Epic images: 2022 Photographer of the Year Alex Brackx shares a selection of his favourite images and the stories behind them
Category Archives:
THIS WEEK
All about African penguins; the best spots for your 2023 safari; celebrating our 16 million followers; Maasai Mara photographic safari & special offer Zanzibar beach holiday
African penguin
The African penguin is an endangered bird found along the coasts of southern Africa, drawing thousands of tourists every year
THIS WEEK
Our 2023 resolution is to continue to uncover new, responsible safari options and fascinating stories for you – our tribe of passionate travelling conservationists.
THIS WEEK
Ultimate bush + beach safari combos; human population growth threatens Africa’s habitats and species; the year that was & the sound of reindeers (or elands?)
Ultimate bush and beach combo safari
Bush or beach? There’s no need to choose! We bring you the best combo safaris featuring epic beach & bush destinations for the ultimate African holiday
Population growth, exploitation and climate change: safeguarding Africa’s wildlife into the 22nd century
A study on population growth, resource exploitation & climate change highlights the necessary steps for preventing loss of wild habitats & species in Africa
THIS WEEK
Remarkable Virunga; your say on safari discounts; good news for big cats in the USA; and COP19 – win or fail? This week with AG
CITES COP19 – a win for wildlife?
CITES COP19: We examine the most important decisions relating to African wildlife and ecosystems made at the latest Conference of the Parties
Virunga National Park
Virunga NP offers unparalleled biodiversity. Rain forests, gorillas, endemic birds, bubbling volcanoes, and safari favourites await
THIS WEEK
Kruger’s declining rhinos, the best malaria-free safari destinations & a southern African mega safari – this week with AG
The best malaria-free safari destinations
Want to head on safari while avoiding the risk of malaria? Here’s our round-up of the best malaria-free safari destinations in South Africa
Another year of loss – an update on Kruger’s rhino populations
Rhino poaching continues to decimate Kruger National Park’s populations. We dive into the latest rhino population figures from SANParks
THIS WEEK
Trekking Tsavo in the footsteps of tuskers, affordable Madikwe & empowering women in tourism to aid economic recovery – this week with AG
Women in Africa: picking up the post-pandemic pieces
Women in rural Africa are particularly vulnerable to crises, due to low job security & discrimination. In a post-pandemic landscape, empowering women in the tourism sector is helping communities recover, contributing to economic empowerment
Tsavo National Park’s Great Walk
Ever dreamt of walking in the footsteps of tuskers on Tsavo National Park’s Great Walk? Norman Owen-Smith traversed 160km of this Kenyan park
THIS WEEK
Niger’s daring translocation to save the West African giraffe, another iconic tusker dies, temporary relief for Africa’s zoo-bound elephants, all about Cape porcupines, & adventures to Zim & Kenya – this week with AG
Iconic Tsavo super tusker Lugard dies
Iconic Tsavo super tusker Lugard, has died of natural causes. Lugard is the second tusker to be found deceased in Tsavo in the past month
West African giraffe conservation success in Niger after daring translocation
A vital population of West African giraffe in Niger has been bolstered after the translocation of 4 giraffe from a security stricken region to Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve
Cape porcupine
Cape porcupines are fascinating creatures. Protected by deadly quills, they are the largest rodents in southern Africa
THIS WEEK
CoP19 proposal to uplist hippos, photo safari at Oltepesi, giant elephant birds, art on safari, and humans reach the 8 billion mark – this week with AG
Oltepesi – a Maasai Mara camp for photographers
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp in Mara North Conservancy is designed with photographers in mind – ideal for an epic Kenyan photographic safari
Hippos to be uplisted? CITES CoP19
Ten African states have proposed the transfer of the hippo from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I ahead of the 19th Conference of the Parties. What does this entail?
