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Don’t let the endearing word ‘honey’ fool you if you come across this Badger in the wild, as they are fierce, determined, tough and intelligent animals. In fact, they are named as the world’s most fearless animal because of their tough attitude. Some say they are nasty by nature but they are not nasty, you have to be strong in nature to survive and they just going about their badgering business. One thing you could admire from them is that they are 100% courageous and don’t back down in times of stress and pressure. Their nickname “World’s Most Fearless Animal” isn’t just for show, in fact, they are even known to stand and face lions and hyenas, when every other species would run for the hills! THE LOOKS The average shoulder height of 12 inches and an average weight of 12.5 kilograms, they are mostly black, with a white or grey fur running from their head to the back. They have a stinky fluid stored in glands at the back of their tails which they secrete in defense and for marking territory. The honey badger’s skin is thick and tough around the neck and shoulders that can withstand bee stings and predator bites. They are also gifted with very strong claws, perfect for effortless digging. THE BEHAVIOUR Honey badgers are not friendly, they live mostly solitary lives and only approach other honey badgers to mate. They are primarily nocturnal, so they come out at night time but they can be active during the day depending on the activities of other predators and scarcity of food. Ideally, a Honey Badger would spend it’s day resting while curled up into a ball to protect themselves. They are territorial and invasive; they don’t care how big the opponent is as they are always ready to pick a fight to defend or invade other territories. THE DEN They use their strong claws to dig dens to rest but if they are lazy in doing so, they invade other dens such as dens of aardvarks or tunnels of foxes and would not give any care about any other species as long as they could rest. THE DIET They are omnivorous and are known to eat about anything from birds, to reptiles, to mammals, to fruits and plants. But what they really love to do is to raid beehives and eat the honey and honeybee larvae. The thick skin around the neck and shoulders I mentioned early will protect them well from the painful bee stings. It is because of this sweet tooth that they are also called the “Honey Eater of the Cape”. THE THREATS Aside from being prey for larger carnivorous animals that they are ready to fight anytime, the main threat for them is humans. They get shot by farmers because they are considered pests in the fields due to their foraging habits. They are one of the mortal enemies of beekeepers because they tend to eat all the honey in bee farms. They are also being hunted for their meat because they are considered bushmeat by other locals and because they are also used for traditional medicine. Overall, honey badgers are living organisms that have feelings, needs, and wants. Disrupting and not protecting animals whether they are beneficial to mankind or not would cause an imbalance to our ecosystem. If you want to learn more about wildlife, travelling to Africa and have a chance to encounter the extraordinary Honey Badger, send us a message at Africa Wild Trails today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure!

The topic of mental health is an important one that requires focused attention and further understanding from society in general. Many years back, having a mental health problem was something that was not talked about freely. Now, people are speaking up about mental health, including well known personalities and the stigma is being eliminated and more help and support is being brought forward. While there are many drug medications that are being prescribed to people with mental health problems, there are also natural methods that are being tested to improve the mental health of individuals. One of these methods is nature therapy which promotes how being in nature can benefit a person’s mental wellbeing. Here are some mental health benefits of the great outdoors. Reduce Stress and Anxiety Multiple studies have been conducted on the relationship between natural spaces and improved mental health. Many basic level tests have shown significantly positive results by simply having subjects sit or walk for 20 minutes at the park. Overall, researchers found that being in any nature-based environment has a strong potential to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood, focus and psychological well-being. Nature Keeps You Calm Ever wondered how we suddenly become calm when we’re walking in a park, sitting by a tree, listening to a bird or watching an insect? That’s because nature has its way of making you feel that way. Being in nature on its own promotes mindfulness, calmness and gratitude. This inherent feeling of peace, quiet and simplicity helps in clearing our minds of unnecessary thoughts and worries. It also reduces the feeling of anger and tension. Not only does this help with mental calmness but nature also promotes healthy physical activity, which is a major factor in battling depression. Performing physical activity outdoors will increase your