I've just come across another wonderful project aimed at raising funds to help combat the rhino poachers. Staff members and supporters of the African Conservation Trust will be leaping out of a plane on 6 August 2011 to raise awareness and funding for anti-poaching activities that are urgently needed to protect South Africa’s rhinos. Have a look at their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/skydiveforrhinos?sk=wall.
Rhinosforever will sponsor Sharon, jumper number 40, to the value of R150.00. A small donation, but as we know every little bit helps. Good luck to them and let's hope they enjoy the jump!
Wednesday, 03 August 2011
Friday, 14 May 2010
Lion encouter in a Toyota Tazz.
Not long ago, on a hot afternoon in the Kruger National Park, we got what we asked for - a close up encounter with a pride of Lions from eye-level in our Toyota Tazz. Check out the story on the Lawson's Birding and Wildlife Tours' Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lawsons-Birding-and-Wildlife-Tours/123200117691330?ref=ts
Wednesday, 04 June 2008
Launching Xigiya Travel Writing Services!
With hundreds of articles to my name appearing in publications such as The Saturday Star Travel, SA Country Life, Africa Geographic, Africa Birds and Birding, Leisure Wheels Adventure Motoring Magazine, Animal Talk, BBC Wildlife Magazine, The Gardener and others, I'm offfering my services to accommodation establishments looking for some publicity (at the moment this service is restricted to the Lowveld and Escarpment areas of Mpumalanga). So e-mail me at leonmars500@webmail.co.za and we can come up with an arrangement to give your property, product or service a boost worth thousands of Rands!
Check out these links for some examples:
Idube Private Game Reserve: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3674364
Lukimbi Safari Lodge: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3711278
Motswari Game Lodge: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3636600
Kurisa Moya Lodge:http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3474755
Moholoholo Forest Lodge: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3275487
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: http://www.leisurewheels.com/Modules_FE/layout1/displayFullNews.asp?newsID=554
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Winter Safaris in South Africa - the joy of the dry season.
Winter Safaris: the joy of the dry season.
As we head out on our early morning drive the cold really begins to bite. No worries though, as we’re prepared with padded jackets and scarves, and the lure of a hot cup of coffee in a few hours time keeps us going. The sun is just breaking the horizon to the east, in an explosion of pinks and oranges, and a thick mist hangs in the valleys and depressions, catching the light and emitting a faint pinkish glow. Everyone is quiet and I think that the cold air deters unnecessary small talk, leaving us all free to pursue our own particular trains of thought. Suddenly a deep grunting sound reaches my ears and I quickly stop the vehicle and switch off the engine. The leopard’s cough carries far and wide in the cool air and I can just picture him as he calls, perhaps standing on a raised termite mound, belly contracting strongly and the condensed breath of each grunt catching the first ray of the sun.
As we head out on our early morning drive the cold really begins to bite. No worries though, as we’re prepared with padded jackets and scarves, and the lure of a hot cup of coffee in a few hours time keeps us going. The sun is just breaking the horizon to the east, in an explosion of pinks and oranges, and a thick mist hangs in the valleys and depressions, catching the light and emitting a faint pinkish glow. Everyone is quiet and I think that the cold air deters unnecessary small talk, leaving us all free to pursue our own particular trains of thought. Suddenly a deep grunting sound reaches my ears and I quickly stop the vehicle and switch off the engine. The leopard’s cough carries far and wide in the cool air and I can just picture him as he calls, perhaps standing on a raised termite mound, belly contracting strongly and the condensed breath of each grunt catching the first ray of the sun.
Behind me the wide eyes of the guests are about all that can be seen among the heavy clothing, and I tell them that the goose-bump-inducing sound is a male leopard’s territorial roar, and we’re going to go and find him...
Ask me about my favourite time of year in the bush, or the savannah of South Africa’s north-east, and I’ll easily decide. I love autumn and winter, with all the pastel colours and hues, the cool mornings and evenings, the gloriously warm and dry days, being out in the bush as the sun rises. The humidity drops markedly in the winter, so even though it can get quite hot it’s nothing like the energy-sapping days of summer. Mornings and evenings can be cool, but some wise packing will ensure that you’re adequately prepared. Mammal viewing peaks during the dry months, and even though there aren’t as many birds around as during the height of summer there’s still enough in the way of resident species to keep the birders occupied. Of course coming on a winter safari means missing out on some of the Northern Hemisphere summer, but hey, it’s only a couple of weeks and from what I hear, a winter in South Africa is better than a summer in the UK! Anyway, jokes aside, a winter safari comes highly recommended and offers low-season price advantages too. So, with winter in South Africa on the way, give some thought to a out-of-season bush experience – just don’t forget to pack some warm clothes though!
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