Search results for: birds

Bee wise
On the south-western tip of Africa, a bee conservation group has spent the last seven years discovering the wisdom of our wild honeybees

Cyanobacteria to blame for elephant deaths – Botswana officials
Elephant deaths: The sudden deaths of over 300 elephants in Botswana were caused by cyanotoxins produced by blue-green algae, say officials

FOSSA: 5 fascinating facts
The fossa of Madagascar has the predatory skills of mongooses and civets – acrobatic and lightning-fast – and the strength of a cat

Domestic cat predation on wild animals in Cape Town
The domestic cat is a honed killing machine whose impact on biodiversity in South Africa is only now being fully revealed

A different safari – photographic hides
Fantastic images from a day in the photographic hides of Indlovu River Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve near the town of Hoedspruit

A Black and White Photo Safari
An exquisite gallery of black and white images that will have you contacting Africa Geographic about your next safari

Are Namibia’s carnivores at risk? Calling on citizen scientists
Namibia is conducting an assessment of its carnivores and you can help by using an app to report your sightings as a citizen scientist

Bwindi
Bwindi is the fairy-tale forest we dreamed about as children; it is also where you can meet and spend time with gentle mountain gorillas

Sitatunga
The sitatunga is Africa’s only amphibious antelope; specially adapted to their habitat by virtue of elongated, widely splayed hooves

Understanding the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is an enormous watery oasis, home to an astonishing variety of wildlife and host to some of the best Botswana safaris

Aardvarks and climate change
Aardvarks are being severely impacted by climate change, says research being conducted in arid areas where temperatures are expected to rise

Chameleons – 6 must-know facts
Chameleons are unique, weird & wonderful – changing their skin colour & shooting their tongues out to reach 100 km/hr in 1/100 of a second !

North Luangwa
North Luangwa in Zambia is remote and wild, accessible only by air or tough 4×4 vehicle – the perfect place for walking safaris

Leopards: silent, secretive and full of surprises
Leopards: These breathtakingly beautiful, charismatic, powerful & mysterious creatures are the top request on safari. Learn about them here.

COVID-19 safari during lockdown: we test-drive
What will a Covid-19 safari be like under South Africa’s lockdown rules? We test-drive a lockdown safari in Timbavati, Greater Kruger

Rescued green mamba eggs hatching
A fantastic gallery of images showing the hatching eggs of a green mamba. The rescued mother and babies were released back to the wild

Photographer of the Year 2020 Winners
These fantastic images from WINNERS in Africa Geographic’s Photographer of the Year will have you contacting AG to arrange your next safari

The 10 cat species of Africa
Africa has 10 cat species, from the iconic lion and leopard to tiny secretive species that few people have seen or even heard of.

Why are rhinos important for ecosystems?
Learn about why rhinos are vital ecosystem engineers & why Africa’s wild places would never be the same again if rhinos were to disappear

The importance of bats
Bats are vital role-players for biodiversity & farm crops. It’s time for humankind to acknowledge & protect these hard-working mammals

Elephant Warriors
Elephant collaring in the Greater Kruger by Elephants Alive and Blue Sky Society Trust – a process driven by science and the need for data

American parrot breeder wants to import wild-caught African grey parrots for a captive breeding scheme for the pet trade
An American parrot breeder has applied to import wild-caught endangered African grey parrots into the United States of America

Bountiful Busanga
This travel diary to Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park (Zambia) will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari

Poachers kill white giraffes in Kenya
The famous white giraffes of Kenya have been dealt a devastating blow, as 2 of the 3 are killed by poachers, leaving only a bull giraffe.

Maasai Mara
This interesting introduction to Kenya’s Maasai Mara will have you contacting Africa Geographic to book your next African safari

Leopard raids ground-hornbill nest
Video: a leopard raids a ground-hornbill nest in the Greater Kruger – yet another threat facing this threatened species

Bangweulu – where the water meets the sky
Bangweulu, where the water meets the sky. This conservation success story is owned by a remote Zambian community of fisherfolk

Another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm in South Africa
Yet another mass vulture poisoning raises alarm bells that deliberate poisoning of vultures for belief-based use is on the increase, say experts.

