An interview with Brent Stapelkamp, who has worked for nine years on the Hwange Lion Research Project, on what was illegal about the hunt of Cecil and what the effects have been.
Author Archives: Scott Ramsay
Dr Ian McCallum on the web of life and the wilderness
An interview with psychologist, poet and wilderness guide, Dr Ian McCallum in which he teaches about “web-of-life” thinking and how we can learn a lot about ourselves from the wild.
An interview with novelist Tony Park about Africa’s wilderness
The famous Australian novelist’s thoughts on the African wilderness, trade in rhino horn, hunting and what must be done to ensure that Africa’s wild animals survive.
An interview with shark researchers: Monique and Chris Fallows
An interview about African wildlife experiences with the husband and wife team who have pioneered the research and photography of the breaching great white sharks of False Bay.
An interview with wildlife photographer, Greg du Toit
Greg du Toit shares his favourite regions, animals and experiences in Africa’s wilderness, as well as his role models and advice he would give aspiring photographers.
On tour with the leatherback turtles of iSimangaliso
These ancient mariners find protection on the coast of South Africa.
Birds, wild dogs, leopards and Scott in the Kruger
Scott learns to appreciate the smaller creatures and more stationary objects in the Kruger, when he can’t find a leopard.
Kruger catch-up – Lower Sabie, Satara and Talamati
Scott soaks up the natural wonders of Kruger: lions, bull elephants, happy hippo herds and hidden leopards.
White lion cubs in the Timbavati
Scott Ramsay is lucky enough to see all five of the Timbavati white lions: two adult lionesses and three white lion cubs.
Third week in Kruger: pretty lady on a rock
Scott mulls over conservation issues in South Africa, while at a fantastic leopard sighting in the Kruger.
Kruger from the air
Scott Ramsay spends the day flying with the anti-poaching team over the Kruger.
Interview with Kruger’s anti-poaching chief
An interview with Major-General Johan Jooste, the man in charge of anti-poaching at South African National Parks.
Kruger – lions, kingfishers and on foot with ellies
Scott Ramsay’s travels take him to the Kruger National Park, a landmark area in the history of wildlife conservation.
Death of the kings – Tembe’s elephants in danger
In Africa today there are probably no more than 40 giant tusker elephants, in South Africa, the last of these giants live in Tembe Elephant Park in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal
Leopard catching duiker… and other wonders
Scott proves that iSimangaliso Wetland Park lives up to its name: “place of wonders” in isiZulu. South Africa’s first world heritage site does not disappoint for those armed with a camera and a zoom lens.
The boer and the fossil fish – a tribute to Peter Timm
Scott Ramsay writes about his experience with the charismatic Peter Timm, the legendary deep sea diver and his life with coelecanths in Sodwana Bay; who has recently passed away.
Further into paradise
Scott Ramsay adventures take him to iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the east coast of South Africa, where he indulges in the underwater treasures of the ocean at Rocktail bay.
Africa’s oldest wilderness under threat from mining
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, home to a diverse range of wildlife is under threat from coal mining.
Wild iMfolozi wilderness trail- the home of the wild
Scott Ramsay, along with fellow campers, explores the natural wonders along the iMfolozi wilderness trail in South Africa.
Forest and still waters at Kosi in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The Kosi Bay area of northern iSimangaliso Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal is one of the most photogenic and beautiful in the country.
Tembe, land of giants
Tembe Elephant Park in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal is one of Scott Ramsay’s favourite protected areas. In 300 square kilometres of sandforest, woodland and swamps, you’ll find some of the biggest tuskers in Africa.
Kingdom of the birds, a pied piper and a vegetarian vulture
Scott Ramsay visits Ndumo, home to about 85% of the 500 species in the Kwa-Zulu Natal area, making it one of the best birding spots in the country.
Bird calls by Sonto Tembe
A video with Sonto Tembe, a ranger who has worked for more than 30 years at Ndumo, as he performs some impressive bird calls.
Swaziland: showing Africa how to save rhinos
If you’re concerned about the calamitous state of rhinos – and wildlife – in Africa, then consider what Ted Reilly has to say. Now 75 years old, Ted has worked his whole adult life for the protection of the Kingdom of Swaziland’s wildlife and its natural habitat.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park in summer
When the summer thunderstorms arrive, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State province of South Africa turns into a green mountain paradise.
Heart of the bushveld at Marakele National Park
Scott Ramsay visits Marakele National Park in the Waterberg region of South Africa. This is the heartland of the bushveld habitat, and in winter it can seem a little dreary, but in summer, the land comes alive.