energy levels, help you become physically stronger and will increase happiness. Natural Light Helps with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression someone may experience during certain times of the year. It could last for months, depending on the type of weather or season you are triggered by. One patient has described this condition as like dragging a black cloud around with them. To prove this theory, mental health practitioners in the University of Salt Lake City treated two patients with SAD in different settings. One was treated by walking outdoors (under natural light) daily for 1 week, while the other patient walked indoors under low, artificial lighting. The latter did not show signs of improvement after a week while the former showed significant signs of improved well-being, better sleeping patterns, and an increase in dopamine and serotonin, also known as our happy hormones! Encouraging Social Connection We humans have changed our ‘norms’. Technology, with all its advancements, benefits and amazing imagery has its clear downsides – it takes us away from societal awareness and can keep us away from human interaction. Now that we have moved past the difficult lockdown COVID years, nature will help us unplug, unwind and reconnect with each other and with wildlife which is the true norm for humans. Social activities encourage social inclusion, which for people battling depression is often extremely important. It helps people have that sense of belonging, being wanted, listened to and of inclusion. It reduces the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Nature Has Restorative Properties Countless benefits on mental health have been associated with nature. Being in nature increases your energy and improves the feeling of vitality and focus. It has also been shown to reduce symptoms of ADHD. A study in the University of Illinois, namely the Attention Restoration Theory, suggests that being in close contact with nature supports attentional functioning. Particularly in children and young people, the study examined the relationship between children’s exposure to nature through leisure activities. Results of the study indicated that children with ADHD will function better than usual after being exposed to nature and outdoor activities and it lessens their symptoms of attention deficit.

Who Are They? The San or Saan People who are also known as the “Bushmen”, are the indigenous people of Africa and believed to be the oldest inhabitants of Africa. They are known to be the descendants of the first modern man or Homo sapiens. Their name “Bushmen” came from the Dutch term “bosiesman” which means “bandit” or outlaw”. This was given to them during their battle with the colonists. Although some considered the name as derogatory because of its meaning, others, on the other hand, are proud because they interpret it as a reference for their bravery during their fight for freedom from colonists. When Were They Discovered? They have been living in Africa for almost 20,000 years now. But if you talk about their gene pattern, they date back 80,000 years, and that’s why they are considered the first descendant of the world’s first human. In 2012 there was even a discovery of a set of tools at Border Cave in KwaZulu-Natal which is believed to date back to 44,000 BCE wherein the tools discovered are identical to the tools being used by the modern San. Where Do They Live? The San or the “Bushmen” are the original inhabitants of Africa. They are semi-nomadic meaning they move from place to place seasonally depending on the availability of resources such as food and water. In the old days, they could roam from place to place freely until the 17th and 18th century when colonists started building their farmlands in the fertile areas of Africa. The San people were forced to go to areas of Southern Africa not suitable for farming such as the Kalahari Desert. Now the San or “Bushmen” are found in several countries of Africa such as Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Angola, and South Africa. What Do They Do? These people are hunter-gatherers. The males hunt for animals while the females are tasked to gather plants, fruits, insects and ostrich eggs. The San or “Bushmen” have no official leader, they make decisions as a group where male and female are equal. Whenever there is a disagreement, they take long discussions until they resolve any complicated issue. Why Are They Important? The San or “Bushmen” has a unique culture, from their rock-art, hunting methods, survival skills, knowledge of medicinal edible and toxic plants, music, dance and beliefs that are the source of what the world has today. How Are They Today? Many San or Bushmen are having very hard time of it today. Over recent history many have evicted from certain territories to make way for mines and modernization. Today there are only an estimated 100,000 San or “Bushmen” people left in Africa, some are still hunter-gatherers and others are living in cultural centres where they make a living by showing off their incredible hunting and survival skills. The sad fact is that after tens of thousands of years, the San or Bushmen culture may be lost completely in the next 50-100 years, only to be found in the history books.

