Africa Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Wildfoot Travel Journal

AfriCat – Making a big difference in Africa

Did you see the Lion episode of the ‘Dynasty’ series narrated by David Attenborough which was shown on BBC1 on Sunday the 25^th November ? If so were you moved by what you saw? If you missed it then why not watch it on catch up! Those heart wrenching pictures of ‘Charm’ having to leave her poisoned cub behind….all so sad and actually with understanding and a support unnecessary….
In Namibia, like in Kenya, AfriCat is working with the local farming communities to reduce the incidents of poisoning, trapping and shooting of lions for their perceived and real threat of killing the farmer’s livestock. Farming successfully alongside predators takes courage; understanding and a support programme like AfriCat’s Protect our Pride. Working with local people does produce positive results with a reduction in the numbers of livestock and lions being killed.

The Protect our Pride programme includes: an education and livestock management programme; research; building strong kraals; an alert system from collared lions within local prides that can let farmers know when the pride is in their vicinity and a support team (AfriCat Lion Guards) on hand to help farmers defend their livestock and to ‘chase’ the lions back to safe areas. The AfriCat Lion Guards community members and farmers themselves offer advice/support to help other farmers.

With the drastic fall in lion numbers as mentioned in the Lion Dynasty program helping a single lion to survive can make a big difference, as was evident in the programme. To find out more about AfriCat’s support programme and to make a donation go to Protect our Pride and look at the AfriCat Uk website www.africat.co.uk.

Africat – Big Cat Conservation in Namibia

Chris Packham, one of AfriCat’s patrons, said
‘I have the great fortune to visit many conservation projects around the world and AfriCat is in the premiership. Its whole ethos is founded upon securing practical solutions to problems in the field. It’s about really making a difference, not talking about it. It’s about intelligent and effective solutions being implemented now, not tomorrow. ‘

This short video taken at AfriCat gives an idea of what it takes Chris to get a particular image.

The AfriCat Foundation in Namibia is working to save the large carnivores of Namibia. It is committed to the long term conservation of these animals and the environment they inhabit. It does this by protecting endangered species, education, research and working with the communities who live along side them. The greatest threat to these animals comes from habitat loss/degradation and increasing competition and conflict with people. AfriCat listens to local people and works with them to find sustainable solutions. When visiting Namibia you can stay at the Okonjima, the home of the AfriCat Foundation, learn about the conservation programme while tracking rehabilitated cheetah and seeking the elusive leopard in their ‘wildlife reserve’. The 22,000 hectare reserve/park is itself a project in rebuilding a sustainable ecosystem. Okonjima was a cattle farm with the ensuing issues of bush encroachment and degraded grasslands. The grassland management programme being implemented has seen all forms of wildlife benefiting. Now even a small herd of cattle are back within the park helping to enrich the soils.

In the past the threat to livestock posed by the large carnivores meant that farmers regularly shot or trap them, so much so that lions and spotted hyenas have been eliminated from most farms and thus much of Namibia. Currently it is estimated that there are less than 900 lions left in a narrow band along the Zambezi strip, through Etosha National Park and westward to the coast. AfriCat North has been working tirelessly with local community farmers running a human wildlife mitigation programme on the Western Boarder of Etosha National Park developing solutions that work locally. For example AfriCat has been supporting communities to strengthen or build kraals so livestock are better protected at night.

The community Lion Guards, local farmers themselves, are providing advice, information and support to fellow farmers. The information gained from the lion research programme has given valuable insight into the movement of local lion populations and enabled AfriCat through the Lion Guards to alert villages to the presence of lions AfriCat is now seeking funding to create a sustainable operational basis for developing and expanding its lion research, education and community conservation programmes in the area.

You can donate to special appeals

There is scope to ‘adopt-a-carnivore’ at Okonjima.

