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A2A Safaris - News https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/tags/news en New Arrivals At Thamo Telele https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/new-arrivals-thamo-telele <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">The time of year has arrived when those of us who live in Maun, the safari town that serves as gateway to the Okavango Delta, sit with our eyes eagerly trained on the dry riverbed before us waiting for the first trickle of water to herald the arrival of the Okavango’s flood waters from Angola. It starts with a slow moistening of the dust and then before you know it the flood’s in full flow, bringing new life to our dry little town. What we really need at a time like this is a distraction, and fortunately our resident herd of habituated giraffe at Thamo Telele have obliged with the blossoming of a certain belly. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-38072" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Mmabatho, whose name translates to ‘mother of the people’ is always a calm and steady presence here, making her a favourite with guests and our team alike, has been blooming throughout her pregnancy. In turn, we’ve all been watching and waiting to see when her little one might arrive. Our brilliant giraffe researchers Katie Ahl and Emma Wells knew that Mmabatho was close to giving birth so were watching particularly closely. “Mmabatho is a regular at the giraffe sundowner and we noticed she was missing one night and though she must be getting ready,” recalls Katie. “The next day we went for a drive to look for her and sure enough we found her and her calf looking strong.” Giraffe give birth while standing up rather than shifting into something we humans might consider a more comfortable position. This is so that the drop to the ground will kick-start the baby’s breathing as well as snapping the umbilical cord. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-38074" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> The baby stands up after around an hour and, while gangly and a little unsteady initially, is soon ready to frolic and run, making it easier for the mother to protect her calf from predators. It quickly became apparent that this was a little girl with a kink in the middle of her tail “This happened at a very young age, possibly at birth,” notes Katie. “It doesn’t stop her from living her best life though!” She joins brothers Pula and Kgomotso in the family, and even shares the same birthday as Pula (although the two are three years apart.) She was given the name Leleme which means ‘tongue’ in Setswana. Leleme is also the term given to the earliest advancing flood water. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-38075" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Just as baby Leleme breathes new life into our lovely reserve, the flood waters also hold great significance for the local community as it represents new beginnings and the hope and anticipation for a good rainy season. “Here at Thamo Telele we hope our little Leleme brings the same good luck and rains to Maun in the coming years, smiles Katie.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-38076" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:28:51 +0000 Anonymous 3937 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/new-arrivals-thamo-telele#comments Kwessi Dunes – where nature does the talking https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/kwessi-dunes-%E2%80%93-where-nature-does-the-talking <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Safaris are known for the adventurous experiences they offer, but often guests are pleasantly surprised by the peace and serenity that can be found out in the wilderness. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Kwessi Dunes in NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia where vast skies sparkle and rolling desert dunes unfolds before you. This is a place where you can totally tune out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and reconnect to the natural world. This is Kwessi Dunes, where nature does the talking. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Untitled-design-3.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone wp-image-37915 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Untitled-design-3.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Untitled-design-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Untitled-design-3-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> We’re not the only ones who think so, NamibRand Nature Reserve has recently been named Africa’s first Wilderness Quiet Park by Quiet Parks International, which in conjunction with its status as Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve at Gold Tier level, makes it a trailblazer in absolute calm. This prestigious recognition underscores the NamibRand’s dedication to safeguarding the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert, including fostering a naturally quiet sanctuary for animals, birds and humans alike. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0003_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Martin-Harvey_L3_landscape2.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone wp-image-37772 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0003_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Martin-Harvey_L3_landscape2.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0003_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Martin-Harvey_L3_landscape2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0003_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Martin-Harvey_L3_landscape2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> “NamibRand – the land of red dunes and fairy circles,” recalls Edward Alant a Field Recordist who spent time in the quiet of the reserve. “I was mesmerised by the peace and tranquility of the ever-changing landscape during my time at NamibRand. The dunes are alive and moving – recording in the desert gives you an appreciation of the complex challenges faced by many reserves across the African continent. When I listen to the recordings, I can relive the moments, walking through the deep sand, setting up my recorder in an Acacia tree, and taking a few minutes to listen. A Wilderness Quiet Park Award symbolises the effort expended by the owners and management of NamibRand to preserve the integrity of the natural ecosystem. I was privileged to spend a few days with the NamibRand team and highly recommend (it to) anyone considering NamibRand as a destination.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0006_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Andrew-Morgan_L4_KwessiDunes_GameDrive8.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone wp-image-37775 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0006_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Andrew-Morgan_L4_KwessiDunes_GameDrive8.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0006_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Andrew-Morgan_L4_KwessiDunes_GameDrive8-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0006_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Andrew-Morgan_L4_KwessiDunes_GameDrive8-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Natural Selection was founded as a conservation-driven company so we choose our partners carefully, ensuring that we share the same values and core mission to make a difference to Africa’s wild places. The NamibRand like us, is dedicated to conservation and ensuring long term sustainability through responsible tourism practices. NamibRand is an area of great ecological importance, and with its remarkably dark, unpolluted skies sets a formidable example in preserving natural nocturnal environments. “This award reinforces NamibRand’s commitment to preserving its natural soundscape and wilderness character,” notes Matt Mikkelsen, Executive Director of Wilderness Quiet Parks. “By promoting awareness of natural sounds, NamibRand encourages reverence for its ecosystems.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0000_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Silverless_L4_Stars-above-guest-rooms.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone wp-image-37768 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0000_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Silverless_L4_Stars-above-guest-rooms.