“The Vanishing Giants of Africa” - Elephants of the Zambezi Valley with Johan Marais

The Lower Zambezi Valley in Zambia is home to an astounding number of what is probably the most intriguing animal found in the wild, the African Elephant. During the dry winter months, when these majestic creatures concentrate on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, join world renowned Elephant expert and wildlife veterinarian Dr Johan Marais, author of “The Great Tuskers of Africa”, on a workshop to study and explore their complex social structures, behavioral patterns, genetics and their importance to wildlife areas, whilst gaining an insight into the long term effects of the ivory trade on our African heritage.

Accompanied by experienced guides, you’ll observe these impressive mammals in the diverse habitats and eco-systems offered in the Lower Zambezi Valley, whilst the camp’s fully equipped boardroom is an ideal venue for further dicussion and slide shows on this fascinating topic.

Numbers are limited for personal attention and an exclusive experience. Book your place on one of this ELEPHANT SAFARI and stay five nights in one of the luxury Explorer Suites at Baines’ River Camp.

PLEASE LOOK AT THE AVAILABLE PDF FILE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING US!

Learn more about ELEPHANTS and their fascinating behaviour!

I visited Tsavo again in November 2011 and again found it to be a truly amazing Park.  This remote animal wilderness offers many interesting aspects, not least the spine of the Yatta Plateau, one of the world’s longest lava flows.  Tsavo East is part of the Greater Tsavo National Park that includes Tsavo East and West National Parks and the Chyulu Hills and consists mostly of miles and miles of dry flat thorn-bush, semi-arid acacia scrub and narrow woodland dominated by acacia.  However, the rainy season has just started and most of Tsavo is covered in green carpet, thanks to the daily thunderstorms that also makes for spectacular photographing.

The magnificent Baobab trees are also a common sight in the Park. Whilst Tsavo East is huge (over 4500sq miles), most of the park north of the Galana river is closed to the general public. This should not deter you from visiting as the area you are permitted to explore is still massive and has a very good network of well signposted roads.  Tsavo East does not have the mountains and hills of Tsavo West, however it does have it’s own beauty and because it is less visited, you do get more of the feeling and indeed you are in completely wild Africa.  A stunning feature of Tsavo is it’s red elephants – you will come across many large herds or bull group that is covered in the characteristic red soil of  Tsavo.

An additional attraction is the Athi River flanked by stately doum palms, which, in the north forms Lugard’s Falls, a long stretch of rippling white water cataracts and a favourite haunt for sunbathing crocodiles. The Falls gush through a small fissure, narrow enough for the foolhardy to leap across, before dropping to Crocodile Point below.  As the river exists the Park, the name changes to  the Galana River, which eventually reached the Indian Ocean.  Tsavo is inhabited by a wide range of plains’ game including zebra, several species of antelope, among them lesser kudu and hartebeest, warthog, and ostrich as well as elephant herds that plunder their way through bush and scrub to the permanent waters of the Athi.  Predators you might come across includes lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, as well as a variety of birds like Martial eagles, vultures, hornbills, Bateleur and many smaller species of birds.