Boma, Sudan (CNN) — Flying high above the dry, sweeping plains of southern Sudan, Paul Elkan is a man on a mission.
The director of the region’s Wildlife Conservation Society, he is tasked with surveying a wilderness that has been off-limits to international researchers for the best part of 30 years.
“It’s one of the last wilderness areas in Africa, one of the last great wilderness areas in the world,” Elkan told CNN. “You have a very large savannah ecosystem that is adjacent to the largest wetland in Africa. So there are a lot of superlatives here in southern Sudan.”
For many years, conservationists feared the distinctive wildlife documented by researchers in southern Sudan before the conflict had been hunted to extinction.
But recent surveys in the region have revealed that not only did many animals survive, they are thriving.
Read the full article and watch a video clip at CNN.com
The latest edition of Wilderness Safaris‘ “Unusual Sightings” comes to us from Grant Atkinson and Helena Faasen:
Location: Chitabe Camp, Chitabe Concession, Botswana
Date: 27 October 2009
Observers: Grant Atkinson and Helena Faasen
The 2009 high water levels in the Okavango Delta are now a thing of the past. One result of this year’s big flood is the exciting bird watching opportunities that are currently possible as thousands of fish become trapped by the receding waters.
These fish are a magnet for many species of water birds, and on a recent visit to Chitabe Camp we got to experience some of the action associated with these so-called “fish traps.” Instead of viewing birds just flying overhead, or standing somewhere, the fish traps bring many species together and the interaction that occurs between them is fascinating.
Forced into close proximity with one another, the birds compete, cooperate, fight and steal from one another. The particular pool that we spent most time at near Chitabe was dominated for a while by a pair of Saddle-billed Storks. The pair were happy to share the pool with several smaller species of birds, but objected to the later presence of a flock of Yellow-billed Storks and some Pink-backed Pelicans, that joined in on the action. For almost an hour the two Saddle-billed Storks chased all the other storks and pelicans away, but eventually they either grew tired of the effort, or else they had caught enough fish for themselves.
Also seen was the interesting mantling behaviour of Black Heron and African Spoonbills with their peculiar feeding action working the shallower areas.
The birding action that we have observed will be happening all over the Okavango Delta over the next few months, and it will last until the annual floodwaters arrive and once again bring the sanctuary of deep water to all the beleaguered fish species.
Two great new iphone applications are now available in Itunes App Store:
Sasol eBirds – $29.99
An interactive version of the best-selling Sasol Birds of Southern Africa field guide boasts specific features aimed at enhancing your birding experience:
Images, distribution maps and text descriptions of over 950 bird species found in the Southern African region.
Audible calls for over 630 bird species
“Smart Search” helps identify birds using beak shape, bird size, bird color and habitat.
Set a specific region so that only birds of that region display throughout the program.
“Bird Compare” allows you to compare two birds on the same screen (including calls).
Personal bird list stores your bird sightings * (ability to upload list coming soon)
View the Bird Index by English or Afrikaans bird names.
eWildlife of Southern Africa – $9.99
An easy to use, interactive version of the popular Wildlife of Southern Africa field guide forms the perfect companion for a visitor to any part of the region.Features more than 2500 species most likely to be found as well as images of over 1600 species with the rest identified by references to similar species in the text.
Great Plains Conservation is currently offering some great luxury packages in Kenya and Tanzania. Spend a week in Kenya at Ol Donyo Wuas and Mara Plains camps for $3867 per person. Or travel to the exclusive remote wilderness of the Selous Reserve’s Lukula Camp for $2,446 per person. Both of these rates include all meals and game activities as well as intercamp flying, ensuring great value for money.
Click the below thumbnail for full details or email us at info@karell.com to find out how you can take advantage of another great safari offer.
Legendary filmmakers and conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert recently appeared on the Today Show with Matt Lauer to discuss their new book Eye of the Leopard as well as their Big Cat Initiative to help save the endangered cats of Africa. The Jouberts have a strong and rich history of conservation efforts, most recently as central partners in Great Plains Conservation, an initiative aimed at preserving the world’s sensitive habitats through low impact eco-tourism.
