africa

South Africa’s southern Kalahari, known also as the ‘Green Kalahari’, is an area that sees more rainfall than Botswana’s drier Central Kalahari region, creating a unique natural climate and wilderness where you can observe a large diversity of species, quite unlike other wildlife reserves. The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , owned by the Oppenheimer family is the largest private game reserve in the country (100,000 hectares) with over 80 species of mammals and 340 species of birds (including endangered raptors). During a stay here at Tswalu it’s very common to see and learn about the nature of mysterious meerkats, the elusive aardvark, endangered black rhino, black kalahari lion, cheetah, antelope and rhone, to name just a few. You will have the chance to see a range of extraordinary and endangered wildlife species with expert guides and trackers, while enjoying the privacy provided by luxurious accommodation, tailored safaris suited to your wants and needs, bush camp outs and sunset dinners.

The entire reserve also happens to be malaria free and its authentic and elegant Motse Camp confirms Tswalu as a particularly appealing choice for families with children or those who want to avoid the hassle of anti-malarial drugs.

Alex (Director of Jacada Travel) recently got the chance to view Tswalu’s impressive wildlife and experience first hand its esteemed safari reputation. He explored the reserve daily with Jonah, his expert guide and tracker, and had the chance to observe some rare and fascinating species which we have shared with you on our slideshow below. Safe to say he didn’t come back disappointed!

Loading Slideshow

• The elusive Aardvark.

  Just ten minutes into our first drive, our expert tracker spots an aardvark, very rarely seen during daylight and one of the unique species that reward travellers to this part of the world. We descend from the vehicle and track it on foot- tremendous fun and a real privilege.

• Hungry lion cubs, tearing into a kill.

  On our first morning we spent time seeking out this pride of Lions and were rewarded well, finding them on a kill. The cubs were cute yet menacing, with an insatiable appetite.

• Giraffe sighting.

  As the sun set on our first evening, the red hues of the desert cast a wonderful glow against this Giraffe.

• Sunset bush dinner in the Kalahari.

  Rounding the corner, we found a surprise bush-dinner set up, with all the trimmings. A real treat to enjoy al-fresco dining in the desert. It’s the finer details like these that made our stay so special.

• Inquisitive Oryx.

  The puzzled expression of the Oryx, always makes me laugh.

• A unique lion and giraffe sighting.

  Close to the watering hole we found one of these young male lions (with his short mane) being kept under a close watch by the giraffe on the other side.

• A stunning sunset on my last night.

  A beautiful sunset for our last night in the Kalahari. There’s something about being so remote and isolated which has a uniquely calming effect on the soul.

• My very talented guide and tracker.

  Our awesome tracker Jonah! He really is remarkably skilled, spotting things you wouldn’t imagine were possible to see.

• A cute and friendly meerkat.

  The Meerkats were such a unique highlight of our stay here. This fellow one of dozens keeping guard, playing, and generally being tremendous fun. Our guide had to drag us away to catch our flight.

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The South African Football Association (SAFA) is wishing Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates well as they head to Egypt for their African Champions’ League group stage match against Al Ahly.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 4 August 2013 at the El Gouna Stadium and kicks-off at 16:30.

Pirates are the only South African club left in continental club competitions.

This is their second group stage match having drawn the opening match 0-0 with AC Leopards of Congo on July 20.

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund believes that it is important for local clubs to participate in continental club football in order to gain the much-needed experience, which will go a long way in improving Bafana’s fortunes.

The Bafana Bafana coach urged all South Africans to rally behind the Buccaneers as they will be flying the South African flag in Cairo.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) is wishing Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates well as they head to Egypt for their African Champions’ League group stage match against Al Ahly.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 4 August 2013 at the El Gouna Stadium and kicks-off at 16:30.

Pirates are the only South African club left in continental club competitions.

This is their second group stage match having drawn the opening match 0-0 with AC Leopards of Congo on July 20.

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund believes that it is important for local clubs to participate in continental club football in order to gain the much-needed experience, which will go a long way in improving Bafana’s fortunes.

The Bafana Bafana coach urged all South Africans to rally behind the Buccaneers as they will be flying the South African flag in Cairo.

Perth Glory captain JACOB BURNS writes an exclusive diary for thewest.com.au on the A-League club’s pre-season tour of South Africa …

Jacob Burns Tour Diary – Entry Three

Kruger National Park Safari/Elephant Sanctuary Visit

On Tuesday, we had a one-day safari in Kruger National Park, although I actually didn’t go this time as I’ve been before on our other trips to South Africa.

When the boys came back they were delighted because they’d been lucky enough to have a herd of elephants cross in front of them on the road, and they’d seen rhinos and hippos and quite a few other animals as well.

It was an eye opener for the lads who are on their first trip and they had a brilliant experience.

You can’t really come to South Africa without going on a safari and Kruger is probably one of the best places to see the amazing animals that are out there.

The day was capped off by a nice barbecue at our Ingwenyama Resort training base. They put on a really good spread for the players and staff, which was much appreciated and after a long day at the safari. The boys were definitely happy to dig in.

We followed that up by going to the Elephant Whispers sanctuary where you can interact with elephants.

It was my second visit, but being able to touch the elephants and get photos standing up against them and so on is something that never gets old.

It was one of the highlights of the trip last year for me and it was the same again this time. The boys absolutely loved it.

Elephants are just fantastic animals and the boys got some great pictures of themselves getting up close and personal with them.

Second Tour Game – Tuks FC 2-0 Perth Glory

From a personal point of view, I was really pleased to get through the 45 minutes feeling strong.

After the kind of niggly injury that I’ve had with my quad, you always want to get back on the park as quickly as possible.

