Peace Parks of Southern and East Africa
Explore the Peace Parks of Southern and East Africa – Learn how these Transfrontier conservation areas protect wildlife migrations, promote sustainable safari tourism, and restore ancient ecosystem. Perfect for African Safari enthusiasts, luxury travellers, conservationists and nature lovers. What are Peace Parks? Peace Parks of Southern and east Africa, also known as Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) are vast protected cross-border conservation landscape between the countries of Southern and East Africa. These protected ecosystem integrate multiple countries’ protected areas, national parks, game reserves, and community lands. They are important to help promote biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism. Not only do they intergrate national parks, but they also allow wildlife to migrate freely across borders and encourage international cooperation. The historical migratory routes of many species of mammals are slowly being restored as the country borders and man-made barriers largely established during the colonial era are being removed to restore biodiversity. Why Peace Parks Matter: Restoring Nature’s Balance Fortunately, us “clever” humans have started to realize that the natural order of things in nature plays a critical role in the well-being of the human race. This includes the seasonal migration of the large herbivores. These migrations are essential for: Nature knows balance. When wildlife moves as it should, entire landscapes thrive – benefiting both animals and people. Where are the Peace Parks? Spotlight on KAZA TFCA The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) is the largest Peace Park in the world. It is area number 5 on the above map. This is a collaboration between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, covering an area of 520,000 Square Kilometers (200,772 square miles). Work is in progress to further extend the area of the KAZA TFCA, when the Lower Zambezi area (number 12 on the map) can be added to the existing Peace Park. Why should this matter to You as a Global traveller? The KAZA TFCA Visiting a Peace Park: Whether you are a first-time safari goer, a luxury traveller, a wildlife biologist or a conservationist, exploring Peace Parks like KAZA TFCA offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Africa’s raw and untamed beauty. Highlights of the KAZA TFCA; Coming Next: Deep Dive into Wildlife Migration & Community Impact In our next blog post, we will dive deeper into the incredible animal migrations, and how the Peace Parks Foundation is playing a key role in supporting local communities and preserving wildlife populations.
Private Cape Town Tour
Customised Private Cape Town Tour Why a Private Cape Town Tour is the Ultimate Luxury Experience. Embark on a journey like no other and unlock the magic of Cape Town with our tailor-made Private Cape Town tour options. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich history of South Africa. While enjoying the personalized attention and flexibility of this Cape Town Tour to beautiful destinations around the Mother City. Nestled between the glistening blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Table Mountain. Cape Town is a city that captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. Whether you are into history, nature, or adventure activities, the city has everything for everyone. Unique Foodie Experiences Cape Town is one of the most popular foodie destinations in Africa and attracts food lovers from around the world. You may want to explore and discover the Cape wine region and indulge in world-class wine tastings and pairings alongside the amazing cuisine on offer. Our travel specialists will expertly design a Private Cape Town tour designed to cater to your unique interests and tastes. We have a team of experienced guides and travel experts. They will help you discover hidden gems, immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage, and create unforgettable memories. Iconic Landmarks of Cape Town From exploring iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain and Robben Island to venturing off the beaten path. You may also visit the vibrant neighbourhoods of Bo-Kaap and Camps Bay. The Private Cape Town tour offers an authentic and personalized experience that will leave you inspired and ensure an unforgettable experience. There is no doubt that the beauty, diverse cultures, and thrilling sense of adventure put Cape Town on top of the most beautiful cities in the World. Get ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and let us unlock the magic of Cape Town for you. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Cape of Good Hope Tour
The Cape of Good Hope Tour and Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Welcome to the captivating world of the Cape of Good Hope tour, where history and nature intertwine to create an unforgettable experience The Cape of Good Hope is the most South-Western point of the African continent. As we journey on this Cape of Good Hope Tour, we learn that this is not the place where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet as many are led to believe. The actual southernmost tip of Africa is located at Cape Agulhas. It is located 2 degrees latitude to the South of Cape Point and a 3-hour drive to the east from Cape Town. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking an awe-inspiring adventure, the Cape of Good Hope tour offers a perfect blend of intriguing tales and breathtaking scenery Wildlife in Cape Point National Park Cape Point is home to several animal species such as the Cape Mountain Zebra, The Bontebok antelope. There is also the Eiland antelope which is the largest of the antelope species. You will also find Ostriches and the ever-so-present Chacma baboons which can be a real irritation. They will jump on you and snatch any item of food that you may be carrying. Exploring Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Nestled along the eastern coast of the Cape Peninsula, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony is home to a thriving colony of the African penguin. This remarkable sanctuary, located just a short drive from Cape Town. Visitors could get an up-close and personal encounter with these endangered creatures. As you step onto the pristine sandy shores, you’ll be greeted by the sight of hundreds of these adorable birds waddling, swimming, and basking in the sun. Beautiful Adventures at Boulders Beach This picturesque stretch of coastline is not only a haven for penguins. It is also sanctuary for those seeking an up-close and personal encounter with these incredible birds. Not only do the penguins make Boulders Beach Penguin Colony a must-visit destination. The granite boulders that dot the shoreline provide a dramatic backdrop, creating a unique and awe-inspiring landscape. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature Now go a little way down the road to the village of Simons Town. This town with its rich naval history dating back to the time that the Cape was a British Colony. Simons Town was also home to the famous Able Seadog Just Nuisance in the late 1930s. Take the tour Here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Cape Town Wine Tours – Experience the best of South African wines.