On Thursday, September 17th Karell owner and chairman Norman Pieters appeared on NBC’s South Florida Today alongside Dave van Smeerdijk of Wilderness Safaris to discuss Africa as as a travel destination, the effect of the economy on travel prices, and more. Check out the footage below.
Time Magazine reports a new optional airline tax will soon be unveiled as a means of funding growth in the developing world:
Starting next January, whenever you buy an airline ticket at a travel agency or online, there’ll be a new question to answer before you hand over your credit card: Would you be willing to donate $2 to help fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa?
It sounds like a small step, and many airline travelers, already irritated by compulsory surcharges for fuel, baggage and wider seats, may simply ignore it. But behind this call for a voluntary contribution is an unprecedented worldwide effort to make up a shortfall in official government aid to poor countries — a shortfall exacerbated by the world financial crisis.
The scheme, the idea of a small U.N. agency, is backed by the travel industry and heavyweights of international aid such as the William J. Clinton Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It will be formally announced in New York City on Sept. 23 on the fringes of the U.N. General Assembly, and accompanied by a marketing blitz. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the head of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, are expected to participate in the launch, as well as the chief executives of the three companies that have made it technically possible: Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport/Galileo, who run the reservation and ticketing systems for most of the world’s airlines. Barring any last-minute technical or legal hitches, the scheme will roll out in late January in the U.S. and several European countries, including Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.
Karell Travel chairman and owner Norman Pieters has once again been named to Travel and Leisure Magazine’s prestigious A List 2009. After evaluating thousands of travel agents, the T + L staff whittled down their list to the 129 best of the best.
We know what you’re thinking: with flights and hotels just a click away, it’s never been easier to plan your own trip. But at a moment when your time and money matter more than ever, a trusted expert can take all the hassle out of travel planning—whether you’re looking to snag that seat on a sold-out flight, book that elusive corner room with a view, map out a complicated itinerary, or secure the best guides, upgrades, and (yes!) deals. T+L has evaluated thousands of agents to come up with this highly selective list of the best in the business.
For information on how you can consult with Norman on an African Safari, call 1 800 327 0373 or email info@karell.com
The latest installment of Wilderness Safaris’ Unusual Sightings comes to us courtesy of Glynis Humphrey, Brian Rode, Onkabetse Mothupi, and Michael Hensman at Vumbura Plains Camp in Botswana:
The sable antelope, Hippotragus niger, has shown some dramatic declines in parts of its range in southern Africa. Despite fairly intensive study in the Kruger National Park and other areas, the reasons for these declines are imperfectly understood.
It is for this reason that an investigation into the home range and habitat use of the species has been initiated in the Vumbura area in the Okavango Delta. Here a relative stronghold of sable exists, allowing an investigation into what factors allow the species to thrive here. Michael Hensman, an MSc student from the University of Witwatersrand and HOORC (being jointly supervised by Prof Norman Owen-Smith and Dr Casper Bonyongo), has just begun his research project using the relatively new technology of Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) collars to produce fine scale movement data from three different herds.
We have so far managed to fit two collars onto two sable cows and are indebted to the assistance of veterinarian Dr Dane Hawk and gyrocopter pilot Mark Muller without whom the exercise would not have been possible. Dr Casper Bonyongo also lent valuable field experience during the operation.
Boma, Sudan (CNN) — Flying high above the dry, sweeping plains of southern Sudan, Paul Elkan is a man on a mission.
On Thursday, September 17th Karell owner and chairman Norman Pieters appeared on NBC’s 
Time Magazine reports a new optional airline tax will soon be unveiled as a means of funding growth in the developing world:
Karell Travel chairman and owner Norman Pieters has once again been named to Travel and Leisure Magazine’s prestigious A List 2009. After evaluating thousands of travel agents, the T + L staff whittled down their list to the 129 best of the best.