We erred on the side of caution, with me missing the first game and only playing 45 minutes of the second, and that seems to have worked out well because I felt strong and got through it.

We went into the second half 2-0 down, so it was good that we managed to establish a bit more structure in that second period and we were unlucky not to get a couple of goals and tie the game up.

They (Tuks) didn’t really have much in the second half and we had some really good chances.

In saying that, we know we can perform better than that and that’s not taking anything away from Tuks. They were another really good, hard opponent, just like the Black Aces side we played in the first game. They looked fit, strong, organised and ready to go.

As I’ve said before, results aren’t always the most important thing on trips like this, it’s more about what you get out of the games and I think the boys learned a few things from that second game.

We definitely found out how organised the structure needs to be in order to play well against these teams.

We did have a long bus trip from Ingwenyama to the ground and we were pretty much straight off the bus and into the game which obviously wasn’t ideal, but we’re not using that as an excuse.

A lot of the simple things we can do better, although we did show that we want to build up from the back and we did create good opportunities while limiting theirs after the break.

Wednesday’s game v SuperSport United

I feel fit and back to my normal self and I’m really looking forward to playing against SuperSport.

We’ve watched them beat Manchester City in a game that they keep replaying on TV here and judging by that performance, they are arguably going to be our hardest opponents on this trip.

I can’t wait to get out there and hopefully stay on the field for as long as possible, and it would be nice to come back with a result as well as a good performance against a quality opponent.

Johannesburg

We’re in Johannesburg now and where we’re staying has more of a hotel feel.

We haven’t had much of a chance to look around yet, but we’ll be looking to explore a bit more over the next couple of days.

In addition to all of our training sessions and the game against SuperSport, we’ve got some more community clinics to do, an interactive lions tour and a trip to Soweto coming up.

We are around 30 minutes north of the city centre and the hotel is on a compound next to a casino and a shopping mall, which are only a five-minute shuttle away.

I think some of the boys will be trying their luck in the casino if we get some free time before we start preparing for Wednesday’s final game.

Personal

My kids have reminded me about their souvenir lists again and I’ve told them that I haven’t had a chance to venture out in between the community visits, training and the games.

I’m cutting it fine and I’m really under a bit of pressure now.

When the boys are all in the casino on the blackjack table, I’ll be in the mall looking for shark’s teeth or something!

There are all kinds of things on the lists and I don’t really know how I’m going to find any of them.

In terms of the living arrangements, things are blossoming with me and my room-mate Steven McGarry.

We’ve been on Twitter giving our old room-mates, Dean Heffernan and Billy Mehmet, a bit of stick because we’ve got it down to a fine art.

But looking at what he’s decided to wear to the mall today, I think I might have to make a fashion intervention and take him on a clothes shopping expedition!

Perth Glory’s 2013 South Africa tour proudly sponsored by Kaboko Mining, Live2Learn and Europcar

REUTERS

The report added that the private health sector was marketing the country as the ideal surgery safari location.

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Cape Town – More and more international patients are travelling to South Africa to have elective procedures – and experts believe the rise in “medical tourism” is due to a weak rand.

 

Medical tourists travel to another country to undergo medical procedures that are cheaper or which cannot be performed in their countries. These can involve anything from dentistry to cancer treatment and cosmetic surgery.

According to Cape Town plastic surgeon Paul Skoll, most cosmetic surgery tourists come from the UK, but he has noticed an increase in the number of patients from other African countries.

“Angola and Mozambique were the most notable African countries and I have also had patients who travelled from as far as Tanzania and Kenya,” Skoll said yesterday.

He said the exchange rate and South Africa’s international reputation as a medical tourism hub were responsible for the increase.

Cape Town was seen as the hub for patients coming on cosmetic safaris and there were spin-offs for the city.

“People who come to South Africa for elective cosmetic surgery can’t just fly in and fly out. Patients need to stay up to two weeks after the surgery to recover,” Skoll said, adding this meant that patients stayed longer in the country, spending more money.

Ingrid Lomas, chief executive of Surgical Attractions, agreed that the weak rand was responsible for the surge.

 

She said breast surgery was the most popular procedure.

“We get patients from north of the border, including Namibia, Uganda and Nigeria.”

Lomas said India had captured the medical tourism market and South Africa should try to be more competitive – a view that is backed up by a study in the Southern African Migration Programme, which reported that medical migrants from African countries spent more time in South Africa than European medical tourists.

“This is not unexpected since medical migrants from those countries come to South Africa to access advanced private sector medical treatment unavailable in their countries.”

The report added that the private health sector was marketing the country as the ideal surgery safari location.

The study authors said medical tourism could be the next big money spinner and predicted that private doctors would specifically begin targeting medical tourists.

“At present, medical tourism is a sideline for hospitals, clinics and physicians in South Africa’s private healthcare system. However, as the revenue-generating potential of the medical tourism industry grows, dedicated health and medical facilities are likely to be established… to cater for the medical tourist.” – Cape Times

 

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CHICAGO, Jul 25, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
In the July issue of Themes on the Economy(R), Mesirow
Financial’s chief economist uses her recent safari experience as a
metaphor, paralleling the promises and risks in the global economy.
Diane Swonk notes, “Six of the world’s ten best performing economies are
in Africa, while seven of the ten most corrupt can also be found there.”
She calls Nigeria “a major challenger to South Africa’s dominance in the
region,” adding that “Oil is one factor but not the only one.” Elsewhere
on the continent, Swonk warns that the Arab Spring “could become an ice
age for Egypt and Tunisia.” To learn about the economic outlook for this
region plus the Americas, Europe and more, read
this month’s issue of Themes on the Economy(R).

