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
Category Archives:
Herero
Jim Naughten first came across Namibia’s Herero tribe years ago when he saw a Herero lady sashaying across the desert in her beautiful dress
A very special pangolin rescue
This is a story of two rescued pangolins, a story of compassion and transboundary teamwork to help two endangered mammals
5 things I wish I knew before climbing Kilimanjaro
Five things you should know before you summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and a popular challenge for adventurers
A photo safari to South Luangwa
An unforgettable photographic safari with Africa Geographic in the remote Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park
8 unexpected uses for elephant dung
Elephant dung has many uses to humans – from delicious coffee and beer, to medicine, insect repellant, biogas and paper
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
Seaweed – 10 facts and interesting uses
Interesting facts and uses for seaweed – the treasured garden under the waves.
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.
Extinct, then rediscovered – the ‘little violins’
The lovely yellow Lachenalia mathewsii, like so many plants in the Cape Floral Kingdom, is at risk of going extinct.
Zimbabwe elephant hunter identified as German mogul Rainer Schorr
Animal rights group PETA has named the hunter who killed one of Africa’s largest elephants as German businessman Rainer Schorr
18 000 Mauritian flying foxes: to cull or to treasure?
The Mauritian government plans to cull 18,000 endangered flying foxes – scientists say that this drastic measure threatens their existence
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.
Rescuing Beatrice the baby aardvark
‘A’ is for aardvark – a strange nocturnal creature that wanders some of Africa’s drier areas. ‘B’ is for baby aardvark that was rescued
PALF’s dogs sniff out illegal bushmeat
Crocodiles and turtles are released after the PALF dog team sniffs them out in a road block.
The Cape Winelands with a difference
Four Cap Classique-filled days spent discovering vineyards that are making a difference in the beautiful Cape Winelands.
Lemurs of Madagascar – photo gallery
The endemic lemurs of Madagascar are unique and fascinating. Check out this fantastic photo gallery before packing your safari bags
Elephants held hostage in Laikipia
Young bull elephants held hostage in Laikipia after destroying crops. It is estimated that local communities lose over a US$1 million in revenue from raiding elephant in Kenya each year.
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
Rats sniff out landmines in Mozambique
Over two decades after the civil war in Mozambique finished, the country has now achieved ‘free of known landmine’ status.
Welfare of elephants in captivity comes under question
Elephants are still being ridden in South Africa, despite a growing international move away from the controversial practice
Dereck Joubert responds to a hunter on the economics of hunting
Dereck Joubert responds to hunter claims – explains how the argument for hunting gets thinner each time it is tested
‘Extinct’ plant discovered on Lion’s Head
A small species of plant, thought to be possibly extinct, has been rediscovered on the slopes of Lion’s Head.
The hidden struggle of South Africa’s freshwater fish
A new conservation film, entitled Fins in the Fynbos, aims to turn the spotlight on threatened fish species and how to save them.
Baobab and quiver trees – reaching for the stars
Massive ancient baobab trees are a feature of many arid African landscapes, and this fantastic starlight gallery celebrates these grey giants
Lion cub petting – but first, let me take a selfie!
An exploration of the reality behind the lion breeding industry and the heavy implications of taking a ‘selfie’ with an adorable lion cub.
Graphic content: Baby hippo killed by its pod
A baby hippo is slaughtered by its pod in a startling series of photographs that highlights the realities of wild Africa
CSI Bushveld – how did the python die?
In an investigation of Bushveld CSI, Corlette examines the corpse of 5 metre long python to determine what killed it.
Drones keep elephants safe in Tanzania
To reduce human-elephant conflict, drones are being used to chase elephants off farms and ensure their safety.
Professional hunters’ association president calls for a review of lion hunting
After viewing the new film Blood Lions, Hermann Meyeridricks is asking the hunting association to reconsider its position on lion hunting.
Snakebite!
A miraculous escape from death, and how to prevent and treat snakebite.
African Parks to manage two more conservation areas in Malawi
African Parks to take over the long term management of Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in Malawi!