More information can be found at www.africat.co.uk or contact the AfriCat UK team at [email protected]

Wildfoot Travel Launches Gorilla trekking adventures in Uganda

September 2018 marks 25 years of Gorilla tourism in Uganda so what better way to celebrate than to add Uganda holidays to our portfolio! Mountain Gorillas have survived in Uganda, largely due to conservation efforts and these are directly assisted by tourism. Back in 1993, just one family – named ‘Mubare’ after the hills in which they lived – was habituated to humans, allowing just 8 tourists a day to have a magical gorilla encounter.

Twenty-five years on, the number of habituated gorilla groups now stands at 14, with park visitors increasing from 1,313 to over 20,000 in 2017.

Uganda Wildlife Authority work with several other NGO’s and charities to maintain the forest in which they live and with no mountain gorillas ever surviving in captivity, it highlights just how vital protecting their natural habitat is to their survival.

Our MD Simon Rowland caught up with Uganda’s answer to Dian Fossey, Gorilla Doctor Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka to find out more about these critically endangered species and how we can help protect them.

Can you tell us how tourism is directly helping the survival of mountain gorillas?

Tourism is directly helping the mountain gorillas by providing a sustainable source of income for gorilla conservation. Ecotourism with such an endangered species not only encourages the need to tread lightly through limiting the number of tourists to each gorilla group, but also provides benefits to local communities who are engaged in the tourism industry through employment, local businesses selling crafts, accommodation and food among others.

We read in the news recently that mountain gorilla numbers are now above 1000 for the first time. What has contributed to this growth in numbers?

A number of factors have contributed to the increase in mountain gorilla numbers from 650 when I first started working with gorillas in the 1990s to over 1,000 this year. This includes veterinary care for individual gorillas, improving community health to reduce disease transmission between people and gorillas and other community conservation efforts such as ecotourism and support to local coffee farmers, which improves community livelihoods and reduces their dependence on the gorilla habitat to meet basic needs for food and fuel wood; as well as law enforcement and research and monitoring to guide better management of the critically endangered gorillas and their fragile habitats.

How did you become a Gorilla Doctor?

I became a gorilla doctor after I conducted research on parasites and bacteria in the mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as part of my studies as a veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. I had always wanted to be a vet and when I started a wildlife club in my high school, Kibuli Secondary School in Uganda, I decided that I want to become a vet who also works with wildlife. In the fourth year of vet school, I got the opportunity to study the mountain gorillas and was hosted by Dr. Liz Macfie, heading the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) in Uganda that was working with Uganda National Parks, which later became Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to develop mountain gorilla ecotourism. The four weeks I spent at Bwindi in 1994, when tourism had just began was a life changing experience that made me want to become a full time wildlife veterinarian. One year later I got my dream job as the first veterinarian for Uganda Wildlife Authority because they needed a vet to look after the gorillas to minimize the risk of cross species disease transmission from closely related humans including tourists.

Uganda celebrates 25 years of gorilla tourism this year, what’s been the biggest change in 25 years?

It is exciting that Uganda is celebrating 25 years of gorilla tourism this year. I have seen a lot of changes since I first started working with gorillas in 1994. At that time there were only two gorilla groups, Mubare and Katendegyere. Unfortunately Katendegyere gorilla group eventually disintegrated because of too many males and also suffered from the first recorded scabies disease outbreak in the mountain gorillas traced to people living around the park who have limited access to health services. This eventually led to more gorilla groups being habituated and causing the biggest change in 25 years, economic benefits from gorilla tourism that has transformed the local economy of Bwindi. Since the number of habituated gorilla groups has increased to 14, the number of lodges and tourists to Bwindi has increased and so have the benefits to the local community and sustainable income for UWA and Uganda as a whole. This has in turn resulted in greater support for gorillas, the park and wildlife conservation in general.

We know that every time we trek for gorillas we are helping through awareness and our permit price but how else can our readers support gorillas survival both now and in the future?

