The Reality of Rhino Poaching

Early in 2010 the last Java Rhino was shot in Vietnam bringing about the extinction of the species. This came at a time, when Rhino poaching across southern Africa was experiencing a rapid increase, as we have previously reported on this blog. Even in the UK, zoo keepers and safari park managers have been placed … Continue reading »

It’s grey and wallowing in the Indian Ocean

At Nuarro Lodge on the coast of Mozambique at Baixo Do Pinda, you expect to find whales (from June to November) and dolphins (all year round) frolicking in the bay. Last week however they had the most amazing sighting, when an elephant was playing, washing, and wallowing in the bay right in front of the … Continue reading »

Southern Right Whales – the Great Comeback

Figures recently released from the University of Cape Town (UCT) have revealed that 2011 was yet another fantastic year for the Southern Right Whales that visit the country each winter. It appears that the population continues to increase at a rate of about 6.8% a year, very close to the biological maximum, with mature cows … Continue reading »

Dramatic Elephant Rescue in South Luangwa, Zambia

Most conservationists believe that people should not meddle with the natural order and that we should allow nature to run her course however cruel or grim it seems to be. Norman Carr Safaris agrees on the whole, unless a wildlife problem has been created by humans, e.g. in the case of snaring or being trapped in a fence, in … Continue reading »

Is Shark Culling the Answer?

After the recent shark attack in Fish Hoek, False Bay (South Africa), I was going to just add a comment to my blog Rethink the Shark from Villain to Sophisticate. However when I started writing, I decided that the issues deserve a full blog, so here I get on my shark soapbox once again. What happened? … Continue reading »

To Print or Not To Print

When we started selling holidays ten years ago, we soon realised that the industry could be responsible for large amounts of paper and print consumption. Travel brochures, booking forms, pre-departure information packs, and booking receipts were all going out by post to people around the world. The printer was churning away all day long. We … Continue reading »

Our Community project: Dalukhanyo Pre-School

BAOBAB Travel has been involved with Dalukhanyo pre-school in Langa, one of the oldest townships near Cape Town, for a number of years now. Many of the working women are single mums and need a safe environment for their children during working hours. Dalukhanyo is one of the few nursery facilities in Langa and fills … Continue reading »

West Coast Flower Extravaganza

As the mild Cape winter comes to a close in August-September, pockets of spring flowers start to emerge alongside roadside verges. If you have planned your trip to arrive in the city at this time, you have a chance of seeing the brilliant purples, yellows, and reds of the hardy daisy species that start to … Continue reading »

The Darling Stagger Slack Packing Trail

Earlier this month (July 2011) the Cape West Coast Trails were launched within the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR). The CWCBR, with the West Coast National Park at its centre, is one of the 6 UNESCO recognised Biosphere Reserves in South Africa. Paul and I were invited to explore the brand new Darling Stagger, … Continue reading »

Selous World Heritage Site in danger from planned Uranium mining

The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has warned Tanzanian government against plans to mine uranium and undertake oil exploration in the Selous Game Reserve, since the proposed activities constitute a clear case for inscribing the game reserve on the list of World Heritage in Danger. In February this year, the United Republic of Tanzania submitted … Continue reading »

Is Trophy Hunting Sustainable?

Trophy hunting in Africa is not an activity of the past, as many tourists on African photographic wildlife safaris may think. Trophy hunting is still as alive as it was 100 years ago with the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo) still being the most popular and most expensive to hunt. However, species … Continue reading »

The Sinai Desert – Coast to Coast (Egypt)

Looking at a map of the world it is easy to miss the relatively small triangle of land that forms the Sinai Peninsula. Yet the region, lying symbolically at the rough centre of the world, is perhaps one of the most important land masses on earth. It forms a land bridge between the continents of … Continue reading »

Busting the Myth – Saving the Species

When I opened my Facebook this morning, I read the terribly sad news that Absa, Aquila’s rhino, who has been fighting for his live since Saturday, tragically passed away during the night. For those of you who have not followed the story, poachers came into Aquila Private Game Reserve (2 hrs north of Cape Town) … Continue reading »

From a Family Holiday to Running a Water Charity

Rachel Blackmore and her family travelled to Tanzania with Baobab Travel back in August 2005. We organised a luxury camping safari in the Serengeti and on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and some time on Zanzibar. Whilst visiting a cultural Maasai boma in Irkeepusi on the rim of the Crater their guide was Ponja … Continue reading »

Sustainability, greenwashing and Baobab Travel

When BAOBAB Travel was launched nearly 10 years ago, we were one of the first travel companies in the UK and probably in Western Europe to dedicate our business fully to sustainability. Coming from an environmental background, sustainability was the logical step and to be honest the only basis I was willing to run a … Continue reading »