THIS WEEK - Africa Geographic

African safari — Tag, you’re it! A frolicking mother white rhino and calf enjoy a playful moment. Kenya. © Amish Chhagan. Photographer of the Year 2024 highly commended finalist

This is a copy of our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter.

Can chainsaws save rhinos? + Great Migration guide + Botswana safari thrills

Shifting Baselines is a scary reality that keeps me awake at night. It refers to how each generation accepts the ecological degradation of its lifetime as the new normal. Over time, we forget what the planet was like not that long ago. It is a quiet kind of erasure, an incoming tide, as our species spreads its exclusive-use strategy across Earth.

The term was coined by marine biologist Daniel Pauly in 1995 to describe how fisheries scientists would evaluate the current state of fisheries based on what they witnessed at the beginning of their careers, rather than the untouched, original state. The same could be said of how we treat the remaining equatorial forests, free-roaming lions and migrating birds (I could go on, but hopefully you get my point).

Nowhere is Shifting Baselines better illustrated than with Africa’s elephant populations. Scientists believe that there were as many as 20 million African elephants two centuries ago, 10 million in the 1930s, and approximately 400,000 today. And yet, many in the conservation industry call for the further reduction of elephant populations because there are ‘too many’. Scary indeed.

Your African safari arranged by Africa Geographic helps keep Africa’s wild spaces as they have always been – wild and biodiverse. Safari revenue funds our conservation publishing, and we donate a portion to specific needle-moving conservation projects at ground level. Thank you!

Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic

From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld

And now, for the good news. It has been just over a week since seventy southern white rhinos touched down in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park in one of the largest cross-continental rhino translocations in history. In an awe-inspiring feat of conservation logistics, African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board orchestrated a 3,400km journey from South Africa to Rwanda – involving cranes, crates, trucks, and a Boeing 747. It’s all part of African Parks’ bold Rhino Rewild Initiative to return 2,000 rhino to safe, well-managed protected areas across Africa.

The rhinos began their journey with a stay in KwaZulu-Natal, acclimatising and building immunity to diseases before taking to the skies. After a carefully monitored journey, they’ve arrived in Akagera. They are being closely watched by a vet team to help them settle into their new home. This is a win for rhinos. And it’s a win for wild spaces, visionary conservationists, and the belief that bold ideas can reshape the future. Welcome home, rhinos. Rwanda looks good on you.

In more good rhino news, an excellent Greater Kruger case study shows that dehorning has reduced poaching by 78%. See below. Plus, we bring you the ultimate guide to the Great Migration – everything you need to know for planning your next safari.

Happy exploring!

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

GREAT MIGRATION

The Great Wildebeest Migration is the quintessential African safari experience. Here’s our detailed guide on what you need to know

Story 2

DEHORNING RHINOS

Rhino dehorning slashes poaching by 78% – a bold, effective strategy that challenges how we think about wildlife crime prevention

TRAVEL DESK:

2 SAFARI IDEAS

Southern Africa mega safari – 19 days – from US$10,670pps

Be swept off your feet with wall-to-wall wildlife action on this iconic southern African safari. You’ll visit Greater Kruger to experience the Big 5 and rarer treasures. You’ll also visit South Africa’s mother city, Cape Town, and her winelands. Plus, you’ll experience the wilds of Khwai Community Concession and Chobe National Park in Botswana; and the majesty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Botswana wildlife safari + Victoria Falls – 8 days – from US$4,365pps

This iconic safari combines the wildlife riches of Khwai Community Concession and Chobe National Park in Botswana with the awe-inspiring majesty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. First, you’ll visit Khwai to get your predator fix, then move on to Chobe to witness massive herds of elephants and other wildlife along the banks of the Chobe River. Last but not least, the grand finale: witnessing the mighty Zambezi River plunging into the misty gorges below at iconic Victoria Falls.

OUR SAFARI GUESTS SAY…

Here’s what our travellers have to say about their epic journeys through Africa:

Trip of a lifetime. “Extraordinary experience. Every detail was thoughtfully
arranged. I felt taken care of from start to finish. From the breathtaking wildlife to the incredible guides and accommodation, everything exceeded my expectations.” – Virginia, from the USA, travelled with us to Zimbabwe and Botswana

Couldn’t have asked for more! “AG safari expert Benjamin knocked it out of the park! We are the DIY type and have never used a travel agent before, so we were sceptical. Ben took the time to ask all the right questions and tweaked the plan based on our feedback until it was perfect (we didn’t make it easy on him!). The trip was all we dreamed of and more! I can’t recommend this company enough for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.” – David, from Germany, travelled with us to Greater Kruger and Zimbabwe

Connect with us today, and check out some of our safari ideas here.

WATCH: Tsavo Trust is an action-oriented, field-based, Kenyan not-for-profit conservation organisation seeking to secure and protect the Tsavo Conservation Area in Kenya. This short video offers a snapshot of Tsavo Trust’s work on the ground – protecting wildlife, supporting communities, and safeguarding the iconic Tsavo ecosystem through aerial and ground operations, conservation partnerships, and sustainable development initiatives. (06:06) Click here to watch

For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here

To comment on this story: Login (or sign up) to our app here - it's a troll-free safe place 🙂.