People can support gorilla tourism through adding a day or two after the gorilla trekking to learn about the local conservation efforts on the ground, how gorillas are looked after through health services and how the local communities’ quality of life is being improved through engagement in conservation and livelihood activities that enable them to coexist with the gorillas and other wildlife at Bwindi.

For more information on our work please visit www.ctph.org

To find out more about Wildfoot Travel’s trips to Uganda click here.

Visiting Victoria Falls and when is the best time?

Wildfoot Travel’s Anthony Gregory is a life-long travel enthusiast with unrivalled experience working as a safari guide and travelling extensively throughout Africa.
Here he answers a common but all-important question we are often asked by newcomers to Africa, ‘what is the best time to visit Victoria Falls’?

As the largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls is a must-see for any visitor to Africa, and is a great start or end point for many of our tours to Botswana and surrounds. With its size and flow affected by the seasons though, it’s a good idea to plan your visit to see it at its most spectacular or to experience certain activities.

There are three main seasons to visit the falls, when the water will be at different levels based on the rain:

March to May – High water

Following the heavy rains that occur from January through to March, the falls are usually full and you’ll see the world’s largest sheet of falling water flowing at full capacity. At this time, the spray is so thick that you can barely see anything through the haze as you get close to the falls, so photographs are difficult to take without a waterproof camera. You’ll also end up soaking wet without a raincoat, umbrellas are useless as the spray comes upwards!

Even though the views aren’t great up close, the thunderous roars and sensory overload from the experience are something to behold! This is also a great time to take a helicopter ride over the falls and get an aerial view of its full magnificence, with the spray from the falls rising to over 400 metres. Be aware that some activities such as white water rafting and swimming in the Devil’s Pool are too dangerous to do at this time of year though, when the water is at its highest and fastest.

Temperatures during this time reach around 30^oC in the day, dropping to around 14^oC, and rain and thunderstorms are common.

January, February and June to September – Mid to High water

Most visitors would agree that the best time for viewing the falls is during these months, though there can be considerable variance between during and after the rains.

Parts of the cliff face are exposed during the mid-water period, and you can see all the way to the bottom with a decent amount of spray and thundering to make for an impressive experience. July is the best time for seeing the ‘moonbows’ (full moon rainbows) and getting a photo of these is high on most visitors lists.

If a safari is part of your trip, June to September is the ideal time as temperatures drop, the bush thins, and wildlife concentrates around permanent water sources. With the Chobe and Hwange right next door, there’s no reason not to take advantage of a quick trip into the bush!

Temperatures during January/February are around 30^oC, with high humidity and lots of rain and thunderstorms. This is also when malaria is at its peak so be aware of this. From June to September, the temperatures are a pleasant 20-25^oC in the day, dropping to 5-10^oC in the evening so make sure you bring warm clothes!

October to December – Low water

From the end of September onwards, the water flow over the falls drops considerably, and only the Zimbabwe side still has water, as the Zambian side diverts theirs for hydro-electric power, which leaves it dry during the low water season. On the Zimbabwe side, water still flows year-round over the main falls and the Devil’s Cataract, the lowest of the five falls.

In October, it’s possible to walk the full length of the waterfall trail without getting wet at all – a big difference from the rest of the year. This makes it a good time for photography, as the lack of spray and ability to see the whole falls means some picturesque shots can be taken from up close without fear of ruining your camera.

November is the start of the green season, when the first spring rains start, though these don’t make any difference to the falls until a few months later, when the water has worked its way down from the Angolan foothills to collect in the massive gorges that feed into the falls.

For activities, November is the best time for white-water rafting as the rapids are very fast when they’re at their lowest. Walking down to the gorge is safer as well, as you’re not at risk of being buffeted away by the water, and the knife-edge walks on the Zambian side aren’t so precarious.

Temperatures in October are the highest of the year with the mercury rising well above 32^oC, and as the humidity starts to increase, this makes for an uncomfortable climate. From November onwards, the rains start to arrive which bring welcome relief but are also unpredictable to prepare for.

