Rhino Poaching: Whose fault is it?
Strong feelings bubble up when a conversation turns to poaching, and recently that would involve the poaching of rhino horn. The blatant slaying of rhino’s – be they pregnant cows or single bulls – the desperate will take anything. Southern Africa seems to be gaining a reputation amongst syndicates for the easy pickings, experiencing the [...]
Namibia update
What can I say…a truly remarkable land filled with such diversity and adaptations, it begs one to return again and again. The group of students and their two teachers were a real treat to work with. Eager to learn and willing to play their part in the daily camp duties.
I’m sure some of them will [...]
Off to Namibia…
Two weeks of adventure and exploration await me, along with a large group of eager students. This should be a wonderful opportunity to discuss this land and its many secrets of survival.
Both plants and animals have learnt to adapt to this very old landscape. 100 million years ago the genus Ficus (fig tree) began a [...]
Honeyguide
Of the numerous mutualistic relationships found in Africa’s wild places, the honeyguide bird has surely got to be one of the more recognised ones. Many stories abound in folktales about considering this birds guidance to places of honey. Misfortune would surely follow the one who did not leave a piece of honey comb or honey [...]
It’s not just about the big stuff…
All too often I’ve seen people rushing through the Park to get a glimpse of the Lions at a kill, or a herd of Elephant at a waterhole. Sure those are great sightings, but they’re not the only things ‘out there’. I really enjoy taking a simple walk through the areas near the bush camp, [...]
Namaqualand Wildflower Show
The vast plains of the arid Northern Cape come to life in August and September giving a show of colour that needs to be experienced to fully appreciate it’s magnificence.
This remote part of South Africa that lies in the north western region is known as Namaqualand, a place named after the people who once lived [...]
Horse Safari
Exploring nature from the saddle brings a whole new perspective to the African Safari. Suddenly you are part of the scene, not a spectator. At least that’s how the animals will generally tend to see you.
I guess that’s what appeals to me about jumping on a horse and heading off into the wilderness. I feel [...]
Safari Q & A
There’s always something we’d like to know before travelling, or forgot to ask whilst on Safari. Below are some of these questions – if any of you reading this think of another, please leave a comment and I’m sure it’ll be answered.
First time travellers to Africa are not really sure what to expect. This uncertainty [...]
The Bushmen People
Among the oldest known living ancestors of present day humanity, the San or Khoi people have a history rich in living close to the land.
Like many other indigenous groups, the San or Khoi lived as hunter gatherers, never staying too long in one place. Upwardly mobile and always alert, these people have learnt a co-existence [...]
Hunter and the Hunted
The life of a predator can be unforgiving, so it is no wonder that the jackal has had to learn to be one step ahead of the game. Being one of the smaller canidae or dog/wolf predators, the jackal is extremely adaptable.
And it is not uncommon to find him trotting along a fenceline searching for [...]
Camouflage
Is the Zebra skin there to act as a fingerprint for the young or to generate confusion on the open plains when the hunting lioness are sniffed out by herd members?
Camouflage serves both the prey and the predator. And it’s evolution seems to compete against the competition in a duel of out-smarting. The zebra [...]
Travel
Here’s the part where I tell you that after trekking Mt Kili, I jumped back in my Landy and continued off on some wild escapade into the African wilds. Well, I’m not going to, because I never did that.
But many adventure travellers do. And it really is a wonderful experience if you are prepared for [...]
Weather
Not much can compare to a late afternoon thunderstorm in the bush… you can feel the atmosphere changing and this is noticed in the animals too. Life seems to grind to a halt when the clouds move over.
Suddenly the heavens open and the the thunder god arrives in all his might – his spears piercing [...]
Birding
One of the great pastimes of many a visitor to Southern Africa and indeed of many South Africans, including those who work within the conservation and tourism industry would be the annual bird identification day.
It attracts many people from all parts of South Africa to do a recorded observation of bird species in your area. [...]
Game capture
Adrenaline action of a high calibre, mixed with a sense of achievement and renewal.
I took this photo during an operation to capture a young desert black rhino for relocation to another reserve in South Africa. Just above the rhino you can see the helicopter. The vet had just darted the rhino and we were deployed [...]