Uganda birding – 10 best spots
The 10 best birding spots in Uganda, which hosts 1065 species – the ideal place to improve your life bird species list

Spider Macro Magic
With a record-breaking, never-before-seen 29,887 entries received for our Photographer of the Year 2019 competition, our judges had an incredibly tough time deciding on our winner and runners-up. But at the end of the day, it was the pure macro-magic of Eraine van Schalkwyk’s jumping spider that caught the eye of our judges, and she …

Namibia: Spectacular colours of a magnificent wilderness destination
Be inspired by this selection of images that capture Namibia’s extraordinary light. Expect a visual feast!

Experience an art safari in the Big 5 Greater Kruger
Safari report-back: Art safari in Big 5 Greater Kruger with a professional wildlife artist. What my guests had to say. By Alison Nicholls

Klaserie Capers
He emerged silently from the gloom and ambled towards us with that gentle rocking gait that big bull elephants use to cover vast distances with minimal effort. His white tusks glowed in the moonshine, but otherwise, he was just a huge dark grey smudge that loomed larger by the second. The eight of us sat …

African grey parrots: How social media is facilitating both illegal trade and the fight against it
A recent study examines how social media marketplaces facilitate trafficking of endangered African grey parrots.

Okapi conservation gets a boost, with new DRC reserve management partner
Okapi conservation has received a boost, with the signing of a new management agreement for The Okapi Wildlife Reserve in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Elephants and trees
Does removing elephants save trees? This fascinating report delves into this important conservation issue.

Gonarezhou – Land of Giants
GONAREZOU – a conservation success story and iconic wilderness destination for those seeking true wilderness

Off the beaten track: Camping at the Maasai village of Monduli Juu
Discovering Monduli Juu in Tanzania – an off-the-beaten-track campsite run by the indigenous Maasai people.

Vultures of the Old World
“When one thinks about vultures, one envisions a bald-headed, blood-thirsty scavenger waiting for something or someone to perish. We have been brought up to believe that evil surrounds vultures, and this has led to cinematography portraying the species in a negative and unloved light. This has most certainly contributed to the species being disliked and …

CITES CoP18 – most controversial one ever? Here are the results for African species
CITES CoP18 – all the results for African species, including rulings for elephant and rhino trade that have some African range states questioning their ongoing participation in CITES.

The Wodaabe – Nomads of the North
The Wodaabe tribe are nomadic pastoralists of the Sahel region in Africa. Their migratory journeys cover the expanse of northern Africa, where they travel with their cattle and families across the arid areas of Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic. They are a small, isolated branch of the Fulani ethnic group and …

Bushbabies – The Southern Lesser Galago
With their large saucepan eyes, big ears and bushy tails, galagos, also known as bushbabies, are one of Africa’s most endearing creatures of the night. Often referred to in South Africa as nagapies, meaning “little night monkeys” in Afrikaans, they are regarded as one of the smallest of the prosimian primate species. Although reasonably common throughout parts …

The Brown Hyena
Steeped in myths and legends regarding magical powers, hermaphroditism and black magic, and more recently cast as villains by Disney, the hyena family undoubtedly suffers from a bad reputation. With their gentle, social interactions and strong kin bonds rarely witnessed, and their reputation amongst farmers as a livestock predator, the misunderstood and secretive brown hyena …

St. Helena – Treasure Chest of the Atlantic Ocean
We bounced across the water on the lookout for our quarry. We had been searching for a while now and were starting to lose hope of any success when suddenly there came a shout: “There’s one!” Just below us, swimming effortlessly in the pristine water, was a gentle giant – a whale shark. In no …
Continue reading “St. Helena – Treasure Chest of the Atlantic Ocean”

Walking safari in the Greater Kruger
My Greater Kruger walking safari in Big 5 country – the best way to unplug and get back to basics – by the CEO of Africa Geographic

Finding my purpose on a safari adventure
Connecting ethical adventure travel with the purpose of making a difference. A member from the latest Journeys with Purpose expedition shares her insights.