Zimbabwe or Zambia?

As the falls sit right on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, you’ll also need to decide which side to see it from as both sides give different views and perspectives of Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.

It’s generally accepted that Zimbabwe has the better view of the falls as a whole regardless of season, but the Zambian side enables you to get closer to the falls.

In the dry season, Zambia has the famous ‘Devil’s Pool’ where you can swim at the top of the falls during low water, and are able to look over the falls if you’re brave enough! The times that you can swim though aren’t always the best times for the view, as the pool is safest when there’s little water.

Alternatively, getting visas for both countries isn’t difficult, so you can see both sides if you have the time to spare, it’s definitely worth it! Both sides have airports and local towns (Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia).

Conclusion

The Falls are an incredible sight regardless of the time of year you visit, and you’ll never leave disappointed. We’d generally recommend visiting at a time when you’re likely to experience too much rather than too little water, but that depends on what you’d like to see there. The activities vary depending on low and high water, and if you’re there as part of a wildlife trip, then the best time is June to August when you can take advantage of the falls close proximity to the Chobe and other nearby game reserves. You’ll still have plenty of water going over the falls, an enjoyable climate, and great game viewing.

Ultimately, the best time to visit the falls is as soon as possible!

Top Ten Bucket List Trips For 2018

Wildfoot travel expert Natalie Natalie Greenhalgh has always been passionate about travelling. Seeking out new places and new travel experiences is something she has done all her life. Always lining up the next life-goal or travel-target. So who better to ask to put together her top ten bucket-list adventures for 2018? Here’s Natalie’s top ten. How many of these adventures would you add to your bucket list?

We all do it, every year we make a list of new year’s resolutions that often tend to be about bettering one’s self. And we can’t think of a better way of doing this than to travel. So book your time off, pack your bags and set off for a new destination! It’s a great big world out there, so here are some highlights that we at Wildfoot Travel would highly recommend.

Hike Hidden Pathways in Patagonia

Celebrating 200 years of independence this year, Chile is unlike any other place on earth. Isolated from the rest of the world with the vast Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atacama Desert to the North, the soaring Andes to the East and the wilds of Patagonia to the South, these extreme environments make for a remarkable country. In my opinion, Patagonia is the most beautiful spot on the planet…an otherworldly dreamland of majestic mountains, deep blue glaciers and fairy-tale woodlands, a trek in this remote wilderness will stay with you for life.

When? Chile’s summer months of December to March are warmest and best for trekking. Visit in October and November for Wildflowers.

Go Goggle-eyed in the Galapagos

As a wildlife destination, the Galapagos offers a once in a lifetime experience, where adventurous travellers can get extremely close to exotic animals and aquatic life. These isolated islands are home to the marine and land-based animals that have enthralled biologists and nature lovers since Darwin’s day, and the fearless and friendly animals that roam this untouched natural world are in abundance.
Easily one of the best snorkelling spots in the World, there is over 15,000 square miles of protected, marine reserve waters. Unlike Scuba Diving, no special training is required for snorkelling, so if you can swim and breathe through a snorkel, you’re set! I will never forget watching green turtles paddle in front of me as two sea lions were demanding my attention as they circled me then swam up and looked me in the eye. Marine iguanas are warning in the sun, Galápagos penguins dive in, and hammerhead and white-tipped sharks lurk in the depths.

When? Unlike most wildlife destinations, there’s no wrong time to visit & go snorkelling in the Galapagos Islands. There are two distinct seasons in the Galapagos. The dry and cooler season runs from June to November while the wet and warmer season lasts from December through the end of May.

Sit among King Penguins in South Georgia

When you land on South Georgia, a spectacularly beautiful and remote sub-Antarctic island, you will be amazed at the sight of 300,000 king penguins crowding the beach. These beautiful birds are recognisable by their orange throats and jet black heads. As they stand shoulder to shoulder on this tiny island, you certainly feel like a guest in their home! But they are very welcoming hosts and are often happy to come a little closer and say hello. And it’s not all about penguins, if you want to spend time with the greatest density of wildlife on the planet, you can expect to see seals, petrels, albatrosses, prions and much more.

