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Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
On the trip of a lifetime, I left my camera behind. I don't regret it
It's when I'm packing for this trip that I realise I have one small-plane flight with severe luggage restrictions. At the last minute, I decide to leave the new camera behind. As I'm driven to the airport, however, I feel like I've left my passport at home, that's how important this piece of equipment feels to my identity as a traveller. And that's when I catch a glimpse of my past self being one of those photo bro types. And when the very same charter flight that caused me to leave my camera behind swoops down across Kruger National Park, affording impressive panoramas of the 2-million-hectare vastness, it is just begging to be captured with a wide-angle lens. The plane lands at Ngala's private airstrip, where one of the special green LandCruisers awaits with its three-tiered open-air seating for our party of five, our tracker Ernie and guide Marcus standing by it smiling welcomely. It's a Kodak moment. And it won't be long before I realise the camp, edging the wide, sandy, bed of the Timbavati River, is built right on an elephant crossing which the (mostly) gentle giants often use to access the lush greenery directly in front of Ngala's spa, bar and dining areas. I'm full of high-res regret. Fortunately, at camp, there's plenty to distract me. The marvellously situated 25-year-old property greatly pleases this design devotee. It has just emerged from a six-month closure during which it was fully renovated to reflect modern tastes as well as its environment. A spa was added, and the tented suites were given large verandahs. Considered the benchmark for ethical luxury safari, &Beyond's credentials are many. It is also at the higher end of experiences. With only one other property, the family-friendly Ngala Safari Lodge on its nearly 15,000-hectare unfenced reserve, the couple-focused Ngala Tented Camp offers exclusivity and a price to go with it. The tariff, however, not only covers these exquisite digs, but three sublime meals a day, with three courses at lunch and dinner and matched wines during the latter. There are drinks available all day, including a help-yourself bar by the pool, a cocktail bar featuring full bottles of premium spirits alongside a beans-grinding Jura coffee machine and snacks. A scrumptious afternoon tea is served and the staff organise special treat meals, such as breakfast and dinner, to be served in the bush or poolside. Then there's the opportunity to visit communities to learn about the good works &Beyond affiliate, Wild Impact is doing in inventive and inspiring ways. But of course, the main game is those safari drives. And therein lies the true value for money. Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights over wilderness owned by the World Wildlife Foundation and leased to &Beyond. At the tented camp, there are only nine suites. And it's this that really facilitates my photo bro rehab. Africa is far from immune to overtourism and crowding has become a serious issue in popular safari destinations with large numbers of vehicles jostling for the best positions to view wildlife that may become skittish because of this human activity, not to mention endangering said animals. It is anxiety inducing for humans as well. The frantic atmosphere of competition and limited opportunity contributes to the compulsion to mindlessly snap away, for fear the moment ends without having something to show for it. At Ngala, we watch the animals live their lives without greatly interrupting them, mostly with one, perhaps two safari vehicles present. In eight drives (two a day) of around four hours each, we only have one instance of three vehicles in situ, and because they are all on the same team, the interaction is respectful and careful. And because of this minimal interruption, the interface with the wildlife is extended. That, my friends, is a real luxury. There are many highlights across our stay. They begin with our first drive, when a male lion saunters around a corner directly in front of us and stops at a small body of water in the river bed to drink. We are so close, we hear him lapping. A leopard appears on the same patch of road, letting out a low growl as it passes our stopped vehicle, so near, I see her whiskers twitch. Amid a group of nine lions, part of a bigger group known as the Birmingham Pride, we watch a white lion cub, one of only four of this hue known in the wild. I relish hearing the soft shuffle of elephant feet in sandy soil, the rustle of rhino in bushes, the chomp-chomp of giraffe feeding, lions calling and oh, the birds. So many stunning feathered friends. We even love watching the grisly spectacle of vultures finishing off a buffalo carcass. I giggle like a kid to hear an elephant fart. Ngala is famous for lions – the name actually means 'lion' in the local Shangaan language. On one of our last drives we witness a lioness attacking a zebra. We hear the thud as she lands on its back, and a crack as the zebra kicks her and escapes. Loading We sit and watch a dam for an hour as hippos