Wildstate Gallery

AFRICA Galleries

BOTSWANA - OKAVANGO DELTA : The Okavango Delta region of Botswana is the must visit destination for any traveler to Africa that wants to really get close to and imersed in what wild Africa is (or maybe, used to be). The Delta is absolutely fascinating, it is so varied and has so many different birds and animals and is so primeval. Strangely, I kept feeling like I was back in central Florida and the Everglades; it is so similar in the terrain, water, trees, even the sand and palm trees. I kept having flashbacks and found myself saying: "This is just like Florida, except the animals and birds dress better and you are part of the menu..." Not too hard to understand if you realize that what is now Florida and South America were all part of Africa at one time a few gazillion years ago. Botswana is a true success story in Africa and is assiduously protecting its animals with almost 1/3 of the country in wildlife refuges. Poachers are, I am told, warned by being shot first then reminded not to poach again. Evidently effective since there is little poaching in the country. Ecotourism really is stressed, with no permanent camps allowed in the Delta. All are tent camps with wood floors. These photos were taken at various camps in the middle of the delta in the winter (August), just as the waters were beginning to fill the marsh. Coming down from Angola, the waters reach the Delta six months later.

BOTSWANA - OKAVANGO DELTA

The Okavango Delta region of Botswana is the must visit destination for any traveler to Africa that wants to really get close to and imersed in what wild Africa is (or maybe, used to be). The Delta is absolutely fascinating, it is so varied and has so many different birds and animals and is so primeval. Strangely, I kept feeling li ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2006 4:57pm PST

SOUTH AFRICA : "Wild Africa" Well, yes, but in a tamer way that even the timid traveler can enjoy. The South African Safari/Camp experience is a perfect introduction to Africa before you venture afield to the wilder, "Close Up and Personal" experiences with the beasties when sleeping in tent camps. South Africa (SA) is the ideal place for your intitiation before going to places like the Okavango Delta and Tanzania. There, you will find in the tent camps there is just thin canvass between you and things that want, yes that even look forward to, turning you into a midnight snack. Sabi Sands' Earth Lodge and Ulusaba (Richard Branson's) Rock Lodge were the sites of these photos. Located in the Northeast corner of SA near Kruger National Park. Before I went, I figured we'd be roughing it - it is the wilds of Africa. Heck, these places were plusher and more comfortable than five star hotels in Aspen; more teak than a mogul's yacht, an open bar with no limits and top brands, hot tubs, pools, gorumet chefs... You get the idea. It's a Conde Nast kind of experience. The big plus over the five star hotels? They don't come with wild animals out front - except on New Years or Mardi Gras in New Orleans... Ecotourism is saving Africa's wild heritage by supporting private game farms all over SA. These have been responsible for the establishment of huge refuges surrounding the Kruger National Park, helping protect it and extend its size. Tourism is literally saving vast stretches of land and animals and plants that would never be preserved any other way. In the process, they give local people jobs and a good future along with an appreciation of the value of their wild heritage. South Africa is Africa's last great hope for economic growth and a roadmap to the 21 century. It has the infrastructure and business to drive economic revival in a blighted continent. The big question is if the politicians will be able to find a way through the minefields of the backwash of Aparthied, an Aids epidemic and endemic, grinding poverty; succeding in increasing the standard of living of all without destroying their economy. Zimbabwe next door has bobbled the ball and the results are terrible for all concerned - a ruined economy, starvation and chaos. Where, formerly Zimbabwe was the breadbasket of Africa, it is now Africa's basket case. Maybe SA will show the way to successfully transition from the residue of colonialism and meet the pressing needs of a growing population and their future. Let's all hope they do. Africa and its wild heritage are just too special to disappear.

SOUTH AFRICA

"Wild Africa" Well, yes, but in a tamer way that even the timid traveler can enjoy. The South African Safari/Camp experience is a perfect introduction to Africa before you venture afield to the wilder, "Close Up and Personal" experiences with the beasties when sleeping in tent camps. South Africa (SA) is the ideal place for you ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2006 5:00pm PST

KENYA - MASAI MARA & SAMBURU : Ah, fabled Africa from faded photos from long ago Nationa Geographic Magazines; The Mara is what your picture of what Africa should look like. That picture includes Kenya's Masai Mara and Amboseli Park. Vast seas of Zebra, Lion, "Be-wilderbeast," Ostrich, Elephant, Crocks... the list goes on. And on. Seeing a herd of Wilderbeast and Zebra cross the Mara River is a visceral and emotional experience you will never forget as terrified animals lunge hell-bent into the Mara River full of huge Nile Crocodiles. You'll be darn glad you aren't swimming it yourself with Crocks that look like submarines, some are reportedly 20 feet long! Geez, scary. Samburu in the north was a terrific destination and covered with animals and birds. The critters got a little too close one evening with leopard snatching a domestic cat about 12 feet from the door to my cabin. All that was left of tabby was the fur, glad I didn't get invited in by the leopard for a snack. OK, well it would be a banquet in my case.

KENYA - MASAI MARA & SAMBURU

Ah, fabled Africa from faded photos from long ago Nationa Geographic Magazines; The Mara is what your picture of what Africa should look like. That picture includes Kenya's Masai Mara and Amboseli Park. Vast seas of Zebra, Lion, "Be-wilderbeast," Ostrich, Elephant, Crocks... the list goes on. And on. Seeing a herd of Wilderbeast an ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2006 5:04pm PST

TANZANIA - TARANGIRI - LAKE MANYARA - NGORONGORO CRATER : Tanzania's Tarangiri National Park is a bird extravaganza... normally. I hit it in the worst drought in about 30 years so it wasn't quite up to speed. None the less, there was plenty of great photo opportunities. Lake Manyara was slow due to the low water but I still found plenty to photograph including huge troups of olive baboons and ground hornbills. The famed tree-climbing lions were ground-bound while I was there, didn't see a one. The Ngorongoro Crater was dramatic with very dramatic backdrops and unique geology. It's elephants have huge tusks as you can see in the accompanying photography. The crater is probably a real oasis in the summer but it was slow when I was there compared to other parts of Africa, especially since you are restricted to the road. The people and helpfulness of everyone I met througout East and Southern Africa puts to rest the fears many have of visiting the continent. Wherever I have traveled outside the big cities, African people are wonderfully friendly and nice. In the big cities like Johannesburg and Nairobi, you have to be careful. But then, you have to be careful in New York, San Francisco, Chicago....

TANZANIA - TARANGIRI - LAKE MANYARA - NGORONGORO CRATER

Tanzania's Tarangiri National Park is a bird extravaganza... normally. I hit it in the worst drought in about 30 years so it wasn't quite up to speed. None the less, there was plenty of great photo opportunities. Lake Manyara was slow due to the low water but I still found plenty to photograph including huge troups of olive baboons ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2006 5:05pm PST

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