THE PROMISE

EMPTY SKY

Africa is big sky country!

Editor’s letter

Recently I have been thinking a lot about the influences in my life

Two faces

A place to share our experiences

THE TIES THAT BIND

More of your stories about what Africa means to you, why (and when) you fell in love with it and what keeps pulling you back. Thank you for sharing!

MY BEAUTIFUL REWARD

In Legacy of Love, a new 328-page coffee table book that hopes to raise awareness and funds for conservation, more than 50 leading animal charity founders, artists, photographers and actors share their passion for their craft and wildlife.

HUNGRY HEART

Food is an integral part of the travel experience, and some meals will always transport you back to your favourite places.

LETTER TO YOU

The wonder of travel – and the lessons it offers – is never too far away.

THUNDER ROAD

Having self-driven 6500km through five southern African countries, Mike Breslin is well-versed in the practicalities of this sort of adventure. But what exactly is the appeal of such a trip, and what do we hope to get from it?

WAITIN’ ON A SUNNY DAY

If you’re not yet able to head out to Africa, there’s no reason why you can’t indulge your passion for the bush from home, getting better prepared in the process.

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All that heaven will allow

After 18 months of being largely housebound, it is no surprise that interest in beach holidays has seldom been stronger as many of us seek the calming balm of sun, sea and sand.

BOOK OF DREAMS

Feeling adventurous? Ready to experience once again the excitement of visiting somewhere fresh and unexpected, of heading off the usual tourist path? In a country as large and diverse as South Africa there’s no shortage of stimulating, remote places to go and things to do.

THE WAYFARER

South Africa is excellent road-tripping territory and there are a number of wellmarketed self-drive routes. But if you enjoy exploring at your own pace and discovering out-of-the way spots, here are five recommended journeys…

Human touch

What happens behind the scenes when tourism stops abruptly? With livelihoods and conservation at risk, everyone needs to find ways to keep going and preparing for the safe return of visitors.

GROWIN’ UP

On the 25th anniversary of the opening of Muchenje Safari Lodge, we returned to see what this quiet corner of Chobe offers today’s wildlife lover

The rising

The birth of a safari lodge

THE RIVER

Is there a better way to escape the noise and hustle of modern living than by drifting down the Zambezi, with the sound of your paddle in the water and birdsong in the air?

SPIRIT OF THE NIGHT

On multi-day canoe trips, you’ll find a spot to set up camp each evening. Overnight camping here is an experience like few others. Mike Unwin recalls one particularly memorable evening

THE PROMISED LAND

Canoeing the Upper Zambezi, above Victoria Falls

FOLLOW THAT DREAM

Canoeing the Zambezi is one of the great adventures, providing close encounters with wildlife along the river banks, and fantastic resident birdlife, with summer migrants present between October and March.

Jungleland

The vast forests of the Congo Basin – ‘the lungs of Africa’ – are among the most valuable habitats on Earth. Essential for regulating the climate, they also provide sanctuary to a staggering wealth of flora and fauna.

Secret garden

“If I had to describe a week here, it would blow you away," says Rod Cassidy, owner of Sangha Lodge

WESTERN STARS

Bafflingly diverse and exhilaratingly unspoilt, coastal West Africa boasts some of the continent’s most memorable cultural and historic sites.

MY HOMETOWN

Kigali has gained a reputation as one the cleanest and safest cities in the world, and is rapidly becoming an important regional hub. With tourism on the rise in Rwanda, most visitors spend some time in the capital.

Reason to believe

Intrepid wildlife-lovers have long been aware of the appeal of the spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park in the far north of Uganda.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Lodge safaris have considerable benefits: all the comforts of home (and more), great food, waiter service, excellent guides, special access to some areas and the reassurance of a whole support team. But for people on tight budgets, looking to spend extended time in the bush, perhaps with family or who simply prefer to have their time to themselves, it’s perfectly doable to take matters into your own hands

Backstreets

As we embrace the opportunity to venture into the world again, perhaps we should travel with less purpose? In Zanzibar, Sue Watt reflects on the joy of the slow and aimless meander

Beyond Stone Town

Zanzibar is one of Africa’s most appealing destinations for people wanting a taste of Swahili coastal life.

Born to run

Golden hour: The pack readies themselves, Mana Pools

ONE STEP UP

AWF RESEARCH • POSITIVE NEWS • ADMIRING INSECTS • BATESIAN MIMICRY

SEEDS

AWF has supported conservation for 60 years. It’s early investment in research projects has helped build a legacy that informs today’s important initiatives

BETTER DAYS

Artists across the globe are leveraging their work to raise awareness and funds for conservation. In addition to the Remembering Wildlife and Legacy of Love initiatives featured in this issue, these include the following:

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Could gaming help fund conservation?

PROJECT RANGER

It costs around US$500 to keep one ranger

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

Our ecosystems rely on pollinators, predators and parasites – the insects we so often overlook. Here we look at 10 examples from the many thousands which play a critical role in sustaining our habitats

BRILLIANT DISGUISE

SURVIVAL INSTINCT How some baby animals use deception to avoid detection

HIGH HOPES

EXPERT TRAVEL ADVICE ● EXCLUSIVE-USE PROPERTIES ● BEKS NDLOVU PROFILE

When you’re alone

With the demand for exclusive-use safari properties on the rise, we look at what they offer today’s traveller

FOR YOU

A sampling of exclusive-use safari lodgings

Working on a dream

Beks Ndlovu founded African Bush Camps 15 years ago. To mark the anniversary, we talked to him about his journey and his reflections on tourism in a post-pandemic world

Long time comin’

And now it’s here. As restrictions continue to ease and we start to travel again, there’s no doubt you’ll have more to think about than before the pandemic, be it of safety, the environment or Covid protocols. Never has it been more important to consult your tour operator – they should be aware of the situation in the destination you want to visit and help you plan with confidence. We asked a few of them for a quick bit of advice for readers looking to venture on safari soon

Leap of faith

Amid the difficulties caused by the pandemic, some positive opportunities have arisen. For guide Geoff Mayes, it offered a chance to pursue his dream