The Rain on the Plain
Author: admin
Author: Grant Atkinson
Date: 8 March 2010
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana is a very large protected area, covering some 52 000 square kilometres.
Until very recently, the reserve had almost no development within its borders and anyone wishing to visit had to camp in the designated camping sites. These sites are well situated but very basic, even lacking running water.
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Wild Dogs and Cites
Author: admin
Date: 8 March 2010
Author: Ian Michler
CITES (www.cites.org) is holding its 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Qatar in March 2010. To date, there is nothing on the provisional agenda that deals specifically with the conservation status of African wild dogs. Given their precarious future, it is unacceptable that the species continues to remain unlisted by CITES. And as a result, traders, breeders and hunters are able to buy and sell wild dogs and move them across the globe like they would any commodity.
Breaking the ice
Author: admin
Author: Ian Michler
This is a totally new adventure for me. Posting regular comments and thoughts live on the web is poles apart from writing features and a monthly magazine column. Although both involve writer and reader over an exchange of ideas, the manner in which this is done and the response time makes me think it’s much like the difference between squash and tennis: both these sports involve racket, ball and a court, but the rules and pace are so utterly different.
Fish out of Water
Author: admin
Some years ago, I encountered my first many-spined climbing perch at Jacana camp in the Okavango. The perch was out of the water and making its way along the edge of a road. I was completely taken aback to see a fish walking on land! Unfortunately for that particular perch it was also noticed by a hamerkop at the same time. Without a second’s hesitation, the hamerkop snatched up the fish and swallowed it … and the sighting came to an abrupt end.
When Hunting Stops
Author: admin
The wildlife management areas of northern Botswana are divided into parcels of land known as ‘concessions’. These are often located close to **or** bordering game reserves and national parks and, years ago, most of these concessions were utilised for the purpose of controlled hunting. In the early days, there were more people visiting Botswana to hunt animals than were there to photograph them. That situation has gradually changed, however, and today photographic safaris are by far the more important segment of the tourist industry.
The area known as the ‘waterfront’ in the north-eastern corner of Chobe National Park is one of my favourite places. On many of the safaris that I lead we routinely spend time on a midday boat ride viewing the numerous crocodiles, hippo, impala, waterbuck, kudu, warthog and elephants that are abundant here. There is an abundance of waterbirds that may be seen as well, including storks, fish-eagles, egrets and herons.
Termites In a different Light
Author: admin
Summertime in northern Botswana is the period for dramatic thunderstorms and rain. It is also the season of heightened activity among many species, including insects such as the fungus-farming termites.
A little more than a month ago, during my stint of acting as a relief manager at Savuti camp, I drove to the east of camp early one overcast morning. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may realise at this stage why my permanent career as a camp manager never amounted to much all those years ago – it really isn’t that much fun staying in camp all day long!
Seal flipper pie
Author: admin
Africa Geographic Admin Assistant Ismail Sithole snapped these shots of Cape Fur Seals outside Polana Restaurant in the picturesque working harbour of Kalk Bay, Cape Town. Clearly they were having as much fun as the Africa Geographic staffers who had enjoyed a well-earned, year-end summer lunch at the stunning seaside venue.
Wild, Wild Dogs
Author: admin
One of my favourite animals is the African wild dog. Few other creatures have the energy to spare that the wild dog has. On a recent trip to Chitabe camp in the Okavango, we had the good fortune to encounter a pack of approximately 16 wild dogs late one afternoon. We spent an hour and a half watching the dogs, and there was scarcely a minute when there wasn’t something happening among the members of the pack.
