South Africa is well-known for its Big Five safari sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo. A lesser-known fact is that it is also home to the Marine Big Five – the Common Dolphin, Cape Fur Seal, African Penguin, Great White Shark and the Southern Right Whale. What is also not well known to … Continue reading »
We can hardly believe it ourselves, but it was 10 years ago today that we launched Baobab Travel. Initially it was a dream that started with a strong love for Africa and a desire to make a difference. Even if that difference was only small. Baobab Travel, as an UK-based tour operator, started with only … Continue reading »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The proposed Serengeti Highway has been a concern for many people, including members of the tourist industry, for some time now. As markers for the route are being laid down, the story is getting increased interest from the international press. The road is currently proposed to run from Arusha to Musoma, cutting directly through the … Continue reading »
Sheona Small from Glasgow, Scotland, booked a Learning to Dive in the Red Sea family holiday with BAOBAB Travel in April 2007. The family, mum, dad and 4 children (two of which under 12 years old) stayed at Inmo Divers Home in Dahab, where 4 people did a PADI Open Water scuba-diving course and the … Continue reading »
Ian Hemmings from the West Midlands in the UK joint a small group departure to Namibia in March 2009. This Wild Dog Namibia Explorer Safari, visiting both northern and southern Namibia, runs weekly departing on a Tuesday. I embarked on my first ever safari in Namibia and I cannot fault the service I had from … Continue reading »
