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And then all hell broke loose
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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.
Bushveld life.
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
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From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
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
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.
How to vote:
1. Register here.
2. Complete the short sign-up form and check your inbox to activate your account.
3. Once registered, head to the Africa voting page here.
4. Scroll down to the following categories, click on them, and vote for Africa Geographic:
Africa’s Leading Tour Operator 2026
Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company 2026
Every vote genuinely helps, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support!
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.
Still dreaming of the ultimate African safari escape? Browse our safari ideas here. Or click here to plan your safari.
Our safari guests say…
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.”
Find your Greater Kruger safari here.
WATCH
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
Cover image: The many faces of a future generation. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. © Keith Bannerman
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