Botswana elephant debate: Tourism marketing manager urges the tourism industry to create alternatives beyond elephant hunting.
Category Archives: Destinations
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. …
Luxury lodge closes as loggers move in to make way for dam in Selous Game Reserve
Azura Selous, a luxury game lodge situated along the banks of the Great Ruaha River in the remote Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania, has announced its sudden closure due to the unexpected arrival of loggers in the area.
Black leopard: My quest to photograph the most elusive cat in Africa
British wildlife photographer, Will Burrard-Lucas, has captured a series of high-quality camera trap photographs of a wild melanistic leopard (otherwise known as a black panther) in Africa.
Serengeti: Ultimate Walking Safari
Safari report-back: My walking safari in the vast Serengeti wilderness – a fantastic experience for adventurous souls. By Simon Espley
Beach lions again hunting seals and coastal birds in Namibia, after 35 years
Research has revealed that the desert-adapted lions eking out a living on the harsh northwest coast of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park (SCNP) are again specialising in hunting seals and coastal birds such as flamingos and cormorants, after an absence of 35 years.
African, Asian & forest elephants – what’s the difference?
Did you know that there are three species of elephants? We take a look at the differences between the African, Asian and forest elephant.
New Tanzanian reserve declared to protect invaluable forest
A rich forest teeming with unique and endangered wildlife in Tanzania has finally been placed under protection, supported by World Land Trust and other partners.
Nanzhila Plains – Hidden Kafue Gem
Zambia’s Kafue National Park is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets, an unspoilt wilderness with an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Nowhere else in Africa can you see blue duiker, sable, roan, red lechwe, Lichenstein’s hartebeest, puku, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, painted wolf, hippo and yellow-backed duiker all in one park. Covering 22,480 km2, Kafue represents 36% …
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.
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.
Graphic video: Hippo commits infanticide
Dominant male hippos can engage in brutal fights to defend their territory, and can even commit infanticide to secure their dominance over the pod.
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.
Death of Tait: The end of a legend
In the BBC’s Dynasties documentary we meet an incredible painted wolf: Tait. Here is an account of her final days as the alpha female by photographer Nicholas Dyer.
Big news as Kruger National Park 10-year management plan approved by Minister
South Africa’s Acting Minister of Environmental Affairs Derek Hanekom has officially approved the ground-breaking and visionary 10-year Kruger National Park Management Plan.
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.
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. …
Video: Malawi gains new giraffe population in Majete Wildlife Reserve
Thirteen South African giraffe have been translocated over 2,500 km and safely released into Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve, establishing its first population.
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
Namibia – Celebrating African Light
Photography is all about light. Visiting one of Africa’s magnificent wild places is always an adventure, but experiencing it in great light can make it an out-of-this-world experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime. In the early morning and late afternoon, the low standing sun brings out an array of colours that add a magical …
Fire and elephant: Agents of change in the Maasai Mara
Investigating the changing makeup of the Maasai Mara’s vegetation over time and how elephants have contributed to these changes.
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.
Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana
Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana.
Discovering the forest birds of Maasai Mara
The banks of the Mara River in the Maasai Mara of Kenya offer ideal habitat for birds – and for bird-watchers, especially if you find a puddle of water, and especially during the heat of the day.
Madagascar
This fantastic photo gallery of Madagascar wildlife will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari, and packing your bags
3 Epic safaris to do before you kick the bucket
Not all safaris are born equal. Some are so special by the very nature of what they offer, that even our seasoned team here at Africa Geographic keep them in their personal ‘must-do’ lists. Some refer to them as ‘bucket-list’ safaris; we simply suggest that you really should consider embarking on these journeys before you kick the bucket (list).
Kruger’s roaming lions
“Never a dull moment in the bush” is something my husband and I tell each other all the time. Well, that is certainly true for the events of a few weekends ago when a male lion got out of our stunning Kruger National Park!
