South African wildlife tour | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

Wildlife Veterinarians aka Medics in the Rhino Wars

May 28, 2015 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Africa Wildlife Conservation Tour 2014, Animal Poaching, Rhino, rhino poaching, South African wildlife tour Tagged: Dr. Peter Rogers, Dr. William Fowlds, rhino, rhino horn, saving the survivors, veterinarian, wildlife vet

Without a doubt wildlife veterinarians are the rhinos’ heroes right along with the anti-poaching rangers. What follows is a meager attempt at understanding what wildlife veterinarians engaged in the rhino wars experience. It was back in early 2012 when I read a daily log by Dr. William Fowlds on Facebook. He was treating a rhino that survived a poacher attack and was in a desperate race to save her. His ability, not only to document the facts, but allow his emotions to surface drew me in and allowed me a tiny glimpse of his reality. I thought more people needed…

Saving Lions from the Petting and Canned Hunting Industry

May 14, 2015 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Canned hunting, Cheetah, conservation, leopard, Lions, South African wildlife tour, wild animals, wildlife conservation, Wildlife Photography Tagged: canned lion hunting, Captured in Africa, cub petting, Drew Abrahamson, lion, photo safari

One woman with a great deal of tenacity about saving lions with her rescue efforts and photo safari business. It was at the ‘meet and greet’ organized by Sheila where I first met Drew. She seemed so young and well, hip to be involved in wildlife conservation. She unassumingly told me about her photo safari business and that her primary focus was to raise awareness for wildlife, in particular lions. It wasn’t until later that I realize what a powerhouse for African Lions Drew really is. She has literally become the go to person on Facebook when a wild lion is…

Surprising Status of African Wildlife Seventeen Years Later

Feb 21, 2015 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Africa Wildlife Conservation Tour 2014, giraffe, Rhino, South African wildlife, South African wildlife tour, wild animals, wildlife conservation Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, game reserve, giraffe, rhino, seventeen years later, wildebeest, zebra

Margrit and Russ return to a small game reserve after 17 years to assess the status of African Wildlife. We drove into the game reserve with our rented kombi van and three almost adult children back in Christmas of 1997. This was the first time they were in Africa since they were tiny and the anticipation to see wild animals was palpable. They didn’t have to wait long, for as we came up over the rise not far into the park we saw those distinctive heads on long necks bobbing along the horizon. That trip we saw Giraffe, Wildebeest with…

How 3 Villages in Botswana Keep Rhino Safe

Jan 4, 2015 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Africa Wildlife Conservation Tour 2014, Animal Poaching, conservation, endangered, giraffe, Poaching, Rhino, rhino poaching, South African wildlife, South African wildlife tour, wildlife conservation, Wildlife Rangers, zebra Tagged: Botswana, giraffe, hartebeest, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, park rangers, reserve, rhino, springbok, warthog, wildebeest, Wildlife rangers

PHOTOS It takes rangers, soldiers, villagers and people like you to keep rhino safe in Africa. In Botswana, not far from the South African border the country where rhino poaching continues unabated (over 1000 YTD), there is a safe haven for black rhino and white rhino, 30 other African wildlife species and more than 230 bird species. A 4×4 is required to enter this sanctuary, as we quickly find out once we venture past the reception on the track towards our campsite. It’s a warm late afternoon as we pass a small herd of Springbok and are welcomed to site…

If the Wildlife Disappears so do the Tourists

Nov 14, 2014 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Africa Wildlife Conservation Tour 2014, All Posts, South African Tour, South African wildlife, South African wildlife tour, wild animals, wildlife lovers Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, Botswana, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, tourism, wildlife, wildlife conservatioin

PHOTOS Africa for eons has attracted explorers, hunters and today tourists because of its wildlife. The camp is quiet during the heat of the day, but as evening sets in the game drive vehicles return, dusty 4x4s with rooftop tents arrive as do huge overland safari mobiles with sweaty Europeans onboard. Staff kicks in high gear setting up tents, making fires and preparing meals. Some travelers head for the lodge bar for a cool one. A few women can’t resist the curio shop to browse through the handmade necklaces and batik fabric. Several young college people hangout by the Internet…