THIS WEEK
Magical Bazaruto; mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Namibia, bidding farewell to fallen tusker Dida, Okavango Delta safari and more – this week with AG
Bazaruto Archipelago National Park
Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago has the ingredients of a sublime safari: fascinating creatures, breathtaking scenery & amazing biodiversity
Human-wildlife conflict: long-term trends in Namibia
Research in Namibia on the type & frequency of human-wildlife conflict incidents between 2001–2019 can aid in mitigating future conflict occurrences
THIS WEEK
Africa’s disappearing lions; jaw-dropping special offers in Botswana for SADC residents; Maasai Mara champagne safari; Mozambican beach bliss; and searching for gorillas in Mgahinga – this week with AG
Tsavo tusker Dida dies of natural causes
Elephant Dida, tusker and matriarch of Tsavo National Park – possibly Africa’s largest female tusker – has died of natural causes
Vanishing lions – a 75% decline in Africa’s iconic predators in just five decades
Africa’s lions are disappearing. New research shows that lion populations across the continent have declined by 75% in just five decades
THIS WEEK
Tragic loss in Kasungu following elephant translocations, the rare species of Selati Game Reserve, scary snakebite stats, and an epic cross-country South African safari – this week with AG
The tragic human cost of elephant translocations
Human-elephant conflict: Communities near Kasungu face tragic losses following the introduction of new elephant herds to the national park
Selati Game Reserve
Selati is a secret Big 5 safari haven on the outskirts of Greater Kruger. It is also home to specials like sable & the rarest cycad on earth
THIS WEEK
The forest whisperers of Kenya’s tropical coast, elusive aardvarks, specialist photographic safaris & slurping elephants – this week with AG
Aardvark
The elusive aardvark is a keystone species, shaping the landscape around it and providing dwellings for other mammals, reptiles and birds
Forest Whisperers
Simon set out to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek in Kenya to find out how community members are restoring threatened forests
THIS WEEK
Armchair conservation; Zambia’s untamed Kafue National Park; deadly domestic cats; and festive season safari tips – this week with AG
The elephant in the room – how social media attention misses more pressing conservation threats
Social media impacts conservation. Research shows that the attention elephants receive on Twitter fails to address urgent conservation issues
Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is Zambia’s oldest and largest national park – known for sweeping plains and wetlands, and abundant and unique wildlife
THIS WEEK
Explore Kenya’s Gedi Ruins, the state of Africa’s rhinos, awesome special offers to Botswana for SADC residents, and roaring roosters – this week with AG
The state of Africa’s rhino
Here’s our analysis of the IUCN report containing the most recent rhino numbers, trends, poaching incidents, conservation measures & trade updates
Gedi Ruins
Gedi was an important medieval East African city of trade. Today, you can visit Kenya’s Gedi Ruins to discover a lost Swahili civilisation
THIS WEEK
Wall-to-wall wildlife action in Khwai, leopards and lions surviving snares, a Southern African mega safari and a quick trip to Okavango Delta – this week with AG
Wall-to-wall wildlife – Khwai Private Reserve
Khwai in Botswana offers non-stop wildlife action. Our Photographer of the Year finalists visited the reserve for an epic experience
Human-wildlife conflict: The ones that got away from snares and shotguns
Scientists can now detect injuries from snares & shotguns on trophy-hunted lions & leopards – quantifying the extent of previously unreported human-wildlife conflict
THIS WEEK
Exploring Kenya’s ancient Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, the ultimate in beach holidays, good news for planet Earth, nocturnal elephants and saving rare cycads – this week with AG
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
Kenya’s ancient Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, home to endangered creatures found nowhere else on earth, is a birder’s dream
Elephants that creep in the dark – how elephants distinguish between human activities
Chobe elephants have learnt how to change their activity patterns to reduce risk of human encounters – new research
THIS WEEK
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, the ultimate beach holiday in Mozambique, the miniature owls of Africa and giant otters – this week with AG
The miniature owls of Africa
Africa hosts a variety of miniature owls. From scops-owls, to white-faced owls & owlets, here is the rundown of these small, endearing birds
Walking with gorillas
Trekking through the ancient rainforests of Bwindi, Uganda to find mountain gorillas brings Ryan Biller face-to-face with a childhood dream
THIS WEEK
Tips on where to safari right now, planning your festive adventures, all things snakes, and a different perspective on Pongola’s elephant crisis – this week with AG
Pongola’s elephant management crisis: a different perspective
Pongola Game Reserve faces an elephant management crisis. Paul Cryer & Pete Ruinard provide a different perspective on the challenges at hand
Snakes – everything you need to know
Admired and feared, snakes are marvels of natural engineering, behaviour & movement. Here’s everything you need to know to understand snakes
THIS WEEK
Primate quest in Central Africa, why lions target particular types of cows, a safari with Jamie in Sabi Sands, a champagne safari in the Mara, and tricksy, fibbing hyenas – this week with AG
Primate Quest – DRC, Rwanda & Mafia Island
One family’s adventure with AG to Rwanda, DRC & Mafia Island in search of primates, bats & other weird and wonderful creatures
Lions target particular types of cows – research
Understanding how predators select cattle for prey could help in protecting livestock from lions, mitigating human-wildlife conflict
THIS WEEK
Our favourite bushveld dining spots, Kalahari’s vanishing hornbills, insider safari tips, the beginning of the end for captive lion breeding, and another leopard incident in Greater Kruger – this week with AG
Dine out in the bushveld
No African safari is complete without a dining experience out in the wilderness. Here are our favourite spots to enjoy dining in the bushveld
Five years until the Kalahari’s hornbills start to vanish
Scientists have predicted that the Kalahari’s hornbills will start to vanish in five years – and climate change is to blame
THIS WEEK
A healing safari in Zim, Hawaii’s conspicuous African chameleons, Maasai Mara migration madness and the birth of a rhino calf – this week with AG
Hawaii’s conspicuous African chameleons
How did chameleons come to evolve their kaleidoscopic capacity? Escapees from the 1970s Hawaiian pet trade may hold the answer
Healing in Hwange
Can an African safari bring healing? Aaron Gekoski heads to Zimbabwe to explore Hwange and Matobo National Parks to find out
THIS WEEK
Moving elephants across Malawi, running for rhinos in Timbavati, the ultimate Serengeti migration safari and examining spider’s dreams – this week with AG
Not on our watch: The Timbavati Traverse
The Timbavati Traverse is an excellent opportunity for bushveld walkers & runners to make a real difference for Greater Kruger’s rhinos
The march of Malawi’s elephants – 263 elephants translocated to Kasungu
African Parks has successfully translocated 263 elephants from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu National Park, Malawi
THIS WEEK
We’re exploring wild and wonderful Akagera National Park in Rwanda, delving into new research on the behaviour of wild dog pups, and searching for new responsible safaris for you – this week with AG
Kids eat first: research on wild dog feeding habits
New research shows that there is order in wild dog hunts. Painted wolf pups are the first to eat at a carcass.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s last refuge for savannah-adapted wildlife, and safeguards Central Africa’s largest protected wetland
Habituating leopards
Following the death of leopard Hosana, Jamie Paterson & Maxine Gaines take an in-depth look at leopard habituation & tourism ethics
THIS WEEK
Our favourite tented camps, the wonders of giraffe evolution, celebrating rangers and an art safari in Timbavati – this week with AG
Africa under canvas
Camping in the bushveld is an immersive experience. Here are the best tented camps in Africa – from basic budget options to luxurious glamping
Giraffe evolution – pieces of the puzzle
Under pressure – genetic research on giraffes reveals evolutionary secrets of how they cope with high blood pressure and maintain bone density.