Liberalization in Mexico’s oil industry could create more jobs in Texas
and sharpen American manufacturers’ competitive edge in the world
marketplace, with access to even cheaper fuel. Our economics team sees
Mexico replacing Brazil as the region’s most promising for other
reasons, too. “Mexico has moved forward on reforms. Wage costs in Mexico
have dropped below competitors’ in Asia, including China (once
productivity is taken into account).”

In Asia, after struggling with deflation for two decades, Swonk predicts
that “Japan will likely succeed in hitting its 2% inflation and growth
targets over the next two years” while China risks “breaking the social
contract the Communist Party has cut with the population” as growth
slows to 6%. For details, read
this month’s issue of Themes on the Economy(R). Archived
issues can be found at mesirowfinancial.com.

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered
in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm
with approximately 1,200 employees globally. With expertise in
Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and
Consulting, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of
institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For
more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its website at mesirowfinancial.com.

http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnewssty=20130725006660r1sid=cmtx6distro=nx

SOURCE: Mesirow Financial

        
        Mesirow Financial 
        Karen Nye, 312.595.7147
        

Copyright Business Wire 2013

Luggage bags

Choosing the best luggage is a key component for efficient packing. Many
international airlines now only allow one piece of baggage per person in the
hold which means that smaller, soft bags for use on light planes must be
packed inside the large suitcase or taken on as hand luggage while the
larger suitcase is left behind at a hotel to be picked up again later in
your trip.

Weight (and size) limits must be adhered to or else you get clobbered for
overweight which can really add up when you use more than one airline to get
to your final destination. We managed to get around this annoying ‘only one
piece of luggage each’ rule by splitting our four soft bags into two pairs
and wrapping each pair in the security bubble wrap service available at the
airports. (Bubblewrap and/or small padlocks are always a good idea if you’re
travelling to Africa).

You may also find yourself on internal flights in small light aircraft which
have a strict weight allowance. (It’s well worth talking to your operator to
find out the details beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises.) Typically,
this will be between 12-15 kg in the hold with a total baggage allowance of
20 kg per person (which includes everything you carry on as hand luggage
like heavy camera equipment, binos etc).

On light planes, you must travel with soft bags so they can fit more easily
into the small hold underneath the plane. Without hesitation, our favourite
safari bag company is Sandstorm (www.sandstormkenya.com; Large Explorer bag
£245). Sandstorm is a Kenya-based company with outlets all over the world
that specialises in safari luggage whose safari-chic good looks are combined
with a strong, rugged build quality and where aircraft cabin size is key.

Sandstorm offer a full travel range of tan, safari green coloured leather and
canvas bags – everything from leather holdalls, duffel bags, backpacks and
wash bags. Best of all from the male perspective is Sandstorm’s computer bag
(Tracker Bag £235) which I use at home as well. It is incredibly strong and
very well-designed with pockets in all the right places so that you can
easily access wallets, passports, pens, notebooks etc while knowing that
your laptop(s) is well protected.

Technical kit – (aka boys’ toys)

Binoculars

On safari, a good pair of binos are arguably more important than a camera.
Your first priority should be to watch the action through your own eyes and
it’s easy to miss out while trying to record it all for posterity.

Yes, they are expensive, but Swarovski (www.swarovskioptik.com)
binoculars have the best optics available and they are tough, waterproof and
beautifully designed. I have a pair of the CL Companion 8x30s (£720) – 8x
magnification and 30mm diameter base lens – which are incredibly lightweight
for the clarity and power they provide.

Every safari guide aspires to owning a pair of Swarovskis and one guide
recently referred to them as the ‘Ferraris of the bush’. The quality of the
optics are particularly noticeable in low light, early in the morning and at
dusk – just the time when activity in the bush peaks.

Video Camera

As well as my trusty Nikon stills camera, I always carry a Panasonic HC-X920
(£820) video camera (www.shop.panasonic.com)
on which we’ve been shooting our Bush Telegraph video reports. It’s an
incredible piece of kit for such a small unit and is light and fits neatly
into the palm of your hand. The picture quality is superb (Leica lens) and
the zoom (x12 in normal use) has a digital function that increases it to
x25, x40 and nominally up to x 700. However realistically x25 is the most
you want to use to retain picture quality. Go to
www.telegraph.co.uk/bushtelegraph to see some of our video reports shot with
the Panasonic.

Night Vision Cameras

In the best safari camps, the wild animals stroll in and out at will. A night
vision camera will capture all the action and identify the perpetrators of
those strange snorts, growls, grunts and howls around your tent. Along with
their excellent range of monoculars and binoculars, a Bushnell (www.bushnell.com)
Trophy Cam night camera (£185) is well worth it. They also make a fist-sized
BackTrack D-Tour GPS (£99) which is an excellent way of keeping your
bearings in the bush and surprising your guide with your incredible sense of
direction.

Smartphone

If you don’t feel like taking a large camera or video, the iPhone 4S
Smartphone (www.apple.com)
is a great stand-in. You never know when you might want to snap a picture or
film something and keeping your iPhone close is never too much trouble. We
have captured some magical unexpected events/appearances which we wouldn’t
have been able to if purely relying on a camera. Plus you can use Twitter
and Instagram when there’s a signal. Even if you have to stand on a termite
mound to get one.

Clothing

Lightweight packing is essential and bringing the correct clothing to wear for
the time of year is key. The only constant is heat – but you may also have
to contend with wet and cold depending on the time of year. Yes, Africa’s
weather can sometimes be just as complicated and varied as ours.