Experience the best Cape Town Wine Tours and and taste some award-winning wines South Africa is known for. Immerse yourself in the local splendour of the Cape Winelands and enjoy unforgettable wine tasting in Cape Town! Why the Cape Winelands is One of the World’s Best Wine Regions When it comes to exceptional wine experiences of South Africa, the Cape Wine region ranks among the best wine destinations in the World. With its scenic landscapes, diverse terroir, and centuries of winemaking tradition, it offers some of the best Cape Town wine tours and wine tasting experiences. Whether you book tailor-made tours or full day wine tours in Cape Town, you will enjoy a range of unique experiences curated by different wine specialists in the region. Unique Wine Tasting Experiences in Cape Town Visiting the Cape Winelands goes beyond sipping wine. It is a rewarding experience, an immersion into the culture, history and beauty of South Africa’s winemaking heritage. We have some great benefits that put us on par and ahead of many of the other wine regions around the World. Cape Town is in the major wine-producing areas compared to other wine regions in the World. Unlike other wine regions around the world that require hours of travel from the nearest port of entry. This accessibility makes it easy to enjoy multiple wine tours in Cape Town in a single day. Spectacular Cape Wine Regions In Cape Town, we have the spectacular cape wine region of Constantia that is a 20-minute drive at the most from the city centre. And the wine regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek are all under 1-hour of driving from the city centre. Even the outlying wine-producing districts such as Worcester is just over an hour. Robertson being at best a 1h30 minutes from the city centre of Cape Town. With all these options so close, the Cape Winelands makes the perfect destination for tailor-made wine tours in Cape Town. History and Wine Regions of South Africa To better understand the Wine regions of South Africa and the wines produced in South Africa . We need to go back in history a little bit. South Africa’s wine making tradition dates back to 1652 , when the Dutch settlers arrived in Cape Town and discovered that the Mediterranean climate was ideal for the making of good wines. They planted the vineyards for that purpose. Wine-makers produced high quality wines dessert wines, sweeter varieties, and red wines under strict restrictions. As a result, South Africa became well known for the dessert wines and red wines. The Discovery of Cold Fermentation in Tulbagh Early in the 1950s, cold fermentation started in the Tulbagh area on the Twee Jonge Gezellen wine estate. This process was essential for the production of good white wine. Winemakers placed a barrel of wine under a cold mountain spring to reduce the temperature of its contents The result was a good white wine from this barrel. The Making of Vin De Constance Wine Vin de Constance was the wine that gained prominence in the early days before the cold fermentation process. The sweet wine is from the Constantia wine region at Klein Constantia wine. Winemakers produced this dessert wine in small volumes and offered it only to a select audience in the early days. Vin de Constance was very popular but only available to royalty and the rich. One of the early supporters of Vin de Constance wine was Napoleon. He was permitted to receive a daily measure of Vin de Constance while banished to Saint Helena. Stellebosch: The Heart of Cape Town Wine Tours Any Cape Winelands tour would be incomplete without a visit to Stellenbosch. During the Wine Tours in Cape Town, exploring the city centre of Stellenbosch is one of the top things to do. Stellenbosch is a beautiful old town and centre of the wine region. The term’ spectacular cape wine region will not be complete without Stellenbosch. History of Pinotage Wines in South Africa There is a variety of different wines produced in the Stellenbosch wine region. Pinotage is our very own South African cultivar developed in the Stellenbosch wine region by Professor Harold Perold. He decided to cross Pinot Noir with Hermitage rootstock and created wine out of this named Pinotage. He found that this was a good full-bodied red wine. Professor Perold published his findings but, the agriculture faculty did not take it up. After the passing of the professor, his former student passed his old residence and saw that the property developers were removing his vines. The student managed to stop them and saved the grapevines that he later took to Elsenburg Agriculture College. Kanonkop Wine Estate Kanonkop Wine Estate took these findings and developed Pinotage under the winemaker Beyers Struter who was at Kanonkop at the time. Mr Struter brought Pinotage to prominence and won many awards. Beyers Struter then eventually decided to leave Kanonkop Wine Estate. He then went and set up his own and purchased a property just across the valley from Kanonkop. Beyerskloof Wine Estate Beyers Struter had a 5-year restraint of trade agreement. He saw how the South African consumer arena was changing. More African communities are now discovering wines which is a huge growth area for the future. Struter developed a Pinotage wine that was easier to drink, a picnic-style wine marketed under the label Beyerskloof. The original Pinotage was a full-bodied red wine ideal when paired with a red meat dish. But it is also a wine that would not suit the palate of a new wine drinker. Today, Pinotage wine is still the traditional full-bodied Pinotage. Discover this when you visit Wine Estates in the Stellenbosch Wine regions, especially at Kanonkop Wine Estate. But for the new entrants, we have the Beyerskloof variety that is a much easier wine to drink. We also have a white Pinotage that is now available on any wine tours in cape town. They are still producing a variety of sparkling wines, white wines and red wines.