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0000_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Silverless_L4_Stars-above-guest-rooms-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0000_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Silverless_L4_Stars-above-guest-rooms-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> In addition to its ecological importance, NamibRand is also celebrated for its exceptional darkness. The International Dark Sky Association has designated NamibRand as an International Dark Sky Reserve at the Gold Tier level, a testament to its remarkably dark skies and commitment to preserving natural nocturnal environments. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0007_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Alberto-Alcocer_L4_bedroom1.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone wp-image-37777 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0007_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Alberto-Alcocer_L4_bedroom1.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0007_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Alberto-Alcocer_L4_bedroom1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Blog-category-1024-x-681px_0007_NAM_Kwessi-Dunes_Alberto-Alcocer_L4_bedroom1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Kwessi Dunes itself has been carefully designed to sit lightly and make the most of this pristine environment, maximising its profound impact for guests. Attached to each guest chalet is an open roof ‘star gazer’ room where guests can lay back for a siesta during the day, or beneath star-spangled skies at night in total peace and foster a deeper connection to nature in a place committed to its preservation. That’s music to our ears. </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Wed, 21 Aug 2024 09:38:26 +0000 Anonymous 3931 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/kwessi-dunes-%E2%80%93-where-nature-does-the-talking#comments Living With Leopards: An Interview With Brad Bestelink https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/living-leopards-an-interview-brad-bestelink <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Living with leopards: to some it’s a documentary, and to others it’s a way of life, but for renowned wildlife filmmaker Brad Bestelink it’s both. Brad and his team have spent the past four years based in the Xudum concession where Mokolwane is situated, and it’s here that they filmed the enthralling new Netflix documentary Living With Leopards. Those who’ve watched the show will know that it stands quite apart from other nature films available to stream, thanks to the more contemporary feel of its production values, enhanced by a vibrant soundtrack, and a deep appreciation of the commitment to the project from the filmmaking team themselves. It’s fitting that Brad’s career should take shape in the concession where his father established his own tourism operation more than 20 years ago, meaning that he knew the area intimately long before he began to film it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-35837" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> “Since then I’ve had the privilege of filming in these extraordinary areas,” he explains. “In the early years, the Mokolwane and Xudum regions were characterised by their wet and swampy landscapes, drawing my focus to the aquatic wonders of the Okavango. It was here that we filmed many sequences for National Geographic’s The Flood. One of my favourite projects however, was Africa’s River Giants, which delved into the underwater life of hippos for the BBC, narrated for us by Sir David Attenborough.” Brad is the Creative Director and Director of Photography for the Natural History Film Unit Botswana, and as such has come to know the diverse ecosystems of Botswana intimately, but being so well acquainted with Xudum and Mokolwane, he’s been privy to the evolution of the area and has filmed much of it. “Four years ago, the landscape began to change, with less permanent water transforming the area into a hotspot for predators,” he notes. “Recognising the unique opportunity this presented, I decided to base all our crews in the Xudum area and establish a permanent private filming camp. We have been based here ever since, continuing to capture the dynamic and evolving story of this remarkable ecosystem.” The past four years have been fruitful for Brad and his team and they’ve produced both Surviving Paradise and Living With Leopards, each of which was made for Netflix and shot entirely in the Xudum and Mokolwane concession. It’s not only the area that’s important to Brad, the subject matter is also close to his heart. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-35838" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> “I have a deep admiration for leopards,” he confides. “I’m drawn to their intelligence, capabilities, sheer beauty and solitary nature. I’ve always been fascinated by the full spectrum of behaviour and social interactions that a mother leopard exhibits while rearing her young – beyond just their skilled hunting abilities. Observing leopards in their natural habitat offers an intimate portrayal of the struggles and successes of a single mother. It provides a window into their personal lives allowing you to see and fall in love with them just as I have.” Just as Covid 19 began to turn lives upside down, the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself to the Botswana-based filmmaker. “We began our collaboration with Netflix just before the COVID pandemic gripped the world,” he tells us. “As lockdowns commenced, Netflix asked me what my ultimate film project would be – what film I truly wanted to make. With COVID dictating our lives and global lockdowns predicted, a long-term investment in a single project was precisely what we needed. We would need to film for about two and a half years to capture the cubs growing up and leaving their mother, and the pandemic provided the opportunity to do so. This unusually ambitious project was not without its risks, as more than half of all leopard cubs don’t survive to maturity. We had no certainty that our characters would make it. However, Mochima – a leopard I had known for over a year – was a mature female with exceptional decision-making abilities and a remarkable character. I felt that if any leopard could see this through for us, it would be her.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-35839" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-3-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> The deep-rooted affection that Brad holds for the leopard shines through in the documentary, and the film as a whole feels much more relevant to audiences than many similar shows. One of the most striking components is the music. “The music was chosen to bring a contemporary feel to the journey,” the filmmaker explains. “Many nature documentaries tend to cater primarily to avid wildlife enthusiasts, often lacking emotional resonance, particularly from the musical aspect, taking a more purist approach. While much of the soundtrack was not my specific choice, I believe it enhanced the charisma of the story, making it more relatable to a broader audience, not necessarily just nature lovers. My experience with the wilderness and the characters I film is entirely emotionally driven, and I want people to feel that connection as well. There’s no reason to separate emotional resonance from one’s experience with nature. Our work is completely as emotional journey from beginning to end.” Such a huge undertaking is certainly not a one man job, and the documentary drives home the importance of each member of the filmmaking team. It also makes clear how they live and work together, almost as family – something that anyone who’s spent an amount of time in the bush will relate to. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-35840" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-4-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> “Our team is always an eclectic mix of individuals from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of skills,” Brad explains. “I specifically choose team members based on their character and attitude, alongside their talent. While many people in this industry have the necessary skills, I prioritise those with a genuine passion for the wilderness and the characters we work with, as well as a drive and willingness to invest the time needed to capture our work. I seek individuals who are free of self and ego, as those who view us merely as a stepping stone for their own careers don’t stay long. My goal is to build a team of dedicated, bush-crazy, creative people who take pride in working together towards a common objective. This work is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle and a journey of personal growth. I aim to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and feel intrinsically proud of our collective achievements.” The team are firmly entrenched here at Xudum, and are a point of great interest for visitors to Mokolwane who often spend times themselves with the subjects being filmed. The dedicated filming camp in the concession is home to five full time cameramen each of whom has their own vehicle and camera kits, in turn, they’re supported by a media processing team and camp staff keep life in the wilderness running smoothly. “It’s like extended family living a fun life together,” grins Brad. “My work is my life. I have never been able to separate these, or find a balance, for good or for bad, I love what I do, and this is my journey. This is why having the right team is so important.” Aside from the filming activity, Mokolwane’s guests are in for a real treat when it comes to leopard sightings. This area boasts the third highest density of leopards recorded in Africa, this population includes but is certainly not limited to the leopards who star in Living With Leopards. While leopards might be the stars of the show, there’s plenty more to see as well. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-5.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-35841" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-5.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-5-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> “Xudum has been experiencing a drying period, which is beneficial for predators,” notes Brad. “Lion, wild dog and leopard populations are particularly high because of this. However, I believe its greatest asset is the low level of tourist activity, which maintains its remarkable wilderness. We still frequently encounter packs of wild dogs, cheetahs and leopards we have never seen before, simply showing up. The area is surrounded by vast, unexplored, and unused terrain, adding to its wild and exciting nature.” With 200,000 hectares of wilderness and only Mokolwane’s seven rooms available to guests, this area is truly pristine with an immense feeling of space and solitude – it would take days just to drive around the reserve. The tents sit 10 feet above the ground amongst the shady boughs of fig, jackalberry, ilala palm and wild mangosteens so nature is truly all around you. The eco-system is wonderfully diverse, and ranges from open grasslands and crystal clear lagoons to forests and thickets. “Mokolwane is one of the few camps on the edge of the Western Delta, surrounded by vast, unspoilt wilderness,” agrees Brad. “It is one of the last remaining large wilderness areas in the Okavango.” Brad and his team are already hard at work on their next project, the subject of which can’t yet be divulged but it will be released in September this year. If you want a sneak preview, there’s only one place to get it in real time, and that’s Mokolwane. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-6.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="681" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-35842" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-6.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blog-category-1024-x-681px-6-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:19:12 +0000 Anonymous 3888 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/living-leopards-an-interview-brad-bestelink#comments MAUN 200 PLUS – A 200Km Ride Raising Funds for Charity! https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/maun-200-plus-%E2%80%93-a-200km-ride-raising-funds-charity <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Hold onto your handlebars because we’ve got the ultimate feel good cycling trip. Maun 200 Plus is four days of fun and adventurous riding, raising funds for charity. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk5-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="828" height="466" class="alignnone wp-image-27881" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk5-300x169.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk5-768x432.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk5.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px" /> Over 210 kilometres you’ll explore the ancient elephant paths that have shaped the Botswana landscape for centuries, covering acacia woodlands, wandering riverbanks, mopane forests and beautiful savannah grasslands. Along the way you’ll encounter spectacular wildlife and endless African horizons, all with the feelgood knowledge that you’re raising funds for Elephants For Africa and Lorato House Rescue Centre. You’ll be joined on your journey by professional cycling guides who’ve cycled these areas for years and will take you to places few tyres have dared to tread. Together you’ll discover the secrets that pave these elephant pathways and see the plethora of wildlife that also journey along them. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk8-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="829" height="467" class="alignnone wp-image-27889" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk8-300x169.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk8-768x432.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk8-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bostwana_NaturalSelection_CyclingItinerary_DaveVanSmeerdijk8.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px" /> Each day will involve around 70 kilometres of riding with something new to discover around every turn. Get ready for the Maun 200 Plus – this is going to be fun! Here’s what to expect… DAY 1 THAMO TELELE The adventure begins at Thamo Telele just outside the safari town of Maun where you’ll settle in and get to grips with the details of the upcoming ride. A 2 hour cycle around the reserve and along the river will get you acquainted with your new surroundings – all 250 hectares of them. You’ll see plenty of wildlife and extraordinary birdlife along the way, and you’ll finish the journey with sundowners along with those who’ve arrived a little later – a toast to the adventure ahead is surely in order. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/12-Cycling-in-the-Reserve-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="839" height="559" class="alignnone wp-image-27882 " srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/12-Cycling-in-the-Reserve-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/12-Cycling-in-the-Reserve-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/12-Cycling-in-the-Reserve.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 839px) 100vw, 839px" /> DAY 2 MENO A KWENA A chorus of birdsong and the aroma of coffee will soften the early start this morning. Bags will be whisked onwards to camp, leaving the intrepid cyclists to indulge in breakfast and then begin the cycle along the Thamalakane River. You’ll venture onwards, crossing the river with bikes aloft until you come to the headwaters of the Boteti River. The journey continues along trails and towards the Samedupi Pan area where lunch and a rest will give a much needed energy boost. The bikes will also get a bit of a breather, being transported to Motopi (Moreomaoto village). At the village, it’s time to saddle up once again to cycle the last 20 kilometre stretch to Meno a Kwena camp for the night. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-KwenaTwin-room-2_Silverless-300x172.jpg" alt="" width="841" height="482" class="alignnone wp-image-27899 " srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-KwenaTwin-room-2_Silverless-300x172.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-KwenaTwin-room-2_Silverless-1024x588.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-KwenaTwin-room-2_Silverless-768x441.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-KwenaTwin-room-2_Silverless-1536x882.