South Africa | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

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…

Shock reversal by DEA of Parliamentary Resolution on captive lion breeding

Mar 26, 2019 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: canned hunting, Nikela Blog Tagged: captive breeding, captive hunting, Conservation Action Trust, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa

The Issue A Parliamentary Resolution to end the Captive lion Breeding in South Africa has been ignored by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), who proposed that the Captive Lion Breeding (CLB) industry should continue as long as it is properly regulated and appropriate legislation is introduced. This happened at a briefing meeting of the Portfolio Committee of Environmental Affairs (PCEA) on the implementation of the Committee’s Report in respect of CLB held on 12th March. This ignores the PCEA Report from a two-day Parliamentary Colloquium on CLB in August 2018, which included the Resolution specifying that “DEA should as…

Go with the flow! AKA 2018 African Safari Update #3

Nov 21, 2018 · by Russ · In: #NikelaAfrica, elephant, Human Wildlife Conflict, Living in a Landy, Nikela Blog Tagged: Safari 2018-2019, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Our African Safari update is a bit different than expected. Remember the moto “Go with the Flow”? Well, it’s been flowing all over the place these past 7 weeks. After the amazing experiences in Mana Pools Zimbabwe, we headed north across the border to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. There we hunkered down for a week for some much needed rest and to catch up on our videos etc. On the way we stopped in Chirundu Zimbabwe and stayed at the Jecha Point Fishing Lodge. We just wanted to overnight but were overwhelmed by Iona’s friendliness and obvious love for…

How one woman inspires wildlife conservation through dance and much more

Aug 3, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: conservation, wild animals Tagged: Dance to be Wild, dance to save wild animals, Nelson Mandela, Rietvlei, Sheila Bath Upton, South Africa

Are we forgetting what over the centuries of time has made Africa, Africa? Is an opportunity to dance and teach wildlife conservation rekindling all this? Along our journey in search of people saving wildlife we find some amazing individuals. Some rescue orphaned babies, injured birds or illegal pets. Others step into harm’s way to protect rhino and elephant from brutal poachers. A select few address the complex predator conflict issue to save lions and cheetah from irate farmers. Then there are those who with great passion and vision inspire the next generation and create opportunities for them to experience wild…

Travel Africa: Cool Land Rover Gear You Can’t Live Without

Dec 30, 2016 · by Russ · In: Land Rover, Living in a Landy, Nikela Blog Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, GEAR, OUTFITTING, Overlanding, RUSS, South Africa, Travel Africa

Posts of kitting our Travel Africa overland vehicle started Our African Retirement Estate on Wheels, then Land Rover TD5 Right Vehicle? followed by 5 Essential Vehicle Modifications and now Cool Gear. Storing and Preparing Food Hooray, if you travel Africa you won’t have to forage or survive on crackers and tuna fish! Depending on locality and the right storage options, you can pretty much eat normally. It’s amazing at the creative ideas people have come up with to satisfy needs in small spaces. Our setup includes an incredible 90Lt fridge, side wing window shelves for cooking/cleaning/recovery/camping paraphernalia, Landy items, and drawers…