emerge, measuring whether the heat of the day has dissipated enough to warrant them fully getting out of the water. There, the sky turns a deep velvet blue splashed with tutti-frutti – oranges, yellows and pinks. Ernie and Marcus set up the sundowners. The stars emerge and spangle. It's one of the most peaceful interludes I can recall, and mostly, I have simply immersed myself in it. I say mostly – I have my iPhone with me, and snap plenty of memories. That's a different kind of photography, at least, for me: more about reminders, less about possession and obsession. Will I always leave my camera behind? No. I enjoy photography, and truthfully, I would have loved to have seen what my new equipment could do with all that beauty and magnificence at Ngala. But I know I'll be different the next time I go visiting a wildlife and wilderness environment. I will probably still chase that dopamine fix of Instagram posts, but I hope, as with this trip, I'll do it considerably less. And I'll be mindful of tempering the ego- and anxiety-driven desire to get the best shot of an animal, enjoying instead the feelings of humility and awe that come from simply watching such precious creatures go about their business. THE DETAILS VISIT &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp is in &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, South Africa; From $2080 (ZAR24,100) fully inclusive per person a night twin share. Transfers are not included in the price. See STAY On arrival in Johannesburg, we stayed at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, a European villa-style property with maximalist decor and a great restaurant, 20 kilometres from the city centre. Rooms from $380 a night. 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, South Africa; +27 11 808 7300. See On the way home, I bunked in at the InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport, one of the nicest airport hotels anywhere – and very conveniently situated opposite the International Arrivals Hall. Rooms from around $630 a night. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg; +27 11 961 5400. See Loading TRANSFER Transfer options include by road in a private car – Ngala is about six hours from Johannesburg. Federal Airlines flies charters and shuttles from Johannesburg to Ngala Private Airfield. See Airlink flies between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit. See &Beyond can organise a pick-up from there. The road trip takes about an hour.
The Age
27-05-2025
- The Age
On the trip of a lifetime, I left my camera behind. I don't regret it
It's when I'm packing for this trip that I realise I have one small-plane flight with severe luggage restrictions. At the last minute, I decide to leave the new camera behind. As I'm driven to the airport, however, I feel like I've left my passport at home, that's how important this piece of equipment feels to my identity as a traveller. And that's when I catch a glimpse of my past self being one of those photo bro types. And when the very same charter flight that caused me to leave my camera behind swoops down across Kruger National Park, affording impressive panoramas of the 2-million-hectare vastness, it is just begging to be captured with a wide-angle lens. The plane lands at Ngala's private airstrip, where one of the special green LandCruisers awaits with its three-tiered open-air seating for our party of five, our tracker Ernie and guide Marcus standing by it smiling welcomely. It's a Kodak moment. And it won't be long before I realise the camp, edging the wide, sandy, bed of the Timbavati River, is built right on an elephant crossing which the (mostly) gentle giants often use to access the lush greenery directly in front of Ngala's spa, bar and dining areas. I'm full of high-res regret. Fortunately, at camp, there's plenty to distract me. The marvellously situated 25-year-old property greatly pleases this design devotee. It has just emerged from a six-month closure during which it was fully renovated to reflect modern tastes as well as its environment. A spa was added, and the tented suites were given large verandahs. Considered the benchmark for ethical luxury safari, &Beyond's credentials are many. It is also at the higher end of experiences. With only one other property, the family-friendly Ngala Safari Lodge on its nearly 15,000-hectare unfenced reserve, the couple-focused Ngala Tented Camp offers exclusivity and a price to go with it. The tariff, however, not only covers these exquisite digs, but three sublime meals a day, with three courses at lunch and dinner and matched wines during the latter. There are drinks available all day, including a help-yourself bar by the pool, a cocktail bar featuring full bottles of premium spirits alongside a beans-grinding Jura coffee machine and snacks. A scrumptious afternoon tea is served and the staff organise special treat meals, such as breakfast and dinner, to be served in the bush or poolside. Then there's the opportunity to visit communities to learn about the good works &Beyond affiliate, Wild Impact is doing in inventive and inspiring ways. But of course, the main game is those safari drives. And therein lies the true value for money. Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights over wilderness owned by the World Wildlife Foundation and leased to &Beyond. At the tented camp, there are only nine suites. And it's this that really facilitates my photo bro rehab. Africa is far from immune to overtourism and crowding has become a serious issue in popular safari destinations with large numbers of vehicles jostling for the best positions to view wildlife that may become skittish because of this human activity, not to mention endangering said animals. It is anxiety inducing for humans as well. The frantic atmosphere of competition and limited opportunity contributes to the compulsion to mindlessly snap away, for fear the moment ends without having something to show for it. At Ngala, we watch the animals live their lives without greatly interrupting them, mostly with one, perhaps two safari vehicles present. In eight drives (two a day) of around four hours each, we only have one instance of three vehicles in situ, and because they are all on the same team, the interaction is respectful and careful. And because of this minimal interruption, the interface with the wildlife is extended. That, my friends, is a real luxury. There are many highlights across our stay. They begin with our first drive, when a male lion saunters around a corner directly in front of us and stops at a small body of water in the river bed to drink. We are so close, we hear him lapping. A leopard appears on the same patch of road, letting out a low growl as it passes our stopped vehicle, so near, I see her whiskers twitch. Amid a group of nine lions, part of a bigger group known as the Birmingham Pride, we watch a white lion cub, one of only four of this hue known in the wild. I relish hearing the soft shuffle of elephant feet in sandy soil, the rustle of rhino in bushes, the chomp-chomp of giraffe feeding, lions calling and oh, the birds. So many stunning feathered friends. We even love watching the grisly spectacle of vultures finishing off a buffalo carcass. I giggle like a kid to hear an elephant fart. Ngala is famous for lions – the name actually means 'lion' in the local Shangaan language. On one of our last drives we witness a lioness attacking a zebra. We hear the thud as she lands on its back, and a crack as the zebra kicks her and escapes. Loading We sit and watch a dam for an hour as hippos emerge, measuring whether the heat of the day has dissipated enough to warrant them fully getting out of the water. There, the sky turns a deep velvet blue splashed with tutti-frutti – oranges, yellows and pinks. Ernie and Marcus set up the sundowners. The stars emerge and spangle. It's one of the most peaceful interludes I can recall, and mostly, I have simply immersed myself in it. I say mostly – I have my iPhone with me, and snap plenty of memories. That's a different kind of photography, at least, for me: more about reminders, less about possession and obsession. Will I always leave my camera behind? No. I enjoy photography, and truthfully, I would have loved to have seen what my new equipment could do with all that beauty and magnificence at Ngala. But I know I'll be different the next time I go visiting a wildlife and wilderness environment. I will probably still chase that dopamine fix of Instagram posts, but I hope, as with this trip, I'll do it considerably less. And I'll be mindful of tempering the ego- and anxiety-driven desire to get the best shot of an animal, enjoying instead the feelings of humility and awe that come from simply watching such precious creatures go about their business. THE DETAILS VISIT &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp is in &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, South Africa; From $2080 (ZAR24,100) fully inclusive per person a night twin share. Transfers are not included in the price. See STAY On arrival in Johannesburg, we stayed at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, a European villa-style property with maximalist decor and a great restaurant, 20 kilometres from the city centre. Rooms from $380 a night. 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, South Africa; +27 11 808 7300. See On the way home, I bunked in at the InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport, one of the nicest airport hotels anywhere – and very conveniently situated opposite the International Arrivals Hall. Rooms from around $630 a night. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg; +27 11 961 5400. See Loading TRANSFER Transfer options include by road in a private car – Ngala is about six hours from Johannesburg. Federal Airlines flies charters and shuttles from Johannesburg to Ngala Private Airfield. See Airlink flies between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit. See &Beyond can organise a pick-up from there. The road trip takes about an hour.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Simple step gardeners can take to help bees thrive in warm weather this summer
