Page 5 – Africa Geographic

The Garden Route – South Africa’s ultimate road trip

The Garden Route is a dramatic meeting of mountains, gorges, forest and the Indian Ocean, interspersed by quaint, sleepy beach towns

Caracal – Africa’s deadly beauty

The caracal, with its luminous eyes, dramatic ear tufts, bold facial markings and stocky physique is arguably Africa’s most exquisite cat

Comment – teamAG – Friday 12 November 2021

Ghosts in the gorges – on the fugitives’ trail

Fugitives’ Drift is a rejuvenating getaway for heart and soul, where the hills breathe history and ghosts whisper in the moonlit gorges. The lodge is a haven of family hospitality in a breathtaking natural setting.

Mobilising Africa’s biodiversity experts to put nature on the decision-making map

African biodiversity experts mobilise to produce a continental map of ‘biodiversity intactness’ for African decision-makers.

Striped hyena – the forgotten fourth hyena

Striped hyenas lurk in the shadows, shy and elusive. They are seldom seen, poorly understood and may answer our questions on hyena evolution

Comment – teamAG – Friday 05 November 2021

Samburu – home of the Samburu special 5

Samburu – an arid land steeped in rich tradition, where people, livestock, and wildlife thrive side by side, sharing precious resources.

In defense of (some) tourism

How do we rebuild travel after the trauma of 2020? Tourism is a conservation asset we can’t afford to lose and Africa is ahead of the game.

White-bellied pangolin pups in Nigeria

White-bellied pangolin pups, rescued from an animal market in Lagos, desperately need help from Namibian pangolin expert Maria Diekmann

Comment – teamAG – Friday 29 October 2021

Bees – a solution to human-elephant conflict

Bees and elephants – their busy, buzzing ways are providing a solution to human-elephant conflict – an innovative conservation solution

Cape Town – Mother City

Cape Town – the Mother City – offers a blend of a nature-lovers playground, modern city lifestyle, cultural diversity and foodie heaven

Update: Zambia’s Kasanka NP & world’s largest mammal migration under threat

Under threat: The world’s largest mammal migration and Zambia’s Kasanka NP still under threat from a foreign commercial agricultural company

Comment – teamAG – Friday 22 October 2021

Grabbing the lion by the tail – intervention vs interference

Grabbing the lion by the tail – Interference and intervention in the lives of wild animals are controversial and there are no simple answers as to when or if they are appropriate. Jamie Paterson gives her perspectives.

Oryx – four legendary spear-tipped antelope

Oryx – four robust, dignified and courageous species. Icons of the desert perfectly adapted to their desiccated rangelands.

Comment – teamAG – Friday 15 October 2021

Covid- 19: Devastating impacts, inspiring recovery

COVID-19 has caused a systemic shock to the tourism sector in Africa. The majority of tourism companies have reduced staff and cut pay with seismic repercussions for conservation and local livelihoods.

Zakouma National Park – jewel of the Sahel

Zakouma – a park returned to vibrant wilderness teeming with life, is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for travellers looking for safari adventure

Crossing the human-wildlife barrier

Crossing the human-wildlife barrier – is it ever okay? Three positive African examples involving a pangolin, a blesbok and a clan of hyenas

Comment – teamAG – Friday 08 October 2021

Victoria Falls – the smoke that thunders

Victoria Falls – the smoke that thunders – is the world’s largest waterfall – a breathtaking place of myth, magic, and romance.

The great African fencing debate

African conservationists are engaged in a furious fencing debate – should protected areas be fenced to conserve wildlife such as lions?

African eagles – Avian apex predators

African eagles soar through the skies, sharp-eyed and fierce, bringing unexpected death from above to their prey.

Comment – teamAG – Friday 01 October 2021

Chobe National Park – Africa’s elephant Eden

Chobe National Park boasts the world’s highest elephant density, lush riverine woodland & vast dry savannas – embodying the safari spirit

Counting the Cape parrot – Africa’s rarest

Counting Africa’s rarest parrot – the Cape parrot – on a mountain top in Magoebaskloof, South Africa. By teamAG, led by CEO Simon Espley

Sable and Roan – the ‘horse-goat’ antelopes

Sable and roan – the two magnificent Hippotragus antelope – delight in their majestic bearing, gorgeous coats and rapier horns.

Comment – teamAG – Friday 24 September 2021

Wildlife economy in the Africa – Unlocking the potential

The ‘State of the Wildlife Economy in Africa’ report inspires investment in nature to improve conservation and support economic development.

Mukalya Private Game Reserve – Rescuing wilderness

Mukalya Private Game Reserve is a gorgeous piece of restored wilderness on the Zambezi River – an inspiring, family run safari experience.

Is lion hunting sustainable?

Lion hunting sustainability in Africa has been extensively investigated by pragmatic experts desperate to conserve our remaining wild lions

Comment – teamAG – Friday 17 September 2021

70 – leopard trophy hunting quota in Botswana for 2022

Leopard trophy hunting – the Botswana government has allocated a quota of 70 leopards for 2022. Is this sustainable and how do we know?

Hyena cubs infected by parasite ‘self-sacrifice’ by approaching lions

Funky fact: Hyena cubs ‘self-sacrifice’ by recklessly approaching lions if infected by a microscopic parasite. New research

Comment – teamAG – Friday 10 September 2021

Hunting and photo tourism – where to from here?

