Does tourism always benefit local people? A new study of an established project linking Windhoek to the Zambezi region in Namibia suggests not
Category Archives: Travel & Lifestyle
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
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
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
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.
Luangwa Valley – vast Zambian wilderness
The Luangwa Valley is a vast Zambian wilderness and playground for tourists seeking an authentic safari experience
Sabi Sands sojourn
Our 2020 Photographer of the Year winners enjoy their safari prize in the Big 5 Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger
Conservation in action – as a tourism experience
Experience conservation activities as a hands-on tourist – two trip reports from Africa Geographic tribe members
KHWAI
Khwai in Northern Botswana is a wildlife haven. Bordering the Okavango Delta, Moremi & Chobe – Khwai is an iconic safari destination
A different safari – photographic hides
Fantastic images from a day in the photographic hides of Indlovu River Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve near the town of Hoedspruit
North Luangwa
North Luangwa in Zambia is remote and wild, accessible only by air or tough 4×4 vehicle – the perfect place for walking safaris
COVID-19 safari during lockdown: we test-drive
What will a Covid-19 safari be like under South Africa’s lockdown rules? We test-drive a lockdown safari in Timbavati, Greater Kruger
Bountiful Busanga
This travel diary to Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park (Zambia) will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari
Maasai Mara
This interesting introduction to Kenya’s Maasai Mara will have you contacting Africa Geographic to book your next African safari
There’s a cheetah on the roof – when wildlife viewing crosses the line
How close is too close? Cheetahs regularly climb onto safari vehicles. Here is why this practice is unethical, dangerous and invasive.
Bangweulu – where the water meets the sky
Bangweulu, where the water meets the sky. This conservation success story is owned by a remote Zambian community of fisherfolk
Lion cub petting & captive wildlife interactions: what tourists need to know
No to lion cub petting and elephant-back riding. Captive wildlife guidelines for tourists – an easy-to-understand list of what to look out for
Understanding Malaria
Malaria is a parasitic disease that is usually spread by the female Anopheles mosquito. Prevention is better than cure, and we provide tips
Greater Kruger
The ‘Greater Kruger’ refers to 344,000 hectares (860,000 acres) of protected land to the west of Kruger National Park that provides a larger area for wildlife to roam freely. This additional land is owned by private and local community property owners.
Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs
When we mention Sudan, most people don’t react positively, either because they don’t know much about the country, or they recall negative news reports about it. Ten years ago, when we visited the “kingdom of the black pharaohs” for the first time, there were very few tourists. Nowadays, fortunately, some prejudices have disappeared, and more …
6 Swahili food dishes you won’t want to miss!
Swahili cuisine is tasty, filling and plentiful. Here are six Swahili dishes you won’t want to miss on your travels in Tanzania.
Uganda birding – 10 best spots
The 10 best birding spots in Uganda, which hosts 1065 species – the ideal place to improve your life bird species list
Experience an art safari in the Big 5 Greater Kruger
Safari report-back: Art safari in Big 5 Greater Kruger with a professional wildlife artist. What my guests had to say. By Alison Nicholls
Klaserie Capers
He emerged silently from the gloom and ambled towards us with that gentle rocking gait that big bull elephants use to cover vast distances with minimal effort. His white tusks glowed in the moonshine, but otherwise, he was just a huge dark grey smudge that loomed larger by the second. The eight of us sat …
The Greatest Spectacle on Earth – Crossing the Mara
The energy in the air is feverish, filled with anticipation and burgeoning adrenaline. The chorus of thousands of voices echos through the dust as the herds make their way towards the banks of this legendary river, signalling what’s to come. If the conditions are favourable, what follows will be the breathtaking pinnacle of nature’s greatest spectacle, …
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A journey with purpose: Supporting conservation in Mozambique
The Journeys with Purpose expedition team head to Mozambique to support its threatened wildlife and connect with the local communities.
Wild Art
Flowers and plants captivate me, skulls, skins and bones fascinate me. To me, they are potent symbols of life and death, inseparable and complementary. Living with my life partner Clive Stockil in the Lowveld wilderness of Zimbabwe, I am an artist and a naturalist, celebrating the indigenous plants and wildlife in the wilderness and in my …
Gonarezhou – Land of Giants
GONAREZOU – a conservation success story and iconic wilderness destination for those seeking true wilderness
Off the beaten track: Camping at the Maasai village of Monduli Juu
Discovering Monduli Juu in Tanzania – an off-the-beaten-track campsite run by the indigenous Maasai people.
Safari!
