OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Gorillas in our midst + Rift Valley photography
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 does “authentic” mean to you?
I have always used the term to describe anything that aligns with reality rather than expectation. And, because my life lens is almost exclusively about nature and wilderness, authenticity means being true to those deities. Authentic safari experiences are shaped by nature and local culture, and not by what someone thinks visitors want to see.
Nature cannot be canned; it is in a constant state of change, and every safari should be different to your last and next safari. We must, at all costs, resist the considerable efforts by some to manufacture predictable cut-and-paste wildlife encounters.
And so my crew of exceptional travel planners and storytellers will always steer you away from wildlife petting facilities, large resorts, canned cultural encounters and crowded wildlife events where the press of humanity overwhelms nature. They will, instead, offer experiences, encounters and accommodation options that provide a window into Africa’s soul.
Come on safari with us; enjoy and celebrate the ever-changing, eclectic wild Africa lest they pave her and put up a parking lot.
Finally, here’s wishing you an absolutely epic festive season with friends and family. See you in the new year 🙂
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
Click below to listen to this editorial
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
Good news from Central Africa. Twenty-four southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) have been safely translocated to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, strengthening one of the continent’s most hopeful conservation stories. This latest move builds on the return of white rhino to Garamba in 2023, after a 20-year absence, and brings the park closer to supporting a stable, breeding population. The northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) used to occur in Garamba, but the species is now functionally extinct in the wild due to poaching, with only two females surviving in Kenya.
The operation was complex and carefully staged, involving months of planning, specialist veterinary care, and a long journey by road and air across several countries. It reflects years of collaboration between conservation organisations, local communities, funders and park authorities. Part of African Parks’ Rhino Rewild initiative, the translocation helps restore Garamba’s ecological balance and secures a future for rhinos in a landscape where they belong.
In other news, our Photographer of the Year 2025 winners recently visited Odzala-Kokoua NP in Congo-Brazzaville for their winner’s prize trip – and we bring you the tale of jungle adventures below. Plus, we feature a gallery of epic photos from the Great Rift Valley, from photographer Shem Compion’s latest book, The Rift: Scar of Africa. Check this out below.
Wishing you a joyful festive season and a wonderful start to the new year. We’ll see you in 2026!
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
GORILLAS IN OUR MIDST
An AG safari into Odzala-Kokoua, where gorillas, forest elephants & baïs make for a jungle adventure – Photographer of the Year 2025
THE RIFT
Explore Shem Compion’s The Rift: Scar of Africa – 20 years of Rift Valley photography across 11 countries, from people to wildlife
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Habituated lowland gorilla trekking in Odzala-Kokoua – 8 days – from US$14,790pps
Trek for an up-close encounter of habituated western lowland gorillas on this eight-day safari. Find the hidden wildlife on guided baï and rainforest walks. Take a river cruise or go on a kayak safari down Lekolo River and experience the wealth of life living in and on the shores of these waterways. This safari will leave you spellbound and with unforgettable memories to take home.
Unhabituated lowland gorilla watching in Odzala-Kokoua – 8 days – from US$5,300pps
Watch unhabituated western lowland gorillas and other shy forest creatures from the comfort of elevated treehouses overlooking forest clearings. Find gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bongos, dwarf crocodiles, huge flocks of grey parrots and green pigeons, and other iconic wildlife species that roam the forests, baïs and rivers of Odzala-Kokoua.
Still dreaming of the ultimate African safari escape? Browse our safaris ideas here. Or click here to plan your safari.
Your impact this year
Thank you for making a difference.
This year, because you booked your safari with us, AG was able to make valuable donations to organisations doing vital conservation work. We have helped to protect big tuskers, save poached pangolins, monitor and research leopard populations under threat, and rescue, rehabilitate and release critically endangered vultures. The funds from your safari have been vital in helping protect Africa’s wildlife and drive impactful conservation efforts.
Thank you for being a part of these incredible efforts. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for Africa’s wildlife! When you travel with us, you’re not just exploring Africa’s wild places – you’re helping protect them.
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.
Please continue to lend your support to these impactful organisations here.
WATCH – AFRICAN SAFARI INSPIRATION:
The new year rises with the African sun – hot air balloons drifting over the Maasai Mara, playful wild dog packs in the mud, flamingos painting the shallows pink. Gorillas meet your gaze through verdant greens. This is a toast to the trackers who read stories in sand, to the firelit faces and star-drawn skies, to every breach and dive, and every thundering sprint across the savannah. Here’s to another year of saying yes to the continent that changes everything. Explore with us: Join us for an Africa Geographic safari (02:00) Click here to watch
Shared wonder. A mountain gorilla lies in quiet contemplation as an orange butterfly flutters by. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. © Mary Schrader. Photographer of the Year 2025 Runner-up.
To comment on this story: Login (or sign up) to our app here - it's a troll-free safe place 🙂.
