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Primate quest + Sabi safari with Jamie + sneaky hyenas
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being part of teamAG is witnessing the joy and thrill radiating from our travellers when they return from one of our safaris. The Weiss family recently travelled with us to Lake Kivu and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda, Kahuzi-Biega National Park in DRC and Mafia Island off the coast of Tanzania, in search of weird and wonderful creatures, with a focus on primates. On their return, the family’s tally for the trip included ten primate species (including mountain and eastern lowland gorillas), Seychelles flying fox, Zanzibar galago, straw-coloured fruit bats and 150 bird species. You can read their account about their time in Central Africa, complete with mesmerising adventures, in our first story below.
Human-wildlife conflict is a major threat facing wildlife conservation and local communities across the continent. The loss of livestock, such as cattle, to wild predators is a primary source of conflict. Understanding how lions select cattle for prey could help in protecting livestock, mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Read about how researchers are doing just that in our second story below.
Happy celebrating Africa!
Taryn van Jaarsveld — Editor
From our Scientific Editor – Jamie Paterson
Did you know that when feeding around a large meal, low-ranking hyenas occasionally utter a low vibrating call? It’s the spotted hyena version of an alarm call and usually means danger. As the higher-ranked hyenas stop eating to look for the approaching lion, the sneaky fibbers snatch a few of the tastiest morsels for themselves.
I first witnessed this while guiding in the Sabi Sands and was hugely amused to watch as the high-ranked hyenas caught on but still couldn’t bring themselves to risk ignoring it.
Sightings like these are just one of the reasons I am so excited to be back in the Sands guiding a safari in a few months – and I would love to take you with me! Our travel team has been hard at work putting together what promises to be a thrilling adventure from the delicious comfort of Jaci’s Sabi House. Spaces are limited, and it is time-sensitive, so contact our travel team ASAP to book your spot!
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/primate-quest/
PRIMATE QUEST
One family’s adventure with AG to Rwanda, DRC & Mafia Island in search of primates, bats & other weird and wonderful creatures
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/lions-target-particular-types-of-cows-research/
TARGETING COWS
Understanding how predators select cattle for prey can help protect livestock from lions, mitigating human-wildlife conflict
TRAVEL DESK UPDATES:
There is still time to book your 2022 safari – and we know just where to send you! If the following mouth-watering options don’t suit you, drop us an email and challenge us to craft your ideal safari. All budgets catered for!
Maasai Mara champagne safari – 6 days. This was our client’s brief: “Design me a Maasai Mara safari to beat all Maasai Mara safaris. I want supreme luxury, a private safari vehicle and a hot-air balloon flight with champagne breakfast. Oh, and a view from my room to die for.”
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda – 3 days. Your gorilla trekking adventure will take you through pristine afro-montane forests packed with golden monkeys, colourful Rwenzori turacos and prehistoric three-horned chameleons. And the pièce de résistance – a mountain gorilla silverback and his family in the depths of paradise.
Magical Namibia
Marina Leuzinger and family travelled with AG to Namibia, and visited Sossusvlei, Pelican Point in Walvis Bay, Twyfelfontein, Etosha National Park and Waterberg Plateau Park. Writing from Namibia, Marina wrote:
“Today as we left Windhoek I was really hoping for our plane to be delayed and our flight to be cancelled… I haven’t had this feeling of not wanting to leave a country after a holiday for ages! So to keep it short: our trip was absolutely magical and there is still much more to be discovered in Namibia.
Thank you very much for all arrangements and bookings, for organising the car, our camps, hotels and tours. It was really TOP.”
Pic: The Leuzinger family soaking up a last sunset from Waterberg Plateau Park, Namibia
WATCH: The Ethiopian wolf is the most endangered carnivore in Africa and the rarest canid species in the world. As avid hunters of African mole-rats, they have developed various techniques to catch their prey. In this clip from David Attenborough’s Life series, watch as an Ethiopian wolf stalks its prey (01:32). Click here to watch
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