Russ | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

What Drives This Wildlife Hero? The Gift of a Life Saved

Nov 19, 2019 · by Russ · In: Bearded Vulture, Bird of Prey, Bred 4 the Wild, endangered, Nikela Blog, Shannon Tagged: Bearded Vulture, bred 4 the wild, Shannon Hoffman, wildlife heroes

Only for the glory, recognition, big bucks, becoming world renowned, receiving international awards, and having a tombstone inscribed with “Here lies the greatest conservationist of the century.” None of our wildlife heroes began with or live this mindset. For all of them, it is the gift of a life saved and bonding to that living creature through the process that keeps them going. Ten years ago, Shannon changed our hearts leading us down the path to Nikela and the adventures of helping people saving wildlife. She wows the public with the wonder of her rescued birds of prey, converting many…

Love the Desert… Wait, in Summer?

Jul 18, 2019 · by Russ · In: Land Rover, Nikela Blog, South African Tour Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, South Africa, Tankwa National Park

Just when we finally go back to love the desert, the summer furnace hits us in Tankwa National Park of the Great Karoo, South Africa. In the shade it’s 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit). Even less nice, Landy’s lack of Air Conditioning creates a blazing oven even Hansel and Gretel would appreciate. Yes, I procrastinated having the A/C looked at and boy are we’re paying for it. Fortunately the hot blast from the fan, the rushing air from the windows, and managing to gulp down tons of water helps a bit. Even so, the sun bakes us in this massive…

5 Years Traveling Africa in a Land Rover TD5

Apr 9, 2019 · by Russ · In: News, Nikela, Nikela Blog, South African wildlife tour Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, wildlife conservation

How did we fall into traveling Africa in a Land Rover TD5? My head hits the pillow for the 1196th time in our ‘Land Rover Retirement Estate’. I still can’t believe we live on top of a 4×4. Definitely not in our master plan… Yet every morning starts with a big sigh and “I love our life and my wife!!” In The Beginning It all started with our 2014 wildlife tour. Stuffing a tiny red Figo full of camping gear we headed out. In only 10 weeks we discovered 32 projects, talked with well over 150 wildlife heroes, saw hundreds of wild…

I Love Our Life and My Wife

Feb 10, 2019 · by Russ · In: Nikela Blog Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, Africa, Land Rover Defender, love, love life, roof top tent, Valentines, wife

How can I love our life and my wife after sleeping more than 1200 nights in a roof top tent in Africa? The feeling usually washes over me just after breakfast. I sit full of our fruity muesli smoothie stuff looking out on whatever wild place we are at. It’s then an unmatched peace and tranquility starts to build. Maybe it’s the sugar rush from the fruit or the songs from the birds or the vistas or wildlife. I’m not sure. But at that moment the joy of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the sweetest. As the…

A Journey With Marnus Who Loves Wild Lions – The Present

Jan 9, 2019 · by Russ · In: Human Wildlife Conflict, lion, Marnus, Nikela Blog, wildlife conservation Tagged: Africa's lions, endangered species, human-wildlife conflict, wild lions, wildlife conservation

We all love wild Lions, right? Maybe even up close and personal like the farmers in Botswana? Fortunately, Marnus loves them enough to face all the challenges needed to protect and help wild lions. Definitely one of our favorite heroes. His four years in the Botswana bush were raw and commendable. In that crucible he learned what works and what doesn’t. (See Marnus Loves Wild Lions Part 1) Presently he is involved in a new ambitious project in Namibia. Spending a grueling 2017, he worked to determine if rewilding the Nyae Nyae Conservancy was feasible. He initially assessed the Lion…