Safari Reports
Bill & Fran’s Adventure
South Africa, Zambia & Botswana
September/October, 2009
This was a first-time visit to Africa for a retired couple who had the luxury of time to visit a variety of destinations in Southern Africa. We took advantage of a few “special” offers to make their trip of a lifetime an exceptional value. Read more
Family Safari
Three Generations Visit South Africa
July, 2009
Mary Anne traveled with Duffle & Compass in 2008 to Tanzania. This year she took her daughter, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters (ages 11 & 13) to South Africa. When we started planning, she said, “My granddaughter wants to see leopard.” And she did!
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
June, 2009
By Carol Oken
I visited several lodges and camps in the Lewa Conservancy and the privately owned Borana Ranch because I was interested in the success of the wildlife conservation programs here that involve the local communities. Read more
Gorillas on the 4th of July
A Duffle & Compass exclusive safari
July 1-12, 2009 in Rwanda & Uganda
by Carol Oken
Ever since I read "Gorillas in the Mist" I had wanted to climb into the forests of the Virunga volcanoes and sit with some of the estimated 700 endangered mountain gorillas left on the planet. I was fortunate to be joined by 14 others for this amazing journey.
Gorillas on the 4th of July
July 1-12, 2009 in Rwanda & Uganda
Reports from several clients
There were 15 of us on this adventure. Some have shared memories here.
Here are a few news items that have caught my eye recently.
-Carol
Titus - King of the Gorillas
Titus, the legendary silverback mountain gorilla was found dead in his nest by trackers of the Karisoke Research Station on September 14, 2009. He had been followed and studied since his birth in 1974 when he was discovered and named by Kelly Stewart. At the time Kelly (daughter of actor Jimmy Stewart) was working with Dian Fossey. Titus was the subject of “Gorilla King” which aired in the USA in 2008 on the PBS series Nature. He was buried in the gorilla cemetery on the site of the former Karisoke Research Camp.
World Biodiversity
World biodiversity has a direct impact on all our lives and recent reports indicate a dramatic decline during the past three decades due to habitat loss and the wildlife trade.
Go on safari now!
Humans are responsible for the worst spate of extinctions since the dinosaurs were wiped out 65 million years ago, according to a UN report. It blamed destruction of habitats, expanding cities, pollution, deforestation, global warming and the introduction of invasive species.
Cheetah in Tanzania
For female cheetahs in the Serengeti, the call of the wild is just too hard to resist as new research shows nearly half of their litters are made up of cubs with different fathers.
Best Documentary
Dereck and Beverly Joubert's latest release "Living with Big Cats" premiered at the Aspen Film Festival and was awarded "Best Documentary." The film covers their work with lions and leopards at both Duba Plains and Mombo Camp in Botswana.
