BOTSWANA: Botswana Stops Elephant-Back Ride

Botswana holds a vast number of the greatest safaris in the world. Situated in the continent of Southern Africa, this crown jewel is defined by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. The abundance of its natural resources became a home of a lot of animals including rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, exotic birds, aquatic antelopes and wild dogs.

This country takes wildlife adventures on a higher level, it is a known sanctuary of the most number of elephants compared to other nations. This mammal became one of its trademarks in terms of tourist attraction. Botswana is perceived as the international custodian of the African elephant and has the planet's greatest herds.

In Asia, there are countries that train elephants to transport tourist as part of their tour package and they are also taught how to paint to able to entertain guests. In Africa, the first commercial elephant rides happened in Zimbabwe in the late 1990s and soon became contiguous throughout the region. According to statistics reported in Traveller24, there are currently 39 commercial elephant sites, managing estimated 215 captive elephants. More than half of these or at least 25 offers elephant rides and seven are forcing these animals to do tricks for tourists as entertainment.
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2017 will be a more animal-friendly year for the country because from the end of this month, Botswana will no longer allow elephant rides. The plan is related to a new government policy that will help improve the wellbeing of elephants in captivity. Minister of Environment TK Khama guided the directive. According to the NGO World Animal Protection, most travelers go on elephant rides because they appreciate and love them but they are unaware of the physical and psychological discomfort felt by the carrier. In obedience with the new order, Abu Camp, the only facility in the country that offers such ride agreed to follow the directives. The company released a press release saying, "Following an extensive review of its programme and in compliance with recent government directives, as of 31 December 2016, Abu Camp will no longer allow guests to ride elephants. The camp will continue to focus its programme on respectful, less intrusive forms of elephant interaction and education ... including its immersive walking-based experience."

TANZANIA: Saanane Island National Park Tourist Numbers Grow

Saanane Island National Park has recorded remarkable achievement by going above its targeted number of tourists for two years in a row as domestic tourism flourishes.

Saanane Chief Park Warden, Mr Donatus Bayona said here that the smallest park in the country has attracted more tourists from East African countries than those from abroad.

Mr Bayona said that about 90 per cent of tourists who visited the islet were locals, giving an example of 2015/16 that saw 11,000 local tourists call to the island.

Apart from game viewing through walking safaris, tourists can enjoy boat excursion in Lake Victoria, rock hiking, picnicking, walking along designated trails, canoeing with dhows along the lake. "Saanane was declared to be a national park in July 2013, before that it was a zoo and later a game reserve.

The number of tourists has been going up year after year, signalling that we are on the right track and domestic tourists form the biggest percentage," said the chief. Mr Bayona unveiled that in 2013/14 the park has attracted 89 foreigners, 52 expatriates and 2,306 tourists from East Africa.

The trend improved in the following year as the islet had 132 foreigners, 32 expatriates and 5,947 East Africans.

The Chief Park Warden disclosed that in 2015/16 the park located two kilometres southwest of Mwanza City had 453 foreign tourists, 243 expatriates and 11,685 from East Africa.

Mr Bayona said that on the financial year 2014/15, Saanane Island National Park collected 129m/- while the target was to earn 85m/-. In 2015/16 they surpassed the target of 124m/- revenue by collecting 162m/-.

The only park that is located in a city targets promotion of interest and conservation education in wildlife and promote recreation to people as different species of animals have been ferried to the island between 1964 and 1966.

Those included buffalo, bushbuck, dik dik, elephant, eland, impala, black rhino, topi, warthog, wildbeast, zebra, giraffe, porcupine, crocodiles and monkeys like patas and velvet.

Dangerous animals were caged but are no longer in the cages now. However, Tourism Warden at the park, Mr Ikwabe Koroso said plans are underway to rebuild some cages so as to take such animals.

That is in different outlook, to provide sanctuary to the sick or injured ones and once fit would be returned where they were taken from.

Mr Bayona said the islet that forms spectacular scenery over Mwanza south and Lake Victoria currently has species such as impala, crocodiles, clawless otters, rock hyrax, tortoise and agama lizards famously referred to as agama mwanzae. Others are snakes, particularly pythons, lions, spotted hyenas, vervet monkeys and shy De Brazza's monkeys.