When? The short expedition season runs from November-March when the sea ice breaks up to allow passage. November offers the chance of also seeing elephant seals on South Georgia, whilst December and January have warmer temperatures and welcome penguin chicks at this time of year.

Walk amongst the wild things in Zambia

The concept of walking safaris was born here, in South Luangwa National Park. One of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and well-known for its World class guides, it is home to some of the highest concentrations of animals in Africa. Don’t be daunted by the prospect of walking, exploring the area on foot makes you really appreciate the bush as you become a part of the landscape. You may stumble upon a baby elephant learning to use its trunk, watch a wallowing hippo or two or stay as still as humanly possible as a Lion watches you through the grass. But you also take the time to learn about the plants, seeds and insects and how they all work so brilliantly together in this fascinating system. So if you’re after a safari that doesn’t just tick off the big 5, walk amongst the animals that call this place home and see how it all fits together, you will not be disappointed.

When? Some camps in Zambia are only open in the dry-season between June and October. As the heat increases towards the end of August, there is a greater concentration of game.

Be in awe of the Aurora Borealis whilst Whale watching

Walking out of a bar in Reykjavik, I looked up and caught a glimpse of the northern lights. Despite the light pollution, I could faintly see the beautiful light show that was happening right above me. I stood in awe for a few seconds before the magical lights disappeared, and I made a promise to myself to make a trip one day specifically to see this sight “properly”. There are many places to see this natural phenomenon, but why not combine this with another wonderous experience…whale watching. Take a winter trip aboard a traditional two masted schooner and sail in arctic waters, looking for orcas and humpback whales, which follow the herring shoals at this time of year. Whales by day, northern lights by night…what could be better?

When? Darkness is the key, and nowhere is darker than Scandinavia in winter! Best seen in the Northern Hemisphere between October – March, the closer to the Arctic circle the better.

Peek at Jaguar’s in the Pantanal

Think of a wildlife destination in Brazil and most people would suggest the Amazon. But the Pantanal is Brazil’s less-famous great wilderness…and the best place in the world to spot the elusive Jaguar. Because the Amazon is so dense, often people can be disappointed with what little wildlife they see, but the Pantanal is like the jungle without the trees – wildlife can be easily spotted. This vast wetland is also home to giant otters, huge caiman, capybara, anteaters, almost 700 hundred bird species and much more. Exploring this wilderness by boat or on foot, you will have the opportunity of seeing very rare and iconic wildlife up-close.

When? Seasonally flooded in the wet season between December – May, the Pantanal is best visited in winter with September and October usually seen as the best months to visit for Jaguar spotting.

Feel free in the faraway Falklands

With some of the World’s wildest and remote landscapes, the Falkland Islands are a wonderous place and incredibly bio-diverse. A little bit of Britain at the end of the world, the real citizens here are the animals. With 5 penguin species (Kings, Rockhopper, Magellanic, Macaroni and Gentoo), dolphins, whales, sea lions, leopard seals, elephant seals and not to mention over 200 species of birds…if you are after a wildlife trip with a difference, the Falkland’s will not disappoint. Stanley, the capital of East Falkland Island is often at the start of your adventure, with Volunteer point not to be missed…home to the largest colony of King Penguins on all of the islands. Then take a short plane hop to Sea Lion Island, Darwin, Pebble Island, Carcass and West Point Island, each island offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

When? October – March is generally considered the best time to visit, with the start of the warmer weather bringing new life and later on in the season, the better time for whale watching.

Dance amongst the Icebergs in Disko Bay, Greenland

Ok, so you might not dance but this is Disko Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its outstanding natural beauty. Greenland is the worlds largest island, with the worlds largest national park, and on the West Coast you will find Illullisat, a harbour town on Disko Bay whose name translates literally to “icebergs”, and you will see why. Disko bay is packed full of beautiful icebergs of all shapes and sizes rising majestically from the sea. And this is just one tiny highlight of this huge island that has so much to offer.