THIS WEEK
An in-depth look at leopard habituation, a guide to vibrant Majete & an epic Big 5 safari in South Africa – this week with AG
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve is a booming Big 5 destination. Be drawn by epic scenery, cheetahs & wild dogs, & the mighty Shire River
THIS WEEK
Fascinating behaviour observed in Kgalagadi cheetahs, self-medicating chimpanzees, big cats adopting orphans & gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Making Hippocrates proud: How animals self-medicate
Scientists have observed chimpanzees medicating the injuries of their peers – a behaviour never before witnessed in the animal kingdom
Kalahari’s overlapping cheetah litters
A cheetah mother has been observed simultaneously raising two cheetah cubs of different age classes – behaviour never witnessed in the wild
THIS WEEK
Explore Northern Madagascar, question the role of trophy hunting in lion conservation & head to Mara for a champagne safari
Northern Madagascar
Northern Madagascar – biodiversity, lush rainforests, mangroves, azure lagoons, palm-fringed beaches, lemurs and ferocious fossa
Trophy hunting will not save Africa’s lions – Opinion editorial
Trophy hunting will not save Africa’s lion populations, & the UK ban on imports is a positive step for conservation, writes Hans Bauer
THIS WEEK
Explore Kenya’s resilient Meru National Park, read about Pongola Game Reserve’s elephant management crisis, and plan an epic photo safari to Maasai Mara – all this week with AG
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a resilient expanse of vital Kenyan wilderness. This Big 5 safari destination of ‘Born Free’ fame is a land reborn.
Pongola’s elephant management crisis
Pongola Game Reserve can no longer keep its elephants. Malcolm Thomson explains the challenges of elephant management
THIS WEEK
Surviving post-pandemic Zim, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP, & learning lessons about context in Luangwa NP – all this week with AG
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a leading gorilla trekking destination in Africa. This volcanic landscape offers stunning scenery & biodiversity
Surviving in post-pandemic Zimbabwe
As tourism slowly recovers in post-pandemic Zimbabwe, hunger still stalks the country. Many resort to the basics to survive the loss of income
THIS WEEK
The science behind hunting tuskers; sleep out under the stars; spot shoebills; & a Big 5 safari in Madikwe – all this week with AG.
Elephant bulls – breeding and trophy hunting
Does the hunting of elephant bulls with large tusks lead to the decline of Africa’s tuskers? We examine the science
Sleep out under the stars
Stargazing under African skies from a comfortable bed will add magic to any safari. Here are our top spots for sleeping out under the stars
THIS WEEK
Greater Kruger’s latest wildlife count, celebrating magnificent hippos & searching for lowland gorillas – all this week with AG
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus – a large semiaquatic mammal – is one of the most powerful, speedy and feared animals in Africa
Keeping count – wildlife populations in Kruger’s private nature reserves
Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR), part of Greater Kruger, completed their 2021 wildlife census. We analyse the ebb & flow of results
THIS WEEK
Photographer of the Year announced, plan your dream safari, speedy evolution & 3 epics safaris – all this week with AG.
Photographer of the Year 2022 Winners
We have a winner! Announcing the winner, runners-up and highly commended images from Photographer of the Year 2022!
THIS WEEK
Photographer of the Year finalists, rhino-horn consumers and the great trade debate, and gorilla trekking in Rwanda – all this week with AG.
Photographer of the Year 2022 Finalists – Gallery 1
The finalists for Photographer of the Year 2022 are here! Overall winners will be announced beginning June. Entries are now closed.
Photographer of the Year 2022 Finalists – Gallery 2
The finalists for Photographer of the Year 2022 are here! Overall winners will be announced beginning June. Entries are now closed.
Farmed vs wild rhino horn – what the research tells us
Does farming of rhinos prevent illegal trade in wild rhino horn? Research into consumer preferences sheds light on the rhino-horn trade
THIS WEEK
Of mammoths and tuskers, visiting south and central Madland, and contemplating horny toads – all this week with AG.