Lower Zambezi: Where the Wild Things Are
The Lower Zambezi valley, with its majestic escarpment sloping down to meet the river, protects a massive rift in the earth’s crust through which the Zambezi River flows. Over millennia, mineral-rich volcanic soils deposited by the river have given rise to lush vegetation, while the many channels and oxbow lakes attract an array of wildlife. …
Kruger 10-year management plan
SANParks has released its Kruger National Park management plan covering the next 10 years. This 259-page report is essential reading for Kruger fans who enjoy debating the issues that the Kruger management team has to deal with on a regular basis, such as problem-animal management, hotels in Kruger and trophy hunting of free-roaming wildlife on reserves adjoining Kruger.
Kenya’s Shaba National Reserve: Wild Africa at its best
Shaba National Reserve, lying deep in northern Kenya’s expanse, is a stunning wilderness home to dramatic gorges, open plains and extinct volcanoes.
Etosha Through My Eyes
There is a distinct excitement in the air as we make our way through the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern side of Etosha National Park in Namibia. The sun has just risen, dappling the leaves of the mopane shrubs lining the road in mottled shades of gold and green. Barely a few minutes into …
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.
Celebrating Etosha
This fantastic photo gallery of Etosha National Park in Namibia will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari and packing your bags
Tracking with the Ju/’Hoansi Master Trackers in Kruger
The last three Master Trackers of the Ju/’hoanis from Nyae Nyae in Namibia were invited to the Kruger in South Africa to participate in some pioneering trails. They came to display their extraordinary tracking prowess to guests participating in walking trails. This is an account of their journey.
Skye the lion hunting furore: Parliament wants Kruger NP agreement with private reserves revised
Environmental Affairs committee believes agreement between Kruger National Park and private reserves should be revised.
Video: 500 animals journey from Kruger to Zinave
The past two months saw the translocation of zebra, blue wildebeest and impala from Kruger National Park in South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique. The overall goal is to reintroduce 7,500 game animals in Zinave over the next five years and to date over 1,300 animals have been rewilded to the park.
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
Maasai Mara Specialist Photographic Safari
This is possibly the most exciting photographic safari to Kenya’s Maasai Mara that we have seen in a while. Award-winning photographer Arnfinn Johansen will host four lucky Africa Geographic guests for nine days / eight nights, making use of a specially-adapted vehicle and an off-road driving permit to secure epic wildlife images. The Maasai Mara …
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Climbing Kili
Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895m high, is Africa’s tallest mountain, the world’s highest free-standing peak, and one of the famed ‘Seven Summits’. Climbing Kilimanjaro is classified as an extreme altitude mountain trek, but with proper preparation, climbing ‘Kili’ can be an achievable goal and a life-changing experience. Rising from the plains of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro gives …
Video: 90 African buffalo welcomed into community conservancy in Zambia
Peace Parks Foundation has presented 90 African buffalo to the communities of the Simalaha Community Conservancy, with an additional 110 buffalo still to be brought in over the next month.
Video: Lions return to Malawi’s Liwonde National Park
African Parks has completed a series of lion translocations as part of wider efforts to restore Malawi’s parks; and for the first time in 20 years, a population of the iconic predators has been re-established in Liwonde National Park.
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 …
Epic Kruger
This epic photo gallery from Africa Geographic of special moments in Kruger National Park will have you booking your next safari with AG
Elephant saved by vets in Kenya after being hit twice with poison arrows
Struck with two poison arrows, an elephant bull faced a slow and painful death, but fortunately he survived thanks to quick intervention.
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. I was reminiscing about the short flight from cold and foggy Cape Town to the hot, sunny land of beautiful Botswana. Filled with a sense of freedom and oneness …
History and future of the Kruger
It was a few years before the South African (Boer) War, in the late 1800s when President Paul Kruger (in office 1883 – 1900) was alerted by James Stevenson-Hamilton to the fact that a rapid extinction of various species of flora and fauna was taking place in South Africa. Unregulated hunting meant that wild animals …
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 …
Video: Battle of the boars
A field guide in the Kruger National Park witnesses an epic battle between to warthog boars.
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
Video: Lions make a comeback
With wild lions under pressure from so many threats, this is a wonderful story of lions being reintroduced to an area that used to have lions.