Sustainable and Responsible Travel
Sustainable and Responsible travel and being responsible in all that you do while planning your safari holidays are of utmost importance. Carry that responsibility through till you are actually executing your travel plans. It is the only way forward to rebuild international travel as we emerge from this current Covid pandemic. Are you a RESPONSIBLE tourist? Have you acted responsibly and chosen an ETHICAL tour and safari operator to travel with? Many companies in the tourism sector may aspire to be Ethical and even advertise that they are “Ethical”. Unfortunately, much of this is window-dressing. It is a fact that few companies believe that they can actually “afford” to be fully Ethical. The demand from the uninformed travelling public to pet a lion cub remains as a constant lure for tour operators to include animal petting excursions on their itineraries. Ethical Tourism What does it mean to be ETHICAL? It means that as Safari Operator we are taking responsibility for the environment in every aspect. It means that we as tour operators are taking every step required to protect our people and cultures from abuse and exploitation. Most importantly, it means that we protect the environment and animals from exploitation. “Petting cute cubs seems completely innocent as an exercise, but behind the scenes, it’s very different,” according to Dr Paul Funston, Lion and Program Director at Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization. You do not need to pet or interact with a wild animal to learn about it – that’s EXPLOITATION! Be responsible Irresponsible tourism promotes animal cruelty! It is in our human nature to nurture. Many tourists coming to Africa wish to interact with wild animals from cats to elephants. The urge to post that selfie with a cute Lion or Cheetah cub on your lap is simply irresistible. Now consider how this cute little cub came to be in the enclosure that you have just entered. You want to play with this cute bundle of fur, but what are the consequences? Dr Paul Funston continues, “Realistically, cubs have to be bred at a high rate for the petting demand – these cubs are NOT orphans. They are bred to be removed from their mothers at birth. They are hand-reared, often by unsuspecting VOLUNTEERS who pay a handsome price to work on these operations. When the cubs grow too big to be petted, they are used for walking experiences with tourists. As they grow older, they become too dangerous for such interactions. Now they are sold to canned lion operators, TO BE SHOT by trophy hunters who are often American and Russian trophy-hunters”. Captive-bred lions cannot be released back into the wild. These lions pose a serious threat to people and livestock due to being habituated to humans. These Lions have nowhere else to go except for a few “lucky” ones that may end up in a small enclosure in a zoo. Ban on imports to the USA There is currently an import ban to the USA on captive-raised lion trophies. Their bones get exported to Asia and their teeth and claws are turned into jewellery. Lion bones are passed off as Tiger bones, as they are indistinguishable. These bones will be turned into Tiger Bone Soup or Tiger Bone Wine and a lion skeleton sells for over $2000 (as of 2017). This is AFTER the trophy-hunter has paid for and departed with his “trophy” which is usually the hide, the head, and paws. At these rates, the temptation is great for the hunting safari outfitter to pass off the lion as a “WILD” lion and the trophy hunter simply doesn’t ask too many questions. Very convenient! Responsible Travel organizations Are you a responsible tourist? You have to do your research. Check the credentials of the tour and safari operator that you choose to travel with. Sustainable and Responsible Travel organizations such as CREST in the USA, Fair Trade Tourism in Southern Africa, and Travelife in Europe can assist. They have a membership of operations and operators that have been vetted to comply with the required principles of sustainability. Look for their symbols and be responsible! Announcement to ban trade in captive wildlife products Minister Creacy, The South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment announced in May 2021 that the trading in captive wildlife products is getting stopped. The organization Blood Lions have campaigned for many years to have this industry abolished. Dr Louise De Waal is the campaign manager for Blood Lions and she reports that there are at least 60 facilities in South Africa that offer volunteer opportunities with big cats and carnivores. This is an industry known as “voluntourism”. Unsuspecting visitors, often from other countries, are offered hands-on opportunities to interact with the animals, feeding them and rearing the young. Arm yourself with all the information and contact Africa Explore Safaris to travel in a responsibly and sustainably manner. Now read the book Cuddle Me, Kill Me by conservationist Richard Peirce. It is available on Amazon. To plan your Safari Vacations to Africa contact your Ethical Safari Operator
