For the Maasai, cattle is considered extremely valuable and form an intrinsic part of their daily lives. Their cattle are at the centre of everything, providing food and materials, as well as playing an important role in their rituals and representing their wealth and status
Category Archives: People
Himba: Photographing from the shadows
In 2014, I visited a Himba group in the Kunene region in Namibia as a run-of-the-mill tourist with a guide, bringing gifts to the chief to be allowed into his kraal to take photographs. I loved the experience – the women were so beautiful and captivating, and the children so photogenic.
A love story made in Tanzania
I dreamt of him, and of what would await me at his home, his boma, where he lived with his entire family. Nerve-wracking enough to visit your boyfriend’s home for the first time, never mind meeting his parents, grandmother, brothers, sisters, cousins and whoever else lived at the place.
Supporting the rising football stars of South Luangwa
Kafunta Safari Lodge recently received a visit from former Austrian international footballer Walter Hörmann and his wife Barbara who spent time with the Luangwa Safari Football League players on the dirt fields of Mfuwe, Zambia.
Tourism model works for Kenyan community
Community-owned conservancies earning income from ecotourism are quite common in Kenya, but Il Ngwesi is different.
‘Shoot-to-kill’ policy for poachers, say Botswana academics
South Africa should implement a ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy for poachers, suggest Botswana academics Goemeone EJ Mogomotsi and Patricia Kelilwe Madigele in a report titled ‘Live by the gun, die by the gun’.
Decisions and disasters: Materials for your Art Safari
Disasters involving art materials are nothing new to me after years of travelling and sketching in southern Africa.
Tracking tips from a safari guide
Other than barbecuing – sorry, ‘braaing’ – there’s nothing that awakens the natural instincts like learning how to track an animal.
The reality of living with elephants
Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is one of the most prominent conservation challenges in Africa at the moment and Laikipia County, in central Kenya, has some of the highest levels of HEC in east Africa.
Chinese ‘mafia boss’ turns to timber in Namibia
Xuecheng Hou, a wealthy Chinese businessman linked to wildlife contraband trafficking, has emerged as a major player in the illegal trade in rare African timber in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rhino anti-poaching good cop being set up?
Warrant officer JP van Zyl-Roux is facing an internal disciplinary hearing this week for allegedly failing to hand over a docket to anti-corruption investigators‚ having private firearms at work and bringing the force into disrepute.
Video: sibling’s thrilling African adventure
What happens when two adventure-loving siblings get together and embark on a spontaneous 8-week road trip across Africa? A whole lot of fun and crazy according to Shelton and Angel Du Preez.
Bush harmony – a classical concert in the Kruger
The Sunset Serenade concert, held at Kruger’s Mopani camp and surrounds, is a three day cultural and wildlife experience in support of anti-poaching
Video: Conservation ambassador and rugby player, David Pocock
Professional rugby player David Pocock, and his partner Emma, are ambassadors for Wild Ark. WildArk is closely linked to EcoTraining and together they aim to spread the message of conservation.
Ghana: a journey to the mecca of West Africa
Whilst the existence of the mosque was first recorded in 1421, there are claims that it’s much older than this. It’s certainly known to be the oldest building in Ghana. Known as “The Mecca of West Africa”, the mosque also houses a Quran which is said to date from 1650 and was a gift from heaven to the Imam for his prayers.
Conservationist Kuki Gallmann shot by armed Laikipia raiders, airlifted to Nairobi
Gunmen wounded Italian-born conservationist Kuki Gallmann at her conservation park in Laikipia on Sunday.
Dame Daphne Sheldrick to begin chemotherapy
On Tuesday, 4th April, Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick, founder of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), announced she was beginning a course of chemotherapy to counter breast cancer.
Adrian Steirn – shooting for the natural world
His recent series of photographs of the Pangolin Men highlighted the plight of the pangolin as the most trafficked animal in the world. I chatted with Adrian about pangolins, conservation and the challenges of being a wildlife photographer.
Hippo relief efforts in drought-stricken Kenya
On 15th March 2017, Care for the Wild Kenya received reports from Lamu County in Kenya, (the sites are Mkunumbi, Chomo, Mokowe, Lake Kenyatta and Mpeketoni) that hippos were bearing the brunt of the current drought.
A woman’s first step into anti-poaching
Anyone wanting to bring change in the fight against wildlife crime, gain more skills in the field and become equipped for the African bush should go through the Tactrac fivee-week intensive anti-poaching course.
Spending time on safari at a Maasai village
Spice up your Kenyan safari with a fascinating visit to a Maasai village.
Acclaimed filmmakers gored by buffalo in Botswana
Award-winning filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert were gored by a buffalo on Thursday night in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Doing a BIG thing to save a small bird
Man cycles 3,600km alone, from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, to save the tiny orange-breasted waxbill. Small is BIG.
Born Free: 50 years on
There is a moving moment in the film Born Free, when Elsa the lioness walks towards Joy and George Adamson, played by actors Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna. Elsa had spent a week trying to fend for herself in northern Kenya. As she approaches the couple, they see that their experiment hasn’t worked: she is […]
Video: South Africa – A world in one country
Jeroen Schrage is an upcoming cinematographer from the Netherlands. During his recent road trip in South Africa he used his skill set to capture beautiful shots for his portfolio and turn them into a video presenting South Africa as a land capturing an entire world in itself.