Pousargues’s mongoose rediscovered after 20 years
Last seen over 20 years ago, the Pousargues’s mongoose has now been discovered in the Chinko Project Area.
Blood Lions – a film exposing the brutal exploitation of the king of beasts
We interview wildlife campaigner Ian Michler, and filmmaker Nick Chevallier about their new film, Blood Lions.
Female elephant mistakenly shot by hunters
A female elephant was accidentally killed instead of an allegedly ‘damage causing’ bull elephant when a hunting permit was suspiciously issued at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve.
Deeper into Durban
To the traveller and foodie Durban is an eclectic fusion of old and new, trendy and not-so-much. We reveal some of her secrets
Wings over Namibia – an aerial safari
This fantastic gallery of Namibia from the air is a photographer’s delight, and will have you packing your safari bag and camera
Rock art – a cultural treasure of Ennedi
Protecting rock art paintings in Ennedi Plateau, Chad.
The risk of captive carnivores
The EWT calls for the public to question the role of captive carnivore facilities and the management of the animals in their care.
Lions take up royal residency in Akagera after 15 years absence
Akagera’s new lions settle into their boma after a 46 hour journey.
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.
Lions are in trouble in Namibia
Lions could be in trouble in Namibia’s arid northwest if nothing is done to reduce human-predator conflict
South Africa’s street food festival
Cow cheeks, samoosas, shisa nyama, bunny chows, gatsbys, rotis and vetkoek are all on offer this year at South Africa’s Street Food Festival!
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
A Rock Art Jewel
One man’s mission to document a complex rock art panel on the roof of a shelter in a remote area of South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains
Fly SA Express at your peril
Open letter to SA Express CEO, Inati Ntshanga.
The Pink Lake
The pink lake – Senegal’s Lake Retba is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow corridor & is known for its high salt content, up to 40%
Mounting up against poaching in Zakouma
Since man tamed the horse, the majestic animal has gone from a means of transport to a tool of industry and war. Human society has advanced on the backs of horses, but we have since dismounted, finding little use for horses other than leisure. However, in some remote corners of Africa, the horse plays a …
Oiled African penguins and chicks rescued
SANCCOB rescues 30 penguins from an oil spill in the Eastern Cape.
A Southern African Mesosaurus site
Discovering the fossils of the Mesosaurus in Namibia.
Elephants to roam between Knysna and Addo?
Building and hiking an ecological corridor from Eden to Addo.
It’s hard to be a man
The Xhosa people of South Africa have an age-old ritual that is mystical, secretive & far away from the eyes of the public. This is Ulwaluko
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
The creatures of the Boland caught camera traps
See what creatures live on the Boland’s mountains thanks to these great camera trap images!
Turtles – ninjas of the Deep
Turtles – the wanderers of Earth’s vast oceans – played a vital part in changing the conservation status of our coastline
Wild dogs of Serengeti
Wild dogs: a lost species is returned to Serengeti National Park.
Photographing the cattle of Pondoland
Christopher Rimmer speaks about the creating of his Amapondo Exhibiton – photographing the cattle of the Pondo people of Port St Johns.
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
Bangweulu horses on anti-poaching patrols
Meet the Bangweulu Wetlands Project anti-poaching horse patrol – ensuring that this excellent conservation project thrives!
9 things you didn’t know about Garamba
From Garamba’s dark history to its blossoming future, here are 9 facts about this park in the DRC.
Gaboon adder – iSimangaliso’s special snake
What you didn’t know about Gaboon adders at iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The wild beneath the ocean waves
‘What’s great about the ocean is that you swim a hundred and fifty meters from the shore, and you feel vulnerable – you are in the wilderness,’ says Craig Foster. Feeling vulnerable is something most modern humans try to avoid, but it would have been a regular part of our ancestors’ lives, and it draws …
Unravelling the mystery of Mmamoriri – the maned lioness
Meet Mmamoriri the maned lioness of Mombo!
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 …
9 Fascinating baobab tree facts
Here are some interesting facts about baobabs, Africa’s ancient trees.
Hand-rearing a black-bellied pangolin
Joel Gunter meets a critically endangered black bellied pangolin.