Elephants are Playful and Gregarious
The African Elephant living at peace in their natural African habitat are very relaxed. Elephants are playful and gregarious by nature. Yesterday we posted another interesting video of Elephants on Instagram that piqued the interest of some of our loyal followers. A question was asked by our friend Kim regarding the relationship between the Elephants, and their communication. There is such a vast amount of very interesting information to share about these beautiful animals. I decided to devote this blog post to these beautiful creatures. Elephants all have distinctly different and individual characters and traits. Elephants are playful and gregarious by nature, especially when they get the opportunity to play in the water. Elephant relationships The Elephant “herd” as it is often loosely described, is usually a family group. The family group is led by the matriarch female. The rest of the group is made up of sisters and their offspring. This is where we can really see that Elephants are playful and gregarious. There is a very close bond between the members of the group. The adults will participate in playful activities with each other especially when they get to swim or wallow in the mud. The youngsters are just like our human children. They take every opportunity possible to play with each other. Growing up The young Elephant grows up and learns about life in much the same time-frame as our human children. Here we must exclude the “modern” tendency in some areas for human “children”. Many still live with their parents through their 20’s and even deep into their 30’s. A baby Elephant, or toddler, is fed and cared for by the mother but is protected and guided by the whole group. The young African Elephant reaches sexual maturity between the ages of 10 and 12 years old. The Asian Elephant only reaches sexual maturity at around 15 years old. The juvenile females will then stay with the family group expanding the numbers. The teenage male Elephant is, however, pushed out of the family group at this time. This is nature’s way of ensuring that there is no chance of inbreeding between brothers, sisters and cousins. The juvenile male will then join up with a bachelor herd of Elephant bulls. The bachelor group will include old bulls and mature bulls, down to the new teenager that has just joined the group. The mature Elephant bulls usually move around in their bachelor groups most of the time. The bulls will mingle with different groups of females to see if any of the females are in oestrous and ready to mate. This often happens at the watering hole when the females come down to drink water. They may stay with the group of females for a short time before re-joining their “brothers” again. Behaviour and discipline The juveniles, or teenagers, are still being instructed and disciplined by the mature Elephants in the group. It is the matriarch and her sisters who teach the young females. The old and mature bulls do the same for the young males. This “schooling” usually lasts till they are around 20 years old. This part of the Elephant’s learning curve. This was not fully understood by the conservationists responsible for the animals in wildlife reserves in the 1970’s and earlier. Relocations of Elephant From the 1970’s several Elephant relocations were being done around Southern Africa. Such as introducing virile young Elephant to the new Pilanesberg Game Reserve in South Africa which was established in 1979. The young Elephants, all in their prime, were captured in the big reserves such as Kruger National Park and relocated to Pilanesberg. All of these Elephants were all in their late teens and carefully selected. They were to form a new gene pool in this new reserve. The rangers soon observed some pretty aggressive behaviour patterns towards other species such as Rhino manifesting with these Elephants. No senior Elephants were relocated to guide and discipline them. The bad habits were soon manifested. This only changed once older and mature Elephants were introduced to the reserve to help restore order amongst the Elephant group. Similarities with humans Do you notice the similarity between Elephant and Human development through our teen years? Sometimes it is like looking in a mirror! In my next blog post, I will expand further on Elephant Communication, Reproduction, other unique qualities, and characteristics of our special Pachyderms, the beautiful African Elephant. Stay tuned and join us on Safari for your own unique experience!
