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12 must-see nocturnal animals + giraffe neck debate + Luangwa safari
My favourites list, you ask? Here you go.
Landscape: Niassa Special Reserve in northern Mozambique. Miles and miles of woodland, winding sandy riverbeds and iconic inselbergs that reach for the stars. Niassa is connected to the Selous Game Reserve and Nyerere National Park in southern Tanzania by the Selous-Niassa corridor and to Quirimbas National Park to its east. This remains one of Africa’s largest contiguous wilderness areas. I have visited this Jurassic landscape several times and wrote this story after my last sojourn.
Creature: Shelley’s crimsonwing Cryptospiza shelleyi from the Albertine Rift area of East Africa. I have tried to catch a glimpse of this elusive montane forest finch on many occasions, but it has eluded me so far. Aside from a few photos taken during biodiversity netting projects, there is no known photo of this bird in the wild.
Tree: OK, the baobab Adansonia digitata is a succulent, but they identify as trees ;-). These iconic giants dominate landscapes and speak of ancient knowledge, patience and wisdom.
Safaris:
Big 5 + chimps + gorillas in Rwanda – Smash that bucket list! Explore Rwanda’s three most popular national parks – Akagera (Big 5), Nyungwe (chimp trekking) and Volcanoes (mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking).
Finding wild dogs – Visit Hwange, Mana Pools and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and Linyanti and Khwai in Botswana. Enjoy guided bush walks, game drives, mokoro excursions and canoe trips – all in search of Africa’s charismatic painted wolves.
Safari njema!
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
Have you ever heard of a sand cat? I hadn’t until a few years ago, when AG published Grégory Breton of Panthera’s tale of finding tiny sand cat kittens in the Moroccan Sahara. Not much is known about these desert cats: finding them is near impossible. They don’t leave tracks, devour prey without a trace, and vocalise silently. They are excellent hiders, and their brown fur is the perfect desert camouflage. Plus, they can travel large distances in short periods. In fact, they have the widest-ranging territory of all the small wild cats. Very little is known about how they mate, relate, and migrate – a gap in the literature Panthera is trying to fill.
But one of the most fascinating things about these cats is that their hunting efficiency (they have excellent hearing and an incredible ability to dig for prey) has inspired a global optimisation algorithm. Sand Cat Swarm Optimisation is applied in engineering design, energy systems, designing models for artificial intelligence and machine learning, and even in drug formulation. Not bad for a cat that, at <6 pounds, weighs less than a bag of apples!
And still on the point of seeking nocturnal animals… Check out our excellent guide on Africa’s nocturnal animals, and where to find them, below. Also, don’t miss the new research on giraffe necks, which questions whether feeding or mating played the bigger role in giraffe neck evolution.
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/africa-by-night-12-nocturnal-animals-and-where-to-find-them/
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Experiencing nocturnal animals is a highlight of any African safari. Here are the top 12 nocturnal animals to seek, and where to find them.
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/necks-for-sex-or-food-the-driving-force-behind-giraffe-neck-evolution/
GIRAFFE NECKS
Why do giraffes have long necks? A new study adds to the debate on whether feeding or mating played the bigger role in giraffe evolution
TRAVEL DESK:
Fancy a safari that combines exceptional wildlife encounters, natural wonders, and an island-style break? Or how about unlocking your creativity on an art safari? Check out these safaris below, or click here for free safari planning.
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What our travellers say
Here’s what traveller Hannah had to say about her safari with AG to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Greater Kruger, South Africa:
An amazing adventure from start to finish: “Seven unforgettable safari days that were perfectly organised from the beginning. We received excellent advice and felt well taken care of the whole time. We stayed in two incredible lodges. The transfers and overnight stays were also perfect. We saw tons of amazing animals and learned so much from the rangers. It really was the trip of a lifetime! We’ll be spreading the word about AG. Thanks so much for making our dream trip come true!”
Want to join our safari tribe and have experiences like this? Get in touch, and let’s start planning your unique African safari!
WATCH: Odzala-Kokoua NP in the remote northwest of Congo-Brazzaville is one of Africa’s oldest national parks and the ideal destination for lowland gorilla trekking. For a taste of what you’ll find in Odzala-Kokoua, click here to watch. (0:52)
For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here
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