service to the community. Each year, residents generate over a thousand tonnes of meat waste. Instead of rotting and releasing greenhouse gases, nearly half of it is consumed by hyenas, vultures and other urban scavengers roaming the city.
The result? Over 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided annually, and roughly $100,000 saved in waste disposal costs. It’s an unexpected partnership: people and predators sharing space in a working system that benefits both. While hyenas are often feared or persecuted elsewhere, here they are tolerated as part of the city’s ecological fabric.
This week, we journey into Namibia’s vast deserts with traveller Anthony Young, losing yourself in the stark beauty of one of Africa’s most haunting landscapes. You can also dive into our Photographer of the Year Week 6 gallery, and discover malaria-free safari options for Big 5 adventures without the risk.
Did you know? Your African safari choice makes a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR African safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
INCREDIBLE PICS
Here are our top pics for Week 6 of Photographer of the Year, as chosen by our judges! Enter & win a chimp-trekking safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
DESERT SAFARI
Traveller Anthony Young explores Namibia’s deserts, from Hoanib to Sossusvlei, revealing stark landscapes, unique wildlife and remote camps
MALARIA-FREE
Want to embark on a malaria-free safari in South Africa? Big 5 wildlife, diverse landscapes and luxury experiences await. Explore our top malara-free safaris
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Art safari in the Big 5 Timbavati – 7 days
Whether you are a passionate beginner or a seasoned creator, this unique art safari offers the chance to hone your skills with professional wildlife artist Alison Nicholls. Soak up the atmosphere of the Big-5 Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger, South Africa and channel it into artistry! 6-12 September 2026 – only 2 spots left!
Okavango Delta and Vilanculos bush & beach safari – 12 days
An epic pairing of authentic bush camp and seaside luxury. This bush-and-beach escape begins in the Okavango Delta with game drives and mokoro excursions, led by expert Bushman guides in a predator-rich wilderness. Then, you’ll ease into barefoot bliss in Vilanculos, with white-sand beaches, warm ocean swims, and sunset dhow sails.
Elephant IR2, estimated at 40–45 years old, is a thrilling new addition to Africa’s elite super tusker ranks. His symmetrical, inward-curving tusks meet the rare ground-touching threshold, placing him among the continent’s last remaining giants. Still one of Tsavo’s more elusive bulls, little is known about his temperament, with sightings few and far between. Yet his extraordinary tusks and quiet emergence make him a tusker to watch.
Africa Geographic has partnered with Tsavo Trust to help protect these iconic elephants. With only 50–100 tuskers left in the world, at least twelve of them in Tsavo, their survival hangs in the balance. Naturally rare and relentlessly targeted by poachers and trophy hunters (outside Kenya), tuskers need constant protection.
Support Tsavo Trust through our Guarding Tuskers campaign. Your donation helps fund vital aerial and ground patrols to safeguard these magnificent animals.
Have you entered Africa Geographic’s Photographer of the Year 2026 yet? The competition is in full swing, with an extraordinary prize on the cards: a journey into Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park, where misty rainforest, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and forest adventures await. Press play, step into the forest, and imagine your own story unfolding there, then enter for your chance to turn your photography into the trip of a lifetime. (04:37) Click here to watch
Our Photographer of the Year 2026 is open for submissions. The overall winner, runners-up, and their partners will journey to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, staying at the newly built Munazi Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. Expect chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks high above the forest floor, waterfall hikes, and encounters with black-and-white colobus monkeys in one of Africa’s most biodiverse montane forests. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes here. In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 16 February 2026 to midnight on 7 May 2026. Judging will take place from February to June, and the winners will be announced in June.
Here are the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week
Anthony Young set out across Namibia on an Africa Geographic safari that combined long road transfers, light aircraft hops and remote desert camps. From the Skeleton Coast to Hoanib, Damaraland and Sossusvlei, Anthony’s account offers a glimpse into the magic of Namibia, from desert-adapted wildlife, to stark landscapes and desert adventures. Experience the magic as Anthony recounts his travels below:
Into the desert
Getting to Namibia is not a trivial exercise. By the time I landed in Windhoek, after a (very) long-haul flight from Australia and the usual airport logistics, I had already decided that whatever lay ahead had better be worth it.
The journey into Namibia slows you down. Long before the desert camps, the country begins to shift your sense of scale. Distances stretch, colours flatten, and the air dries. By the time I reached Windhoek, I already had the sense that this would not be a conventional safari. Windhoek turned out to be a good start. Clean, orderly, and with a noticeable German influence, it is not what many expect of an African capital. It sits in a basin of low hills, with tidy suburbs climbing the ridges. From a lookout above the city, I watched a late afternoon storm roll in, dramatic enough to remind me I was not in Australia anymore.