Travel Trends in 2021: Why Now Is the Time to Plan Your African Safari from Cape Town
Discover the top travel trends in 2021, from luxury South African safari to multi-generation safaris. Plan your dream Cape Town and safari experience today. Dreaming of Africa? Why Now Is the Time to Plan Your African Safari Even as global lockdowns persist, the desire to travel is stronger than ever. If you’re dreaming of wide-open landscapes, breathtaking wildlife, and meaningful travel, there’s no better destination than Africa. Whether it’s a luxury South African safari or a tour from Cape Town to the bush, 2021 is the year to start planning. Unique Travel Experiences Can you spot the Hyena? This is what you yearn for as you sit glued to the screen. Just imagine sitting where I was sitting on the open vehicle and this beautiful Leopard walks past within six feet of you. Truly AMAZING! The Hyena? That was him in the bush to the right of the road. The Leopard stood still in the road staring at the bush before turning to walk away. You could just see the movement of the Hyena between the foliage. This is what you have been missing! The travel trends in 2021 Several respected publications that include Conde’ Nast Traveller and Travel Pulse are talking much the same language when they refer to these expected travel trends. Some of these trends are already establishing themselves in practice, while others are simply confirming what should be common sense when you undertake travel on your dream trip. Travel Trend #1: Remote Work Safaris – Be Productive in the African Bush The pandemic showed us we don’t need an office to do great work. More travellers are choosing to work remotely while on safari, especially in destinations like Cape Town and private reserves. Imagine mornings filled with game drives and afternoons with focused work sessions surrounded by nature. Many people only need their laptop and a good internet connection for a few hours per day to accomplish their tasks and goals. Now you can be out of the office and on Safari in Africa with your family while putting in a highly productive five-to-six-hour workday between your Wildlife viewing activities. Consider that the average person that has to commute daily to a formal office in the city will only be fully productive for around five hours at best. Then they still have to suffer around three hours commuting in crazy traffic. This is a win-win situation. You get to enjoy the valuable family time and your family is ecstatic because they have never seen so much of you. AND you keep the boss happy with a few hours of highly productive work delivering at your best! Family vacations Travel Trend #2: Family Safari Holidays Reconnect Generations 2020 reminded us of the value of quality time with family. Multigenerational trips are rising in popularity, with travellers booking private African safari tours to reconnect with loved ones. In our modern world some families may be spread over several continents. Now is the time for a multi-generation family vacation on Safari far away from the maddening crowds. We owe it to our children that they have time to connect with their grandparents. We owe it to our parents that they have the opportunity to spend time with their beloved grandchildren. Who knows how much time we have on this fragile earth? Your Travel Adviser – A MUST and not a luxury We love the independence that the internet has provided. We can now design and organize our own magical holiday, BUT when things go wrong! What are we to do? When travel plans go sideways, a trusted travel company or Tour Operator becomes your lifeline. A professional adviser helps you book custom Africa safari packages, navigate restrictions, and avoid cookie-cutter deals. All too often travellers are lured by amazing holiday specials and deals at an unbelievable price. So you adjust your personal desires and holiday plans to fit in with this “deal” because there appears to be so much content for the advertised price! But take note! You are just a number adding to the company’s profit margin. You accept THEIR advertised deal on THEIR terms without any possible alterations. And Is this going to be you? Stressed out and clueless in a strange country with the airport shut down? The year 2020 has yet again highlighted the immense value of working with a professional and reputable Travel Adviser. A professional to help create and manage your dream trip. Check out their credentials. There is much to learn from their social media presence. Travel Trend #5: Longer Vacations, Smaller Groups. Travelers are now choosing