Our weekly conservation newsletter
Mining elephants and a 53-day solo odyssey
This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter and more inspiration for your African safari.
From our CEO – Simon Espley
Once upon a time …
There was an American lady who spent 53 days travelling solo in Africa. She journeyed to Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa.
To better understand the vast Serengeti, rather than simply witness it, she immersed herself in the philosophy of guiding and learning to track and understand animal behaviour. She marvelled at huge skies, black-maned lions and absolute luxury in Tswalu Kalahari, and she tracked pangolins in the emerging safari haven of Mozambique’s Gorongosa. Then she visited Malawi’s Liwonde, Nkhotakota and the Big 5 Majete to witness some of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories – the restoration of once-poached reserves into naturally behaving ecosystems where people and wildlife thrive.
Barbara is currently on the final leg of her sojourn in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. She is enjoying hands-on conservation work – monitoring camera traps, anti-poaching patrols and updating field observations for the area’s predator population.
Amazingly, many of her stays have been in empty or near-empty lodges. Barbara chose to travel outside the prime safari season to avoid crowds and enjoy exclusive, unhurried wildlife encounters.
Her safari was compiled by our safari expert Stef and managed remotely by our 24/7 concierge crew.
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
Click below to listen to this editorial
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
Did you know some elephants mine underground? On Kenya’s Mount Elgon, elephants disappear into volcanic caves at night, navigating pitch-black lava tunnels to chip salt-rich rock from the walls with their tusks. Scientists say this behaviour is unique in the animal kingdom, and may explain why these elephants have unusually short, worn tusks. This is a survival strategy for this population of elephants, of which there are only a few hundred left. Heavy rainfall strips minerals from Mount Elgon’s soils, forcing elephants to seek sodium deep underground. Yet another glimpse into the wondrous and bizarre of our planet.
Today, this bizarre Earth wishes Sir David Attenborough a happy 100th birthday: a fitting tribute to the man who fundamentally changed how the world sees wildlife. By blending science, storytelling and an intimate view into animal behaviour, Attenborough has turned distant ecosystems into something personal and urgent, inspiring generations to care about conservation. We try to do the same here at Africa Geographic.
This week, we feature our penultimate weekly selection of Photographer of the Year 2026 photos. And for those wondering whether now is the right time to travel, we explore 10 reliable African safaris that offer seamless journeys, expert guiding, and clarity amid global uncertainty. We also spotlight South Africa, a country where Big Five safaris, dramatic coastlines, world-class food, and unforgettable landscapes come together in one remarkable journey.
DID YOU KNOW?
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
PENULTIMATE GALLERY
Here are our top entries for Week 11 of Photographer of the Year, as chosen by our judges! Winners will head on a chimp-trekking safari to Nyungwe, Rwanda
RELIABLE SAFARIS
Where to travel in Africa now: 10 reliable safari destinations offering seamless travel, expert guiding, and wonderful wild experiences – even in uncertain times
SOUTH AFRICA
A South Africa safari offers the world in one country, from the Big 5 & luxury lodges of Greater Kruger to the fine dining and cosmopolitan pizazz of Cape Town
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Botswana + Namibia landscapes and wildlife – 16 days
The best of Namibia and Botswana. This journey blends the freedom of a Namibian self-drive with the ease of a fly-in Botswana safari, from towering red dunes, ancient cultures and desert-adapted wildlife to the wildlife-rich floodplains and forested islands of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River, home to prolific predators and abundant wildlife.
Okavango Delta celebration – 11 days
Immerse yourself in two remote private concessions in Botswana’s Okavango Delta on this extended safari, a rare opportunity to slow down and feel the pulse of one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. Fly, drive, boat and glide by mokoro through vast waterways, encountering wildlife at every turn and savouring unforgettable moments of absolute safari bliss.
Still dreaming of the ultimate African safari escape? Browse our safari ideas here. Or click here to plan your safari.
Our safari guests say…
Seasoned AG safari guest Roger, from the UK, enjoyed a rather wet, but unforgettable, safari to Laikipia and the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem, Kenya:
Kenya, March 2026. “The day we were leaving, Christian received a phone call from our first camp telling us it was flooded, and not to come!! Christian made several calls and managed to get us into two alternate camps. Without his extensive network and knowledge, this wouldn’t have been possible with any normal agent at such short notice. He saved the day!
Our first stop was Ol Pejeta, where we saw a number of rhinos, including the last two remaining northern white rhinos. Our next stop was Laikipia Wilderness Camp, which we had visited 3 years ago. We had seen Giza, the black leopard, but only at night. This time, we also saw her during the day. We also saw 10 different leopards during the 4-night stay. It was my first time seeing wild dogs swimming across the river. Next, we went to Oltepesi in the Mara. Due to the heavy rains, we were limited to the areas we could access. However, we had good sightings, including a failed attempt by lions to hunt a buffalo, and lion cubs jumping across a river. The final stop was Saruni Basecamp in the Naboisho Conservancy. Notable sightings included a newborn giraffe and buffalo. Considering the fact that we had rain every day, it was still a great trip. It could have been a disastrous start, but Christian rescued it.”
WATCH
Got a wildlife moment that gave you goosebumps? We want to see it. From heart-stopping predator action to once-in-a-lifetime rare sightings, we’re looking for Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife clips – no fancy gear required. Send us your best African wildlife videos for a chance to feature in our monthly Top Wildlife Clips selection. (02:07) Watch here
Cover image: Vapour and dust. A leopard crosses the dry riverbed, its breath and unsettled dust highlighted by the headlights of a nearby game-drive vehicle. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa. © Greg du Toit
To comment on this story: Login (or sign up) to our app here - it's a troll-free safe place 🙂.