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
It is not hard to see why Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural sites on the planet, and continues to delight and capture the imagination of travellers. Even as early as 1855, David Livingstone described the Falls in a way that reflects this sentiment: “Creeping with awe to the verge, I peered …
There’s a Leopard in my Garden
One of the most popular requests from safari tourists to their guides is to see leopards. This is a tough task, even for the most experienced of guides, due to the elusive and cunning nature of these big cats. But there is a town called Hoedspruit, near the Kruger National Park in the Limpopo Province …
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
Witnessing an elephant relocation in northern Kenya
We get an insiders view as to what happens during the relocation process of an elephant heading to a new home from Lewa to Tsavo in Kenya.
Manyeleti: The Place of Stars
Manyeleti Game Reserve is a bit of an open secret amongst those in the know. But the secret details depend on who you speak to. Jaundiced, local Kruger National Park die-hards have either never heard of it, or write the reserve off as not worthy of their holiday time (most never having been there). Others …
Art safari Q&A: What will I learn on my art safari?
Artist Alison Nicholls answers some frequently asked questions regarding the Africa Geographic Travel art safaris that she runs in the Kruger National Park and Madikwe in South Africa.
Ethiopia: The living churches of an ancient kingdom
It was early in the fourth century AD, under the reign of King Ezana, when the ancient Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum) – a major naval and trading nation that spanned a large portion of east Africa, including modern-day northern Ethiopia – embraced the Orthodox tradition of Christianity. The capital city of the empire was Aksum, and …
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Magical Maasai Mara
The fascination of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and its abundance of wildlife brings fond memories to many seasoned African safari travellers; I am no exception. In January this year, I was invited by some good friends from the USA to join them on a trip to this remarkable reserve. We departed from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, and …
The angry hippo and a tragic Mara River crossing
Despite the fact that they are known to have an aggressive nature and displays unexpected behaviour, a cold-blooded kill by a hippo is rarely caught on camera in the wild.
Research: Are there too many elephants in Botswana?
Botswana’s researchers contribute to the debate surrounding large elephant populations and their impact on the environment in southern Africa.
Lion relocation success: Somkhanda lions reveal their cubs
Four cubs have been spotted recently, sticking closely to their mom, at Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This is a true success story around wild lion and their translocation to one of the only community-owned reserves in the country.
Klaserie through the Lens
Safari trip report-back: at Klaserie in the Greater Kruger National Park is an epic destination for photographers. By Willem Kruger
Vibrant festivities at Sukuma weddings
A photographer is invited to be part of the vibrant festivities of a Sukuma wedding in Tanzania.
Gory splendour: Lion cub and buffalo carcass
A greedy lion cub wants the buffalo carcass all to itself!
16 days in Uganda
It was in the early 2000s when my father started seriously talking about gorilla trekking as one of his bucket-list adventures. But it would take another 16 years of reading, research, and reluctance before it would finally become a reality. Finally, on the 1st of July 2017, my father, along with my two brothers, sister-in-law and …
Nyiragongo: A hike to the centre of the Earth
Safari report-back: Climbing Mount Nyiragongo in DRC was one of the highlights of my life. By Björn Persson
Lamu Town: A place forgotten by time on Africa’s coast
The charming town of Lamu in Kenya is one of Africa’s oldest and most authentic places, and has so much to offer for the intrepid traveller.
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 …
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Pangolin research in the Kalahari
Little is known about how pangolins might cope with the direct and indirect effects of a changing climate. A PhD researcher is therefore investigating the body temperature, diet, and activity patterns of free-living ground pangolins in a semi-arid environment in South Africa.
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 …
Rediscovering Kruger
Living on the African continent, we have a vast array of protected areas to visit. Those of us with a travel-addiction and passion for wildlife endeavour to visit them all – the Okavango, Maasai Mara and Serengeti to mention just a few. However, we sometimes overlook what we have right on our doorstep, such as …
Harmless aardwolf killed: The need for education
An unfortunate incident of mistaken identity where an aardwolf was misidentified as a hyena highlights the need for wildlife education.