There are more than 70 types of resident and migratory birds. The park, however, faces several challenges including environmental degradation around the park, human encroachment as well as poaching.

Combatting Wildlife Crime

Poaching is one of the most serious threats to wildlife in Asia and Africa, with too many forests devoid of the loud calls of gibbons, ecosystem engineering of Elephants, and the quite stalking of Tigers.

Those that are left are often isolated, poorly protected, and hold the last wild populations of some of the most endangered species in the world. Illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest black market, and feeds directly into criminal and terrorist networks, which may fund other illegal activities.

At Global Wildlife Conservation, the approach to combatting wildlife crime is multi-faceted. In 2016, GWC became the newest member of the SMART Partnership. SMART, or the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool, helps wildlife rangers and managers around the world track and analyze illegal activities they observe during patrols.

The data helps them identify and address crime hotspots, ultimately benefiting threatened species such as Saola, Okapi, Elephant, Tiger and even turtles.

GWC’s Walter Steven Sechrest Endowment for Wildlife Protection protects endangered wildlife through anti-poaching efforts and by supporting wildlife rangers in parks around the globe. The endowment was established in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Steven Sechrest, late father of GWC Chief Scientist and CEO Wes Sechrest.

Steve protected the innocent throughout his life, and his legacy lives on in support of the world’s wildlife.

Project Goals
To provide the most effective tools to individuals enforcing anti-poaching laws. SMART helps bridge the gap between the sophistication of those involved in the illegal capture and trade of wildlife, and the number, skill level and motivation of wildlife authorities. SMART launched in 2013 and is now in its third release, which can be used for biological monitoring, fire monitoring and other protected area management needs in addition to law enforcement monitoring. The software is free, open source and up to date in 10 different languages.

To effectively engage with communities living with wildlife and around important areas for biodiversity, and to turn them into effective guardians of wildlife. GWC views communities as powerful allies in the conservation of biodiversity and strives to work with them to solve the problems that prevent them from being wildlife guardians.

To meet a Zero Loss goal for species such as the Saola. This means preventing poaching of any animals in GWC’s target areas—a lofty goal. GWC is part of the Zero Poaching partnership, which aims to provide governments and conservation organizations with a suite of best practice tools to holistically address the issues of poaching and trafficking. Useful tools and approaches exist across the Zero Poaching framework; a systematic approach to addressing all parts of the solution to poaching.

To improve park management in the most important sites for biodiversity around the world. Achieving zero poaching starts with good management. GWC is part of the Conservation Assured partnership, which is developing global protected area management standards. GWC strives to raise the level of protected area management effectiveness in all the sites where we work.

To provide training and support to rangers on the front lines. Rangers put their lives on the line, and their family life on hold, to protect the natural world. The much quoted International Ranger Federation statistic of 1,000 rangers killed in the line of duty over the past decade is horrific, but only starts to scratch the surface of the situation. Rangers receive little support, little training and are paid very little for a service that is vital to the future of biodiversity on our planet. For example, 42 percent of countries that employ rangers on temporary contracts do not provide any insurance benefits. GWC, with our partners, is committed to increasing ranger training, and improving their working and employment conditions. Check out the preliminary findings of a survey asking rangers about their insurance options

TANZANIA: Wonders Of Serengeti

Serengeti Migration
The Serengeti is not one of the 7 natural wonders of Africa, but it is home to the migration which was officially declared as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa on February 11, 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania. The migration is a shared wonder between the countries of Tanzania and Kenya. The majority of the migration is experienced on the Tanzanian side.

Serengeti
The name Serengeti comes from the Swahili word meaning “endless plains.” For some this conjures up an image of nothing but grass lands, however the it is so much more. These endless plains stretch over 12,000 squares miles (30,000 sq km) and feature a variety of habitats that include the expected grasslands along with kopjes, swamps, riverine forests, woodlands and hills.

The various habitats are what provide an opportunity for the Serengeti to be home to around 70 larger mammals and over 500 species of birds. The abundant and varying wildlife is what attracts visitors to this wonder of nature from Africa.

