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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Maureen & Roger Crombleholme from Staffordshire in the UK travelled with us in September 2010 to Selous Game Reserve and Zanzibar. In Selous they stayed in Selous Wilderness Camp, on the beach in Unguja Lodge on the southern tip of Zanzibar and in Swahili House in Stone Town. Thank you for organising what has been … Continue reading »
During the recent Football World Cup Cape Point National Park had to close its gates on an unprecedented three consecutive days. Lighthouse at Cape Point That is an extreme event but visitors to the park will know this icon of South African tourism can be one of busiest locations on any Cape Town itinerary. Every … Continue reading »
This week, the City of Cape Town in cooperation with the Shark Spotting Programme released a public caution to all water users of an increase in White shark activity in the False Bay area. Since the beginning of December, the Shark Spotters have recorded 24 shark sightings between Muizenberg and Fishhoek, and in Noordhoek. White … Continue reading »