A lot of people these days are engaged in hiking, backpacking, kayaking, mountaineering, and many other outdoor activities available. We do it for adventure, camaraderie, challenge, exercise, competition and just the desire to get out into nature. You may be able to manage a short hike or an overnight camping trip near where you live, but if you want to explore deeper, go into unfamiliar territory, for a lengthier period or run an international venture for a group, going it alone is not an option. Mother Nature may be beautiful but can also be unpredictable and unforgiving and that is why you must find a good venture leader who really knows what they are doing. When considering a good venture leader, always remember the following qualities. Knowledge Having qualifications from appropriate organisations that relate to your venture is vital. Another thing to look out for is local knowledge. Just because someone is a well-qualified venture leader does not mean they have good local knowledge. A venture leader with practical, technical and logistical knowledge in all aspects of the venture is a must. Should you be taking part in activities your venture leader is not qualified in, then he/she should put in place these qualified sub-leaders for you. Experience The more experience a venture leader has, the better. This will determine their decision-making ability for any given event during an expedition. Not everything can be learned through books and often a decision is based on what they have experienced rather than what they have read is much preferred. Better to select a seasoned leader to guide you as they would know what is best for your venture. Standards What standards is your venture leader adhering to? If your venture leader is part of a small or large organisation, they should be adhering to specific standards that relate to the type of venture you are panning to undertake. If the leaders operations have not been subject to assessment by a professional organisation, then we would always suggest a reconnaissance trip to the location you plan to take the group to. This is always money very well spent. Medical Incidents and accidents are not common, nevertheless you must have a venture leader who is a qualified first aider or expedition medical. The risks on an international venture are different and often higher than those of our daily lives. These include the weather, the terrain, travel, activities and often wild animals. If an incident happens good first-aid treatment is essential. You should expect your venture leader to have further plans in place regarding an overland route to hospital and knowledge of medical centres and hospitals in the area. Cautious A leader with a cautious attitude is someone who will be taking time to consider all the aspects of your venture and ensuring that the group is well prepared, engaging in appropriate and risk assessed activities. Greater risk is part of new activities and international ventures but these risks must be managed by your leader and the venture leader must also be experienced enough to dynamically assess and manage new risks that occur during the venture itself. Fun What is the sense in taking part in an international venture if you are not going to have fun as well as achieving your set goals? Yes, each venture has it’s own purpose but whatever the ethos and purpose of your venture it is important to have a leader who can make it fun as well. When you consider your group will be spending many days or weeks with the leader, it’s best to avoid robotic, stern and cold leadership styles. Who leads you and/or your group is ultimately up to you of course, but there is no alternative for knowledge, skills, experience, a cautious attitude and a sense of fun!

Camping is a great recreational activity held outdoors that can benefit us in so many ways including our physical, social, and mental wellbeing. It is fun, enjoyable, and challenging but it could also be uncomfortable if one is not prepared or one does not know what to do. Most people think about where to camp, whom to invite, what to eat and what activities they should prepare for the camping adventure. But many tend to forget the most basic and most essential part of camping, choosing the right tent. A tent is one of the most essential items of camping equipment and usually, campers take this for granted not realising that not all tents are created equal. Whether you’re planning a simple camping activity in your backyard, a sweat-breaking backpacking trail outing or a challenging survivalist camping trip, at the end of the day, you need to have a good night’s rest to get back that lost energy and relax those aching muscles from the whole day’s adventure. There are many types of tents that you could use depending on the situation or activity. Before selecting any tent for a specific camping adventure, always remember to ask the 6 W’s. W #1 – WHY? Why are you going camping? There are many different reasons for going camping. Some people go on expeditions, some go camp because of a school activity, others need shelter when attending concerts, others do it for family bonding, and others may do it just for fun in the local woods and hills. It is important for you to answer this question because depending on the purpose, a specific type of tent may do the job better. W #2 – WHERE? Where is the camping location? Knowing the place you are heading to and