longer vacations, slower vacation instead of multiple quick getaways. This means smaller groups, private Safari tours, and secluded lodges. Travellers are considering one long vacation for the year. They choose to travel in a smaller select group or a Private Safari for their immediate family only. The itinerary is meticulously planned at a more leisurely pace to avoid crowded amenities and provide the maximum value Travel Adviser does not charge you exorbitant rates. They are paid by the hotels, resorts, and other providers. That is because the Travel Adviser is rendering a service to THEM. The traveller benefits immensely because here is a person that will sing with you when you have a song in your heart. Your Travel Advisor will hold your hand and guide you through any challenges on your trip. They are on call 24/7 and ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice. You cannot place a monetary value on the peace of mind that you will enjoy knowing that you have a consummate professional in your corner. Talk to a Travel Adviser. They have been there! They know what to do! Travel Trend 2021 #6: Responsible Travel And with a Purpose Sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity. The modern traveller wants their money to make a difference. We partner with Fair Trade Tourism-accredited lodges that invest in local communities and conservation. Your professional Travel Advisor will ensure that
Travel to Africa in 2021
There is much speculation in the media and the tourism industry about travel and travel to Africa in 2021. Part ONE of a two-part post regarding Travel to Africa and Travel Trends in 2021 What do we know, and what are the trends that are becoming evident thus far for Travel and Travel to Africa in 2021? The year 2020 has served as a massive wake-up call for the world. It has shown how quickly the world, as we knew it, could be brought to a grinding halt, and that was soon followed by the obituaries to loved ones and dear friends that lost their battle with Covid-19. What do we know? People from around the world are sick and tired of being controlled under lockdown regulations. We are social creatures and there is an abundance of evidence from all quarters of the world that people are itching to travel and explore again. We do know that Social Distancing, wearing of Face Masks, and producing a negative PCR test for the Coronavirus is the new normal, if you wish to travel. All responsible destinations, carriers, and operators have also implemented a host of health protocols to negate the risk of infections as much as possible. Once you have been fortunate enough to get vaccinated you will, in all probability, still be required to produce a negative PCR test result because no vaccine is 100% effective for 100% of the people. It remains the traveler’s responsibility to safeguard themselves. Who will travel? Leading agencies and operators in the industry have predicted since late in 2020 that it will be the younger generations that will be the first to return to international travel. It is the Gen-Z and Millennial travelers that will probably lead the charge. However, Tui, one of the “giants” of the travel industry, has reported a surge of bookings in the UK to the tune of an increase of 145% for the next northern hemisphere summer. Also of great interest, is that many of the bookings are from older travelers. Now that the vaccination program is being rolled out successfully, it is the older travelers that have the peace of mind to start booking their travel for 2021. We are now entering an encouragingly new phase that can be described as pure Vaccine Optimism. Vaccination successes This is underpinned by news released in the UK on Friday 15 January, that over 3.5 million people had already received the Covid-19 vaccination with over 447,000 having already received their second jab. The number of those already vaccinated is now greater than the total number of Covid-19 infections recorded in the UK. This sense of optimism in the UK should therefore spread to the other countries across Europe and North America as the number of vaccinations is ramped up. This is great news for the tourism industry as a whole and specifically for tourism to Africa. In South Africa, we wait with great expectation for the violent storm of Covid-19 to start settling down. Our Safaris are ready to run. Our Safari Partners and suppliers are primed and ready. We are all in the starting blocks ready to run our greatest race yet. Look out for the next post where we explore the Travel Trends in 2021 that are coming to the fore.