Life with elephants
Botswana elephant debate: We speak to the MOST important people in this equation – those living with elephants

Taita Hills: The cloud forest in a fragmented landscape
Kenya’s Taita Hills is a dense cloud forest teeming with wildlife. While that may sound like paradise, the forest is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation – which is raising concerns amongst researchers.

Opinion: The future is here – safari game drives will never be the same again
Our CEO test drives the best electric 4×4 vehicle around, and wants one.

Discovering Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a fascinating country. Rapidly recovering since 1991 from the ravages of Marxism, and only relatively recently discovered by cultural and wildlife tourists, it is one of three countries in the world that has never been colonised. It is the second-most populous country in Africa, after Nigeria, with 105 million people, comprising 80 ethnic groups, …

Become an Eco-warrior and donate towards educational conservation comics for children
Become an ‘Eco-warrior’ and help the Southern African Conservation Trust educate the less privileged children by making a small donation towards their educational conservation comics.

What CITES will debate at CoP18 in May for these African species
CITES debates: White rhino, elephant, giraffe and other African species come under the spotlight at the May CoP18 sessions.

The Honey Badger
There is an expression in Afrikaans that goes “so taai soos ‘n ratel” – which translates to “as tough as a honey badger”. Across the continent honey badgers have earned the reputation of being tough, even lending their name to an armoured personnel carrier used by the South African Defence Force. This reputation is in part …

Samara – Rewilding the Great Karoo
It was late in the evening when we sat down for a beautifully prepared three-course dinner at the impeccably decorated Manor House in Samara – a private game reserve located near Graaff-Reinet in the Great Karoo. The main topic making the rounds was about the much-anticipated lion release, which took place earlier in the day. …

Serengeti – ultimate walking safari
Safari report-back: My walking safari in the vast Serengeti wilderness – a fantastic experience for adventurous souls. By Simon Espley

Nanzhila Plains – Hidden Kafue Gem
Nanzhila Plains is a hidden gem in the remote southern reaches of Kafue National Park, Zambia. Safari heaven

World’s rarest duck released back into the wild
A duck thought to be extinct for 15 years has been brought back from the brink and given a new home on a remote lake in Madagascar.

The winners of our Best Video Clip 2018 competition
Announcing the winners of our Best Video Clip 2018 competition! Take a look to see who has won the $500 prizes!

Penguins: What’s being done and how you can help
Cape Town is synonymous with many things, like Table Mountain, picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches, and of course our iconic African penguin.

Magnificent Masoala
Bouncing over a line of assailing waves, our boat speeds away from the riverine town of Maroansetra, bound for the lushly forested Masoala Peninsula. Nosy Mangabe clogs the horizon, a perfectly placed puff of cloud lending the 520-hectare islet the appearance of a smouldering volcano. I almost expect to see dinosaurs wandering the island’s liana-tangled …

A great year for wildlife in Maputo Special Reserve
In a conservation success story, more than 4,200 animals have been translocated to Maputo Special Reserve since 2013 through a multi-year rewilding project led by Peace Parks Foundation.

The Cheetah
“A cheetah in full flight is one of Africa’s most breathtaking sights – that blindingly rapid and yet sublimely smooth acceleration and the ability to swerve at full speed take one’s breath away. And, with a hunting success rate above 50%, cheetahs are amongst the most successful of Africa’s large carnivores when it comes to …

New citrus farm on Kruger border – have your say
A citrus farming enterprise has purchased a small but ecologically pivotal farm on the border of the Klaserie and Timbavati private nature reserves (Greater Kruger) near the town of Hoedspruit, and plans to develop a citrus orchard in this vital game reserve area.