likely weather conditions is essential for getting the correct tent. The terrain is an important factor too since the comfort you will be needing inside your tent will somewhat depend on the environment around you. Considering whether the place is rocky, sandy, snowy, grassy, full of trees or just plain flat soil would help you decide on which tent to take. W #3 – WHEN? When is the trip going to happen? To know when to camp is to know the kind of season you are going to encounter. The likely climate and temperatures at the location will tell you what type of tent to buy. Ensure you have done lots of good research online, in relevant books as well as seeking out others who have been to the region you intend to go. Always plan for the worst case scenario weather-wise and you won’t go far wrong!. W #4 – WHO? Who is camping? Knowing the number of people and what type of people are going camping is also important. The comfort may depend on the height of the tent and the total space it can offer. You might find that sharing with your friend could make things a little awkward over a longer period. Therefore, buying two one-person or two two-person tents might be a much better idea. Talk this through with your friends so you are all on the same page! W #5 – WHAT? What other stuff are you bringing? Knowing what should be inside the tent is very important. Certain things should be sheltered such as food and other valuable things. Determining these things can help you find a specific tent with more or less storage capability depending on how much space is needed. The porch of a tent is also a very good place to keep your pack or boots instead of inside the tent so have look at ranges with porches. W #6 – Weight Finally, get the weight right. If you are driving to a camp location the weight doesn’t really matter, but if you are hiking then 1 or 2 kgs to much will make a huge difference during a days hike. Ensure your tents fits inside your backpack or can be strapped onto the outside of it. See our Backpack Blog for advice on this. Buying a tent is an investment so it is better to do your research regarding the characteristics of the available options. The most important thing is knowing what you really need to be comfortable and productive during your next outdoor adventure. SLEEP WELL..!

When you think about deadly, dangerous snakes, the first thing that might come to your mind is their venom. However, many people are unaware that there are non-venomous snakes that are equally dangerous. One example is the African Rock Python (Python sebae), notorious for its nasty temperament. The African rock python is the largest snake in Africa. It is also considered to be among the six largest snake in the world together with the Burmese python, Indian python, reticulated python, green anaconda, and amethystine python.  The African rock python has two subspecies namely, the Central African rock python and the South African rock python. The patterns on the scales of the two subspecies can be used to differentiate them. There is a well-defined large blotch in front of the eye of the Central African sub-species, while the South African sub-species has frontal scales broken into 2-7 scales. The body of the African rock python is thick and heavily built. It is covered with coloured blotches and colour may vary between olive, chestnut, brown, and yellow.  It has a triangular head and curved, sharp teeth. African rock pythons reach an average size of 3.5 meters during adulthood; however, there have been reports of these snakes reaching 4.8 meters to 6 meters. They can weigh between 30 to 55 kilograms, but exceptionally large African rock pythons may weigh up to 90 kilograms. This large snake can be found all over sub-Saharan Africa. As their names suggest, the Central African rock python is found across central and western Africa while the South African rock python is found on the southern and eastern range. In terms of its habitat, it can live in forests, grasslands, semi-dessert, Savannah, rocky areas. It is also found in edges of lakes, swamps and rivers, or where there is a permanent water source. African rock pythons prey on a variety of animals. This snake kills its target by constriction. It grips the prey and coils around it tightly until the prey either dies from crushing lack of air, or cardiac arrest. Because the snake has flexible jaws and skin, it can easily eat large animals whole by opening their mouths wide. It can eat large rodents, warthogs, fruit bats, monkeys, lizards, and even antelopes. It can even prey on other predators such as crocodiles, and cubs/puppies of hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and jackals. The African rock python is currently not considered at risk of extinction, however, there are present threats like hunting and loss of habitat that should be monitored and controlled. The African rock python is often hunted for its skin, which is used for a variety of leather goods. It is also hunted for the pet trade. Keeping rock pythons as pets is one of the primary reasons for human attacks. People keeping them as pets are at risk, especially with their unpredictable nature. There have been several accounts of these rock pythons attacking people and children. While large African rock pythons would have no difficulty swallowing an adult person, accounts of these snakes attacking humans in the wild are said to be exceptionally rare.

