Aaaaah, It Was Wonderful To Go Back To The Bush! June 12, 2008
Posted by Julia in : Animals, Safari, ecotourism , 1 comment so far
Upon entering Klaserie Game Reserve we were delighted with the welcoming committee of a solitary Brown Snake Eagle perched high on a dead Leadwood as we zooted off to our unfenced camp. It was an amazing setting on the banks of the Klaserie under a canopy of Jackalberry trees. With an armed ranger and tracker, we explored the treasures of their concession. On our final evening of the 3 nights we spent there, we came across a mating pair of lion on the game drive. After our supper their calls continued echoing across our camp and to our surprise we were later surrounded by calls from 2 other lionesses. There’s nothing like those decibels to get your adrenalin going!
Carbon offsets: should you buy absolution? December 19, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Climate Change, ecotourism , 2comments
Some critics liken carbon offsetting - paying for emission reductions elsewhere instead of reducing one’s own carbon emissions - to “buying pardons from the Catholic church in 16th century Europe” [1]. Absolution. Guilt-free flying.
And yes, there are various, related ethical issues that you must resolve for yourself. If you’re not sure what I am writing about, take a look at CheatNeutral for amusing satirical commentary on the practice of offsetting your “sins”. However, if you are thinking that I am simply about to dismiss carbon offsetting as an immoral or impractical practice, please read on.
The thing about African wilderness trails November 10, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Safari, ecotourism , 5comments
Walking on a wilderness trail is the only way to feel the pulse of the African “bush”. That is what I believe anyway. I have experienced my fair share of the African safari concept: vehicle-based photographic safaris, 
game drives and stays in high-end and exotic game lodges, and even canoe safaris down the wild Lower Zambezi. But none of this compares to following a game trail on foot: listening for a warning call, watching the reactions of the tracker, sniffing the breeze, or simply existing in your immediate sphere. Nothing compares - except perhaps for the canoe safari. (more…)
Circles in the Bush October 21, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Safari, ecotourism , add a comment
(With apologies to Dalene Matthee…)
Machampane Wilderness Camp in Limpopo National Park, Mozambique, shares the western bank of the Machampane River with tall fever trees at a pool called Xisivene - which apparently means “deep pool”.
The wilderness trail experience that runs out of the camp is similarly structured to the iconic trails that operate in the Kruger National Park across the border. Machampane’s accommodation is a tad more luxurious though - large walk-in tents on stilts with en suite bathrooms.
Download the Google Earth track of Machampane wilderness trails.
Book the Machampane wilderness trail.
The Soul of the Wilderness September 12, 2007
Posted by Lizanne in : News , add a comment
Ever since I’ve come to know about Dr Ian Player’s Wilderness Trails and the very positive effect those few days in wild nature had on the human psyche, I decided to delve a bit deeper into the concept of ecological spirituality. I came upon some thought provoking insights, but also found that there are quite a few different views and opinions regarding this matter. The ones that caught my attention were ideas on eco-therapy and the mystic experiences of nature. (more…)
Awareness through Wilderness August 15, 2007
Posted by Lizanne in : Conservation , 2comments
“Simplicity in all things, is the secret of the wilderness.” – Sigmund Olsen
I recently read Zululand Wilderness: Shadow and Soul by Dr. Ian Player. This book had such a profound impact on me that I decided to look into the Wilderness Leadership School which he founded. It turns out that the school is one of the finest long term solutions for the conservation of our Earth.
Impressions of the Great Walk in Tsavo July 25, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : Safari , 1 comment so far
Tsavo. A place of ghosts….. Read my personal take on the Great Walk in Tsavo.
The photo at right was taken on the Galana River. A peaceful scene…
In the Company of Man Eaters July 16, 2007
Posted by Clarissa Hughes in : News, Safari , 1 comment so far
Conjure up a marriage between “Out of Africa” style camping and hunter-gatherer game tracking and you get the Great Walk. Taking place in Kenya’s largest national park, Tsavo, the walk covers a comfortable 153 kms in 12 days.
Situated in south eastern Kenya Tsavo is approximately 12,000 km2 and was designated in 1948 by the colonial government. Divided into East and West the boundary between the two sections of the park is formed by the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and the railway line that connects hinterland to the coast.
Great Walk in Tsavo National Park: Google Earth track and photos July 14, 2007
Posted by Ralph Pina in : News, Safari , add a comment
Well, I’m back from the Great Walk of Africa. It was truly one of those “experiences of a lifetime”. But Clarissa will write a descriptive piece about the Great Walk. I have, as promised, prepared a Google Earth track of the Great Walk (it downloads an eventual 2.2MB target kmz file). Also our photos are here and here. Enjoy.
Camping under the stars in the Okavango June 6, 2007
Posted by Shurene in : Safari , add a comment
Camp under the stars, get soaked by the spray of the spectacular Victoria Falls, Sunset on the Zambezi River, Hippos yawning & Elephants swimming in Chobe, A mokoro trip on the Okavango Delta and wild camping – with the cry of the Fish Eagle giving you goose bumps.
Just a few of the sights & sounds that greeted me on my recent 10 day Okavango Experience. Camping is the true way to find your soul in Africa. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet & spend time with the locals from Zambia & Botswana.
In Livingstone ( Zambia) we participated in a local community initiative – a guided cycle ride through the local village. This was an initiative from one of the locals, who used the income earned from the USD25 participants paid, to establish a local school. Our guide – Oliver – was one of the local teachers, who showed us the traditional ways – from building to beer drinking.