Reflection
With over 25,593 entries received for our Photographer of the Year 2018 competition, our judges had a tough time deciding on our overall winner. However, one photo stood out among the thousands, and it spoke to the judges on all levels. Sushil Chauhan’s photo of a Rüppell’s vulture portrayed vultures for what they are – majestic and …

Kruger Glamping
Glamorous camping (glamping) should be an authentic way of enjoying what safari used to be all about. But not too authentic, right? I mean you don’t want to have to catch your dinner or dig a pit latrine. Sure, do away with the permanent lodge structures, but I still want to feel safe and comfortable. …

Mara Magic
My dream Maasai Mara safari, designed by the Africa Geographic team. By keen traveller and amateur photographer Gavin Duffy

Epic Serengeti
Safari report-back: My luxury Serengeti safari during the wildebeest migration – drama, excitement, awe and wonder. By Simon Espley

Understanding elephant migration in the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area
What you should know about elephant migration in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area.

REST – Rehabilitation & Conservation in Action
The morning sun was starting to make us sweat as we sat on the ground in a circle and waited. There wasn’t a breath of wind as small puffs of pale-yellow dust rose into the air, kicked up by four inquisitive creatures who were making their way towards us. Slowly but surely, they got within …
Continue reading “REST – Rehabilitation & Conservation in Action”

Madagascar
This fantastic photo gallery of Madagascar wildlife will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari, and packing your bags

Lower Zambezi: where the wild things are
The Lower Zambezi valley, with its majestic escarpment sloping down to meet the Zambezi river, is a remote safari paradise

Etosha through my eyes
Etosha is the perfect year-round safari destination, with each season having its particular charm and beauty

Video: Searching for the elusive green-breasted pitta
The green-breasted pitta already holds the dubiously honourable rank of number ONE African bogey bird in my books, a title am hoping to strip off today.

Our secret season safari in East Africa
Safari report-back: My luxury green (secret) season adventure in Kenya and Tanzania – arranged by Africa Geographic. By Mark Paul

Namibia – On safari with my kid
It’s a familiar ritual to anyone who has camped at Okaukuejo in Etosha National Park in Namibia in June; it takes some effort to hammer your tent pegs securely into the hard, chalky ground, but it’s worth it when the wind blows. Our toddler, Sanne (18 months old), had seen us pitching our tent at …

Safari tips: Going on safari with kids
Travelling with kids on a safari in Africa may seem like a daunting task. They can get bored very easily, especially on long road trips, and keeping their attention and interest piqued about wildlife can become a tedious, exhausting and stressful task. However, with proper planning and armed with the knowledge of what your kids enjoy, you can make a safari quite an enjoyable and memorable experience for the whole family.

Botswana’s Boteti
Shortly after arriving at camp, I was relishing a moment of pure bliss, washing off the heat and the dust under the best outdoor shower ever. From cold, foggy Cape Town to sunny Botswana. Filled with a sense of freedom and oneness with nature, I thought, “Can life get any better than this?” I think …

The Cape Leopard
The Cape leopard is the stuff of legends. This seldom seen, highly elusive apex predator survives in some of the most inhospitable habitat possible – the rugged, low nutritional fynbos biome of the Cape Fold Mountain ranges. Despite the habitat limitations, this region did historically host many wildlife species such as black rhino, Cape mountain …

Aldabra Atoll
In 1874 Charles Darwin, along with six other eminent contemporaries, wrote to the Governor of Mauritius and its dependencies: “We the undersigned respectfully beg to call the attention of the Colonial Government of Mauritius to the imminent extermination of the gigantic Land Tortoises of the Mascarenes, commonly called ‘Indian Tortoises’… No means being taken for …

Moments
This fantastic photo gallery of African wildlife will have you booking your next safari with Africa Geographic and packing those bags

Elephants with a purpose
Why did 53 elephants travel more than 1,250 km across three different countries this month? Here’s why.