From there, the journey pushed north and west, through towns and into Etosha’s wide openness, before eventually reaching the coast and then the desert beyond. The transition is gradual but unmistakable. Vegetation thins. The landscape changes steadily: less vegetation, more open space, and eventually, proper desert.
Coast, wind and cold water
The drive to Henties Bay marked a shift into Namibia’s coastal desert. The terrain flattened, then lifted again into low dunes, before giving way to a stark shoreline where the Atlantic presses into a cold, grey horizon.
This stretch of coast feels remote. Fishing villages, long beaches, and a steady wind define the place. I spent a day on the beach south of town. Grey sea, grey sky, and just enough breeze to keep things comfortable.
Swakopmund, further south, is a different proposition. German architecture, decent restaurants, and a slightly surreal feel given its location between ocean and desert. From here, a harbour cruise at Walvis Bay delivered the expected marine life – pelicans landing on the boat within minutes, and seals hauling themselves on deck as if they owned the place.
No whales or dolphins on this particular outing, but the seal colonies and birdlife were more than sufficient.
Swakopmund
Into the desert by air
Flying inland to Hoanib in a small aircraft is quite an adventure. The planes are small, the air can be lively, and you are very aware of both. That said, the views make it worthwhile. Hoanib Valley is a remote desert destination tucked into a hidden valley on the banks of the ephemeral Hoanib River in Kaokoland, northwest Namibia.
From the air, the landscape looks like it has been broken apart and rearranged. Ridges, dry river systems, and isolated mountains, with almost no vegetation holding things together. When rain does arrive, it moves with purpose.
Hoanib Valley Camp
Hoanib Valley Camp sits in one of these dry river systems, in a narrowing valley between rocky ridges. The camp itself is well set up, with raised structures to handle occasional water flow and a layout that makes the most of the surroundings.
From the moment I arrived, the focus shifted to desert-adapted wildlife.
Following the riverbeds
Game viewing here follows a different rhythm from traditional savannah safaris. Wildlife concentrates along the dry riverbeds, where underground moisture allows trees and shrubs to survive.
With my guide, William, we drove these sandy channels and came across springbok, giraffe, and desert-adapted elephants. The elephants are smaller than those in more fertile areas, but clearly well-suited to the environment.
Giraffes moving along the riverbed in Hoanib Valley
We watched a herd dig into the sand to reach the damp soil beneath. Calves rolled in it, adults fed, and the whole group moved slowly along the riverbed. We were close – within twenty metres – and largely ignored.
Giraffes showed similar adaptations. Slightly different posture and movement, but the same reliance on the river systems.
Around camp, the pattern continued. Gemsbok, springbok, and the occasional baboon moved through, all tied to the limited water and vegetation available.
Camp life, done properly
The camp experience at Hoanib is defined by space and quiet. Guest tents are well spaced, and the atmosphere is unhurried. Meals are taken overlooking the riverbed, and staff maintain a relaxed but attentive presence.
Guides are central to the experience. William, as a guide, knew his ground. In a landscape that initially looks empty, he was able to point out tracks, behaviour, and patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Exploring dunes on foot in Hoanib Valley Camp
Evenings are simple. Sundowners in the dunes, followed by dinner back at camp. The setting does most of the work. Wind moving over sand, fading light on the ridges, and the occasional movement of animals in the distance.
Sundowners in the dunes
Damaraland – more rock than anything else
From Hoanib, I flew to Damaraland, a rugged, scenic region in the northwest of the country, situated between the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park. The shift is noticeable. Less enclosed than Hoanib, more open, with rocky hills and broad plains.
Anthony enroute to the next adventure
On the drive from the airstrip, we encountered a solitary bull elephant almost immediately, scratching itself against a tree and throwing sand over its back. Close enough to feel the grit when the wind picked up.
Damaraland Camp is well designed, blending into the surroundings with thatched structures and open communal areas. Here, the experience shifts slightly from pure wildlife viewing to a broader appreciation of the landscape.
Wilderness Damaraland Camp
Looking closer
In Damaraland, I spent more time on foot. Walking with my guide, Job, revealed details that are easy to miss from a vehicle.
At first glance, the terrain appears lifeless. But closer inspection shows otherwise. Plants that seem dead carry faint signs of life. Small birds move between bushes. Tracks in the sand tell recent stories.