The Kenyan and Tanzanian governments have leveraged national parks, conservation areas, and game reserves to establish official protection over 80% of the endless plains affectionately known as the Serengeti. The national park in Tanzania goes by the same name, whereas the national park in Kenya is known as the Masai Mara.

Serengeti Wildlife
The migration is the hallmark of the Serengeti featuring over 1.2 million wildebeests, over 800,000 zebras, and hundreds of thousands of gazelles, impalas, and other wildlife. The heart of the migration is the wildebeest and the zebra.

The Serengeti is also home to 6 of the Big Seven, which include the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, hippo and the crocodile. The only one of the Big Seven missing is the mountain gorilla. Some of the other wildlife calling the endless plains home include: cheetah, hyena, giraffe, eland, Thomson gazelle, impala, baboon, and the warthog. There are also hundreds of species of birds making this the complete Safari experience.

The migration is what attracts many people. One of the highlights occurs during the months of January and February when the wildebeests are giving birth. This is a short and concise window where all of the wildebeests give birth within a 2 to 3 week period. A second highlight occurs sometime during the months of September or October. This is another concise 2 to 3 week period where the wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River into Kenya.

Crossing the Mara River is exciting for an couple of reasons. First, it is an amazing sight to see 1 million wildebeests crossing the river in a given moment. However this is also a challenging crossing as crocodiles wait to feast on these animals as they enter the water. Witnessing a crocodile capture and kill one of the wildebeest is an exciting encounter with nature.

MOZAMBIQUE: Mozambique’s Zambezi Delta Extended To Cover 3,000 Square Kilometres

Mozambique has significantly extended the Zambezi Delta, its second Wetland of International Importance. Now covering over 3,000 km2, the Delta is a unique wetland and one of the most diverse and productive river delta systems in the world. It is characterized by a broad flat alluvial plain with vast mosaics of tropical grassland, palm, thicket, woodland, deep water swamp, and some of the most extensive mangrove communities on the East African coast.

A recognized global biodiversity conservation hotspot, the Delta is home to a significant population of large mammals including the African buffalo, elephant, hippopotamus, lion and leopard, and a large concentration of waterbird species including white-backed and pink-backed pelicans, herons, flamingos, egrets, African fish eagles, storks, Caspian terns, wattled cranes and endangered grey crowned cranes. Bottlenose and humpback dolphins and a variety of marine and freshwater fish and shellfish species have also been recorded in the Site.

In addition to the rich biodiversity values, the Site provides a wealth of ecosystem services which are vital to food security and socio-economic development in Mozambique. It also provides hydrological functions including coastal protection, flood control and carbon sequestration. The major threat to the Zambezi Delta is the construction of dams for hydroelectric power.

WWF International Freshwater Programme and WWF-Mozambique have provided support to the updating of the Zambezi Delta.

SOUTH SUDAN: 7 And 15 Day Migration Safaris

Migrating Tiang Antelope

7 and 15 Day Migration Safaris

In South Sudan exists the greatest migration of large mammals on the face of the earth. Wildlife biologists believe it is greater than the migration in the Serengeti. This safari goes by vehicle into wilderness to view the migration.

Safari Route 6 goes deep into the roadless wilderness of Boma National Park (the 5th largest park in africa), using GPS coordinates to navigate to radio collared animals.

Going in and out of the area of the migration, the safari vehicles pass through Murle, Toposa and Jie villages giving you a chance to photograph these traditional people.The dates are in the dry season with little to no rain and high day time temperatures.

Safari Route 5 goes deep into the roadless wilderness of Badingalo National Park, using GPS coordinates to navigate to radio collared animals.

Only one or two base camps will be created during this safari date, ranging out ward to find the migrating animals. Bari, Mundari and Dinka villages will be encountered. The dates are in the wet season with considerable rain and moderate temperatures.

DATES OF SAFARIS- Route 6: 2016 - March 2-16 (15 days)

2017 - January 3-17, Feb 3-17 and Mar 19-Apr 2 (15 days)

- Route 5: 2016 June 20-26, July 8-14, and Aug 1-7 (7 days)

PRICES - 15 Day Route 6 into Boma National Park $4860 usd per person

- 7 Day Route 5 into Badingalo National Park $2750 usd per person.