When? Most people visit in summer (May – September) when temperatures can reach a balmy 10 degrees Celsius! Enjoy the midnight sun at this time too, with most areas lit up around the clock from June – July.

See the sunrise over Sossusvlei Dunes, Namibia

The climb up this 85m sand dune (in sand no less) will leave you short as breath as you reach the top. Short of breath for the climb you have just experienced but also short of breath when you see the beauty of the sunrise over Sossusvlei. As I watched the sun come up and change the colours of the landscape, the orange of the sunrise combined with the rust-red of the Dunes was so intense and I remember feeling lost in that moment, whilst nature showed just how beautiful she can be. Just one highlight of my trip to Namibia, this is one of my favourite countries as it has everything to offer, fantastic wildlife and national parks, preserved ancient cultures, dramatic landscapes and lovely little seaside towns.

When? A year-round destination, Namibia has over 300 days of sunshine per year! Wildlife can be easier to view in the drier months between May to November.

Go coco for Costa Rica

As a country, Costa Rica has so much to offer, especially for wildlife enthusiasts! Costa Rica covers 0.03 percent of the earth’s surface, but it contains nearly 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Around 25% of the country’s land area is in protected national parks and protected areas, the largest percentage of protected areas in the world. Sloths, Whales, Turtles, Monkeys, Tapirs and hundreds of bird species…it is packed full of wildlife! If you’re after a bit of adrenalin, try white-water rafting, ziplining and canyoning…just a few of the activities on offer. And with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, there are many beach spots to relax after a busy trip around this wonderful country.

When? The driest and sunniest time of year to go is between January to April with January and February being the busiest time to go. Temperatures and rainfall can very though with Rainforests, Cloud Forests, mountains and 2 coastlines all battling it out!

Find out more about any of our trips here

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Book an epic African adventure with Wildfoot Travel

As leading wildlife travel specialists, Wildfoot Travel can help you plan the perfect informative, yet fun journey around sourthern Africa. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic African destinations.

Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, the Selinda Reserve, the Chobe National Park and the Makgadikadi Salt Pans. Popular activities in Botswana include watching meerkats at the Makgadikgadi Pans, taking a helicopter ride over the Delta, sleeping under a blanket of stars in the Kalahari Desert and watching elephants at Chobe National Park.

Namibia is another one of Africa’s best-known and most fascinating destinations. Activities that you may be interested in during a trip to Namibia can include flying over the Skeleton Coast, quad-biking at Swakopmund, seeing the cheetahs and leopards at the Africat Sanctuary, kayaking with cape fur seals at Walvis Bay or looking for desert-adapted wildlife at Damaraland. Taking a balloon ride is another popular activity – fly over Sossusvlei Dunes to enjoy a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In Zambia, you can head out on a canoe on the Lower Zambezi, watch the fruit bats at Kasanka National Park, take a bungee jump at Victoria Falls, go on a sunset cruise or dabble in a bit of tiger fishing on the Zambezi River, look for leopards at South Luangwa NP or watch rare birds in Bangweulu Wetlands.

Africa is synonymous with epic, life-changing experiences. It is home to some of the world’s most interesting and iconic wildlife, as well as some of its most stunning scenery. Here at Wildfoot Travel, we want to help you if you are interested in exploring Africa in style and require a first-class service to help you make the most of your endeavours.

Our team possesses expert knowledge of Namibia, Zambia and Botswana, and is eager to use this knowledge to help you plan a magical trip to the continent and experience it in all of its glory. Why not get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you to plan a bespoke trip to Africa and witness some of the world’s most outstanding scenery and wildlife up close?

Contact Wildfoot Travel to discuss your ideal African adventure with us.

Category: Africa