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Africa Geographic Travel
CEO Note
A flurry of horns emerge from the dust cloud created by thousands of migrating wildebeest. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. 2021 Photographer of the Year entrant ©Ana Zinger

CEO NOTE: 22 January 2021

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It was always going to be a matter of time before the evil ones in neighbouring countries were attracted by the stench of filthy lucre. Now, opportunists in Botswana supply the festering South African captive lion breeding industry with lion parts and live lions. How long before their Namibian counterparts join the feast, I wonder? Our first story below refers.

On to more pleasant matters. Last year, I had the honour of accompanying a small band of special people to a sacred place to pay respect to their forefathers, who had built a magnificent walled kingdom in what was to become the Kruger National Park. This was an ancient civilisation of goldsmiths, traders and farmers – sophisticated for their time. Every Kruger fan should spend time at this ancient site to truly understand the soul of the far north of the park. Story two is about Thulamela – my top travel experience of 2020.

Our third story shows how long humankind has been treating Africa’s riches like a limitless treasure chest. The shameless plunder by our forefathers was as morally bankrupt and repugnant as it is now.

And finally, our Photographer of the Year is picking up speed, and we showcase week two below. Selecting the best of every week is a highlight for my team – thanks so much for your submissions and for sharing our galleries far and wide!

Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/gold-rush-as-botswana-meets-appetite-for-lion-parts/
GOLD RUSH
Lion bones from Botswana: Investigation reveals Botswana is exporting live lions and lion parts to South Africa – possible links to canned hunting

Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/thulamela/
RESPECT
Thulamela is an ancient and sacred walled kingdom in Kruger National Park that unlocks some of the fascinating history of southern Africa

Story 3
https://africageographic.com/stories/of-ivory-elephants-shipwrecks-and-slaughter/
SORDID
Ivory recovered from a 500-year-old shipwreck reveals details of the ivory trade and how it has devastated forest elephant populations

Story 4
https://africageographic.com/stories/photographer-of-the-year-2021-weekly-selection-week-2/
BEST PHOTOS
Week two of our 2021 Photographer of the Year has produced some stunners

CEO note

 

 

Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic


 

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I am a proud African and honoured to be CEO of Africa Geographic. My travels in Africa are in search of wilderness, elusive birds and real people with interesting stories. I live in Hoedspruit, next to the Kruger National Park, with my wife Lizz and 2 Jack Russells. When not travelling or working I am usually on my mountain bike somewhere out there. I qualified as a chartered accountant but found my calling sharing Africa's incredibleness with you. My motto is "Live for now, have fun, be good, tread lightly and respect others. And embrace change". Connect with me on LinkedIn

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