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-KwenaTwin-room-2_Silverless-2048x1176.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px" /> What a sight for sore saddles this camp is. Perched high on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River, guests here can soothe tired legs in the pool, watching the comings and goings of the wildlife below. Late afternoon brings with it the opportunity to enjoy a Bushman experience, followed by sundowners and dinner, before retiring to your tent overlooking the water below. <div id="attachment_27901" style="width: 851px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27901" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-Kwena-copyright-Scott-Ramsay-32-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="841" height="474" class="wp-image-27901" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-Kwena-copyright-Scott-Ramsay-32-300x169.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-Kwena-copyright-Scott-Ramsay-32-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-Kwena-copyright-Scott-Ramsay-32-768x432.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-Kwena-copyright-Scott-Ramsay-32-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meno-a-Kwena-copyright-Scott-Ramsay-32-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px" /> Meno a Kwena – Makgadikgadi – Botswana </div> DAY 3 MOBILE CAMP An early breakfast will rev everyone up for the ride ahead, starting in good time to beat the heat of the day. Jeep paths will lead you along the path of the Boteti River. The Boteti is a significant water source for many animals and there’s a good chance of seeing lone bull elephants seeking shade beneath the trees. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Felix-Studios-Botswana-GFC-May-2022-563-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="843" height="562" class="alignnone wp-image-27890" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Felix-Studios-Botswana-GFC-May-2022-563-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Felix-Studios-Botswana-GFC-May-2022-563-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Felix-Studios-Botswana-GFC-May-2022-563-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Felix-Studios-Botswana-GFC-May-2022-563-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Felix-Studios-Botswana-GFC-May-2022-563-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 843px) 100vw, 843px" /> As you wind your way through this level terrain of acacia savannah you’ll reach the mobile camp set up for the night at Rock Pool. A paddle of waterbirds, from egrets to spoonbills will wade nearby as you wash away the day’s dust and sweat in the shower before sitting down to sundowners and dinner. Comfortable dome tents beckon tonight, but first there are stories to be told around the crackling firepit as stars spangle in the skies above. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IPP4143Ian_Pletzer-300x206.jpg" alt="" width="845" height="580" class="alignnone wp-image-27904" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IPP4143Ian_Pletzer-300x206.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IPP4143Ian_Pletzer-1024x702.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IPP4143Ian_Pletzer-768x526.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IPP4143Ian_Pletzer-1536x1053.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IPP4143Ian_Pletzer-2048x1404.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px" /> DAY 4 MAUN Birds will bustle as the sun sweeps across the African landscape this morning and you’ll put foot to peddle straight after breakfast. Jeep tracks and single trails will guide you along the river path all the way back to Maun. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CyclingItinerary_Cover-300x262.jpg" alt="" width="840" height="734" class="alignnone wp-image-27887 " srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CyclingItinerary_Cover-300x262.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CyclingItinerary_Cover-1024x896.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CyclingItinerary_Cover-768x672.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CyclingItinerary_Cover-1536x1344.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CyclingItinerary_Cover-2048x1792.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /> Triumphant, you’ll reach Thamo Telele in time for a farewell lunch. If you can’t quite bear for the journey to end, there’s the option to extend the adventure with an additional night at Thamo Telele, enabling you to spend some time with the resident giraffe before leaving the next day. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bots_Maun_ThamoTelele_TentExterior_TeaganCunniffe6-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="839" height="559" class="alignnone wp-image-27906 " srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bots_Maun_ThamoTelele_TentExterior_TeaganCunniffe6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bots_Maun_ThamoTelele_TentExterior_TeaganCunniffe6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bots_Maun_ThamoTelele_TentExterior_TeaganCunniffe6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bots_Maun_ThamoTelele_TentExterior_TeaganCunniffe6-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bots_Maun_ThamoTelele_TentExterior_TeaganCunniffe6-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 839px) 100vw, 839px" /> This might sound like the most fun you can have on two wheels, but it gets better! At least 33% of your entry fee will go directly to Elephants For Africa and Lorato House Rescue Centre. Along the route you’ll undoubtedly see elephants aplenty, and Elephants For Africa is a charity committed to protecting them through research and education with a specific focus on human-wildlife coexistence. They work towards human-wildlife coexistence, deliver data to local decision makers and run education programmes aimed at developing conservation leaders of the future and empowering local communities. Lorato House Rescue Centre meanwhile, is a local orphanage supported by Thamo Telele. This is an emergency rescue centre for orphans and vulnerable children with socio-economic needs backgrounds that leave them needing a place of safety and protection from birth to 5 years, or 10 years for those with disabilities. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to get in the saddle and make a difference. The post <a href="https://naturalselection.travel/blog/news/maun-200-plus-a-charity-cycling-adventure/">MAUN 200 PLUS – A 200Km Ride Raising Funds for Charity!</a> first appeared on <a href="https://naturalselection.travel">Natural Selection</a>. </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:22:00 +0000 Anonymous 3849 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/maun-200-plus-%E2%80%93-a-200km-ride-raising-funds-charity#comments Introducing Duke’s East https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/introducing-duke%E2%80%99s-east <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Opening May 2023… An intimate hideaway in an unfiltered African wilderness. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog3.jpg" alt="" width="1536" height="1021" class="alignnone wp-image-30263 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog3.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog3-300x199.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog3-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog3-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /> If an intimate safari experience is what you’re searching the wilderness for, Duke’s East truly is a once in a lifetime experience. The sister camp to seriously stylish Duke’s Camp, Duke’s East is ideal for exclusive-use groups. Duke’s East is an intimate affair set slightly apart from the main camp, yet with the same décor style and Bousfield sophistication. Overflowing with adventure, expect serious safari panache in an unfiltered African wilderness. There are few better ways to experience one of the world’s last true wilderness areas than in the luxury of this intimate camp. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Lechwe-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="882" height="588" class="alignnone wp-image-27683" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Lechwe-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Lechwe-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Lechwe-768x513.jpg 768w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Lechwe-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Lechwe-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 882px) 100vw, 882px" /> Duke’s East is situated on a 220 000-acre concession in the northern sector of the Okavango Delta. The unusually large size of the concession, coupled with limited human impact and a vast abundance of wildlife, ensures a rare opportunity to enjoy a truly wild and untouched corner of the Delta. The camp itself is pitched on an island along the shores of a permanent lagoon, all but hidden amid the boughs of indigenous leadwood and ebony trees. This is a landscape of tawny grasslands interwoven with shimmering channels, where ancient woodland and ilala palm-islands speak to the passage of time in this utterly timeless landscape. <div id="attachment_27684" style="width: 890px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27684" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Elephant-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="880" height="496" class=" wp-image-27684" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Elephant-300x169.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Elephant-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Elephant-768x432.jpg 768w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Elephant-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Elephant.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px" /> copyright Scott Ramsay </div> This is one of the most unique wetland areas in the world, unchanged for centuries, and, regarded by those in the know as one of the best safari destinations there is. <div class="stop " id="stop_4"> <div class="content"> <div> Where the prey goes, the predators will follow. And guests can look forward to impressive wildlife sightings throughout the year. Lush grasslands sustain large herds of herbivores – including African buffalo – while the Okavango’s iconic elephants are here in abundance, with guests often enjoying thrilling sightings on vehicle, mokoro, and boating excursions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Boating-Experience-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="877" height="494" class="alignnone wp-image-27685" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Boating-Experience-300x169.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Boating-Experience-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Boating-Experience-2048x1151.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px" /> The predators certainly don’t disappoint here either, leopard, lion, African wild dog and smaller carnivores including serval and caracal are found in the concession. In fact, this corner of the Okavango Delta is said to have some of the highest concentrations of lions in the Delta. The birdlife in this region is equally remarkable, with more than 350 species recorded in the region. The trademark cry of the African fish eagle is the soundtrack to many a game drive, as twitchers tick dozens of new species off their life list. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_African-Jacana-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="884" height="589" class="alignnone wp-image-27686" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_African-Jacana-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_African-Jacana-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_African-Jacana-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_African-Jacana-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_African-Jacana-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /> </div> </div> </div> For decades the quality of guiding has been a defining feature of Jack’s Camp, and this unique Okavango Delta experience is no different. At Duke’s East guides combine their in-depth naturalist expertise and years of experience in the bush with the trademark knack for storytelling passed on by founder Ralph Bousfield. And with all game activities taking place on a vast concession away from public access, guests can look forward to utterly unique wilderness experiences. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog2.jpg" alt="" width="1536" height="1021" class="alignnone wp-image-30262 size-full" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog2.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog2-300x199.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog2-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blog2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /> Morning game drives allow you to feel as though you’re the only people in the world as you set out in the first light of the African sun. Afternoon drives meanwhile, roll into the evening as you explore the pristine private concession. Glide through the Delta’s crystal channels on a traditional mokoro safari, as expert guides help you discover the remarkable fauna and flora of the Delta. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Hippopotamus-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="888" height="592" class="alignnone wp-image-27688" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Hippopotamus-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Hippopotamus-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Hippopotamus-768x511.jpg 768w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Hippopotamus-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Hippopotamus-2048x1363.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 888px) 100vw, 888px" /> Sleep beneath the stars on a night fly-camping on a remote, lantern-lit island. Cast a line for the myriad fish species of the Okavango Delta, including African pike, nembwe and tilapia. Seek solace from the African sun in the camp pool, with the chance to spot wildlife from your lounger. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Game-Drive-viewing-giraffe-300x191.jpg" alt="" width="884" height="563" class="alignnone wp-image-27689" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Game-Drive-viewing-giraffe-300x191.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Game-Drive-viewing-giraffe-1024x652.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Game-Drive-viewing-giraffe-768x489.jpg 768w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Game-Drive-viewing-giraffe-1536x977.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East_Game-Drive-viewing-giraffe-2048x1303.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /> Visit Tsodilo Hills – a fascinating World Heritage Site that is located just 30 minutes flight away by helicopter. The Tsodilo Hills have a special significance to the Bushmen who have been living here for thousands of years. With over 4,500 individual paintings, Tsodilo is a treasure trove of ancient rock art with some of the highest concentrations in the world dating back between 800 to 1300 AD. A half day helicopter trip should be booked in advance to spend a morning exploring these Hills and their paintings. Experience the thrill of a scenic helicopter flight, offering an entirely new perspective of the Okavango Delta. However you spend your time here, you can be sure that there are few other Delta destinations that measure up to this intimate slice of paradise. <div class="stop " id="stop_4"> <div class="content"> <div> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Scenic-Helicopter-Flight-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="887" height="591" class="alignnone wp-image-27690" srcset="https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Scenic-Helicopter-Flight-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Scenic-Helicopter-Flight-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Scenic-Helicopter-Flight-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Scenic-Helicopter-Flight-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselecti.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dukes-East__Scenic-Helicopter-Flight-2048x1364.