Which of hunting and photo tourism is better for conservation, or are they both failing to deliver? Michael Schwartz asks and answers

Proposed wind farm in Addo buffer zone

A proposed wind farm within the acclaimed Addo Elephant National Park buffer zone has created an uproar from tourism stakeholders.

Comment – teamAG – Friday 03 September 2021

Does tourism benefit local people? A Namibian case study

Does tourism always benefit local people? A new study of an established project linking Windhoek to the Zambezi region in Namibia suggests not

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s Murchison Falls NP: home to a smorgasbord of wildlife and diversity set against the backdrop of the spectacular Nile River

Chimps kill baby gorillas – observed for the first time

Chimps kill gorilla babies in two separate incidents in Loango National Park, Gabon – the first time the behaviour has ever been observed

Comment – teamAG – Friday 27 August 2021

Odzala-Kokoua National Park – biodiversity bonanza

Odzala-Kokoua NP in Congo is one of Africa’s hidden gems – a testament to the resilience of both the continent’s people and her ecosystems

Leopard conservation in South Africa

Leopard conservation in South Africa requires a metapopulation strategy and a sustained, transparent commitment from government – expert opinion

Comment – teamAG – Friday 20 August 2021

Hannes Lochner, 2021 Photographer of the Year

Epic images: 2021 Photographer of the Year Hannes Lochner shares a selection of his favourite images and the stories behind them

Why rural communities choose wildlife hunting over cattle

Rural communities choose wildlife over cattle if they see and enjoy long term benefits from trophy hunting – says Namibian community member

Western Namibia – shades of ochre

Western Namibia is a land of heat, sand, sea and remarkable biodiversity surviving against the backdrop of harsh but stunning scenery

Comment – teamAG – Friday 13 August 2021

Trophy hunters kill another breeding Hwange lion – Mopane

Trophy hunters kill another breeding lion (named Mopane) from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – in a mirror of the Cecil tragedy

Forest elephant – endangered gardeners

Forest elephant numbers are believed to have plummeted 86% in just 31 years yet their role in maintaining forest ecosystems is critical.

Marvellous meerkats – mongooses of the desert

Marvellous Meerkats – socially complex and fascinating little mongooses found across the deserts of Southern Africa.

Namibia’s livestock guarding dogs are saving cheetahs

Guard dogs are saving cheetahs, says new research based on livestock guarding dogs – because livestock losses have reduced by 91%

Comment – teamAG – Friday 06 August 2021

CEO note: Another giant elephant hunted

Another giant elephant trophy hunted – is this conservation?

Another giant elephant shot in Botswana. What are the consequences for elephants, local communities, and hunting operations?

A journey to see Africa’s threatened sea turtles

Five of the world’s seven magnificent sea turtles swim Africa’s oceans and nest on the beaches – all are threatened by human beings

Wildebeest sleep and the mysteries of slumber

Wildebeest sleep for just four and a half hours in a 24 hour period – most deeply in the dead of night – says new research

CEO note: The ‘elephant problem’

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with the famous crater at its heart, is a spectacular, year-round safari destination of abundance,breathtaking vistas and ancient history.

Do we have an elephant problem?

The ‘elephant problem’ – ecologists, landowners and tourists are grappling with the elephant problem. But what does this mean?

Mthimkhulu Game Reserve – a dream deferred

Mthimkhulu Game Reserve is 8000ha of prime land in the Greater Kruger, 50km north of Phalaborwa. It’s an area with a desperately sad past and a hopeful future. We went to have a look.

CEO note: Okavango oil scam | Luangwa Valley | Rebranding wild dogs

Oil in the Okavango Basin – an investment scam?

Okavango oil exploration by ReconAfrica called a scam by Independent financial research organisation Viceroy Research – new report

The science behind rebranding wild dogs

Rebranding wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) – new research suggests that “painted dog” triggers the most positive reaction from humans

Luangwa Valley – vast Zambian wilderness

The Luangwa Valley is a vast Zambian wilderness and playground for tourists seeking an authentic safari experience

CEO note: Elephants & oranges – Greater Kruger context

Casketts citrus farm and Greater Kruger are now bedfellows

The Casketts citrus farm on the Greater Kruger border is here to stay. We consider the context and settle a few rumours and untruths

Casketts citrus farm debate

Casketts citrus farm on Greater Kruger border – conservationist Trevor Jordan provides some context in this opinion post

Lake Malawi – freshwater beach & island paradise

Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s best-kept travel secrets – a freshwater lake surrounded by gorgeous beaches, islands and biodiversity with endless opportunities for fun and relaxation.

CEO note: Safari tips + Kili ice & otters

How the Kilimanjaro glaciers left truth in the cold

Kilimanjaro’s disappearing glaciers have been a symbol of climate change for more than than 15 years. Science says it is much more complicated.

Otters of Africa – four adorable mustelids

There are four species of otter in Africa – all of them intelligent, playful, fascinating predators.

CEO note: And the winners are …

Photographer of the Year 2021 Winners

Our 2021 Photographer of the Year has come to a glorious finale as we present the best submissions. The winner and two runners-up will share the princely sum of USD 10 000 and join their partners and our CEO Simon Espley and his wife Lizz on the ultimate private safari in Botswana, where they’ll take …

Continue reading “Photographer of the Year 2021 Winners”