Botswana introduces new travel regulations to curb child trafficking - politics - News -...
en.starafrica.com
Botswana has introduced new immigration regulations concerning the cross border travels of children in an effort to curb incidents of child trafficking, AP]]>
A long day moving from Khwai to Moremi, with a tow hitch dilemma slowing us down. After some really hard work, the staff managed to get most of the camp done by the time we got in that evening. Our drive from Khwai to Moremi was pretty productive. We saw giraffe, zebra, elephant, honey badger, african rock python and some other good general game, including a side-striped jackal. Moremi seemed to be way more productive, giving us a herd of about 300+ buffalo. We were convinced there were lions on their trail. We had a look around and one of the guests spotted a male walking through the bush following the buffalo. After an inspection, we discovered it was the 4 big black maned males. There was only 3 of them together hunting the buffalo. A fair while later, a buffalo bull charged through the group of lions, creating a fair amount of excitement. Thinking we had a kill on our hands, the lions all just stared at each other and did nothing. We also picked up a lioness with cubs. She was hunting, but with no success. Maybe a leopard next time…. Was good to have Amber and Hayley visit for a night as well.
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After losing the leopard, we got a radio message that dogs were coming in our direction. We waited with anticipation. Unfortunately nothing materialised, but the fleeing impala ran straight into the female leopard, and she killed one. Before she could get it up a tree, she was robbed of it by hyenas. A truly amazing day.
Our general game in Khwai was pretty good. At the end of our safari, we got super close to a mother leopard and just before sunset, she came out with her 2 sub-adult cubs. Twas a great end to their safari. Hope to see you again soon…
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Jordan Luxury Suites - Top Guesthouse Awards
topguesthouseawards.co.za
Tucked away close to the winery, restaurant and bakery, the new luxury suites on Jordan Wine Estate enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the vineyards and Stellenbosch Mountains. Each suite has spacious interiors that are individually designed and uniquely decorated, making the Jordan Luxury Suites an…]]>
Safety with lions on safari - Africa Geographic
africageographic.com
Following the recent fatal attack in a lion park, Wild Wings Safaris explores why open safari vehicles are still safe.]]>
Diamond Nights: Africa's Oldest Trees Photographed Against Starry Night Skies by Beth Moon
www.thisiscolossal.com
In this new series of striking images, San Francisco-based photographer Beth Moon (previously) captures some of the world's oldest living trees against shimmering night skies in remote areas of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Titled Diamond Nights, the new photos were inspired in part by]]>
Julia Roberts Just Taught Me More In 2 Minutes Than Anyone Else Has Done In A Lifetime
www.dailyliked.net
Julia Roberts may not have made headlines in a while, but her latest role in a deeply moving, conservationist video may just be the best in her career]]>
Timeline Photos
BOTSWANA, KENYA TO SIGN MOU Botswana and Kenya are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in environmental matters and wildlife conservation. Kenya's deputy high commissioner for Kenya, Mr Wilfred Masau, said his country was commitment to wildlife conservation by continually putting in place measures to counter poaching and illegal trade in wildlife, adding that the country could not do this alone hence the collaboration with Botswana. Mr Masau said the upsurge in poaching and illegal trade posed a serious threat to wildlife as it could lead to their extinction. He said this during the anti-poaching awareness campaign titled “ No horse riding for poaching event,” which was organized by Captive eye Organisation and held at the Bonnington farm monument. Mr Masau said wildlife was a very critical pillar of the country’s tourism Industry and one of the key sectors expected to deliver vision 2030, the country’s blue print for social economic development. Kenya, he said had put in place various measures to adequately protect the wildlife from poaching activities, such as reducing wildlife conflict, which encompassed establishment of wildlife corridors or migratory routes in the national parks and game reserves. He said it was vital to train and provide capacity building for the wildlife management personnel and game rangers in order to equip them with knowledge and technical skills required in the law enforcement and protection of the country’s fauna. Mr Masau stressed on the need for citizens and other stakeholders to support community wildlife programmes aimed at sensitising and educating the citizens. He said it was fundamental to collaborate with other governments and international organisations, to counter poaching and illegal trade. He said the focus should be on the trafficking of all threatened species, adding that the most endangered species in Kenya were the African elephant and the black and white rhinos. The deputy high commissioner said despite the recent upsurge in poaching due to increased demand for ivory and rhino horns, there had been commendable progress in the battle against the issue. Introducing, the Captive Eye Organisation and their intention to hold Miss Anti-poaching Africa pageant 2015, the representative, Mr Percy Mothibi said illegal trading of wildlife was growing at an alarming rate in the country, adding that the increasing illegal wildlife had a negative impact on the economic, social and environmental pillars of development. “Wildlife poaching is the most immediate threat to several species including elephants and rhinos amongst others,” he said. He said their Organisation intends to contribute to the mainstreaming of wildlife conservation and protected area management, hence the roll out through Mr and Miss Anti-Poaching Africa Pageant. “The pageant shall serve as a gate pass to send the message across the border and encourage African countries to join hands to fight this terrorism orientated activity,” he said. Other activities include kgotla meetings, movie documentary, debates and essay competition. (BOPA)]]>
Announcing 2015’s Travel Pioneers
www.bbc.com
From innovators who are leading the pack to explorers who are experiencing the world in a new way – BBC Travel’s 2015 Travel Pioneers will change the way you think about travel.]]>
A Safari Guide's Tales from Zimbabwe: The Zambezi Valley, Matusadona and Mana Pools
www.amazon.co.uk
A Safari Guide's Tales from Zimbabwe: The Zambezi Valley, Matusadona and Mana Pools]]>
The safari was a great success. On the first afternoon we found a male lion that was injured from fighting. On the way into camp, we picked up a big male leopard that had killed a warthog that day. That night there was a lot of hippo activity around the camp. The next morning we went back to the leopard feeding on the warthog, then made our way down to Bodumatau where we heard a male lion calling and managed to pick him up on the floodplain. It turned out to be 2 males. We then had a very brief sighting of 2 wild dogs.
