Speak with a safari expert

phone icon

Client reviews

5 star icon
safari experts, since 1991
Book a call with a safari expert Book a call
Client reviews Client reviews
×
SEARCH OUR STORIES
SEARCH OUR SAFARIS
Africa Geographic Travel
A special sighting during a sunset game drive in Grumeti Game Reserve, Tanzania. © Singita Sasakwa Lodge

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


Hunting unpacked + Photographer of the Year 2025

We must openly debate extraction industries like trophy hunting, using science as our foundation. Constructive debate involves respect for each other and factual accuracy.

The alternative is what we have today – emotional social media dogfights providing a distraction for conservationists and cover for a minority of unchecked hunting operators in their quest to surgically remove dwindling genetic icons – nature’s evolutionary trump cards and pathfinders.

Please read my opinion editorial below and share it far and wide. Click here to access the link and share it on social media. The wider the net, the more likely our chances of stamping out unsustainable behaviour. Feel free to email me your thought-provoking feedback.

Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic


From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld

Sometimes, you just want your space and a side of community – no strings attached. Just ask the bush Karoo rat – a master of contradictions. The rat is the poster child for the loner lifestyle, living solo and foraging independently. But beneath its solitary exterior lies a social soul. Surprising new research shows these tiny rodents, nestled in South Africa’s Namaqualand, happily coexist with their close kin. Researchers found that small kin groups can form between pairs of relatives. Their home ranges overlap, they are able to alert each other to predators, and might even swap snacks.

Turns out, being a loner doesn’t preclude the occasional chit-chat or resource-sharing with family. The findings suggest the rats’ ancestors lived in pairs, evolving solitary living as a unique adaptation. Understanding this mammalian social evolution could help conservation efforts for solitary species. The Karoo rat reminds us: living solo doesn’t mean you’re antisocial.

This week, we have exciting news. Photographer of the Year 2025 is just around the corner – and opens for entries on 1 February. This year, our winners receive a once-in-a-lifetime prize: an incredible trip to Odzala-Kokoua NP in Congo-Brazzaville. More on that soon enough – and you can learn more here. It’s time to start gathering your best pics of life in Africa! In celebration, and eager anticipation, we invited our 2024 Photographer of the Year, Dewald Tromp, to share some of his favourite photos with you. Check out Dewald’s portrayal of life on the African savannah below. And don’t miss Simon’s thoughtful introspection on the intricacies of trophy hunting.


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/dewald-tromp-our-2024-photographer-of-the-year/
PHENOMENAL PHOTOS
Photographer of the Year 2024 Dewald Tromp shares a selection of his favourite images and the stories behind them

Story 2
https://africageographic.com/stories/you-asked-our-ceos-view-on-hunting/
ON HUNTING
Is hunting justifiable? Simon Espley explores the ethics & realities of hunting’s impact on conservation, biodiversity & local communities


Travel desk TRAVEL DESK: 

Our safari picks of the week

Glamping at its best Explore all of northern Botswana during prime season on a fully catered mobile safari. Explore Moremi, Khwai, Savute and the Chobe River waterfront in northern Botswana. Led by experienced guides, you’ll track big cats and wild dogs, and glide silently down meandering waterways in search of glittering birds and exciting wildlife.
This bumper safari is about water – or the lack thereof. This adventure will take you from the majestic Victoria Falls to the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta, and from the predator-rich northern Botswana floodplains to the remote Central Kalahari and desolate salt pans. The wildlife that thrives in these landscapes is as astonishing as it is varied. 11 days of safari splendour.

Searching for something different? Browse our ready-made safari ideas OR click here for free safari planning.


AG experts on the road

Our travel experts have had a busy few months exploring extraordinary destinations and testing out the best experiences for our safari clients: from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and more! Their thorough research will ensure an authentic handcrafted safari experience for you. That’s how we know the what, when, where and who of creating a dream safari. Will you choose AG to plan your unforgettable adventure?

Chat to us and let’s start planning your unique African safari!


WATCH: Photographer of the Year 2025 is open for entries from 1 February to 30 April. We’re looking for your photos that celebrate Africa and capture the continent’s splendour. Learn more and check out this year’s fabulous prize – a trip to incredible Odzala-Kokoua NP in Congo-Brazzaville. (1:37) 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 🙂.


Africa Geographic Travel
African safari

Why choose us to craft your safari?

Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.

Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?

African travel

Trust & Safety

Client safari payments remain in a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT until they return from safari - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part.

See what travellers say about us

Responsible safari

Make a difference

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!

[wpforms id="152903"]
<div class="wpforms-container wpforms-container-full" id="wpforms-152903"><form id="wpforms-form-152903" class="wpforms-validate wpforms-form wpforms-ajax-form" data-formid="152903" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data" action="/stories/comment-teamag-friday-24-january-2025" data-token="8db0dea80881c1fe110bad88b9abad3c"><noscript class="wpforms-error-noscript">Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.</noscript><div class="wpforms-field-container"><div id="wpforms-152903-field_1-container" class="wpforms-field wpforms-field-email" data-field-id="1"><label class="wpforms-field-label wpforms-label-hide" for="wpforms-152903-field_1">Email Address <span class="wpforms-required-label">*</span></label><input type="email" id="wpforms-152903-field_1" class="wpforms-field-medium wpforms-field-required" name="wpforms[fields][1]" placeholder="Email " required></div></div><div class="wpforms-submit-container"><input type="hidden" name="wpforms[id]" value="152903"><input type="hidden" name="wpforms[author]" value="284"><input type="hidden" name="wpforms[post_id]" value="165655"><button type="submit" name="wpforms[submit]" id="wpforms-submit-152903" class="wpforms-submit" data-alt-text="Sending..." data-submit-text="Subscribe" aria-live="assertive" value="wpforms-submit">Subscribe</button><img src="https://africageographic.com/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg" class="wpforms-submit-spinner" style="display: none;" width="26" height="26" alt="Loading"></div></form></div> <!-- .wpforms-container -->