Do you know that the white rhino is not white in colour? The white rhino is actually a slate grey colour. It got its name when English-speaking settlers in Africa misheard the word “wijd” (Afrikaan for Wide) with “white” rhino. It is just one of the five species of rhinoceros on earth. The other three are the Javan, Indian, and Sumatran which can be found in Asian swamps and tropical forests. The last one is the black rhino which can also found in Africa like the white rhino. The term ‘rhinoceros’ means ‘nose horn’ which pertains to the majestic horns growing from the rhino’s snout. The white rhino has two horns, just like the black and Sumatran rhino while the Javan and Indian only have one horn. The rhinoceroses are some of the largest animals in the world, but the most massive one is the white rhino. The white rhino can reach 1.8 meters tall and its weight can reach up to 2,500 kilograms. What is incredible is that even though they are humongous in size, they are not predators that eat other animals for food. White rhinos are herbivores as their diet is composed of plants and grass that’s why they usually hang out in the long and short grass savannahs. They eat at dawn, dusk, and night because they spend the daytime hours sleeping in the shade or in muddy pools to cool down as mud typically protects their skin from the sun’s heat. They can survive up to five days without water but if water is available, they drink twice a day. Unlike the other species of rhinos, white rhinos may live in a group which is called a ‘crash’, composed of a female and her calves. But sometimes, adult females called cows can also be seen together. Male rhinos, called bulls, prefer to be left alone unless in search of a female for breeding. Males are also very territorial and would mark their land area with dung. What many may not know is that there are two subspecies of the white rhino: the northern white rhino and the southern white rhino. There are only two remaining northern white rhinos, and around 20,000 Southern white rhinos on the planet. This is a critical number their conservation status is ‘Near Threatened’. But what is more alarming is that rhinos do not have any natural predators. The main reason for their near extinction is illegal poaching by humans for their horns. Some cultures believe that these white rhino horns have medicinal properties even though this has been scientifically disproven. This has led to horrific poaching of white rhinos. In 2018, it was an unfortunate day for Mother Earth when the last male northern white rhino named Sudan passed away. This leaves only two remaining northern white rhinos in Kenya which are both infertile females. Currently, there are many efforts to see if it is possible to save the northern white rhino through artificial reproduction. This proved successful for the southern white rhino and many people hope that it could help save the survival of the northern subspecies.

Many people may not be familiar with the term ‘paracord’ but for sure you’ve seen them in the outdoor section of department stores, or maybe you even have one as a bracelet or a keychain. Paracord is short for parachute cord which is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope. It was called such because originally, the paracord was used in suspension lines of parachutes. However, the uses of this cord have now evolved and it’s being utilised for many purposes. Paracord was even reportedly used during the 82nd Space Shuttle Mission by astronauts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope! If you’re going on a venture abroad or heading into space, you may want to consider bringing some with you. Here are a few ways you can use this multitasking piece of your kit. Rescue Because the paracord is a lightweight rope, you can easily carry it with you, maybe braided into a belt, a bracelet, a keychain or in just rolled up in your pack. In emergency situations, this rope can be used as a rescue line if someone has fallen too far for your to grab them, is in trouble in water, or stuck and needing help for some other reason. First Aid The paracord can be used to make a sling, splint, or tourniquet in case of an accident. This can help secure the broken bone or stop blood loss before emergency responders arrive at the scene. The inner threads of a paracord can also be used as a suture to stitch up wounds in severe emergencies. You can even create a makeshift stretcher using a paracord to transport people. Protection A paracord can be used to create a trip line or even a makeshift barrier in case you need to spend the night in the outdoors. This can help disorient potential predators and prevent them from entering your campsite. If you have a pet with you like your dog, you can use this as a leash to prevent your dog from wandering while you are asleep. Another use is to tie up bag zips so it makes it harder for people to steal your kit. Gathering and Cooking Food You can use the inner threads of the paracord as a fishing line by using a drink can tab as a hook and putting worm or grub as a bait. If you need to catch a lot of fish, the paracord can also be fashioned into a fishing net so you won’t need to worry about honing your spear-fishing skills! The paracord can also be used to create a snare or a trap when hunting for food on land. When cooking, you can use it to hang your pots over the fire. You can even use it to hang your food on top of the trees so hungry predators will not steal your food. Shelter The paracord can be used in putting up your tent and securing it to the ground. By braiding it for extra strength, it can also be used to make a hammock by tying two ends of a tarp with paracord on two trees. In case of rain, you can use this to secure tree branches together to make a roof over your head. You can also use the paracord to tie your items to a tree to get them off the ground and away from insects. If you want to learn more about wildlife and travelling to Africa, send us a message today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure!

