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Bush & beach + vultures released + everything Mara
It’s almost August – prime safari season – when we get all twitchy to head out. Oh, the smell of wild sage, those epic dusty sunsets and dawn choruses. AND a last-minute special offer has landed on our desks!
Fancy 11 days (21-31 August) on a fully catered mobile safari in Botswana – touring Moremi, Khwai, Savute and Chobe Riverfront? How about tracking the big cats and wild dogs across the dry savanna, gliding silently down meandering Okavango Delta waterways in search of glittering birds and drifting along Chobe River seeking the large elephant herds?
Due to a last-minute cancellation, the price of this prime-season safari in paradise has been slashed – and there is no single-person supplement! If you need convincing about how special this experience is, read this client review and my account of a few legs of this safari. More details under the Travel Desk.
Contact our passionate safari experts to discuss this opportunity. Safari njema!
Keep the passion
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
A few weeks ago, curious conservationists and vulture lovers gathered to witness an incredible spectacle just outside Hoedspruit, near Greater Kruger. A number of vultures, treated after surviving a mass poisoning event, were set to be released back into the wild. A few members of teamAG stood by to watch these lucky vultures crash out of their crates and dart towards freedom – all thanks to efforts by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). Our first story below highlights the plight of these vultures, and the innovative new vulture ambulance launched by the EWT.
Choosing between bush or beach for a holiday break can be a conundrum that tears friends and families asunder. Witness wildlife in action or relax on Africa’s sandy beaches? Luckily, we’ve found the solution: seven incredible African destinations that offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to explore the bush in the morning and head to the ocean or inland lake in the afternoon. Check out our second story below.
The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Countless visitors are drawn to the Mara River crossings during the wildebeest migration season, while others choose to seek out the incredible wildlife action taking place in the low season. For everything you need to plan your next Maasai Mara safari, check out our third post below.
Story 1
https://africageographic.com/stories/vultures-successfully-released-after-poisoning-incident/
VULTURES RELEASED
Vultures are in crisis, threatened by human-wildlife conflict and poisoning events. See how organisations like EWT are saving vultures
Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/one-stop-bush-and-beach-safari/
BUSH / BEACH
Bush or beach? There’s no need to choose, with these African safari destinations offering the best of both
Story 3
https://africageographic.com/travel/places/maasai-mara
MAASAI MARA
The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most famous landscapes and attracts visitors from near and far
TRAVEL DESK UPDATES:
Fancy a last minute special on a fully catered mobile safari in Botswana? Or a special offer that will have you on the beach before the end of September? Read on, and reach out to our travel team now.
Botswana Classic – Fully catered mobile safari – Special rate – US$5,130pps
Explore all of northern Botswana on a fully catered mobile safari. Beginning in Maun and ending in Kasane and led by experienced guides, you’ll track big cats and wild dogs, and meander along the Chobe River. Book this authentic Botswana safari experience today and don’t miss out on this last minute special high-season rate of US$5,130pps, valid from 21-31 Aug 2023. Only 6 spots left!
Stay at Thonga Beach Lodge, KZN, South Africa
Thonga Beach Lodge is a luxury beach lodge that lies deep in South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Expect white beaches, blazing corals and freshwater lakes in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get in touch and don’t miss out on this stay 4, pay 3 special offer – valid for September 2023 only.
From our Scientific Editor – Jamie Paterson
As a general rule, I avoid repetition when it comes to the facts I select for our newsletter each week. However, I simply couldn’t resist this week – partly due to the fortuitous timing but mainly for the beautiful irony.
Last week, I spoke about the link between the shape of birds’ beaks and the nesting material they select. One thing I failed to mention was that some bird species fortify their nests with a barrier of spears in the form of thorns, spines and even, on occasion, barbed wire. But here is the irony: in Europe (and probably many other parts of the world), it has become popular to use “anti-bird” spikes to deter birds from sitting in trees or on buildings. Without putting too fine a point on it, the intention is to stop them from defecating on whatever happens to be below.
In a laughable turn of affairs, did you know that Eurasian magpies have been found using these anti-bird strips as nesting material? They have taken these horrendous representations of our disconnect from nature and turned them into works of art. I love it.
An exceptional Kafue wilderness experience
Ulrike Krocker, who recently travelled with us to Kafue National Park, shares the highlights of her safari:
From the moment I was met at Lusaka till I arrived back from my stay at Kafue National Park, everything was perfectly organised.
Fig Tree Camp captured me with it’s charm and dedicated staff and inspired “Out of Africa” moments. At Mukambi Lodge I loved my tent with a balcony facing the river. The wildlife sightings continued daily, but the highlight was witnessing hunting wild dogs. During my six days I counted 19 individual lions. I did not count the hundreds of pukus and many other antelope species, elephants, numerous crocs, and hippos that we spotted. And of course we marked the obligatory leopard off our list too.
A big thank you to all the people who made this wonderful safari possible!
Feel inspired to book your next safari with Africa Geographic but hesitant to book a solo safari? Not to worry, teamAG have some advice for you.
WATCH: David Daballen is an ambassador and warrior for elephants. During the past 20 years, he’s been involved in more than 100 collaring operations. In this video, the Tusk Award celebrates David’s work with elephants as he continues to advocate for the importance of wildlife corridors (03:55). Click here to watch
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