The geology is also worth noting. Iron-rich rock gives the landscape its colour, and occasional sandstone formations break up the landscape. It is not a place that reveals itself quickly, but it does eventually.
Twyfelfontein, Damaraland
Game drives here are less about numbers and more about context. Animals are present, but you have to work for it – and when you find it, it is well worth experiencing this unique desert-adapted wildlife.
Elephants in Damaraland
Effort where it counts
One of the standout moments in Damaraland was a bush breakfast set on a rocky hill. Arriving before sunrise, I found a full setup prepared by camp staff – tables, hot food, and coffee, all overlooking a wide valley.
A bush breakfast prepared on site by the team
As the sun rose, the light revealed the scale of the landscape.
Evenings in the boma offered a different atmosphere. The original campsite, now used for outdoor dining, creates a communal setting around a fire. Staff shared stories and sang traditional songs, adding a cultural layer to the experience.
Sossusvlei – scale and sand
The final stage of the journey took me south to the Namib Desert and Little Kulala, in the Sossusvlei region, within Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Dead camelthorn trees in Sossusvlei
The dunes are large. Very large. Big Daddy, in particular, rises over 300 metres and dominates the area. The red sand, white clay pans, and clear blue sky make for a strong visual contrast.
Deadvlei sits below, with dead camelthorn trees standing where water once reached. It is a well-known site, and for good reason.
Gemsbok in SossusvleiSossusvlei’s otherworldly dunes
A comfortable base in the desert
Little Kulala offers a higher level of comfort without losing connection to the landscape. Spacious units, private plunge pools, and open-air sleeping areas allow for both privacy and immersion.
Bush dinners at Little Kulala
Wildlife moves freely through camp without much concern. Gemsbok passed within fifty metres of my verandah, followed later by jackals doing their usual rounds.
Activities here extend beyond drives. ATV rides across the desert offer a different perspective, covering ground quickly and revealing subtle terrain variations.
Exploring the desert on an ATV
A hot air balloon flight offered the most comprehensive view. From above, the desert becomes a series of patterns – dunes, valleys, and isolated rock formations. The scale is difficult to grasp from the ground, but clear from the air.
Dinner is served, in conjunction with the hot-air balloon tripHot-air ballooning over the desert dunes of Sossusvlei
Final thoughts about Namibia
Namibia is not about high-density wildlife viewing. If that is the objective, there are other places that deliver more consistently.
What Namibia offers instead is space, scale, and a different kind of safari. Desert-adapted wildlife, varied landscapes, and camps that fit into their surroundings. The desert strips things back. What’s left is land, light and life.
Elephants traversing the tracks of Hoanib Valley
The guides are key. Without them, much of what makes this environment interesting would be missed. For me, the desert camps were the highlight. Hoanib for its wildlife, Damaraland for its texture and culture, and Sossusvlei for its scale. It is a country that rewards patience. Not everything is immediately obvious, but once you start to see how it works, it becomes very engaging. Namibia rewards those who are willing to travel slowly and look closely. It is not about ticking off sightings. It is about understanding place. And once you adjust to that, it becomes difficult to leave.
Western Namibia is a land of heat, sand, sea and remarkable biodiversity surviving against the backdrop of harsh but stunning scenery. Learn more about the land of ochre here.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
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Botswana has set a record trophy hunting quota of 430 elephants for 2026, the highest anywhere in the world. There are fewer than 90 tuskers left in Africa. Bearing in mind that trophy hunters target big ivory, it does not take a mathematical genius to see the problem here.
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We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
About Lucia Quindici
About Angus Begg
Wildlife photographer Petr Slavík was born in Mělník, Czech Republic. He is the winner of several international wildlife photography awards, including Photographer of the Year in the Czech Nature Photo competition.
Metlha Ngubevana is a Botswana-based wildlife photographer and visual storyteller who uses photography to advocate for wildlife conservation and celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage. He began his career as a photojournalist with Botswana’s state-owned newspaper before joining Press Photo, one of the country’s leading news agencies. Through journalism, he developed a passion for storytelling and increasingly focused on wildlife, conservation, climate change and culture.
Growing up in a small community in Israel, Amit Eshel developed a fascination with wildlife long before he picked up a camera. Nature was his playground, and his childhood was spent searching for animals, sketching wildlife and dreaming about encounters in the wild.
It’s your last chance to enter Photographer of the Year 2026. This year’s winner will travel to Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park, a misty rainforest alive with chimpanzees and other primates, birds, and ancient trees. Entries close at midnight on 7 May 2026. 
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR African safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
About Cole du Plessis and the Endangered Wildlife Trust