As World Bee Day is here, we take a look at some of the ways you can help save the bees as their numbers decline - and what to do if you spot one laying on the ground Habitat disruption is believed to be the biggest reason for a decline in bees - but there are ways you can help. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating trees and flowers, and keep an overall healthy eco system, so it's important we try and keep them around. The World Wildlife Foundation has warned that bumblebee numbers are falling at an alarming rate due to habitat loss caused by pesticides, pollution, and, of course, climate change. The hot weather can also be an issue for the bees, so in honour of World Bee Day today, here are some ways you can help keep the buzzing bees happy this summer. Paul De Ornellas, WWF's Chief Adviser for Wildlife, shared his affection for the fuzzy pollinators: "Bumblebees are crucial for pollinating crops, fruits, and plants, and they always make me smile when I see them. They're vital for maintaining a healthy environment and for our food production." Gardeners have been urged to leave a tray of water in their gardens to help bumblebees cope with the harsh weather conditions. De Ornellas said: "As temperatures rise, bumblebees are moving north to look for more suitable environments, but sadly some species could find themselves with nowhere left to go." "Bumblebees also have a furry coat and much prefer cooler climates as they can easily overheat and become unable to fly or forage. They also struggle in times of extreme heat as the flowers providing them with nectar and pollen may start wilting and drying." In order to do your bit, the expert recommends planting flowery plants in shady areas to help keep the bees out of the sun. He also urged people to transport "sleepy" bees laying in the sun on the pavement or windowsill to a flower in a shady area if safe to do so. De Ornellas also advised creating a bee-friendly water station and said: "Provide a shallow tray of water, with pebbles, branches or bark above the water level for bees to rest on as they drink." The WWF also urge people to "step away from the sprays" and avoid using weedkillers and pesticides where possible - even the ones that claim to be "bee friendly". The experts shared: "These chemicals harm bees by poisoning them and impacting their breathing. "By interfering with their fertility and brain functions, causing them to become confused, meaning they may put themselves in danger, may not be able to forage, or stop bringing food back to their nests." If you need to remove something from your garden, try and do it by hand, or even use a natural solution such as a vinegar mix with water and apply to the root. "By creating a vibrant garden, or outdoor space, that's full of a diversity of plants, you attract a variety of insects and birds, and over time this will keep pests naturally under control."
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Behold This Bonkers Photo of a 2,800-Pound Rhino Dangling Upside Down From a Helicopter
What you're seeing isn't Photoshop, or — heaven forbid — AI slop. That's a real rhino, weighing over 2,800 pounds and suspended from the bottom of a helicopter by its legs, upside down. This isn't the giant herbivore's idea of thrill seeking. And it's okay to laugh. What you're seeing is called "translocation," and it's become a favored way of rescuing the critically endangered creatures from poachers, the BBC reports. That it looks like some hilarious circus act is just an added bonus. It wouldn't be a stretch to call this a miracle in the animal conservation world. In the wilderness of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, where these black rhinos roam, transporting a creature that can weigh more than a ton overland isn't always practical. Roads don't reach everywhere, and the long, bumpy rides are far from comfortable for the rhino passengers. But helicopter airlifts sidestep those problems. Using them has "revolutionized the world of rhino conservation," according to Ursina Rusch, population manager for the World Wildlife Foundation's South Africa Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. The project shelters over 400 black rhinos across eighteen sites. For reference, black rhinos have a total population of just 6,500 globally, which is more than double what it was three decades ago, per the BBC. "Really none of this would be possible without helicopters, both in terms of darting and transferring rhinos out of inaccessible areas," Rusch told the broadcaster First, the rhino is immobilized with a tranquilizer dart. After microchipping the behemoth to track it, a ground team ties straps around each of its four ankles, which connect to a single rope dangling beneath a chopper, usually an Airbus AS350 Astar, or an old UH1-H Huey. Then the rhino's ready to fly, usually for a duration of ten to thirty minutes. As precarious — and ridiculous — as it looks, the intervention is pretty safe. Conservationists have spent years experimenting with multiple methods, including using nets, but Rusch says that hanging the rhinos upside down has proven the most dependable. One reason why is that the rhinos can still breathe properly in that position. Amazingly, with their horns acting as a "tail feather or wind vane," the