At first glance, what you’ll notice about this animal is its majestic spiral horns atop its regal head. These horns are the greater kudu’s crowning glory making it stand out from other antelopes in Africa. But do you know that not all greater kudus have these corkscrew horns? Let’s get to know this animal further by checking out these facts. Quick Bio: The greater kudu (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros) comes from the Bovidae family. It is considered the second tallest antelope in Africa with a shoulder height of 100 to 160 cm and a body length of 185 to 245 cm. The greater kudu can weigh an average of 120 kilograms to 315 kgs, with males typically weighing more than females. Appearance and Behaviour Greater kudus have a narrow body and long legs. Even if they are quite large, they can jump very high, up to 2.5 meters! They also have large, cupped ears making them very sensitive to sound and noise. The greater kudu also has a beard along its throat. They have a short, smooth coat that can range from reddish brown, taupe to blue-grey in colour. There are white stripes that run vertically on its flanks. Greater kudus are typically shy and will sneak away from potential enemies. On occasion, males may spar and wrestle during courtship season using their horns. While the greater kudu might be identified by its horns, only the male species actually have them. Female greater kudus do not have horns. Habitat and Diet Greater kudus can live up to 15 years in the wild. They usually prefer to stay in woodlands, scrubs, grasslands, savanna and forests with scattered dense brush. They find shelter in areas where they can blend in to hide themselves from predators like lions, leopards, hunting dogs, and hyenas. When they stand motionless, they are usually difficult to spot in the bushes. Greater kudus are considered browsers and feed on leaves of trees, grasses, herbs, fallen fruits, flowers, and plants. They normally get water from water holes and from the moisture in the food that they eat. They can be found in Eastern and Southern Africa including Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Population and IUCN Status As of 2016, there are approximately 300,000 to 350,000 mature individuals. The current status is “Least Concern” meaning the population trend at the moment is stable. Aside from natural predators in the wild, other threats to its survival include loss of habitat due to development. Greater kudus are also hunted by people for their horns, hides and their meat. They constitute the highest proportion of hunting income in South Africa. How is it Different from the Lesser Kudu? Of course, it will not be called “greater” if a “lesser” specie does not exist. What makes the greater kudu “greater” is its size. The lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) is smaller than the greater kudu, only reaching 105 centimeters tall and 175 cm long. The lesser kudu also has more white stripes running across its flanks and does not have a beard or fringe on its throat. In terms of habitat, lesser kudus typically prefer flatter, dryer, hotter places, while greater kudus prefer more rugged hillside habitats. Greater Kudu Trivia: Do you know that the greater kudu’s gruff bark is one of the loudest sounds made by an antelope? They emit this barking alarm call to the rest of the herd usually when they are threatened. If you want to learn more about wildlife and travelling to Africa, send us a message today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure!