Safari

For all-round safari clothing requirements, my personal favourite is the
beautifully designed, intelligently practical and extremely stylish Swedish
outdoors clothing brand, Fj?llr?ven (stockists: +44 02392 528711, www.fjallraven.com).
Lightweight, technical and with UV and bug protection, its Micro Travel (MT)
fabric is hardwearing, cooler than cotton, and doesn’t crease.

They have a very good selection of combat style trousers, shorts, hats, cargo
pants, shirts, belts and jackets. As well as being an environmentally
responsible company they also support many conservation projects worldwide
which is how they got their Arctic fox logo.

My favourite item of Fj?llr?ven clothing is their Reporter Lite jacket (£195)
which could hardly be better designed for my needs with a plethora of
pockets perfect for lenses, notebooks and gizmos while also being water-resistant
with removable sleeves turning it waistcoat style. Beautifully designed,
love it!

Other favourite items include their Ruaha Trousers (£105) – named after the
National Park in Tanzania – which are very light and strong with two leg
pockets and zipped back pockets and inner safety pocket. The leg length can
also be adjusted to suit changes in footwear. Also, the Thistle Shirt (£80)
wicks away sweat very quickly, has mesh openings on the sides and built-in
sun protection, UPF25.

Lightweight Down Jacket

An alternative to taking a fleece is to pack a lightweight down jacket for the
cooler nights/early mornings that you get in the winter months. Kathmandu (www.kathmandu.co.uk)
have an ultralight down jacket which folds into a very small sack that
converts into a pocket (so it’s part of the jacket and you won’t lose it!).
It’s also feather-light and comes in a slate grey neutral colour that works
for the bush.

Shirts

On safari I live in my Craghoppers shirts (www.craghoppers.com)
which never seem to smell however long I wear them, are cool and
comfortable, and are also made of Nosilife, an insect-repellent material
that keeps mosquitoes at bay and doesn’t come out in the wash. They also dry
very quickly when wet.

Boots

It may seem strange to fall in love with a pair of boots, but that’s not far
off how I feel about my Alt-berg (www.altberg.co.uk) Desert Microlite Boots
(£185). Despite the Germanic-sounding name, Alt-berg is in fact British
(Yorkshire, no less) and masters of their craft to boot! Alt-berg makes
boots for the army and the police and their products have been tested
extensively in war zones around the world.

These boots are tough, light, phenomenally comfortable and keep your feet
really cool. Superb for both desert and bush.

Rain Jacket

An optional extra depending on the time of year – and many safari companies
provide ponchos – but it’s always useful to have your own. Crucially the
Odlo Air (www.odlo.com) is
extremely light, packs down small and when the wet stuff starts falling does
the job admirably while wicking away any sweat build up inside. It’s also
very comfortable to wear and as stylish as any functional clothing can be.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses with polarising lenses are vital. Oakley (uk.oakley.com)
hit the spot in every department from design to technical superiority – if
you want to spot a croc underwater before everyone else (polarising lenses),
arm yourself with a pair.

Medical/Cosmetic/Health

Like many males I have an admittedly rather stupid ‘I’m immortal’ gene and
don’t really worry about my health until something bad happens. Luckily I
have Sarah to think about these things for me so I can confidently refer you
to her words of wisdom on her earlier
‘What to pack on safari – Her’ feature.

Skin Care

Lest you should think I’m an unreconstructed male, I do like to look after my
skin! The African sun can be brutal so I swear by Skinceutical’s (www.skinceuticals.co.uk)
Ultra Facial Defence SPF 50 which is a high UVA/UVB broad-spectrum
moisturising sunscreen which works synergistically to help prevent photo
damage. Part of the reason I like it so much is that it doubles up as a
great moisturiser and has up to 24 hours hydration with an ultra light
texture and is ideal for all skin types.

I also use Phyto Corrective Gel which includes anti-inflammatory cucumber and
anti-bacterial thyme to soothe and calm sun-irritated skin. A.G.E.
Interrupter is a unique treatment formulated to correct severe signs of
intrinsic ageing in mature skin. As Bob Dylan once sang: “And may you stay,
ay, ay, foreeeever youuunggggg.”

The basics

Richard and Sarah Madden are travelling with Wilderness Safaris (wilderness-safaris.com),
which offers access to more than eight million acres of Africa’s finest
wildlife reserves through the environment-friendly camps it runs in nine
countries and its overland safaris.

Their flight to Maun was with South African Airways (flysaa.com).
A return from London with SAA costs £1,150 per person, including all taxes,
when booked through Africa Travel in London (0845 450 1520).

@BushMagic
(Richard); @SarahOnSafari
(Sarah)

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In the July issue of Themes on the Economy^®, Mesirow
Financial’s chief economist uses her recent safari experience as a
metaphor, paralleling the promises and risks in the global economy.
Diane Swonk notes, “Six of the world’s ten best performing economies are
in Africa, while seven of the ten most corrupt can also be found there.”
She calls Nigeria “a major challenger to South Africa’s dominance in the
region,” adding that “Oil is one factor but not the only one.” Elsewhere
on the continent, Swonk warns that the Arab Spring “could become an ice
age for Egypt and Tunisia.” To learn about the economic outlook for this
region plus the Americas, Europe and more, read
this month’s issue of Themes on the Economy^®.

“Six of the world’s ten best performing economies are
in Africa, while seven of the ten most corrupt can also be found there.”

Liberalization in Mexico’s oil industry could create more jobs in Texas
and sharpen American manufacturers’ competitive edge in the world
marketplace, with access to even cheaper fuel. Our economics team sees
Mexico replacing Brazil as the region’s most promising for other
reasons, too. “Mexico has moved forward on reforms. Wage costs in Mexico
have dropped below competitors’ in Asia, including China (once
productivity is taken into account).”