rhinos are also surprisingly well-suited to being suspended in the air. "The great thing about lifting the rhinos upside down by their feet is that they're aerodynamic themselves," Robin Radcliffe, associate professor of wildlife and conservation medicine at Cornell University, told the BBC. Since it began, the WWF project has translocated 160 rhinos via airlift, per the BBC's reporting. And it's not just to save them from poachers, either. "If we don't translocate rhinos and create new populations, they will inbreed enough that they crash, or run out of resources and stop breeding," Rusch said. We said this was a miracle in the world of conservation. From the perspective of a rhino, which is high on an opioid while this is all happening and isn't used to seeing the landscape rush by hundreds of feet below them, it's literal deus ex machina — a term that originates from ancient Greek theater, in which god was brought in, poetically, with a crane. More on wildlife: It Turns Out Sharks Make Noises, and Here's What They Sound Like
BBC News
03-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
World Wildlife Day 2025: Success stories from around the world
3 March is World Wildlife Day. This year's theme is 'Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet'. The international event celebrates the importance of animals and plants and the benefits they bring to our world. It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife which has seen a huge fall in numbers over the past 50 years, according to a recent report from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). Factors like climate change and human activities like deforestation, fishing and farming have all had an impact on nature's ability to thrive. Lots of work is being done to both raise awareness about the importance of looking after wildlife around the world and to protect plants and animals through global conservation efforts. This has led to some incredible success stories from around the world. Read on to find out more. Turtles in Fiji On the island of Dravuni in Fiji, there has been a long history of turtles and their eggs being hunted by poachers on the beaches. However, things have turned around for the animals. A group known as the 'Dau ni Vonu' (Guardians of Turtles), have been working alongside the WWF to count and protect the turtle nests. This group even includes former poachers!By the end of the survey season in 2024, a total of 63 turtle nests were recorded by the team. There were 18 green turtle nests and 45 hawksbill turtle nests. Gorillas in Rwanda Mountain gorillas in Rwanda were hunted during the 1970s, leading to a huge fall in their numbers and leaving many injured as a result of the traps use to capture them. However, lots of work has been done to help look after the animals. Today, there are more than a dozen vets and health experts working to help protect this endangered species. "I am living my dream. I am proud of my role here as a veterinarian who helps save a species once on the brink of extinction," says Dr Adrien Emile Ntwari who is a vet with an organisation called Gorilla Doctors. "It brings me joy to know that my work contributes to ensuring that my child and eventually my grandchildren will have the opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat."Last year, Gorilla Doctors provided 366 health checks, 41 medical procedures and rescued 13 gorillas from the illegal wildlife a result of conservation efforts and more care for the animals, the number of mountain gorillas has increased to just over 1,000. Rhinos in Kenya Threats from poaching, habitat loss and climate change led to black rhinos almost going extinct in Kenya in the 1980s, with fewer than 400 left. However, thanks to efforts led by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya's black rhino numbers have now more than doubled. Last year Kenya's Loisaba Conservancy saw the biggest ever rhino relocation project which involved tracking, darting and moving 21 rhinos to an area that hasn't seen them in over 50 years. Kenya is now halfway to its goal of 2000 black rhinos by 2037. Oysters in the Firth of Forth Thousands of European flat oysters have been re-introduced into the Firth of Forth in Scotland after being absent from the waters for nearly 100 years. Over the past three years, a project called Restoration Forth has been working with local communities to restore seagrass and European flat oysters back to the waters. By restoring these species, the project aims to improve water quality, support biodiversity and provide a place for young fish to 400 volunteers have helped reintroduce the oysters, with 10,000 oysters introduced in the autumn, reaching their target of 30,000. Emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica In 2022, low levels of sea ice meant nearly a third of Antarctica's emperor penguin colonies failed to breed successfully. However, in January last year, the British Antarctic Survey used satellites to discover four previously unknown emperor penguin breeding sites, bringing the total known colonies to means researchers believe they now know where all the breeding pairs left in the world are.