Africa Painted Dogs have been recently proclaimed as endangered. That’s why it was such an honour to have an opportunity to secure an exclusive interview with one of them. Kindly Introduce Yourself Hi! I am called an African Painted Dog, because obviously, you can find me and my species in Africa. Others call me African Wild Dog, Painted Hunting Dog, Painted Wolf, African Hunting Dog, and sometimes I’m also being called as Cape Hunting Dog. How Were You Discovered? My species are kind of old. The oldest fossil of my ancestor dates back to 200,000 years ago which was found in HaYonim Cave, Israel. Early writings about me thought that I was a hybrid of a Wolf and a Leopard because I look like a multi-coloured Wolf. Eventually, after years of studying my ancestors, these experts finally concluded that I’m from the family of Canidae like domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, and dingoes. Could You Describe How You Look? I am proud to be an African Painted Dog because we are the bulkiest and most solidly built of all African Canids. We stand 60 to 75 cm in shoulder height, 71 to 112 cm in head-and-body length, and we have a tail length of 29 to 41 cm. A male, such as me, can weigh up to 32.7 kg and our females are a little lighter weighing up to 24.5 kg. We have a unique fur with extreme colour variations and because of this, we can identify our friends and family from 50 – 100m away. Our fur is mostly in yellow, grey, white, and black patches. No two of us are the same in terms of markings and colourations. Tell Us About Where to Find You As I mentioned earlier, I can be found in Africa. We usually hang-out mostly in the Savanna, and Arid Zones. We tend to avoid forested areas due to our hunting habits which require open areas so that there is not much obstruction when we pursue our dinner. Could You Share with Us Your Diet? Africa Painted Dogs like me have a hyper carnivorous diet which means a big percentage of our diet is meat. We prefer hunting Greater Kudu, Thomson’s gazelle, Impala, Bushbuck and Blue Wildebeest for our meals. But any other animal is also on our menu whenever they are available. By the way, we only eat what we hunted, no matter how fresh the food is, we do not eat what we did not hunt. How About Your Behaviour? I cannot be compared to your domesticated pet dog because I like to live wild and free. I usually hangout with family and friends in Packs. We stick together especially during hunting and we even have a democratic system of voting whenever we want to decide on things by sneezing. We are among the most effective predators in the world because we have extraordinary cooperation and teamwork as a pack to hunt our dinner. How Do You Reproduce? In a pack, there is usually a dominant breeding pair. They can be identified by their increased tendency to urine mark. We are monogamous for life which means we stick to one partner at a time. We prefer mating from January till May and we have 12 to 14 months of breeding interval. Considering that we are expected to live in this world up to only 10 years, we don’t have much opportunity to reproduce. Do You Have Enemies or Competitors? Yes, we do, in fact, we hate those Lions. They are the major reason for the loss of both our adults and pups. We also get frustrated with Spotted Hyenas since they always follow our packs just to try to take our food. Is There Anything Else You Want to Share in this Interview? Due to habitat fragmentation, human persecution, and disease outbreaks, we are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources since 2016. Our numbers are still on the decline and I don’t want our species to be extinct in this world. I am calling out to your kind hearts to stop persecuting us and let us live our lives in the wild the way it should be and have been for many thousands of years… If you want to learn more about wildlife and travelling to Africa, send us a message today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure!

While it’s important to choose the right things to take with you on your trip, having the right kit to carry these items with you is equally as critical. So having the right rucksack is essential especially when they’re going on an African adventure. Because of so many designs and types to choose from nowadays, buying a pack that’s suitable can be a hit or a miss, especially if you don’t know what you should look out for. In today’s post, we’ll give you some easy to understand tips to help you select the ideal rucksack. Don’t worry, unlike other “beginner’s guides”, we will not confuse you with hiker jargon. So, whether it’s your first or a hundredth time buying a rucksack, we want this post to be somehow useful for you. Material One of the most important features of a rucksack is it should be water-resistant. When you’re outdoors, it’s hard to predict the weather so in cases of unexpected rain, you don’t want everything you have to get wet. There is a difference between water-resistant and waterproof rucksacks. Water-resistant means that during a rainstorm or unexpected water spills, the contents will be protected. Waterproof, on the other hand, means you can completely submerge your pack underwater without a drop going inside. Not because the material is waterproof, but because the entire bag is, so you should carefully check the label and ask questions in the store. For most ventures, a water-resistant rucksack will be enough to keep your kit safe and dry. You don’t really need a waterproof rucksack unless you’re planning to go under a waterfall, brave a flood, or throw your bag in a river or make a floatation device out of it. Aside from being water-resistant, you would also want the material of your bag to be lightweight but still