In Asia, after struggling with deflation for two decades, Swonk predicts
that “Japan will likely succeed in hitting its 2% inflation and growth
targets over the next two years” while China risks “breaking the social
contract the Communist Party has cut with the population” as growth
slows to 6%. For details, read
this month’s issue of Themes on the Economy^®. Archived
issues can be found at mesirowfinancial.com.

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered
in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm
with approximately 1,200 employees globally. With expertise in
Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and
Consulting, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of
institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For
more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its website at mesirowfinancial.com.

The Southern Pride is on the move. In the menacing darkness, a dozen hungry lions circle a large herd of impala.

Chaos erupts in the bush as the big cats launch their attack, taking down a huge ram only a few metres from our Land Cruiser.

Moving in on the action, we position ourselves close enough to capture the ensuing feeding frenzy without disturbing the diners. It’s every cat for itself as the pride piles onto the fresh kill like a crazed rugby scrum, snarling, snapping and fighting to devour still beating organs and rip bloody chunks of flesh from bone.

Tonight, I’m an eyewitness to an awesome display of primal brutality. And confident that I’ll have the stunning pictures to prove it because I’m engaging the services of a professional safari photographer to assist me with every step.

Capturing such visceral wildlife encounters on camera has always been an integral part of the safari experience. Now, private game reserves such as Sabi Sabi, adjacent to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, offer their guests the unique opportunity to have an expert guide them through the intricacies of taking that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime coffee table book cover shot.

“Professional photographic safaris offer an incredible opportunity to take much better pictures, improving and enhancing your total safari experience,� says Zulch Conradie, manager of Sabi Sabi’s Earth Lodge.

“It’s almost like you’re opening the curtains on a whole new subject.�

The professional photo safari I recently took in Sabi Sabi is tailored to travellers who can afford more expensive pro and “prosumer� SLR cameras but don’t know how to most effectively use them in a challenging environment like the African bush.

It’s also a great option if you’d rather hire the services and gear of a pro for a day or two on safari than haul around expensive, hefty cameras and telephoto lenses with enough zoom to capture that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime, wildlife picture.

Either way, booking the services of a pro safari photo guide like Sabi Sabi’s Andrew Schoeman is a great idea if you want National Geographic-calibre memories.

For a few hundred dollars, this former safari guide turned photographer will accompany lodge guests on game drives, providing expert, hands-on guidance on subjects such as proper framing of your subject, what angles to use and how to use the available light in multiple situations. Then he’ll walk you through a streamlined post-production process using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to help make them look their best.

“Most of our guests arrive with basic camera knowledge and are looking for the simple explanations that can sometimes lead to that Eureka moment,� says Schoeman one afternoon as we roam the dense terrain of the Sabi Sabi reserve in a land cruiser, searching for prime lion, leopard and elephant photo ops.

“You can read about all of the camera functions in a manual,� he adds. “But it’s not getting processed. There’s nothing like having someone there alongside you explaining that if you push this button or turn that dial you get completely different results.�

The Southern Pride is on the move. In the menacing darkness, a dozen hungry lions circle a large herd of impala.

Chaos erupts in the bush as the big cats launch their attack, taking down a huge ram only a few metres from our Land Cruiser.

Moving in on the action, we position ourselves close enough to capture the ensuing feeding frenzy without disturbing the diners. It’s every cat for itself as the pride piles onto the fresh kill like a crazed rugby scrum, snarling, snapping and fighting to devour still beating organs and rip bloody chunks of flesh from bone.

Tonight, I’m an eyewitness to an awesome display of primal brutality. And confident that I’ll have the stunning pictures to prove it because I’m engaging the services of a professional safari photographer to assist me with every step.

Capturing such visceral wildlife encounters on camera has always been an integral part of the safari experience. Now, private game reserves such as Sabi Sabi, adjacent to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, offer their guests the unique opportunity to have an expert guide them through the intricacies of taking that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime coffee table book cover shot.

“Professional photographic safaris offer an incredible opportunity to take much better pictures, improving and enhancing your total safari experience,� says Zulch Conradie, manager of Sabi Sabi’s Earth Lodge.

“It’s almost like you’re opening the curtains on a whole new subject.�

The professional photo safari I recently took in Sabi Sabi is tailored to travellers who can afford more expensive pro and “prosumer� SLR cameras but don’t know how to most effectively use them in a challenging environment like the African bush.

It’s also a great option if you’d rather hire the services and gear of a pro for a day or two on safari than haul around expensive, hefty cameras and telephoto lenses with enough zoom to capture that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime, wildlife picture.

Either way, booking the services of a pro safari photo guide like Sabi Sabi’s Andrew Schoeman is a great idea if you want National Geographic-calibre memories.

For a few hundred dollars, this former safari guide turned photographer will accompany lodge guests on game drives, providing expert, hands-on guidance on subjects such as proper framing of your subject, what angles to use and how to use the available light in multiple situations. Then he’ll walk you through a streamlined post-production process using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to help make them look their best.

“Most of our guests arrive with basic camera knowledge and are looking for the simple explanations that can sometimes lead to that Eureka moment,� says Schoeman one afternoon as we roam the dense terrain of the Sabi Sabi reserve in a land cruiser, searching for prime lion, leopard and elephant photo ops.