5 reasons to ditch the dudes on an all women safari
Single, married, widowed, young, old, mothers, professionals; more and more women are choosing to ditch the dudes and embrace the sisterhood that comes with travelling in women-only groups.
Running for Wild Dogs – supporting an endangered African animal
A group of schoolboys who ran across Zimbabwe to raise funds for the conservation of African Wild Dogs in 1996 are running a reunion event for the same cause twenty years later.
A artist’s opinion on wildlife conservation from the heart
We all know that in working towards sustainable wildlife conservation, the value of wildlife for communities and countries must be intrinsically recognised and made use of to its fullest potential.
Video: We Are One – portraits of Ethiopia
Watch this incredible metaphorphosis video of the people of the Omo valley, Ethiopia.
Himba: Hearts of Sand
The Himba tribe in Namibia’s arid north are a semi-nomadic people who have largely resisted modernisation. This fantastic gallery celebrates their lives.
The green gold of Kenya
Commonly known as the ‘green gold of Kenya’, Nandi Hills is a little-known paradise of tea-plantation bliss.
Authentic Africa: an exhibition by photographer Greg du Toit
Renowned wildlife photographer and International Wildlife Photographer of the Year (2013) Greg du Toit is hosting his first ever gallery exhibition of his phenomenal work here in South Africa.
The model and the San
Following in the footsteps of the San.
Ethiopia’s extraordinary cultures
Venturing into the wild South Omo region and witnessing the cultural traditions of the Hamer and Mursi people of Ethiopia.
3 must-visit Nairobi museums
Discover the rich history of Kenya in these three Nairobi museums.
Snow, sunrise and summits on Africa’s equator
An intrepid hike up Mount Kenya is far from a walk in the park!
9 useful trees in the bush and how to use them
Learn about the fascinating properties of trees that could help you out in the wilderness!
Hiking across Africa’s largest canyon
A group of South African hikers conquer the 85-kilometre Fish River Canyon Hike in Namibia during heritage month!
CITES: observations from a young Honorary Wildlife Warden
A honorary wildlife warden bears witness to the verdict at CoP17 that denies Africa’s elephants any hope.
Celebrating 10 years of the Eden to Addo Megahike
Celebrating a decade of corridor conservation, which focuses on linking three of South Africa’s finest treasures of biodiversity.
Crafts, communities and and culture in Soutpansberg
In one of the many hidden valleys of the Soutpansberg in central Limpopo, you’ll find the art-rich Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge.
Growing veggies in the bush
Tuli Safari Lodge is helping to put food on the plates of both their guests and employees with their new vegetable garden in the bush.
Land Rovers, land yachts and living traditions
A journey to Chew Bahir – Best told from the scribbles in Kingsley Holgate’s expedition journal…
A galloping success at Pakamisa Game Reserve
Pakamisa is a paradise for horse riders situated in the beautiful hills of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
A nail campaign highlights the absurdity of the illegal wildlife trade
Kilogrammes of nail clippings are being collected to present at CoP16, with the aim of highlighting the need to educate people about the lack of benefits of horn, ivory and bones.
Biomass briquettes – Africa’s answer to decrease deforestation?
Support this African women’s initiative to help the environment.
Celebrating culture at the Kuru Dance Festival
Different San groups in Southern Africa celebrate their rich cultural heritage of storytelling, song and dance at the annual Kuru Dance Festival!
Experiencing the real Kalahari
Experience an authentic Kalahari trip in the remote !Xaus Lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
A message from our CEO about our Yearbook
Africa Geographic is celebrating the very best from our amazing continent – join us!
The story behind The Bush House
Find out the history of ‘The Bush House’ – your home away from home in Madikwe Game Reserve.
I can’t afford to volunteer in my own country
Does the future look dark for local conservationists?
Photographing the Zulu Reed Dance
A cultural morning spent watching the traditional Reed Dance festivities in KwaZulu Natal.
The San spirit of !Khwa ttu
The vital role played by a cultural learning centre in South Africa for the indigenous San people.
The do’s and don’ts of taking young kids on safari
With a little planning you can create some lasting memories on a family safari with your young children. Here’s how.
Meet 3 elephant angels
Three of the world’s leading African elephant conservationists offer hope and inspiration for saving elephants from extinction.
Uthando shapes a new model of travelling philanthropy
Uthando has shaped a new model of travelling philanthropy, helping to raise money for Cape Town’s poorest settlements.
The Zambian Carnivore Programme honours rangers
The Zambian Carnivore Programme recognises Robin Pope Safaris ranger, Betram Njobvu, for his commitment to protecting wildlife.
Kicking the pangolin – the ethical dilemma of a nature guide
Challenging the ethics of guiding, because perhaps, at some point, every guide as “kicked a pangolin”.
The Backpack gives back
Go backpacking in Cape Town and help give back to the local community at The Backpack.
Recognising those on the front line of the rhino war
Rhino war soldiers recognised for the hard work they are doing to prevent poaching.