For the itinerary and what is included look at routes 5 & 6 on our web page 15 day safaris.

One Day add-on to Fly over the Migration

We also offer the ability to fly over the migration by aircraft one day prior to the above safari dates, starting in June 2016.

About 1 million White-eared kob antelope migrate into Boma National Park from Ethiopìa in January-March. Additionally Tiang Antelope, Mongalla Gazella, Elephant and Nile Buffalo are migrating making the total animals moving around 2 million, as they search for grazing.

TANZANIA: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.

Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).

Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates.
And their memories.

But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.
Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.

Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.

About Kilimanjaro National Park
Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.

Getting there
128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.

What to do
Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes.
Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.
Trout fishing.
Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain’s southeastern slopes.

When to go
Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.

Accommodation
Huts and campsites on the mountain.
Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.

More info on accomodation

NOTE:
Climb slowly to increase your acclimatisation time and maximise your chances of reaching the summit.
To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.

NOTE 2:
NEW RATES FOR PORTERS AND GUIDES
(JUNE '08)

Porters
USD 10 per day
Cooks
USD 15 per day
Guides
USD 20 per day

BOTSWANA: Northern Tuli Game Reserve

Spectacular landscapes, rich and varied wildlife, and a host of historical, cultural and natural history attractions define this unique and very striking corner of northeastern Botswana.

Straddling the Shashe, Motloutse and Limpopo Rivers, which serve as natural boundaries with Zimbabwe and South Africa, the Northern Tuli Game Reserve (NTGR) comprises 71,000 hectares of remarkably diverse habitat, including mophane bushland, riverine woodland, and marshland, punctuated by towering sandstone cliffs, basalt formations and unusually shaped kopjes – making for truly breathtaking scenery.

One of the largest privately owned game reserves in Southern Africa and incorporating three major private concessions (Tuli Safari Lodge, Nitani Private Game Reserve, and Mashatu Game Reserve), the NTGR is home to 48 species of mammals and over 350 species of birds, with an estimated 20 000 animals residing in the reserve.

Most naturally occurring wildlife species are present, including elephant, kudu, zebra, impala, duiker, wildebeest, waterbuck, steenbok, and warthog. Large herds of eland – often not seen elsewhere in Botswana – are present, and these are indeed an awesome sight. All major predators, including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena, are present, and the birdlife is prolific.

The NTGR is adjacent to a larger area of eastern Botswana called the Tuli Block. This is a ten kilometre wide strip of land running approximately Northern Tuli Game Reserve 180 kilometres south to Martin’s Drift that holds a string of commercial agricultural and game farms, several of which also offer tourist facilities.

Travellers keen for a more active safari experience will delight in all there is on offer. You can hike the reserve, bike the reserve, horse-ride the reserve, and even hot air balloon the reserve! At Mashatu Game Reserve, guests can accompany elephant or predator researchers, to gain first-hand insights into the behaviour, feeding habits, territories, demography, and social structure of these animals, as well as critical wildlife conservation issues. A similar experience awaits guests at Nitani – as they come to understand the complexities of a long-term hyena research project.

Molema Bush Camp, a community based tourism project managed and operated by Tuli Safari Lodge, is an ideal way to take part in a tourism concept that is rapidly gaining momentum in Africa. Local communities become active partners in tourism projects, from which they can more readily see clear-cut financial and social benefits.

Molema is a joint venture between three local villages: Motlhabaneng, Lentswe le Moriti and Mathathane and two tour operators: Tuli Safari Lodge and Talana Farms.

Archaeological sites provide an important historical perspective to the region. Iron Age sites demonstrate the formidable skills in pottery, mining, and smelting of the Zhizo, Leopard’s Kopje and Mapungubwe peoples, who practised agriculture and animal husbandry in the area.

Artifacts from the Mapungubwe Kingdom (1220-1290AD), a precursor to the Great Zimbabwe civilisation, reveal the sophistication of the technology and society of its people, and their extensive trade networks.

The NTGR will form the heart of the proposed Shashe/Limpopo Trans- Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA), its signatories – Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa – agreeing to cooperate to conserve and manage shared natural resources. Rich in biodiversity, the proposed TFCA will cover approximately 4,872 square kilometres and will be one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in Southern Africa.

