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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Having moved to the Cape Peninsula some years ago, we regularly get visitors from Europe who stay with us and wonder at the local wildlife. Whales, penguins, ostriches and….baboons! Driving along the coastal road past Simon’s Town and on to Cape Point, it is almost impossible not to encounter the Peninsula’s infamous Chacma baboons. In … Continue reading »