That afternoon, we had a massive herd of elephant come around the camp. It was a truly amazing experience. We then went back to see the lions and followed them across the floodplain. During dinner under the stars that evening, we were a little worried about 2 hippos having a fight close to the camp. As things turned out, all was fine and a wonderful evening was had by all.
On our moving day to Khwai, we picked up vultures feeding on what was left of a wild dog kill. Had lunch at Xini lagoon with great elephant. Reaching Khwai, we picked up 4 male lions.
The next day we had general game in the morning and that afternoon we made our way to the wild dog den and spent our afternoon there hoping to see the puppies, but no luck. The next day, after hearing lions calling near the camp, we tried to find them, but no luck. We had a brief sighting of one young leopard but she managed to elude us. Later in the day we did manage to pick up a female and a male together. That afternoon we spent time at the hyena den and spent time with one little pup outside the den and a nice elephant herd passing by. Somewhere in that morning of activity we did pick up a small herd of buffalo.
On the departure day, we just saw general game before the guests flew out to Kasane. All in all a successful trip!
Clinton did have a hyena run off with his camera on one of the nights in Khwai, but luckily he got the camera back in one piece...
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Recent Entries in 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
www.mymodernmet.com
Last month, we featured some gorgeous entries in the 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest, and we’re now pleased to share more great submissions with you. The competition is one of our very favorites, and it showcases some truly stunning travel photography. These images represent many uni…]]>
Unabridged Birth Certificate for Minors – All You Need To Know
www.travelstart.co.za
All you need to know about the new immigration requirements for children under 18 including the new Unabridged Birth Certificate requirement.]]>
10 Jaw-Dropping National Geographic Photos From Around The World
www.huffingtonpost.com
The entries for the 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest are in, and the photographs are as stunning as ever. The annual contest asks photographers from all around world to submit photos in]]>
First Rhinos in Massive African Airlift Released in Botswana
news.nationalgeographic.com
National Geographic explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert are collaborating on the airlift with the tourism groups Great Plains Conservation and andBeyond.]]>
New immigration regs – official guide
www.tam.co.za
The deadline for implementation of the new immigration regulations or children travelling to and from South Africa is fast approaching, andthe Department of]]>
David Attenborough to receive Peabody Award
realscreen.com
The English naturalist (pictured) will receive an individual Peabody Award recognizing his six-decade career in broadcasting at next month's ceremony in New York City.]]>
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Timeline Photos
Guests often are surprised when I say "you need to be escorted back to their tents in the evening". That said, you still need to look around you during the day as well when walking back to your tent! — at Sanctuary Chief's Camp, Okavango Delta.]]>
You know when you've over done it when you fall asleep standing up!!!]]>
Rhino horn doesn’t grow on trees.Chinese actor, screenwriter, and director Jiang Wen is helping us spread the truth about rhino poaching: http://bit.ly/1ghok65]]>
10 amazing wildlife photos snapped by Sunday Times readers
www.timeslive.co.za
Here are the winning shots and other top contenders from the March entries in the Sunday Times Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition]]>
Elephant Calves Await Fate as Africa Seeks to Save Species
news.nationalgeographic.com
The world is losing the war on ivory poaching, a key finding at Botswana-led summit on elephants and wildlife trade.]]>
Matopos Heritage Ride 2015
Mountain Biking in an extraordinary zimbabwean environment]]>
NEW LUXURY SUITES AT JORDAN WINE ESTATE
www.capetownetc.com
Visitors to the exquisite Jordan Wine Estate can now not only savour some of the best wine in the Stellenbosch region, but also stay a night or two at the new luxury suites which opened recently.]]>