Mapungubwe Hill

Mapungubwe was a prosperous Iron Age metropolis situated on the banks of the Limpopo River that thrived nearly a thousand years ago. It was ruled by a king of the Leopard Kopje people, and its extensive trade networks reached as far as Egypt, India and China.

The kingdom’s capital was situated at the 300 metre long Mapungubwe Hill, which today is only accessible through two very steep and narrow paths that twist their way to the top.

The civilisation of Mapungubwe was highly developed; its unique arts were of a superior craftsmanship and quality. One of the most famous pieces unearthed by archaeologists is a superbly crafted golden rhino. Other pieces include beautiful pottery and jewellery.

Mophane woodlands, riverine forests and sandstone formations create a breathtaking backdrop for Mapungubwe Hill. The area is rich in wildlife, including white rhino, elephant, giraffe, gemsbok, eland, lion, leopard and hyenas, as well as over 400 species of birds.

Motlhabaneng
Local village tours often become a highlight of a trip to Tuli. A delightful morning’s outing to the quaint village of Motlhabaneng consists of a visit to the kgotla for a chat with the village chief or headman, a visit to the local primary school where children don traditional clothing and dance, and a visit to a basket-maker’s home where guests interact with villagers, learn something of their traditional way of life and watch hand-woven baskets in the making.

Ancient rock paintings, almost certainly done by Southern Africa’s original inhabitants, the San, can also be seen at the outskirts of Motlhabaneng. The paintings depict people, animals, hunting scenes and mythological creatures, part of the San’s complex cosmology and belief system.

Solomon’s Wall

This rather amazing natural phenomenon, situated in the Tuli Block, is a 30 metre high basalt dyke that once formed a steep-sided natural dam wall across the Motloutse River.

A full ten metres wide, this ancient dyke once held back a great lake, with waterfalls spilling over the dyke. Evidence of this great lake are the numerous semi-precious stones (e.g. quartz and agate) found along the Motloutse riverbed.

Tall fever trees line the natural beach, making for a shady picnic site. Solomon’s Wall can only be reached with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

THAILAND: Thailand Destroys Ivory Stockpile Amid Junta Crackdown

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha (2nd R) looks at pieces of ivory on display during a destruction of confiscated ivory exercise at Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Bangkok on August 26, 2015

Thailand destroyed more than two tonnes of ivory Wednesday—a victory for animal rights groups fighting against the trade in a country renowned for being a hub for illegal tusks.

The ceremony, in which 2,155 kilograms of raw tusks and carved trinkets were fed into an industrial rock crusher before being incinerated, was presided over by the Thai junta leader Prayu Chan-O-Cha and is the first time the kingdom has taken steps to destroy part of its stockpile.

"This is to show the Thai government's strong determination to oppose ivory trafficking and that Thailand will comply with international rules," he said during the ceremony.

Animal rights campaigners have long accused successive Thai civilian and military administrations of turning a blind eye to the lucrative trade.

They have pushed for Bangkok to destroy its stockpile to signal its determination to stamp down on the trade and avoid the risk of seized ivory finding its way back onto the black market through corrupt officials.

Trade in ivory was banned in 1989 under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). But that has not stopped criminal gangs seeking to exploit a continued demand for tusks in Asia.

Ivory and other body parts of elephants are prized for decoration, as talismans, and for use in traditional medicine across parts of Asia with Thailand a key transit point.

The country's generals, who seized power in a coup last spring, have vowed to crack down on the illegal ivory trade.

A security guard stands next to pieces of ivory on display during a destruction of confiscated ivory exercise at Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Bangkok on August 26, 2015

Earlier this year, they ordered all Thais to register any ivory they owned, warning that those who failed to do so would see their items confiscated.

They have also made a series of high profile seizures including four tonnes of ivory found hidden in containers in April that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was destined for Laos.

Thai police seized more than three tonnes of ivory a week later in a second haul, this time from Kenya that was again destined for Laos.

The ivory destroyed on Wednesday accounts for nearly all of Thailand's stockpile where criminal cases have been completed.

A further 540 kilograms has been donated to museums, government institution and universities to be used for educational and awareness raising purposes.