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
The best luxury safari lodges in Kruger. It would be impossible to start this newsletter without mentioning South Africa’s joyous victory at the Rugby World Cup in Japan this month. It meant so much more for the country than just the trophy. Last month, I visited some of the best luxury lodges in Kruger National Park and
Indulge in South Africa’s best restaurants and wines. Before starting this newsletter, I want to say, I am *very* excited about the November newsletter! I visited eleven luxury safari lodges in Kruger and Greater Kruger during October and have a full review and video to share with you next month, so keep an eye on your inbox. This month,
