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Guide to Greater Kruger + Afrika Odyssey finale + Gambella NP
Well, our tusker-count article has certainly got people talking! Two common themes have emerged so far from the threads we are monitoring:
- many non-trophy hunters did not know that Southern Africa also has tuskers. Perhaps this is because our Kenyan colleagues have done a far better job at celebrating these icons. Did you know that five of the Magnificent Seven of the late 20th century Kruger National Park era had tusks weighing more than 120 pounds on each side? One giant – João – weighed in at 154 and 132 pounds! None of the current Kruger tuskers seem anywhere near João’s size, but some are impressive beasts indeed. In 2015, one of the largest elephants in this region was shot in Zimbabwe by a German property mogul. Those tusks weighed in at 121 and 123 pounds. An era is slipping us by …
- VERY few tourists and even researchers have seen a tusker. One researcher commented: “My wife and I have been involved in elephant conservation for the past 12 years, mainly in Ruaha, and visited the Serengeti. We have never seen a tusker, despite flying hundreds of hours over Ruaha at low level.”
I wonder when my colleagues running influential tourism companies will stick their heads above the parapet and sound the alarm bells about the role of trophy hunting in rapidly diminishing tusker numbers. With a few notable exceptions, the tourism industry maintains a resounding silence on the matter. Does your safari company care? Just asking.
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
High in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, a fascinating relationship unfolds between crows and a newly identified psychoactive mushroom, Psilocybe maluti. Known locally as koae-ea-lekhoaba, or “crow’s mushroom”, its name reflects a curious observation: pied crows consume these toffee-capped fungi. What’s more, the mushroom may depend on animals like crows for spore dispersal.
While a recent curiosity for scientists, the mushroom has long been used by Basotho diviners to induce trance-like states. However, knowledge of the mushrooms’ impact on crows remains speculative. Are the crows drawn to its psychoactive properties, or merely after insects on the cow dung heaps where these mushrooms grow?
This week we take a deep dive into Greater Kruger – offering you all the travel tips and insight you need for planning a divine safari to this iconic destination. And, we celebrate the successful completion of Kingsley Holgate’s Afrika Odyssey expedition to all the African Parks (AP) protected areas across the continent. It has been a thrilling journey, and we have so enjoyed Sheelagh Antrobus’s narration of the adventure. Don’t miss the last story in this series below. We also have a look at the latest protected area that has now entered AP’s orbit: Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park.
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!
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/greater-kruger-south-africa/
GREATER KRUGER
Take a deep dive into the reserve that makes up one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations: Greater Kruger, South Africa
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/kingsley-holgates-afrika-odyssey-the-finale-with-rhinos/
EXPEDITION FINALE
Kingsley Holgate’s Afrika Odyssey expedition connected all African Parks’ protected areas. As a finale, they visited the rhinos at African Parks’s Rhino Rewild HQ
Story 3
https://africageographic.com/stories/african-parks-takes-on-ethiopias-gambella-national-park/
AP TAKES ON GAMBELLA
African Parks has joined the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority & Gambella State to take on management of Ethiopia’s Gambella NP
TRAVEL DESK:
Explore two of Africa’s most popular safari destinations, or embark on a safari in search of endangered African wild dogs. Check out our safaris below, or let our travel experts start crafting your authentic, tailored safari today
This unforgettable 14-day journey through Southern Africa, led by expert guides, will take you to the best spots to see endangered African wild dogs. Visit Hwange, Mana Pools, Linyanti and Khwai, and stop over in Victoria Falls. Experience guided bush walks, game drives, mokoro excursions and canoe trips – all in search of painted wolves.
Or searching for another African experience? We have plenty of ready-made African safaris to choose from.
Our safari clients say…
The spray of Victoria Falls, abundant wildlife in Chobe National Park, and a sunset cruise down the Great Zambezi… what an adventure Leslie and Carol had on their African safari! The pair from the United Kingdom spent six days on a memorable AG trip. Here’s what they had to say about their experience:
“Awesome… we had an amazing time, especially at Chobe Game Lodge – top-class accommodation and an exceptional itinerary!! Whilst Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was also very good, going to Chobe afterwards was the icing on the cake. Thanks for your recommendation – a great experience that definitely exceeded our expectations!” – Leslie, UK
Want to join our safari tribe and have an awesome safari experience like this? Get in touch, and let’s start planning your unique African safari!
WATCH: Incredible footage of a hyena attempting to make a meal of a pangolin. Don’t fret – the story has a happy ending for the pangolin, which disappeared into a dense and impenetrable thicket after the encounter. From our archives. (01:00) Click here to watch
For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here
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