Riding in lion country
Equestrian types tend to come with a few traits that, while charming to fellow horsey folk, are unbearably irritating to those not of a horsey nature. One such quirk is the devout belief that having ridden one way, you probably know – better than most – how to ride another. We also have an unwavering …
The elephant orphans of Zambia
The Elephant Orphanage Project provides a sanctuary for defenceless elephant calves, who are the victims of poaching, human conflict or occasionally natural abandonment. Under the age of two, young elephants are extremely vulnerable and very dependent. Most will not survive without both their mother’s care and her nutrient-rich milk.
Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park: Protecting the “birthplace of rhino”
Over the past few months, Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal – managed by conservation agency Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – has been hard hit by a significant escalation in rhino poaching. Ezemvelo has subsequently been hard at work developing more effective anti-poaching and resource management strategies. In support of this, Peace Parks Foundation has committed an additional R10,6 million towards the implementation of advanced technology solutions in this sacred rhino protection area.
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
Land issues: The story of beauty and violence
Land, an emotive subject, a limited resource that builds nations or breaks them. Use it well and you thrive, use it unwisely and you will sink to the bottomless pit of chaos and poverty.
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.
Video: Lots of gorillas, and luckily not much mist!
As part of our four-month trip around Africa, we decided to spend some of our time with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Decoding Kruger’s ‘Elephant Management Plan’
The Kruger National Park is vast, at about 2 million hectares, and requires a thorough management strategy in order to ensure long term sustainability. Part of that strategy, The Elephant Management Plan – compiled by Kruger management and Scientific Service – is currently in force, and covers the period 2013 to 2022.
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
Opinion: Too many lions in Kunene
Whether tourism operators and armchair lion-lovers like it or not, there are now too many lions in some parts of the Kunene region. Trying to save the lions that are killing livestock, or harassing the farmers who kill them, including impounding their firearms, will not serve the interests of conservation in the region.
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.
Bamboo lemurs on the brink, driven by climate change
What do China’s giant pandas and Madagascan bamboo lemurs have in common, aside from their precarious conservation status?
Capturing South Luangwa
Safari report-back: South Luangwa in Zambia offers a wildlife-rich safari and fantastic photographic opportunities. By Edward Selfe
Spectacular sighting: White baboon spotted in Arusha
I was driving my three-door RAV4 on the road leading to the part of the national park called ‘small Serengeti’ with Mount Meru standing majestically in front of me while I watched the nearby giraffes, zebras, baboons and buffaloes, when a brilliant flash of white caught my eye!
Video: Maasai coming of age ceremony
For the Maasai, the Emuratare is one of their most important ceremonies, and a life-changing milestone for the boys and girls who celebrate their transition into adulthood.
Rock-cut churches in Ethiopia to be documented
In Ethiopia, Christians are still today carving new, free-standing churches from solid rock faces, and now there is a project that is currently documenting this at-risk cultural practice.
Kwaai Khwai
Safari report-back: My epic adventire in Botswana’s Khwai – a wildlife-rich area near Okavango Delta, Botswana. By Simon Espley
Can carbon measuring save Tanzania’s forests?
Up until now I have never been involved in projects that mitigate climate change, however during my last expedition, I had the opportunity to spend some time exploring the greater Mahale ecosystem and Carbon Tanzania’s newest project site.
Kruger: Is this the technological future?
Presently, we are able to instantly globally share everything we see and hear in Kruger and just about every other destination on earth. Animal sightings and locations are given in real time and we are able to send photos and videos across a host of social media platforms.
Benny the elephant and Mike – a touching African story
When the dry season sets in and water is scarce, barriers blur and relationships are forged out of necessity. One such relationship is that of Benny the elephant and Mike the human.
Opinion: Are Maasai cattle to blame for overgrazing in Tanzania?
Living with the Maasai has taught me that conservation is not only about animals but is just as much about us humans; that to preserve any one place we have to be mindful of the local communities that live within it and try to understand the way they view the world to be able to work alongside them to protect mother nature.
My ‘Delta Detox’ mobile safari experience
Safari report-back: My tented mobile safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana – an adventure I will never forget. By Carolien du Plessis
Kruger: Impact of social media and mobile phones – good or bad?
Technology and social media have shaped the Kruger experience into something radically different from what it was ten years ago.
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
