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Another Botswana tusker hunted
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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.
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
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Or, listen to all Simon’s past editorials here
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
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.
Still dreaming of the ultimate African safari escape? Browse our safari ideas here. Or click here to plan your safari.
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!
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.
Search for our favourite safari ideas here.
WATCH
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
Cover image: “A small cub can make a big impact if it puts its mind to it. Mothers are the most patient of them all.” Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. © Barbara Fleming. Photographer of the Year 2024 entry
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