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 887px) 100vw, 887px" /> </div> </div> </div> The post <a href="https://naturalselection.travel/blog/news/introducing-dukes-east/">Introducing Duke’s East</a> first appeared on <a href="https://naturalselection.travel">Natural Selection</a>. </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:39:18 +0000 Anonymous 3851 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/introducing-duke%E2%80%99s-east#comments Taking The Shot https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/taking-the-shot <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Here at Natural Selection, we’re about much more than incredible safari experiences in Southern Africa’s very best wildlife areas – community outreach and conservation are as big a part of our DNA as luxurious camps, so it’s been with open arms that we’ve welcomed the Wildshots Outreach initiative. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-132-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15922" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-132-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-132-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-132.jpg 1020w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> This utterly brilliant programme takes youngsters fresh out of school and immerses them in the wonders of the natural world, teaching them how to capture the experience on camera as well as imparting the significance of conservation and explaining the positive impact that international tourism has on wildlife areas. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-05-Rose-121-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15923" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-05-Rose-121-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-05-Rose-121-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-05-Rose-121.jpg 1020w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The teenagers come from communities alongside the areas in which we operate, however most have never been on a safari and have little knowledge of the animals they live so close to. Most of the participants are also at a bit of a loss as to what they’d like to do with themselves, but many have had their lives and ambitions transformed by the programme. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-MK-113-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15924" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-MK-113-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-MK-113-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210518-MK-113.jpg 1020w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The course is run over four nights and five days, during which time the youngsters are equipped with a camera and necessary kit. The eight students then learn all about photography as well as the conservation of the species they’re photographing, and they also pick up some vital life skills in the process. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture14-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15926" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture14-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture14-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture14.jpg 1194w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Many participants have gone on to become committed and passionate conservationists, and have embarked on careers such as journalism, photography and guiding. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-148-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15927" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-148-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-148-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210517-MK-148.jpg 1020w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> We’re immensely proud to have the outreach work taking place at our camps in Botswana, where the teenagers have been capturing some very impressive photos! <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture6-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15928" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture6.jpg 1194w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Proud Ndlovu, a previous student had this to say about the course: “Going on a game drive is a dream come true. It doesn’t happen to kids like us. I never liked conservation before. It was just a theory and we never had a chance to experience it. Now I am starting to understand conservation. I feel good about our wild places and our wild places and our wild animals. I wish they were better protected so future generations will also know the wild animals and their roots. I want to use my photos for other learners so they can turn theory into reality.” <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture5-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-15929" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Picture5.jpg 1194w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> If you’d like to learn more about Wild Shots Outreach and the work they do, please visit <a href="http://www.wildshotsoutreach.org">www.wildshotsoutreach.org</a> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:35:41 +0000 Anonymous 3555 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/taking-the-shot#comments Camera Trapping In Khwai https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/camera-trapping-khwai <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">We recently received an update from the Leopard population Dynamics and Conservation Project team on the ‘Conservation ecology of leopards (Panthera pardus) in northern Botswana: movement and communication in a landscape of risk’ research project, which takes place Khwai Private Reserve in the Okavango Delta. The project strives to assess how leopards are able to effectively communicate with one another while minimising the risk of drawing attention that might lead to other animals attacking them or stealing the hard-earned prey. In order to ascertain the information, the research team are investigating how the leopards respond through their movement and communication to specific signals and cues both naturally and experimentally. The methods being used in the project are the examination of call distribution patterns across a landscape of risk posed by lions and hyenas, and the use of passive acoustic monitoring devices (PAMs – audiomoths and songmeters). The project specifically hopes to: utilise a ‘soundscape of fear’ approach to describe leopard signalling and provide an in depth analysis of the leopard population in Khwai Private Reserve; to learn more about how leopards balance their risk of attack or loss of prey with their need to communicate with one another; recognise the leopards’ full range of vocalisations and understand what they mean; use a combination of handheld recorders, satellite imagery, camera traps and GPS collars to see how the big cats are distributed throughout the study area and how this affects their vocal communications. With travel restricted somewhat by the onset of Covid, Benjamin Walker has been working on analysis in Sydney, Australia while his fellow researcher Rethabile Setlalekgomo has been conducting fieldwork. Rethabile has conducted two surveys, each lasting a little over 46 days, and is now back in the safari town of Maun where she’s busy writing up her findings. The surveys have produced tens of thousands of camera trap videos, which Rethabile is busy manually classifying into species. Her list so far includes such characters as elephants, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, genets, leopards, African wild cats, aardvarks, lions, hippos and giraffes. We can’t wait to hear the final tally. If you’d like to support this project with a donation, please visit <a href="https://www.naturalselectionfoundation.org/conservation/leopard-population-dynamics-conservation-in-the-khwai-area/">Natural Selection (naturalselectionfoundation.org)</a> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:03:23 +0000 Anonymous 3553 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/camera-trapping-khwai#comments Camera Trappin’ In Khwai https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/camera-trappin%E2%80%99-khwai <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">We recently received an update from the Leopard population Dynamics and Conservation Project team on the ‘Conservation ecology of leopards (Panthera pardus) in northern Botswana: movement and communication in a landscape of risk’ research project, which takes place Khwai Private Reserve in the Okavango Delta. The project strives to assess how leopards are