“You can read about all of the camera functions in a manual,� he adds. “But it’s not getting processed. There’s nothing like having someone there alongside you explaining that if you push this button or turn that dial you get completely different results.�

Srinagar, July 22: With the departure of Team India for its tour of Zimbabwe on Sunday, Parvez Rasool commenced his African Safari with positive frame of mind that he would prove his mettle.
 By becoming the first ever cricketer from JK to be named in Team India 15-member squad, Parvez turned into star with huge fan following.
 Parvez will not only represent Team India in Zimbabwe but also in India-A teams tour to South Africa. In Zimbabwe, team would be playing five one day internationals and there is every likely hood that Parvez would get chance in atleast one or two games.
 The cricketer knows the important of this tour and also knows that he is yet to prove his mettle at highest level.
 To get selected is job half done and I need to prove my mettle in the games that will come my way. I will have to grab the opportunity by performing well as I know the chances dont come your way everyday at this level, Parvez said before leaving for Zimbabwe.
 He said that he has been working hard for this tour and is high on confidence.
 After being selected for Team India I went to National Crocket Academy (NCA) Bangalore. There I worked under the watchful eyes of renowned coaches. They helped me to keep my fitness level high and also get away with the minor glitches that were in my bowling and batting, he said.
 Parvez said that he doesnt believe in experiments and will keep his focus on basics of cricket while batting or bowling.
 I have been selected as an off-spinner who also bats. I will not experiment with my bowling and will keep basics intact by focussing on line and length. It is 50-over game so I need not to worry too much about pace and run-rate. I can take my time to settle in then work out my plans, he said.
 The all-rounder is confident that he will perform well once he gets an opportunity to play in Zimbabwe.
 I am confident that I will be able to perform well. Moreover I think Zimbabwe wickets will suit my type of bowling. The wickets will neither be pacer friendly nor totally dry. The history also favours me as spinners have been doing well in Zimbabwe in past, he said.
 Parvez has got many firsts to his credit in the cricketing arena of JK State. So far whatever chance has come his way he came out with flying colours. Getting chance to play for Board-XI against Australia, Parvez grabbing the opportunity bagged seven wicket haul thus making his case strong in front of national selectors. After that he became first JK Cricketer to play in Indian Premiere League for Pune Warriors. In the first opportunity he got, he bowled economical spell and also grabbed wicket of South African all-rounder, Jacques Kallis.
 Owing to his track record of performing well in the opportunities that are thrown his way, Parvezs mentor and coach, Abdul Qayoom Bagaw is confident that the cricketer will come with flying colours from the tour.
 He said, I have been watching him from childhood. He is very strong character with calm temperament and that has always worked well for him. His biggest plus point is that he always know what to do in the given situation, he said.
 I am sure that he will perform well in the matches he will play. It is good that he gets opportunity against a side like Zimbabwe which is not reckoned as top side. It will boost his confidence for the upcoming opportunities, Qayoom said.
 Qayoom says that Parvez will shine with both bat and bowl during tour, I know my lad very well. Though selected as bowler, I know he will shine with both bat and bowl in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 22 Jul 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Jul 2013 00:00:00 IST

“But you only need to use very few of them to get good results reading the light in the bush and knowing the best place to select your light when you’re photographing certain subjects,” he says.

“The real key is getting your subject in focus … If you don’t have a sharp photo, it doesn’t matter what you’ve got. You’re going to throw it away.”

Schoeman goes on to explain single point focusing, as well as the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO setting – the sensitivity that the digital sensor has to light.

Understanding what combination of these settings works best in various situations while on safari is key.

“We initially determine the

guest’s skill level and help them tailor camera settings specifically for wildlife,” Schoeman explains, noting he often guides accomplished landscape photographers or wedding photographers who are out of their depth in the bush.

Find the light stuffCrash course complete, Schoeman and I set off to roam through Sabi Sabi’s diverse habitat that is home to the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant – as well as cheetah, wild dog and some 200 other animal species indigenous to the area.

Soon, we come across a male lion calling in a thundering roar for his brother to join him.

This battle-scarred old warrior looks like he’s seen his fair share of predatory turf wars, as does his sibling, who soon appears sporting an equally pocked face, battered body and gnarled mane.

Soon, we’re close enough for me to begin shooting with Schoeman’s Nikon D3 fullframe SLR camera.

As Schoeman whispers instructions, I make settings adjustments on the fly until it all begins to make sense and I have my own Eureka moment.

Here I am, photographing Africa’s most iconic animal with pro gear and a dozen years of wildlife photography expertise at my exclusive disposal.

I f You Go

Arriving Sabi Sabi is 500 km east of Johannesburg. Charter flights connect the Sabi Sabi Airstrip with Joburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. South African Airlines’ Airlink (www.flyairlink. com/), also offers daily flights from to Nelspruit.

Sleeping Situated in the world-renowned 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Wildtuin in the southern section of the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve is home to four luxury lodges, each with a unique theme. This writer stayed at Earth Lodge. Sculpted into an earthen slope, almost invisible in the landscape, it has been described as the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa. Earth Lodge’s thirteen spacious suites features designed furniture, a private plunge pool and wooden sculptures by renowned Geoffrey Armstrong.

Booking a Sabi Sabi photo safari Sabi Sabi’s Professional Photographic Safaris run for one full

day and must be pre-booked. The cost per guest photographer is R4500 (approximately $560). It includes the services of a pro photo guide, use of a safari vehicle and your choice of a Nikon D700, D3 or D3S with a Nikon 200-400mm f/4 lens or a Canon 70 Mark III or IV with a Canon 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4 lens. Additional equipment can be rented.

Recommended outfitters Toronto based Kensington Tours (http://www.kensingtontours. com /888.903.2001) and Askari Travel (http://www.askaritravel.com /877.279.1902) both offer customized South African safaris that can include visits to Sabi Sabi.

More tips Sabi Sabi has played host to many of the world’s top wildlife photographers over the past 30 years. For great tips on getting the most out of your safari, check out their extensive and extremely helpful online pro wildlife photography guide at http://www.sabisabi.com/photography.