How dung beetles give birth to baobab trees
Scott Ramsay realises that despite our remarkable achievements, humans are not the only impressive life forces. That title also belongs to any number of other living things such as the impressive baobab tree or the humble dung beetle.
Getting to grips with Mokala National Park
After the epic Kgalagadi, Scott headed first to the impressive Augrabies National Park, and then Mokala National Park, which is south-west of Kimberley in the centre of South Africa.
Augrabies Falls National Park
Scott Ramsay visits the Augrabies Falls National Park and discovers some of the best scenery in South Africa.
Kindess of strangers in Kgalagadi
As Scott leaves the Kgalagadi, he reflects on the kindness of strangers and the friends he has made along the way.
The stare of a lion
Scott Ramsay discovers that the stare of a wild lion can teach us something. Something about us, as modern humans, and where we fit in a wild world.
A lion show down in the Kgalagadi
During a game drive at Ta Shebube Lodge near Polentswa, Scott Ramsay gets to witness (and photograph) a lion show down between rivals. See the photos here.
Kgalagadi to Mabuasehube adventure
Scott Ramsay goes back towards simplicity with an adventure through the Kgalagadi Transfontier Park to Mabuasehube.
The Kgalagadi in summer
While everyone was driving south out of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in middle of January, going back to work and heading back to school, Scott was driving north, into the heat. Read about his summer adventure.
Canon 1DX and 500mm lens review
Scott Ramsay invested in a Canon 1Dx DSLR camera and a 500mm lens and he couldn’t be happier with his choice of photography equipment.
Gondwana Canyon Park
Gondwana Canyon Park is one of the more established private parks in Namibia – started in 1995 and at almost 1 300 square kilometres it is one of the biggest too.
The extreme beauty of Ai-Ais National Park
Scott Ramsay crosses the Orange River to Ai-Ais National Park in Namibia and explores the second-biggest canyon in the world – the Fish River Canyon.
Richtersveld National Park in summer
The scenery at the Richtersveld National Park is unique – desert mountains that surround massive sandy plains, and of course the Orange River that flows through the gorge.
Namaqua National Park’s cool side
Famous for its flowers, Namaqua National Park’s coastal section makes for a superb wilderness experience even in the off season.
Black eagles in the Cederberg
Scott Ramsay visits Megan Murgatroyd who has just finished her three-year study of the Cederberg’s black eagles, now known as Verreaux’s eagles, to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
The mademoiselle, the Karoo farmers and jackals in the night
Meet Marine, she’s from France, she’s a vegetarian and she loves caracals. Marine is a zoologist researching the dynamics behind predator and farmer conflict in the Karoo.
Preserving the biodiversity of Agulhas National Park
Scott Ramsay spends a few day in Agulhas National Park, and while in the area, spends some time with local farmers to learn about the conservation efforts going on in the region.
Walking De Hoop’s beaches and dunes
De Hoop Nature Reserve is unique. It’s oozing scenic Cape beauty and boasts several unrivaled physical features and is perhaps one of the most important birding areas on the continent.
Bontebok National Park
Scott Ramsay visits Bontebok National Park near Swellendam in the Western Cape; the smallest national park in the country and the saviour of the Bontebok antelope, endemic to the region.
Peninsula of paradise
Scott Ramsay is as close to heaven as he can get at the Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay.
Whisky Creek canoe trail
Scott Ramsay heads to the town of Plettenberg Bay and discovers the Whiskey Creek canoe trail in the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve.
Glorious Goukamma Nature Reserve
Scott Ramsay goes to Goukamma Nature Reserve. He photographs Cape clawless otters, Fish Eagles and much more…
Bouncing back after the Goukamma oil spill
On the 9th August this year, a German 182-metre Kiani Satu cargo vessel ran aground just offshore of Goukamma in Knysna but the land is recovering well, says Scott Ramsay.
Aerial photos of Kaokoland, northwest Namibia
The northwest of Namibia – known today as Kunene Region, but formerly as Kaokoland and Damaraland – is one of the most untouched stretches of land in Southern Africa. About 70 000 people live in an area twice the size of Belgium, and you must have a fully-equipped 4×4 if you’re going to explore anywhere […]
Desert Elephants of Namibia
By: Scott Ramsay, YearInTheWild.com For the past few weeks I have been travelling through Kaokoland and Damaraland in north-west Namibia. My first highlight of the trip was spending time in the massive conservancy of Puros, an area of incredible scenery and the desert elephants. One misty morning my Himba guide Robbin Uatokuja and I found them on […]