able to effectively communicate with one another while minimising the risk of drawing attention that might lead to other animals attacking them or stealing the hard-earned prey. In order to ascertain the information, the research team are investigating how the leopards respond through their movement and communication to specific signals and cues both naturally and experimentally. The methods being used in the project are the examination of call distribution patterns across a landscape of risk posed by lions and hyenas, and the use of passive acoustic monitoring devices (PAMs – audiomoths and songmeters). The project specifically hopes to: utilise a ‘soundscape of fear’ approach to describe leopard signalling and provide an in depth analysis of the leopard population in Khwai Private Reserve; to learn more about how leopards balance their risk of attack or loss of prey with their need to communicate with one another; recognise the leopards’ full range of vocalisations and understand what they mean; use a combination of handheld recorders, satellite imagery, camera traps and GPS collars to see how the big cats are distributed throughout the study area and how this affects their vocal communications. With travel restricted somewhat by the onset of Covid, Benjamin Walker has been working on analysis in Sydney, Australia while his fellow researcher Rethabile Setlalekgomo has been conducting fieldwork. Rethabile has conducted two surveys, each lasting a little over 46 days, and is now back in the safari town of Maun where she’s busy writing up her findings. The surveys have produced tens of thousands of camera trap videos, which Rethabile is busy manually classifying into species. Her list so far includes such characters as elephants, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, genets, leopards, African wild cats, aardvarks, lions, hippos and giraffes. We can’t wait to hear the final tally. If you’d like to support this project with a donation, please visit <a href="https://www.naturalselectionfoundation.org/conservation/leopard-population-dynamics-conservation-in-the-khwai-area/">Natural Selection (naturalselectionfoundation.org)</a> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:03:23 +0000 Anonymous 3534 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/camera-trappin%E2%80%99-khwai#comments Win A Namibia Flying Safari! https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/win-a-namibia-flying-safari <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Natural Selection is a company that takes conservation and outreach work seriously, so seriously in fact, that 1.5% of every guest’s stay goes directly to conservation, and we’re offering one lucky winner the chance to win a six night Namibian Flying Safari to raise funds for our Covid-19 Village Support Fund. The communities who live alongside the areas we operate in also rely on tourism to generate an income, and so Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on their livelihoods. Because of this we’ve been providing food parcels and health information to the most vulnerable communities in Botswana and Namibia since April. This includes the elderly, disabled and unemployed community members and their families. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WhatsApp-Image-2020-11-12-at-3.48.44-PM-1-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13968" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WhatsApp-Image-2020-11-12-at-3.48.44-PM-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WhatsApp-Image-2020-11-12-at-3.48.44-PM-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WhatsApp-Image-2020-11-12-at-3.48.44-PM-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WhatsApp-Image-2020-11-12-at-3.48.44-PM-1.jpeg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> We feed 472 families, totalling more than 3,300 people each month. The food parcels consist of a mix of meat, cabbage and dry food staples including mealie meal, rice, macaroni, mabele, milk, tea, sugar, tomato relish, mayonnaise and cooking oil. Along with the food parcels, we’re distributing a Coronavirus Survival Kit – educational material in several different local languages, put together by Coaching Conservation, which includes environmental education information to help the communities stay safe and healthy during the pandemic. We hope to be able to continue this work until the end of the year when new rains arrive. Our Namibia Flying Safari Auction closes on 1st December, and offers the winner the opportunity to take three friends along on the trip of a lifetime. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/29Kwessi-Dunes-Family-fun-on-the-dunes-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13970" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/29Kwessi-Dunes-Family-fun-on-the-dunes-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/29Kwessi-Dunes-Family-fun-on-the-dunes-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/29Kwessi-Dunes-Family-fun-on-the-dunes-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/29Kwessi-Dunes-Family-fun-on-the-dunes-2.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The flying safari runs for a total of six nights. The first two will be spent at Kwessi Dunes in the glorious NamibRand reserve near iconic Sossusvlei. This is Africa’s first designated dark sky reserve, making the nights as wonderous as the days. So impactful are the celestial theatrics here, that each chalet comes with its own Star Gazer room. Forget Netflix, this is the only way to relax. The incredulity won’t end once dawn breaks though, in fact it’s only the beginning, with 200,000 hectares of desert wilderness to explore, and activities such as quad biking, scenic drives and walks, hot air ballooning and day trips to Sossusvlei, there’s no better place to lose yourself than Kwessi Dunes. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3Kwessi-Dunes-Main-area-at-night-6-300x172.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="172" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13971" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3Kwessi-Dunes-Main-area-at-night-6-300x172.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3Kwessi-Dunes-Main-area-at-night-6-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3Kwessi-Dunes-Main-area-at-night-6-768x440.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3Kwessi-Dunes-Main-area-at-night-6.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The winner and their companions will spend the middle of the trip at Hoanib Valley Camp. Well and truly in the middle of nowhere, this gorgeous camp sits amidst some of the world’s most awe inspiring scenery in Kaokoland. Nomadic Himba tribes punctuate the landscape, which comprises craggy mountains, undulating dunes and seemingly endless expanses of desert. This area is also home to some extraordinary desert-adapted species including lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos. Nature walks and game drives provide ample opportunity to track and view these species, and guests can also partake in cultural experiences and learn more about the giraffe research that happens in the area. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13972" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27Hoanib-Valley-Camp-Wildlife-Desert-adapted-giraffe8-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /> The trip draws to an uncompromising close with the final two nights at Safarihoek in Etosha Heights Private Reserve. Perched atop a hill, overlooking a water hole bustling with myriad species such as lions, giraffes, elephants, aardvark and rhinos, Safarihoek occupies a decidedly epic position. 60,000 hectares of classic Etosha landscape surrounds, and is best experienced on game drives. Those with a penchant for photography though, might prefer to hunker down in the double storey photographic hide and watch the bountiful game arrive to drink. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Safarihoek-Landscape-Eland-with-Lodge-1-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13973" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Safarihoek-Landscape-Eland-with-Lodge-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Safarihoek-Landscape-Eland-with-Lodge-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Safarihoek-Landscape-Eland-with-Lodge-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Safarihoek-Landscape-Eland-with-Lodge-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1Safarihoek-Landscape-Eland-with-Lodge-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Place your bid now to make a real difference. <a href="https://one.bidpal.net/nsf/welcome">https://one.bidpal.net/nsf/welcome</a> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:30:46 +0000 Anonymous 3483 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/win-a-namibia-flying-safari#comments Serving Communities and Creatures https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/serving-communities-and-creatures <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded">Some of the world’s poorest communities live alongside wildlife areas, and the proximity to the predators that international visitors come to see, can make life harder for these communities. Understandably, the local people are keen to protect their livestock and will go to great lengths to eradicate threats to the herd. In fact, human-wildlife conflict is one of conservation’s most persistent issues and one that we’re committed to tackling. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mmogo-coexistence-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13135" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mmogo-coexistence-300x200.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mmogo-coexistence-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mmogo-coexistence-768x512.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mmogo-coexistence-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mmogo-coexistence-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Farmers and herders paint eyes onto the back ends of their cattle to act as a deterrent to predators While we’re dedicated to conserving the future and habitats of all the species within our immediate areas, we are also committed to conserving their protection further afield. So, a large part of our work involves staying in communication with the nearby communities and the organisations working hard to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. We support a number of related projects both in Botswana and Namibia and at the end of last year we committed to assisting the Mmôgô coexistence programme in Botswana. We fund community officers who work with cattle farmers on conflict with predators. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0000-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13133" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0000-300x225.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0000-768x576.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0000.jpg 912w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Tshepo records data after talks with a farmer Tshepho Ditlhabang has taken to his role with aplomb and has been hard at work liaising with the locals and helping them claim for lost livestock and protect the herds they’ve got. Despite the additional obstacles that 2020 has thrown in his path, Tshepho has managed to meet with community chiefs and been granted permission by them to work alongside the farmers. He’s also been able to reintroduce the staff involved with the ReMmôgô project, as well as the project’s ambitions to the local community and cattle post owners. He’s also assisted with 53 livestock losses and claims, 22 of which were calves. Furthermore, our coexistence officer has been busy recording the presence of and activity of large carnivores in the cattle post areas, thereby enabling him to keep the owners and community abreast of any threat to livestock. Life must be somewhat more reassuring for those involved with the cattle posts in the area having become acquainted with Tshepho who’s ready to help them with compensation claims and whom they can easily contact. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0001-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13136" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0001-300x225.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0001-768x576.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0001.jpg 912w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Tshepho interviews a herd boy while conducting a survey at Nxabe cattle post Since the easing of restrictions in Botswana Tshepho has been even more industrious. He’s hired a local assistant to help visit cattle posts surrounding the wildlife protected areas of Moremi, and has helped with a further 62 compensation claims. Some of the livestock owners paint eyes onto the back ends of their cows, as it seems to confuse predators and deter them from attacking. Tshepho has been encouraging more herders and owners to do this as a means of predation mitigation. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0002-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13137" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0002-300x225.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0002-768x576.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0002.jpg 912w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Tshepho in discussion with the herders With painted eyes firmly in place, our intrepid officer has also busied himself with some less exciting admin work, drawing up a human-wildlife conflict prevention guide, and obtaining quotes for mitigation prevention equipment. We’ve funded the position until the end of 2022, and during that time Tshepho has three primary objectives. The first of these objectives is to increase claim successes from government funds for livestock losses. When the community members lose livestock to predation they’re compensated by the government, however, delayed responses and failed claims do nothing for human-wildlife relations and the farmers rarely have the time and tools required to report losses without assistance. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0003-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13138" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0003-300x225.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0003-768x576.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0003.jpg 912w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Tshepho stands at a damaged buffalo fence which is supposed to separate livestock from buffalo. The damage is caused by elephants crossing There are some very clever minds in the field of conservation, and all that grey matter works around the clock to come up with innovative and effective solutions to human-wildlife conflict. Tshepho’s second objective is to hand over the prevention tools that researcher types have come up with to help farmers mitigate predation. The toolkits provide non-lethal techniques, such as the painting of eyes on livestock, workshops and training. He will empower farmers with solutions and startup equipment, assisting in the implementation of these tools. Not many of the folk living around wildlife areas have access to televisions, so the third objective for Tshepho is to show the locals some positive media on wildlife. Community events tend to be very well received, and Tshepho will target the younger community members in particular, hoping to inspire a changed outlook in younger generations towards the wildlife they share their homes with. One of these young community members might even come to fill Tshepho’s shoes one day. <img loading="lazy" src="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0004-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13139" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0004-300x225.jpg 300w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0004-768x576.jpg 768w, https://naturalselection.travel/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-20200914-WA0004.jpg 912w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Tshepho in discussion with farmers at Nanogaonne cattle post For more information on the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust, visit <a href="http://www.bpctrust.org">www.bpctrust.org</a> </div><div class="field-tags" rel="dc:subject"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div> Fri, 25 Sep 2020 14:50:10 +0000 Anonymous 3458 at https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa https://www.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/serving-communities-and-creatures#comments

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