The Penguins of Simonstown, South Africa

January 11, 2010 · 5 Comments 

When visiting South Africa, I never fail to make a trip to Simonstown on False Bay and to look at the penguins in Bolders Colony nearby. It’s a unique opportunity to observe and mingle with the African penguins which have made their home there since 1982 when the first two pairs happened to settle there and breed. Nobody really knows where they came from and why they chose this particular spot, but obviously they liked it and had come to stay.

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Ostrich Run

March 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

“If you are ever chased by an ostrich,” said the farmer, “never run. Instead just lie on the ground and just cover your head. This way, it might jump all over you, even break a few ribs, but it will not kill you. But if you are standing, a kick from an ostrich could easily kill. Can you see its feet?” I looked down at its prehistoric-looking toes: one small – for balance, and one enormous – tipped with a big black claw. Occasionally, throughout this trip, I feel like I’ve been jerked... [Read more]

Wild Dog Chase

February 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

I’ve met my match, and it’s the wild dog. My check of rare African animals is almost complete, but the elusive wild dog, numbering only in the few thousand for all of Africa, has evaded me so far. I knew Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Nature Reserve had them, and for two days straight I roamed its dirt roads in search of the elusive animal. I was not the only one. Apparently some of the dogs have radio collars, and besides countless photographers and tourists trying to catch a glimpse, there were people with antennas and... [Read more]

Lion Overdose

February 19, 2009 · 1 Comment 

As I entered the gates of Kruger National Park, it took less than a minute to spot a lion. Lions in Kruger are traffic-jam animals – the herd of cars around them being a dead giveaway. I wonder what lions think when their sleep under a thorny tree is disturbed by engine roars and an occasional angry outburst from a tourist whose view becomes abstracted by yet another inching car. I didn’t even bother slowing down. The park is overflowing with amazing, interesting animals that, unlike the lion, actually walk around... [Read more]

The Amber-Eyed Prince

September 19, 2008 · 1 Comment 

In the Kalahari our eyes met and I melted. My knees would buckle if I wasn’t already sitting.

For a second there, I thought he was about to jump into the car through the open window and tear me apart, but I didn’t care – he was just that beautiful.

Young, three-four month, maybe less, but by his amber eyes you could clearly see why he is up for the throne of the king in this desert.

For... [Read more]