Travel, Photography, Conservation and Random Thoughts
Conservation in areas where there is a little touristic appeal, where human encroachment and land degradation, deforestation and drought are all at play is tough. And solutions not often the easiest to find, particularly when they involve polemic methods like hunting. Here, I discuss the importance of cultural shifts and communication with local communities in the hope to bridge the gap between man and nature, (re)building healthy socio-ecological systems.
The Odyssey, its heroes and the preservation of Nature - or the 21st Century challenge. A new Trojan War. Why is Odysseus’ journey relevant for conservation? This piece is as much an ode to Beauty as it is to humanity, its flaws and meaning. An odyssey is, after all, both a journey home and a journey to the self.
Summer. A season of warmth, sweetness, endless blues of all different shades, light and happiness. This story from the bush is slightly different, not from Africa for once, but from home. Philosophy, literature and poems of past times accompany us on a journey in nature after a year that very much forced us to reconsider what ‘home’ means.
Virunga. A place that inspires fascination, desire, fear. That pulls at the heartstrings of many adventurers, a place that echoes Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. For it is a magical and beautiful place, hauntingly so for its story s often enshrined with violence and tragedy. This Chapter was very much unplanned, celebrating the life of a brave brave man who’s job it was to protect people as they climbed one of Africa’s most active volcanoes, Mt Nyiragongo.
Join me for a new Chapter from the Bush. Exploring notions of truth, reality and perception through what is perhaps one of the most beautiful encounters I’ve had to date. A bit of philosophy and African bush magic working hand in hand in this story.
Does the Wild exist? What is the nature culture debate? How is this relevant to conservation - in fact perhaps one of conservation's most important facets? Come and explore with me the boundaries between the natural and the cultural, exploring what socio-ecology is, and what reshaping our perception in our rapport with nature might look like! hope you enjoy this post, it’s perhaps one of my favourites :)
What do you do when a gigantic,’ magunta’, enormous centipede ends up as a stowaway in your suitcase on a trip home from Malawi? And that it ends up - somewhat confused - in the middle of the carpet in your brother’s bedroom at 11pm on a Sunday evening? Well. Tried and tested - so feel free to read on for some tips if it every happens to you…
What do Painted Dogs and King Lycaon of Arcadia have in common? Greek mythology meets wildlife conservation in Africa with a bit of a twist in this Story from the Bush.
A series of short stories from the bush on all things wildlife, anecdotes, conservation, centipedes in the bed, tsetse flies in the mosquito net….new ones published here and there to share a part of the bush with my words. I hope you enjoy!
A series of short stories from the bush on all things wildlife, anecdotes, conservation, centipedes in the bed, tsetse flies in the mosquito net….new ones published here and there to share a part of the bush with my words. I hope you enjoy!
The last leg of our road trip across Malawi, the Land of Smiles - time to relax after intense safari travel. And what a way to chill! Lake Malawi is the place of dreams. Little to no tourists, it felt like being lost in the Caribbean Islands. Snorkelling, great food (read Day 9 just to get an idea!!), Fish Eagles and the Lake of Stars….have a read about our adventures off the beaten track! To read about Part 1 (here) and Part 2 (here) simply follow the links :)
The second leg of our Malawian road-trip took us to Liwonde National Park. After getting stuck, rescued by the British Army, loosing our hydraulic steering in the dark, we hoped our Safari in Liwonde would help us relax a bit. With breathtaking floodplains, tsetse flies and tracking cheetahs, join us on this adventure in one of Malawi’s most beautiful Wildlife Reserves.
Safari Njema! The adventure begins across Africa’s warm heart, in an old, cheaply rented yet sturdy looking Toyota. Conservation success stories, prime (and very lucky) wildlife sightings….an exciting first three days across the country down in the Majete Game Reserve. But equally, we discovered how cheap our car actually was…
The day to day tales of a photographic safari in the stunning Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. The only destination in Africa where you can walk on foot amongst the wildlife with no guide or ranger. Disconnected from the world, scorching temperatures in October, wild dogs and fabled antelopes, this was the trip of a lifetime ! Not to forget stuffing myself silly with the delicious food we had at camp.
Part 2 of our Girls on Tour trip across Namibia. Journey. This last half of the trip took us North across Damaraland before entering Etosha National Park . Getting lost on straight roads, desert Elephants, musthy Elephant bulls too close for our liking Etosha and thirsty policeman, this part was as intense and fun as Part 1.