Bill Blomdahl/Courtesy Bill Blomdahl’s first trip to Africa resulted in 15 trophies including this greater mountain kudu that he considered the most challenging. Bill Blomdahl/Courtesy Bill Blomdahl/Courtesy Bill Blomdahl/Courtesy   1 of 4  

This wasn’t Bill Blomdahl’s first international hunting rodeo, but it was his first African safari. So when he started to plan the trip to South Africa through Limcroma Safaris, Blomdahl did his homework studying Safari Club International and other game record books to get a feel for what he wan…

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Photo Credit: Malcolm Manners via Flickr

Along the west coast of South Africa, a seemingly lifeless landscape is ready to burst into bloom. As the winter rains begin to fall, millions of flowers appear as if by magic from the once-dry soil, carpeting the countryside in a blaze of color.

By following a route south from Springbok to the southern tip of the Western Cape, you can watch antelopes and other African wildlife in the parks and reserves amidst the most spectacular spring floral displays.

Here’s a brief guide to the best wildflower-viewing spots along the way:

For just a short time each year, the dusty plains of Namaqua National Park turn into a daisy-strewn wonderland, with perennial herbs, aloes, lilies, and countless other species adding their own special flourish to the mosaic.

Head south to the Skilpad Wildflower Reserve to continue your tour. Since most of the desert flowers follow the sun, it’s best to visit the reserve during the hottest part of the day.

Further down the coast (about 90 miles north of Cape Town), you’ll find the Postberg Flower Reserve, a small section of the West Coast National Park, which is only open during flower season in August and September.

Nearby, masses of orange, pink, purple, yellow and white flowers blanket the colorful strip of land between the churning Atlantic and the calm waters of Langebaan Lagoon.

In addition to the spectacular flora, park visitors are likely to see a variety of native fauna, including eland, red hartebeest, and Cape grysbok grazing on the fields of flowers as they make their way along the well-marked trails.

Follow the cape as it zigs east to make a final stop at De Hoop Nature Reserve, where lowland fynbos erupts in a riot of color as sunbirds and Cape honeybees dart between the flowers feeding on nectar and pollinating plants.

Read More: Intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com

The Southern Pride is on the move. In the menacing darkness, a dozen hungry lions circle a large herd of impala.

Chaos erupts in the bush as the big cats launch their attack, taking down a huge ram only a few metres from our Land Cruiser.

Moving in on the action, we position ourselves close enough to capture the ensuing feeding frenzy without disturbing the diners. It’s every cat for itself as the pride piles onto the fresh kill like a crazed rugby scrum, snarling, snapping and fighting to devour still beating organs and rip bloody chunks of flesh from bone.

Tonight, I’m an eyewitness to an awesome display of primal brutality. And confident that I’ll have the stunning pictures to prove it because I’m engaging the services of a professional safari photographer to assist me with every step.

Capturing such visceral wildlife encounters on camera has always been an integral part of the safari experience. Now, private game reserves such as Sabi Sabi, adjacent to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, offer their guests the unique opportunity to have an expert guide them through the intricacies of taking that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime coffee table book cover shot.

“Professional photographic safaris offer an incredible opportunity to take much better pictures, improving and enhancing your total safari experience,� says Zulch Conradie, manager of Sabi Sabi’s Earth Lodge.

“It’s almost like you’re opening the curtains on a whole new subject.�

The professional photo safari I recently took in Sabi Sabi is tailored to travellers who can afford more expensive pro and “prosumer� SLR cameras but don’t know how to most effectively use them in a challenging environment like the African bush.

It’s also a great option if you’d rather hire the services and gear of a pro for a day or two on safari than haul around expensive, hefty cameras and telephoto lenses with enough zoom to capture that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime, wildlife picture.

Either way, booking the services of a pro safari photo guide like Sabi Sabi’s Andrew Schoeman is a great idea if you want National Geographic-calibre memories.

For a few hundred dollars, this former safari guide turned photographer will accompany lodge guests on game drives, providing expert, hands-on guidance on subjects such as proper framing of your subject, what angles to use and how to use the available light in multiple situations. Then he’ll walk you through a streamlined post-production process using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to help make them look their best.

“Most of our guests arrive with basic camera knowledge and are looking for the simple explanations that can sometimes lead to that Eureka moment,� says Schoeman one afternoon as we roam the dense terrain of the Sabi Sabi reserve in a land cruiser, searching for prime lion, leopard and elephant photo ops.

“You can read about all of the camera functions in a manual,� he adds. “But it’s not getting processed. There’s nothing like having someone there alongside you explaining that if you push this button or turn that dial you get completely different results.�

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It’s not uncommon for crossovers and SUVs to get adventurous-sounding names to convey the marketing department’s desire for consumers to see the vehicle as rugged and ready to brave the unpaved trails of the remote reaches of earth. But how many vehicles can live up to the promise of their name? Arthur St. Antoine wanted to find out on his South African Safari trip in this episode of Epic Drives. His vehicle of choice? Not a Land Rover Defender or Toyota Land Cruiser, both common fixtures on the African continent, but a humble, common 2014 Subaru Forester XT.

“Umesh is making his next much bigger, and hopefully, even better,” revealed a source close to the project, adding, “A major part of the film will be shot at outdoor locations in South Africa. Since the very subject of the movie demands it, both Umesh and T-Series head honcho Bhushan Kumar are going all out to create a fulsome bigscreen experience.”

As an immediate step toward this, Umesh is flying down to South Africa with his technical team for a recce of the region. They plan to apprise Abhishek of the chosen locations so he knows what to expect during the film’s making.

