Search results for: birds

16 days in Uganda
Uganda beckoned – and after 16 years of planning Gerhard Pretorius finally landed in the steamy city of Entebbe for the safari of his life

Can elephants run, or do they just walk faster?
A fascinating study has revealed that although elephants can move at considerable pace, there is a question as to whether they can run.

Tantalising Tswalu: The Kalahari’s diamond in the rough
It was like a scene out of the movie Jurassic Park. You know, that adrenaline-fuelled, chaotic scene when the bad guys arrive on the island in their vehicles and speed through the bush while dinosaurs scatter out of their way as they hunt for the ultimate dinosaur trophy. Well, this was like that, except I …
Continue reading “Tantalising Tswalu: The Kalahari’s diamond in the rough”

Kafue: A River Runs Through It
Karen Blixen, the author of Out of Africa, once said, “If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again”. Well, here I was, indeed on safari again, reclining in my bathtub, luxuriously located on the verandah of our room just metres above the Kafue River at Mukambi Safari …

Safari tips: How to find luxury safari lodges at a discount
Planning an African safari? We provide a breakdown of the various ‘safari seasons’ and when best to travel so as to avoid the crowds.

A new generation of Kruger photographers
The Wild Shots Outreach programme began just over two years ago in November 2015. The programme aims to give students from disadvantaged communities that border the Greater Kruger National Park area in South Africa the opportunity to experience the wonder of the wild and immortalise moments through the lens of a camera. The majority of …

Macro photography: Up close & personal
How often can you say that to take photographs of your subjects you have to lie down on the ground? Well, how else would you be able to get a ground-level perspective of the life of an ant, or peer in close to fully appreciate the form of a spider? Most people don’t. We walk …

Safari tips: safety and wild animals
Here are 10 important pieces of information to keep in mind about wild animals when on safari in Africa.

Why the green season is the time to visit Botswana
Botswana’s green season, the months of November to March, is known by locals as the “secret season” – when you will have game drives to yourself, and enjoy amazing sighting

Quirimbas: A Diver’s Paradise
Quilalea Island in Mozambique is part of the marine-rich paradise of Quirimbas Archipelago. Adventurer Fiona Ayerst shares her experience

South Africa’s top tourist attractions
If there was a checklist for the perfect travel destination, South Africa would tick most of the boxes. Famed for its amazing wildlife and landscapes, superb local cuisine, warm hospitality and great weather, (plus the added bonus that its affordable) it’s easy to understand why tourism is so big in South Africa.

Delta Delight
This fantastic gallery of images by Hannes Lochner will have you booking your Okavango Delta (Botswana) safari with us and packing your bags

The chameleon the size of a house cat: 7 fascinating facts
The Parson’s chameleon is regarded as the largest chameleon in the world, found in the lush rainforests of eastern and northern Madagascar. Here are some fascinating facts about this giant creature of the forest.

Safari tips: Tipping while on safari
The simple act of tipping can be an anxious moment for many people while on safari, and the subject of much discussion and seeking of advice.

Capturing South Luangwa
Safari report-back: South Luangwa in Zambia offers a wildlife-rich safari and fantastic photographic opportunities. By Edward Selfe

49 Vultures poisoned near Kruger National Park
The poisoned bodies of nearly 50 vultures have been found by rangers in Mozambique‚ just a short distance from the boundary of the flagship Kruger National Park.

The bird-eating heron of the Kgalagadi
The Kgalagadi always delivers unusual opportunities to photograph animal and bird behaviour – such as a bird-eating heron.

Kwaai Khwai
Safari report-back: My epic adventure in Botswana’s Khwai – a wildlife-rich area near Okavango Delta, Botswana. By Simon Espley

Water for Elephants
There is a crisis of elephantine proportions playing out in the dry sandy Kalahari woodlands of eastern Botswana, and a determined family of caring people is caught in the middle of the drama. A friend and I spent a few days with them in September this year and came away determined to help. I hope that …

Magnificent Madikwe
Safari report-back: My wife and I spent two unforgettable days in Madikwe – the variety of wildlife encounters blew our minds. By Anton Kruger

Moremi Magic
My Moremi glamping safari. There’s something immensely satisfying about discovering Africa on a mobile tented camp safari. G&T anyone?

Cape Town + bush safari combos
How does one exactly combine Cape Town’s summer splendours with a wild Big 5 bushveld safari? We provide four fantastic summer/autumn combos!

Monochrome Magic
This fantastic black & white photography gallery of African wildlife will have you grabbing your camera and booking a safari with us

Is Madikwe the best malaria-free Big 5 safari experience?
After a few days in Madikwe we had already seen cheetahs, lions, wild dogs, spotted & brown hyenas, rhinos & elephants. By Marc de Chalain

Trekking the beautiful Bale Mountains in Ethiopia
This was an amazing opportunity to visit Ethiopia’s most important biodiversity hotspot and see some of the rarest creatures in the world.

Kruger- lodges vs self drive
Which Kruger safari option is better – luxury of the private lodges in the Greater Kruger or the self-catering options in the national park?

Jurassic Niassa
“Are we seriously landing there?” The Cessna Caravan was heading towards a massive rocky dome, and what appeared to be a short dirt track in a dense sea of woodland. But, as we skimmed over a wide sandy riverbed, the track morphed into a landing strip. We bumped down and taxied to a halt. Paradise …

Private game reserves are vital for conservation
Without detracting from the wonderful and critical role that our national parks play in conservation we would like to take an opportunity to focus on the positive achievements of the private sector in this regard.

Mabamba Swamp: A bird-lovers paradise!
Mabamba Swamp is a bird-lovers dream destination. It is home to 260 bird species, including the massive shoebill – Uganda’s most sought-after bird!

Namibia’s desert-adapted lions
Namibia’s desert-adapted lions are hardy survivors that eke out a living in the inhospitable arid west of this beautiful country

Kruger Walking Magic
The three-night Mphongolo Backpack Trail in the Kruger National Park takes takes your soul to a deeper understanding of wilderness

Supernatural South Luangwa
“Turn left. Continue along the road, through a dry riverbed. When the road forks, keep to the left.” We were 371km from home, six hours into our journey, and at the bottom of page two of a three-page printout of detailed instructions describing how to get to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. We weren’t …

Hwange
The annual wildlife count in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is a wonderful citizen-science project for all – Tony Park tells his story

A photographic bonanza of predators in Savuti
A photographic bonanza safari – predators galore in Botswana’s Savute, Chobe National Parl. This is an Africa Geographic safari

Classic Namibia
This fantastic photo gallery showcases the fascinating tribal cultures, wildlife and breathtaking vistas of Namibia – pack your bags

Palm oil trade to develop in Congo Basin
Gorillas, forest elephants and bonobos threatened by plans to make the world’s second largest rainforest the next frontier in the global palm oil trade.

Global trade in African grey parrots banned
Delegates at a global wildlife conference on Sunday voted to ban international trade in African grey parrots, one of the world’s most trafficked birds.

Kgalagadi versus Kruger
A daring comparison of two popular Southern African transfrontier parks.

Wüstenquell in Namibia offers unique rock formations for photographers
Wüstenquell in Namibia’s abundant rock formations make it one of most spectacular locations for any landscape photographer.

Why you should vote to stop trade in African grey parrots
Sign this petition and help to save thousands of wild African grey parrots!

Swaziland: Africa’s Little Secret
Swaziland enjoys a diversity of landscapes and experiences for the traveller and a laid-back vibe – fantastic for that chilled vacay

Leopard kills 33 Endangered African penguins
A leopard has killed 33 Endangered African penguins in a single incident in Betty’s Bay, South Africa

The wilds of East Africa – photo gallery
These magical black & white images of Kenya and Tanzania by Federico Veronesi will have you contacting us to arrange your next African safari

Why Etosha is the perfect place to sketch wildlife
Etosha in Namibia provided the perfect African wildlife experience for an artist from Spain – check out his artwork and take in his advice

Uncovering the remains of an ancient civilisation at the Gede Ruins
A visit to the Gede Ruins uncovers a lost Swahili civilisation and tells stories of how they used to live.

Zooming in on mesocarnivores
A camera trap study contributes new insights into the diverse world of small and medium-sized carnivores.

More incidences of vulture poisoning in South Africa
14 more vultures have been found in KwaZulu-Natal that are thought to have been poisoned by an unknown chemical.

Kenya’s ivory burn: the story in pictures
Photos documenting the biggest ivory burn in history, which took place in Nairobi National Park last weekend.

African grey parrot bust in the DRC
Illegal shipments of African grey parrots intercepted in the DRC and local governors make efforts to crack down on the trade before it is too late.

Coral trees of South Africa – a study in scarlet
There is nothing in Africa quite as emblematic of the colour scarlet as the flaming coral tree. Find out more about this family of colourful fauna.

The Secret Garden Route
Off the beaten track in one of South Africa’s most loved tourist destinations.

Selous: A Long Way From Anywhere
Selous is Africa’s oldest and largest protected area. This fantastic gallery of images will have you contacting our safari team and packing your bags

Kruger Addicts
An Australian couple share why they are so crazy about Kruger National Park – after more than 25 extended stays in the park over the years

Exploring Etosha
Everything you need to know about Etosha National Park in Namibia – home of giant white elephants & crowded waterholes during the dry season

Why you should care about thickets
A thicket is a dense, almost impenetrable tangle of trees, shrubs, and vines, that is home to a host of biodiversity. Here is why you should spare a thought for thickets

I Love Namibia
Exploring the wild places of Namibia makes for a different kind of honeymoon, and our road trip turned out to be the journey of a lifetime

iSimangaliso: park for the people
iSimangaliso is a World Heritage Site – a rich and diverse ecosystem that attracts nature lovers and provides sustainable livelihoods for many

12 edible indigenous South African plants
Connect to your food and the rhythm of nature in a new, fresh and wild way by growing these 12 indigenous edible plants.

Where did all the penguins go?
Penguins are in trouble. A 1930’s video clip with Cherry Kearton gives an insight into the extent of the endangered African penguin population decline.

The Cape Winelands with a difference
Four Cap Classique-filled days spent discovering vineyards that are making a difference in the beautiful Cape Winelands.

Hermanus & the not so False Bay
Hermanus and False Bay – things to do, what, when and how. A complete guide to having fun on Cape Town’s coastline – from a local

Is it possible to save Congo’s parrots?
An examination of the African grey parrot populations in the DRC and suggestions of what can be done to prevent their extirpation.

Golden jackal: A new wolf species hiding in plain sight
New research suggests that the golden jackal should actually be classified as a species of wolf.

Kgalagadi – life in a Land of Thirst
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast wildlife paradise and a dream safari destination for photographers – check out this photo gallery

Rehabilitated secretarybird goes back into the wild
A secretarybird has successfully been released back into the wild after a lengthy period of treatment to one of its eyes.

The effects of drought in iSimangaliso
Understanding the problem of drought in iSimangaliso Wetland Park and finding the solution.

A second chance at life for 19-year old penguin
A 19 year old penguin, rescued by SANCCOB in 1997, has been released after recent oil spill.

Increased poaching causes surge in African vulture deaths
Facing multiple threats including poisoning by poachers, African vultures are declining at a critical rate and researchers suggest that they are heading towards extinction.

4 fun facts about the bat-eared fox
The bat-eared fox is a cute, shy creature that wanders around southern Africa’s drier landscapes at night in search of food

Rehabilitated penguins to be released after mystery oil spill
Watch the first rehabilitated endangered African penguins be released in Cape St Francis this Saturday, after recovering from mystery oil spill in Algoa Bay.

Rescued penguins responding well to rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of oiled penguins continues at SANCCOB in the Eastern Cape

Vultures poisoned in Mpumalanga
Endangered white-backed vultures found poisoned; two rescued in time.