sturdy and durable to stand the wear and tear of outdoor travel. A slash-proof material with lockable zips is also recommended for added security, especially if you are traveling out of the country. Most rucksacks now come with a waterproof cover with elasticated edges. This is conveniently stored away in the top of the pack and can be rolled out to cover the pack in seconds. These covers are often bright colours so you can see each other and be seen in bad weather. Size A good rule of thumb: If you are mountain biking, running or hiking for up to one day then a 10-40 litre day pack will do. If you are hiking for more than a day then you need to consider 40-60+ litre rucksacks. The size of your rucksack will really depend on your own individual travel packing habits and your physical build. While it is true that you can select the size by volume depending on the length of your trip, the reality is, not everyone has the budget to buy a separate bag for each individual trip. Most people are looking for one bag that they can take everywhere. This is the reason why you should actually review your own traveling habits. Are you likely to be carrying a lot of kit or do you always travel light? Some people take more stuff for 3 days than people traveling for two weeks! It would be useful to list down what you’re personal essentials are and choose a bag that would comfortably fit your stuff, with extra space just in case. More importantly, the size should be relative to your height and strength as well. You don’t want to buy a massive bag you can’t even carry. It would be best to buy it from a physical store to test how it feels on you. The perfect size of a rucksack is really dependent on your personal preferences! Storage Many rucksack brands now design bags with a lot of compartments so you should take advantage of this. You typically want a bag that would have separate pockets or areas for your different things like your shoes, sleeping bag, water bottle, electronics, hydration pack, etc. You should also choose a bag with a front opening to the main compartment instead of one that opens at the top. This will make it easier for you to access your stuff so you won’t have to dig for your items. Your rucksack should have adequate support so it will rest well on your shoulders. Choose a bag with an internal frame instead of external rods. They are easier to carry and less bulky. It would also be good for your rucksack to have padded and contoured shoulder and chest straps, back panel, and hip belt so it will be more comfortable on you. If you want to learn more about wildlife and traveling to Africa, send us a message today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure!

After a long day of hiking or nature tripping, there’s nothing better than a hot meal to satisfy your hunger but when you’re outdoors, but you don’t have access to a state-of-the-art kitchen! Knowing how to cook well over an open fire will prove to be very useful. Humankind has been cooking over open fires for thousands of years, but because of the convenience of modern cooking methods, many people find this ancient method quite complicated. Cooking over an open fire can be simple and straightforward. Here are some tips that can help you make those delicious outdoor meals. Find the Perfect Spot The place where you build your fire is very important because you don’t want your dinner prep to cause a forest wildfire. Make sure that the area is clear of grass, loose dirt, tree roots, shrubs, and low-hanging branches. The 10-foot area surrounding your fire should be clear and unobstructed. Build a Smaller Fire Many people think that building a giant fire for cooking is the right way to go but you don’t really require a big fire. A smaller fire is easier to control and is much safer when prepping your meals and uses your fire wood sparingly. Know the Different Cooking Methods Skewering food right over an open flame is not the only way you can cook food. You can also barbecue, steam, or boil food depending on what cookware you are bringing with you. If you are using a pot, you can use rocks to prop your pot over the fire so it is not directly touching the flames. Another method is to dig a small pit on the ground, build the fire inside the pit then use two thick branches to form a trench. You can use this trench to prop the pot over the coals your fire has created. Use the Right Cookware While it may seem obvious, it is still worthwhile to say that you should only use metal cookware. Keep plastic containers away from the fire and avoid pots and utensils with rubber handles. Bring Aluminium Foil If you don’t have any space to bring cookware, consider bringing aluminium foil with you. This is a convenient, easy to carry kitchen staple that can prove really useful. You can wrap food in aluminium foil then seal it closed and put over the grill or a trench. This will steam the food and will lessen the chances of food being burned. As long as you don’t tear the foil, you can even wash and reuse it again. Remember to dispose of the foil appropriately when you get home. Cut Food in Smaller Pieces When grilling, smaller pieces of meat will cook more evenly as opposed to big chunks which have the tendency to burn in the outside and stay raw on the inside. Even you’re making soup or stew using meat, smaller pieces will also cook much faster and will be tender. Protect Yourself Many people do not realize that you can get hurt while cooking on an open fire. Protect yourself by using long skewers when grilling, utensils with long handles and thick towels to handle hot pans. If you want to learn more about wildlife and travelling to Africa, send us a message today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure!