The Eastern Cape, a journey into my 333 year family history in South Africa. Last month we took a family holiday to the Eastern Cape. We had planned it at the beginning of last year, and wanted it to include some time relaxing at the beach and some time exploring the Karoo heartland. It unexpectedly
Let the old year end and the New Year begin with the warmest of aspirations. As this year comes to a close, and I reflect on the year that was, or more accurately, the year that wasn’t, I find that I have very little to say. In my newsletters through lockdown, I shared my thoughts
An ancient and truly remarkable plant. Welwitschia mirabilis is endemic to the Namib Desert, one of the world’s oldest and driest deserts. The plant has only two strap like leaves which grow throughout its lifetime. These leaves split and fray in the wind and heat, making it seem as though the plant has multiple leaves.
How the white rhinoceros was saved from the brink of extinction. But their fight for survival is not over yet. The famous hunter F.C. Selous said, in 1892, “Therefore the two white rhinoceros which I shot in 1882 are the last of their species that I have ever seen alive, or am ever likely to
Of Shoebills, wetlands and walking safaris. In 2000, I briefly joined my parents as an employee on their overland safaris in Southern Africa. My father had started his company in 1992 and with it, he wanted to take people into the wilderness areas of Africa. The company had evolved by 2000 into a specialist birdwatching
Where can we go to feel like we are in another world? I, like so many of you, have been confined to the place in which I live for the last few months. There is nothing that makes me dream of travel more than being told I cannot do so. To use this time productively and
The ideal family holiday destination. When I think back to my childhood, my happiest memories are days spent together on family holidays. My favourite were our camping holidays in Zimbabwe and the Drakensberg. What about you? Now, as a parent myself, travel and holidays are something I take great pleasure in sharing with my children and husband.
Chicago Travel and Adventure Show. I visited Chicago earlier this month for the Travel and Adventure Show. When I arrived, the city was covered in a blanket of snow and looked magical to my African eyes! It was so great to meet the lovely people of Chicago. We had wonderful conversations about Southern Africa with
Undiscovered Kwa Zulu Natal. I am so fortunate to travel across the length and breadth of my beautiful country on a regular basis. I find that each time I travel, there is something new to discover. In December, I returned to my home province of Kwa Zulu Natal for an extensive journey that took my family and I from
2019: A Year in Review. First of all, thank you! To my small but bright community of newsletter readers, thank you for keeping in touch with Leopard each month through this newsletter. It means a lot that you choose to stay. This year has been nothing short of incredible. I am so grateful that every day