Oiled African penguins and chicks rescued
SANCCOB rescues 30 penguins from an oil spill in the Eastern Cape.

Putting right the black mamba’s reputation
The black mamba is a misunderstood snake – the subject of many urban legends and exaggerated claims Learn more here

65 endangered vultures killed in poisoning incident
65 vultures and a tawny eagle found dead in a poisoning incident on a private farm north-west of Hoedspruit.

Through a Land of Giants
The Ruvuma River does not give up her secrets easily – but that did not stop 4 intrepid researchers from journeying its length

A project for penguins and people
A successful penguin release at Burgher’s Walk Restoration Project in Simon’s Town.

Strong data from latest roadkill survey
A road kill survey of Pilanesberg National Park produces some interesting results.

The lovely long-tailed widowbird
From being rather bland the long-tailed widowbird transforms in a Cinderella-like way into the most miraculous bird in the bushveld!

Ethiopia’s Church Forests
In the highlands of Ethiopia, American scientist Meg Lowman is working with local forest ecologist Alemayehu Wassie to protect ancient church forests. As in many developing countries, much of Ethiopia’s original forests have been cleared for subsistence agriculture and for harvesting timber and firewood, diminishing northern Ethiopia’s forest cover from 45% of its territory in …

Finding Gold in Gabon
I was used to working in the savannahs of eastern and southern Africa, where the animals I studied roamed in full sight. I was used to the relative comfort and safety of getting around in a 4×4, and my camera went everywhere with me. Then, in 2010, I arrived in the Central African country of …

Black-breasted barbet spotted in Zakouma
The first photo of a black-breasted barbet in Chad’s Zakouma National Park!

Blown away by Zakouma
Zakouma – a North African safari destination that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the great wildlife and safari destinations of Africa

Life in the Ashes
Walking through the ashes of Table Mountain National Park after last week’s monumental fire, I didn’t expect to see it as a landscape teeming with life, and yet it was. The sensation was one mixed with awe at the devastation, and wonder at the nature that has survived or is already emerging. For 5 days …

Rehabilitated Cape parrot thriving
A wild-born female Cape parrot rehabilitated from a deadly viral infection and released back into the wild in 2011 has been seen on several occasions, apparently healthy and living the life.

NSPCA’s formal stance on the selective breeding of wild animals for colour mutations
The NSPCA speaks out on why selective breeding for colour morphs has absolutely no benefit to the individual animal, the species, biodiversity or conservation as a whole.

Captive bred vultures fly free
10 endangered Cape vultures were released back to the wild this February.

Living Wild in Liuwa
Liuwa Plain, a remote national park in Zambia, is a conservation success story because of cooperation from villagers that live inside the park

Southern African bearded vulture decline
Humans are largely to blame for the rapid demise of one of Africa’s most famous birds – the bearded vulture.

The Thing About Hunting
The thing about hunting is that the topic is so polarising that it prevents meaningful discourse between people who probably have more in common than they care to admit. And, while the protagonists battle it out, the grim reapers continue to harvest Africa’s wildlife and other natural resources. We humans tend to silo information to …

Africa’s most common bird viewed by agriculture as a major pest
Every year thousands of tons of wheat, millet and sorghum is lost as a result of millions of queleas devouring crops both from commercial and subsistence farmers.

Beautiful images of Bangweulu Wetlands
Interesting antelope, stunning birds and a caring community make Bangweulu Wetlands a place to visit in 2015!

Forest saved as community says no to oil
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest is saved from oil mining as communities take a stand to save this critically threatened habitat.

10 lovely images that capture life in Liuwa
From herds of lechwe in the flood plains to the fishing festival of the Lozi people. Liuwa Plain National Park is place worth visiting!

Samburu Sensations
We challenged our CEO Simon Espley to tick off a carefully compiled list of avian eye candy during his 3-day Samburu safari

LepiMAP’s butterfly-filled LepiBASH
Discover what a magical resource butterflies and moths are for local ecosystems at Spring LepiBASH from 18 to the 26 of October.