“AFRICA” – now tell me that you don’t hear Sir David Attenborough’s voice when you read that word. Home to an abundance of incredible wildlife and considered the birthplace of humankind, this continent beckoned wildlife enthusiast Olli Teirilä in a way that he could never have expected. With a passion for adventure and wildlife, Olli …
Maasai Mara – Beyond Imagination
Safari report-back: My journey in the Maasai Mara with professional photographer Arnfinn Johansen and Africa Geographic. By Ivan Glaser
A walk of discovery through Zanzibar’s Stone Town
Stone Town: Exploring the history, architecture and culture through a guided walk in Zanzibar’s oldest town.
St. Helena – Treasure Chest of the Atlantic Ocean
We bounced across the water on the lookout for our quarry. We had been searching for a while now and were starting to lose hope of any success when suddenly there came a shout: “There’s one!” Just below us, swimming effortlessly in the pristine water, was a gentle giant – a whale shark. In no …
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Walking safari in the Greater Kruger
My Greater Kruger walking safari in Big 5 country – the best way to unplug and get back to basics – by the CEO of Africa Geographic
Finding my purpose on a safari adventure
Connecting ethical adventure travel with the purpose of making a difference. A member from the latest Journeys with Purpose expedition shares her insights.
Best photographic hotspots in Namibia
Namibia is a landscape photographer’s paradise, and in this post we show you where to go to get the most from your photographic safari.
Video: An exhilarating climb to the monolithic church, Abuna Yemata
I’m more than 2,000 metres high – barefoot – toes searching for a grip on the cliff face. A harness around my waist and the advice of our guides are the only things preventing me from injury. Our goal, I know, will be worth it. At the top of this towering rock is Abuna Yemata Guh, a sacred rock-hewn church boasting stunning views of Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
Opinion: The future is here – safari game drives will never be the same again
Our CEO test drives the best electric 4×4 vehicle around, and wants one.
Discovering Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a fascinating country. Rapidly recovering since 1991 from the ravages of Marxism, and only relatively recently discovered by cultural and wildlife tourists, it is one of three countries in the world that has never been colonised. It is the second-most populous country in Africa, after Nigeria, with 105 million people, comprising 80 ethnic groups, …
Maasai Mara – Falling in love again
Safari report-back: My private safari in the Maasai Mara with pro photographer Arnfinn Johansen and Africa Geographic. By Ruzdi Ekenheim
Marrakech: The famed Red City in North Africa
Marrakech is beautifully chaotic with a rich history dating back over 1,000 years to the days when mighty sultans ruled over the walled city. Today it is home to an incredibly pulsating energy that invites you to wander aimlessly in search of stunning architecture, a cup of sweet mint tea and maybe a spicy Tagine.
Video: Sketching a Chobe lioness
Alison Nicholls, our art safari guide, shares a video of her sketching a lioness in Botswana.
Samara – Rewilding the Great Karoo
Recreating a self-sustaining ecosystem and restoring it to its former glory is the vision of Samara Karoo Reserve in the Great Karoo.
Mount Toubkal: The roof of North Africa’s Atlas Mountains
The imposing Atlas Mountains of North Africa stretch thousands of kilometres creating an almost impenetrable barrier between the Atlantic and the mighty Sahara. Within this range lies Mount Toubkal that rises over all – and the reason for our visit.
Comoros – The Forgotten Archipelago
The Comoros. It’s a name that conjures up a rich history of mighty sultans who once ruled over a melting pot of different cultures on islands at the end of the world. A volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast, the Comoros is made up of three major islands, called by their French names: Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali), and Anjouan (Nzwani). Once …
Praslin: The wicked seductress of the Seychelles
Granitic in nature, laid-back in character and absolutely enticing at its core, this is Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles – a place of unparalleled beauty waiting to be explored.
Understanding yellow fever
Yellow fever is a disease spread by the bite of infected female mosquitoes. We take a look at this disease and the readily available vaccine
Serengeti – ultimate walking safari
Safari report-back: My walking safari in the vast Serengeti wilderness – a fantastic experience for adventurous souls. By Simon Espley
Exploring the Jurassic world of Mahé in the Seychelles
Several hours flight due east of mainland Africa a rugged island, covered in towering green mountains and home to wild stretches of coastline, rises from the ocean floor. From afar it looks positively Jurassic, an Eden in every sense of the word. This is Mahé.
La Digue – Laid back in the Indian Ocean
La Digue, the third island of the Seychelles, is the definition of ‘laid-back’. With a population of just 2,000 inhabitants, bicycles outnumbering cars by a 100 to one and the most mind-blowing beaches in the world, La Digue is positively diminutive and absolutely perfect.