March 2008. It was hot! About 32 degrees and no wind at all. The region we were driving through was dry and dusty. We were on route to Shingwedzi camp and it was around 3 pm Read the rest of this entry »

Knowing the difference between the two rhinocerous species in Africa could save your life if you are faced with either of these magnificent animals. Read this and other rhino facts ... Read the rest of this entry »

The African Elephant is the largest land mammal, with mature bulls reaching a record weight of 7 tons (15 400 lbs.). Elephant cows average two and a half metres tall and three tons. Read the rest of this entry »

The lion is the epitome of a carnivore. Records show that lion have taken rabbits, tortoises, porcupines, pangolins, aardvarks, birds, warthog, bushpig and crocodiles. Read the rest of this entry »

In the hot, baking sun we drudged ourselves, albeit rather willingly, behind two armed game rangers from Orpen Camp in the Kruger National Park. Our guides, Carol and Thomas, had fetched us in their open game-drive vehicle from the ablution facilities at Tamboti Tented Camp where we were staying. After introducing themselves and giving us a briefing of the walk, we headed out into the bumpy bushveld. Read the rest of this entry »

On my birthday, Marcel and I headed out to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, about 40-min drive from Leopard Walk Lodge where we were staying. We arrived nice and early as the gates opened, and after signing in, we were rewarded with a lovely sighting of warthogs right at the gates. What a fab start to the game drive! The sun was shining and the wildlife obliging.

The office manager had shown us various routes we could take, so with map in hand, we headed out, eagerly taking in the helpful spotting tips and great overview of the animals we might catch a glimpse of. Read the rest of this entry »

The "Big 5" is well-known, but what of the "Little 5"? Leopard Tortoise, Rhinoceros Beetle, Ant Lion, Buffalo Weaver and Elephant Shrew ... read facts about this wildlife. Read the rest of this entry »

A leopard female spends roughly half her time with the cubs and half away, hunting and feeding. Thus from the beginning the cubs become adapted to long periods of fasting interrupted by periods of gorging themselves. Read more leopard facts ... Read the rest of this entry »

This is a video message asking CITES members to let elephants keep their ivory. Dame Daphne Sheldrick shares her views on the ivory trade and the effects of poaching. Read the rest of this entry »

A great deal of mythical folklore surrounds these magnificent giants of the bush.

A few of these legends are worthy of being recounted, however the origin of these myths have become quite unclear over the years, and no specific tribe of people can be directly credited with them.

The most likely source though, would appear to be the Shona, a tribe ancestrally inhabiting the northern regions of Southern Africa. Read the rest of this entry »