The amazing survival of the Rhino, Thandi
The amazing survival of the Rhino, Thandi, at the Kariega Private Game Reserve is nothing short of miraculous! On the night of 2nd March 2012, she was one of three Rhino poached on the reserve. The poachers darted them and then brutally hacked the horns off Thandi’s face leaving a huge gaping wound. BUT she was alive! Flourishing mother Even more miraculous is that Thandi, disfigured beyond belief just short of nine years ago, is flourishing. After this terrible ordeal, she has just given birth to her fourth offspring. The beautiful baby Rhino is yet to be named. The baby is very healthy and obviously happy, but sticking very close to mom at all times. A name for the baby? We had the pleasure of visiting Kariega as a family one year ago for a spectacular three-day Safari. We saw so many different species of animals including Thandi, and when my nine-year-old daughter Zuri saw the pictures of the baby Rhino, she immediately came up with the name of Tira. The creative mind of youth is very active. I am sure that the owners and management at Kariega will decide on a truly fitting name for this new addition. The amazing survival of the Rhino Thandi will require that a strong and powerful name be sought for this baby. The beauty of Kariega Kariega Private Game Reserve is privately owned since 1989 and is located in the Malaria Free zone of the Eastern Cape. The reserve is being developed and improved constantly to deliver ever higher standards for a truly authentic wildlife and safari experience. The Lodges are beautiful and you have a choice between five different locations depending on your personal desire. The Game Reserve is spread over the deep ravines of the coastal region. This landscape also provides for ever-changing vistas while you are out on a Game Drive with your Ranger. You can never be bored on the three-hour long Game Drive. Be Sustainable Visitors to the Eastern Cape Safari areas have a variety of great experiences to choose from. Choose to be a Sustainable Traveler and combine your Safari with a travel itinerary from Cape Town and include the scenic Garden Route for a memorable holiday.
The REASON for Elephant deaths in Botswana
We now have the reason for Elephant deaths in Botswana. It has been more than four months since the Elephant deaths in the Okavango Panhandle of Botswana. News conference Cyanobacteria is the cause of these Elephant dying. The cyanobacteria are found in water. The officials of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks announced this in a news conference in Gabarone on Monday, 21 September. The principal veterinary officer Mmadi Reuben confirmed that their latest tests have detected cyanobacterial neurotoxins to be the cause of deaths. Not all Cyanobacteria produce toxins. Climate change drives up global temperatures. The prevalence of these toxins being produced increases in the higher temperatures. Mr Cyril Taolo, the Deputy Director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks also confirmed that the number of dead Elephants found so far has increased from 281 to 330. Unanswered questions There are still many unanswered questions. Why is it only Elephants that have been affected? Why only in that particular area? The Lions and the other species of mammals living in the Okavango Panhandle are seemingly unaffected by this Cyanobacteria. This remains unexplained. It is a fact that the temperatures across Southern Africa are rising at twice the global average. The potential impact of cyanobacterial blooms is a real concern to scientists. This is as a result of the increase in temperatures that these bacteria prefer. Given the right conditions at the right time and the right place and these species of bacteria will increase rapidly. Some of these cyanobacterial blooms can harm people as well as animals. Scary The really scary part is that Southern Africa is heading into summer now. This toxic bacterial bloom took place in early winter. What lies ahead as the temperatures rise dramatically in the summer months? Are we going to see more cases of Cyanobacterial bloom producing deadly neurotoxins? What other species of wildlife are going to suffer a similar fate to the 330 Elephants in the Okavango Delta Panhandle? Zimbabwe In a recent report, 25 dead Elephants were found In the neighboring country of Zimbabwe. This was in the Hwange area on the country’s western border with Botswana. Poaching was ruled out as the tusks are still intact on the carcasses. The dead Elephants are close to water. The authorities believe that they could have ingested toxic bacteria while they were foraging for food. There is no clear indication that cyanobacteria are the cause of these deaths at this time. Zimbabwe has sent samples for scientific analysis to Britain and is awaiting results from further testing. Elephant population The global Elephant population has declined significantly due to the increase in poaching. In Botswana on the other hand, the Elephant population has increased steadily to around 130,000. Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta in Botswana remain the premier location for Elephant viewing. There are a variety of Safari Packages to choose from such as the mid-range Victoria Falls to Okavango Delta Safari. Contact the team at Africa Explore Safaris to design your unique Private Luxury Safari.