Africa Safari Blog

Source: Leila Samodien, Weekend Argus, 23rd of January 2010

You’re alone in the middle of a vast expanse of dark blue ocean. The sea is calm; the sky is clear, but you know that at any moment, a rogue wave could come up behind you, knocking you right out of your kayak.
From above, the 40°C heat is merciless, burning every inch of exposed skin. And it’s even worse below – there’s no knowing what lies in the depth of the water. Read the rest of this entry »

By Mark Kinver : Science and environment reporter, BBC News
The ancestors of the current mammals found on the island of Madagascar could have been transported on floating vegetation from Africa, a study says.
Researchers modelled ancient ocean currents and found that favourable conditions existed in the same period as when mammals arrived on the island.  The idea of “rafting” first emerged in 1940, but some argued that a “land bridge” allowed animals to walk there.  The findings have been published online on the Nature website.
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Source: SABC News

Addo’s oldest matriarch elephant “AVRIL” has died at the ripe old age of 62, sparking a succession battle. Avril died of natural causes on Sunday in the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape. This great leader leaves behind a herd that learnt many things from her. She was strict yet fair, and ran a tight ship.

An official at Addo Elephant Park, Lucas Potgieter, says whenever Avril moved the rest of the herd moved with her, where she went they followed. There was never fighting or arguing in the herd. It was Avril in front and the rest would follow her.

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Source: National Geographic, November 09

The lizard moved in frightened rhythms across the sun-blasted stone. A few quick steps, a turn of its boxy head. Then the stillness, the absolute zero, of a creature that sensed it was being hunted. All around, jagged spires and flutes rose like the towers of some Gothic cathedral, silent and empty. From the canyons below, a parrot flew squawking, breaking the trance. The lizard launched. Hery Rakotondravony’s arm fired out. Moments later the young herpetologist uncurled his fingers.
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Source: Sawubona October 2009

With two days to test the limits of my fear, I stood on the edge of the cliff looking down 130 m to the bottom of the deep gorge; the deep rock face that extended all the way to the falls formed over many thousands of years, as the river moved away from the falls. A group of us were being shown the magnificent Batoka Gorge by Choongo, who would be our river rafting guide. Choongo went through precautionary rules, then handed us indemnity forms to sign. A mere formality he told us, and not to worry, it was going to be a fun ride.

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2010-01-08 14:20
Source: News24

Cape Town – AfriForum on Friday accused SA National Parks of trying to wriggle out of allegations of racism by casting doubt on the integrity of white hikers who say they were turned away from a hut on Table Mountain.

“It is a pity that SANParks, instead of apologising to the students and making it clear that all accommodation on Table Mountain is accessible to people of all races, now appear to cast doubt on the complainants personally,” AfriForum said in a statement.
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16th Sept and I’m off with Virgin to Joburg then by hire car to Kuruman where I met Ikey (in his by now very battered Cruiser) and then to Clive’s farm again (I was there twice last year with Ikeys ‘lot’) to catch Sable, wildebeeste, kudu and others. It was nice to see the gang again (Tokman, Des, Hannas) but now with Hannas brother and a new guy Michael. Was also good to see some of the ‘boys’ again – including Rasta, Gunman and Samuel(s). Catching went well with no major mishaps, though I did get kicked by a darted Sable as we picked it up in a sheet of tarpaulin, which tore freeing a rear leg (the Sable’s not mine)
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Last year (sounds so far away!) we had our annual end of year party where we spent the day in Scarborough (past Kommetjie) playing beach games, soaking up the sun, chatting up a storm and eating until we couldn’t anymore! It was a fantastic and relaxing day for everyone at Jenman Safaris… The heads of departments organised a fabulous feast for us and made sure that we would all have a great time… and what a great time we had! Check out some of the pictures below… And a big thank you to Garth Jenman and all the heads of department for a fabulous party!!!

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