Elephant charities – the good, the bad & the gly
In September 2013, a high-profile announcement was made in New York about a bold Clinton Global Initiative, bringing together NGOs, governments and concerned citizens to stop the slaughter of Africa’s elephants. Making international headlines, the Initiative pledged $80 million over three years to counteract the elephant crisis with a three-pronged strategy to “stop the slaughter, …
Continue reading “Elephant charities – the good, the bad & the gly”
Finding gold in Gabon – the golden cat
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 …
How to sketch lions in watercolour
Artist Alison Nicholls demonstrates how she adds watercolour to a pencil field sketch.
Garamba poaching: a child’s picture is worth a thousand words
DRC’s children affected by helicopter poaching incident.
Canines take command of Akagera National park
Meet the dog unit taking at stand against poaching in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park.
Ivory dealers busted thanks to German travellers on safari
On Monday the 16th of March 2015, two German travellers, Martin and Christin Kotthoff, led to the arrest of two ivory dealers near Kasane, Botswana.
The Mozambique turquoise coast – from above
A gallery of seductive images of the Mozambique coastline – pack your bags and include your costume, beach towel and suntan lotion
Cape fire – 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. The fire raged …
Rejuvenating cacao industries in the Congo
Cocoa plants proving to be a sustainable alternative to poaching in the Congo.
When a melanistic serval meets a spotted serval
Black / melanistic serval sightings are a rare occurrence, and getting great photos is even less likely. Check out these exquisite photos!
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.
Running the Gauntlet in the Serengeti
The perils 1,3 million wildebeest face along their Serengeti migration route – as expanding local populations seek much-needed protein
NSPCA’s formal stance on selective breeding 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.
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
Treating Africa’s tuskers
Three large tuskers where treated for after being hit by poisonous arrows.
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.
African penguin release on Boulder’s Beach
Endangered African penguins waddle their way to freedom in Simon’s Town.
A response to the hunting debate
A response from well-known conservationist Gail Potgieter on the hunting debate.
Vic Falls – Africa’s adventure capital
From the sedate to the downright terrifying, Vic Falls has it all for the adventure traveller and safari enthusiast
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 …
9 amazing facts about the AARDVARK
The aardvark is a fascinating & elusive animal that many experienced travellers to Africa desperately want to see. Read more about aardvarks
Which snake is Africa’s deadliest?
Which snake is Africa’s deadliest? As it turns out the most venomous isn’t the deadliest.
Exploring East Africa’s coral reefs
With the stadium lights of Durban fading into the night and the water lapping at the side of the boat, our small team had high hopes. Little did we know this would be our last night of restful sleep for a long while. Using a minimal budget and a team of six divers, one filmmaker, …
Why people kill lions
In light of the events in Tanzania on the first of January, Jeremy examines the age old conflict between humans and lions in East Africa.
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.
New shrimp species discovered in False Bay
A tiny shrimp with banded, stalked eyes, and gaudy red ‘warning’ colouring, is the latest of several new marine species to be found by UCT researchers in the extensively sampled waters of False Bay.
Dogs save African greys in Congo
Meet Rick and Shon, the dogs who helped rescue two African grey parrots, a crocodile and turtles on a canine mission in the Congo.
Rwanda photo gallery
Photographic encounters in Rwanda – the very heart of Africa. This epic gallery by Karim Sahai will have you packing your safari bags
Monkey business
A tiny black face peers through the open gate, not daring to go out. A few minutes later, another furry body runs past – he is the first vervet monkey to step into a land of unknown mysteries, his new home. Soundlessly, other troop members follow – the juveniles first, the females and their babies …
The Tribe
A photographic tribute to Kenya’s Samburu people which will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari
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
Gallery – The Meaning in the Masks
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL CHARACTERS IN ONE OF AFRICA’S GREAT MASQUERADES Images by Andrew Brukman 7 November, 2014 In the gule wamkulu, or great dance, hundreds of different characters guide society in the moral code of the Chewa people. Some are in the shape of animals, some are roughly humanoid, and some are completely outlandish. Here …