When contacted, Umesh said, “It is wonderful to be working with Bhushan. He is mighty excited about the script that we have in place, and is supporting it in a big way. He is going all out to provide me with whatever is required without interfering in the creative process. I am looking forward to finding some good locations in South Africa next week.”

By – Joginder Tuteja

The 2014 Subaru Forester XT may not be the first pick for adventurers who want to explore the plains of Africa, but host Arthur St. Antoine selects that vehicle for just such a mission in the newest episode of Epic Drives. While Land Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers are the most common sets of wheels found traversing the African landscape, the compact Forester proves to be a worthy off-roader for a safari.

Before immersing himself in the wildlife, St. Antoine starts his drive in the South African neighborhood of Soweto, located within the city limits of Johannesburg. There, a tour guide provides a brief history on Apartheid and a few important bits of advice for embarking on the safari.

After hopping into the Forester to search for lions, elephants, and rhinos, St. Antoine points out a number of the Subaru’s safari-worthy features, including its best-in-class ground clearance of 8.7 inches and its strong 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four that produces 250 hp. The 2014 Forester had no issues crossing rivers, tackling deep sand, or climbing up rocky inclines. St. Antoine even had fun on a twisty road thanks to the Forester’s car-like handling, one attribute that sets the Subaru apart from the Rover and the Land Cruiser. Does the Forester help St. Antoine successfully find all the wildlife on his wish list? Watch the latest Epic Drives episode below to find out.

With the rand recently hitting an all time low against sterling, South Africa is great value for those earning in pounds. An advantage for many people hoping to book their summer holiday, the Euro and the Dollar will also go further in the Rainbow Nation. Tour operator’s Ranch Rider, Acacia Africa and The Independent Traveller offer varied options when it comes to exploring the country’s provinces – tented camps, luxury bush homes, small group tours and fly-drives appealing to a wide range of adventurers.

The Independent Traveller is an expert with over 35-years experience in crafting bespoke fly-drive holidays. Managing Director, Malcolm Peasnall, comments, “Based on last year’s prices you can expect to save up to 40% on a safari in South Africa, and when you add in off season game viewing on the Eastern Cape, even more.”

Ideal for nature lovers, The Independent Traveller’s 15-day Garden Route fly-drive includes some of the country’s best-kept secrets. Visit one of the world’s few meerkat conservation programs in Oudtshroon, enjoy more a “intimate” big five safari experience in the Amakhala Game Reserve, and trek through what is known as South Africa’s Grand Canyon – 220 species of bird and 43 types of mammal inhabiting the Valley of Desolation. A cooler winter climate also makes the Garden Route ripe for exploration, Tsitsikamma home to baboons and leopards, the trails best explored by Segway. In July and August, the Southern Right Whale migration makes Hermanus a must see and Cape Town is only a short drive from the celebrated wine regions of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.  Try L’Ormarins estate. The wine farm, owned by Johann Rupert, the richest man in South Africa, also features a vintage car collection. From £2,763pp (two sharing) including car hire, accommodation, safaris, and return flight. Year round departures. itissouthafrica.co.uk

Riding holiday specialist, Ranch Rider, offers stays in South Africa at working ranches, luxury lodges and bush homes, and mobile and static wilderness camps.  Open for little more than a year, Camp Davidson overlooks the Matlapeng valley and the picturesque Sunset Lake, all four of the canvas tents commanding panoramic views of the Waterberg massif. Guests can enjoy polo-crosse, swim with the horses or challenge themselves on the cross-country jumping course. Ideal for families and small groups of friends in search of an exclusive riding safari, a 4-night stay is priced from only £620pp (two sharing) from £500pp (5-16 years) including tented accommodation (ensuite, with safari style bucket showers), meals, drinks, riding safari, use of facilities and taxes. Excluding car hire from £259 or transfers available at £170pp and return flight from £839pp. Year round departures.

Ranch Rider is also offering a saving of £454pp at Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest – the luxury bush homes situated in the same region. 6-nights from only £1,285pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, meals, drinks (including alcohol), riding safari’s, 4×4 safari’s, guided walks, use of facilities and taxes. Departing 14 September. Special weeks, a night sky safari and wine tasting evening are additional activities. Excludes return flight from £839pp, car hire from £259 or transfers from £200pp and gratuities as left to guests’ discretion.  New for 2013, Ant’s Nest will be hosting a Zumba Fitness Week (save £340pp) 7-nights from £1,399pp (two sharing), departing 21 September and Photography Week (save £340pp) 7-nights from £1,399pp (two sharing), departing 16 November. Add on self drives in South Africa are available from £700pp (two sharing) including car hire and accommodation. ranchrider.com

Save 12.5% (£73pp) Acacia Africa features South Africa on many of its small group safari itineraries. The 7-day Kruger Victoria Falls showcases some of the country’s less obvious wildlife haunts including the Polokwane Game Reserve, where walking safaris rule, and Oliphants River, a birder’s paradise and the perfect place for a hippo and crocodile cruise. Even the well-known Kruger is apt to throw up a few Big Five surprises on this tour, the game drives taking place in the more remote northern reaches of the national park. The small group safari is one of the tour operator’s top five family-friendly itineraries, Acacia Africa taking children as young as six on either camping or accommodated expeditions. From only £517pp (two sharing) + local payment from £250pp including, camping accommodation, transport, most meals and services of a tour leader/guide. Year round departures. Excludes return flight. Starts Johannesburg – ends Livingstone. All small group safari scheduled departures up to end of 2013 will be discounted by 12.5%. Independent flight prices available on request. acacia-africa.com

International Focus: South Africa: Land of Exciting Game Safaris