The Great Wildebeest Migration
The Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems see huge herds of wildebeest and zebras migrating in a continuous search for the best food and water. Although this journey follows a similar annual route, exact timing varies based on rainfall. When the rains beckon, the wildebeest go. In spite of the big cats in waiting, or the …

Celebrating Africa’s Avian Candy
This fantastic photo gallery of African birds will have you booking your next safari with Africa Geographic, and dusting off your camera

Video: Processionary caterpillars
Processionary caterpillars are recognised by their behaviour of following each other head to tail in long, single file trails.

Botswana: My Dream Safari
Safari report back: My epic mobile tented adventure through the wildlife paradise of Botswana – Okavango, Khwai and Savute. By Ruzdi Ekenheim

Will Zambia’s Luangwa River be dammed? Have your say
Zambia’s wildlife paradise and legendary safari mecca of Luangwa Valley may in future partially function as one giant tap for some of Zambia’s growing water needs. Gone will be the seasonal, natural water cycles that sustain and nurture this incredibly fecund river valley. You see, a sizeable chunk of Luangwa Valley may be dammed in the near future, at Ndevu Gorge

Guarding Limpopo National Park’s carnivores
A new carnivore protection ranger force, the Limpopo Lion Protection Team, has been trained and deployed – specifically assigned to support the Greater Limpopo Carnivore Programme and tasked with securing known lion ranges from targeted lion poaching.

Lavish Livingstone
Livingstone is the Zambian gateway to Victoria Falls – the ‘smoke that thunders’ – a superb luxury safari haven

The black & white of African wildlife explained
Every now and then nature experiments by producing a black or white mutation of an animal or bird that is otherwise normally coloured. There is something magical about seeing a white lion, black leopard or ‘king’ cheetah in the wild, as if it were a spiritual shadow of the species, a form of higher being.

Photographer of the Year 2018 Winners
These fantastic images from Africa Geographic’s Photographer of the Year 2018 winners will have you dusting your camera off and booking your next safari

Tanzania invites bids for logging in Selous to pave way for huge hydropower plant
The Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) has invited tenders for large-scale logging in the Selous Game Reserve, a world-renowned wildlife area, where it plans to construct a large hydropower plant.

Celebrating Africa’s Elephants
This fantastic photo gallery of African elephants will have you booking your next safari with Africa Geographic and packing those bags

Celebrating Africa’s Big Cats
This fantastic photo gallery celebrating Africa’s Big Cats will have you contacting us to arrange your next safari and packing your bags

Wild grey parrot trapping methods are ruinous, says new research
A research paper has investigated how different capture methods and other aspects of the grey parrot trade, other than just the actual volume of birds taken from the wild, can affect sustainability of harvest.

The Ultimate Primate Experience
Safari report-back: Trekking for gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP is the is the ultimate primate experience. By Björn Persson

Manyeleti: The Place of Stars
Manyeleti is Greater Kruger’s secret safari haven – undiscovered by most ardent travellers and yet brimming with Big 5 wildlife encounters

Hunting causes life-threatening build-up of toxic lead in vultures
Research in Botswana has revealed that fragments of lead from recreational hunter ammunition are finding their way into vulture bloodstreams, and represent a significant threat to these critically endangered scavengers.

11 Leopard facts you need to know
Discover 11 facts about the African leopard – the most secretive and elusive big cat and the most popular request during a safari game drive

The Mighty Zambezi: More than a River
She goes from lazy and beguiling to a raging beast capable of pounding a man and his ambitions into submission. Indeed, the Zambezi River is quite a lady… Most people know the Zambezi as that intoxicating cauldron of the elements and humankind at Victoria Falls – where that massive river inhales and forces itself into …