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24.01.2022 THE ROLE OF SAFARI COMPANIES IN THE PRESERVATION OF KEY ANIMAL SPECIES Part 2 In wildness is the preservation of the world Henry David Thoreau... In part 1, I outlined the plight of our environment and just one of the animals under threat from mankind. In part 2 of this article, I would like to talk about the need for a healthy environment for the survival of us human beings! Henry Thoreau talks about the wilderness in terms of the preservation of the world. I think of wildness in terms of the preservation of mankind. There is no doubt that we live an ever-increasingly stressful life. Taking time out is essential if we wish to retain our sanity! For my family and my clients, we like to escape to the bush. The ‘bush may mean different things to different people, but the African bush is what we savour; it is what we yearn for. The myriads of interactions between various animals, insects and plants are a never-ending source of fascination. Of course the big five always add a degree of excitement and awe but we don’t feel cheated if we don’t see all of the big five, simply because there are so many other animals to witness and appreciate. For me, when I return from the bush and continue with my normal life, I feel rejuvenated, but more importantly I understand more fully my place in this world. I get a sense of perspective of where I fit in! Lions and elephants, and all other animals, don’t give a continental as to whether I am a CEO of a large corporation, or anything else for that matter, or whether I drive a fancy motor car. In the bush we are all equal! We all have a place on this earth. In Part 1, I talked about the need for us to get our children and our grand-children into the bush and help them develop an appreciation and affinity for the bush. In fact I think that this is more than a need, it is our responsibility to give kids the opportunity to experience nature. Good safari guides should not only find interesting wildlife, but have the knowledge and ability to describe the animal’s importance in terms of its place in the ecosystems and its interactions with other animals/insects/birds etc. To what extent this happens, I am not sure, but it is of prime importance to us at DownUnder Africa Safaris. We hope to provide an unforgettable, lifetime experience. We want people to come back year after year and develop the same kind of passion that we have. For more details on DownUnder Africa Safaris visit www.downunderafrica.com In wildness lies the preservation of mankind!

24.01.2022 We are rapidly approaching 2016 and many people will be deciding on their next exciting holiday. Rather than a holiday, think experience of a lifetime! The Etosha National Park in Namibia is one of the great national parks in Africa. Its attraction, apart from the amazing wildlife, is the uniqueness of its ecology and habitat. Etosha gets approximately 400 mm of rainfall per annum, so it is largely dry and arid, however, there is a diversity of habitats which attract large nu...mbers of game. The wildlife tend to stay around the many waterholes so it is easy to get quite close - ideal for photographers. The cooler, drier months (from May to October) are the best times to visit Etosha. DownUnder Africa Safaris is now gearing up for our next trips to Etosha. These trips can be combined with a safari in the Kruger National Park (or Greater Kruger National Park - private camp), thus providing two different, unforgettable safari experiences. Or, alternatively, one can combine a trip to Etosha with a tour of Cape Town. Cape Town is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a wide variety of scenic offerings including a trip to the magnificent Stellenbosh winelands. Visit www.downunderafrica.com for a full description of available safaris and tours. Below are some photographs taken in the Etosha National Park just to whet your appetite. See more

23.01.2022 A new year and time for new experiences. How about a safari? Why is it that safaris are so high on people's agendas? Well, most people who yearn to go on an african safari want to get close-up to the wildlife and see them in their natural habitats. Seeing an elephant 30 or 40m away is a very different experience to seeing an elephant close-up on television. TV simply does not do justice to any wild animal's "persona". One needs to hear and smell the animal and watch its movem...ents and behaviour in order to truly appreciate its beauty. Of course, the clients safety is always paramount and this important aspect must be balanced against providing a true african experience. In order to achieve this balance, one needs to choose a safari operator where the guide has comprehensive knowledge of, not only the animals, but understands and can explain their role in the biodiversity of the environment. The quality of the guide cannot be over-stated! Some animals, like the black rhino in particular (and the white rhino to some extent) are threatened species and need our protection. By visiting places like the Kruger National Park and the Etosha National Park (Namibia), one is able to play some small, but important part, it the conservation of these animals. Also, at the rate that rhinos are currently being slaughtered (on average two every day in the Kruger National Park), it may not be too long before the rhino becomes extinct in the wild. Many people have a perception that going on safari is by nature a back to basics affair - no running water, no ablutions, primitive accommodation and God forbid, no wi-fi. Well, let's expel that myth immediately, DownUnder Africa Safaris only visits those National Parks with good accommodation, with all the necessary amenities. Our transport is on the luxury side and air-conditioned with a window for every passenger so that viewing is unrestricted and the keen photographers have plenty of room to position themselves for those great photographs. At DownUnder Africa Safaris we believe in quality - not quantity. We try our best to ensure that every person has the experience of a lifetime and at the end of the safari, or tour to Cape Town, one returns home enriched and longing to go again. See more

22.01.2022 All photos taken by Alvin van Niekerk

19.01.2022 Etosha National Park

18.01.2022 The plight of the rhino! Despite significant conservation efforts, the numbers of rhinos continues to decline at an alarming rate in Africa. Poaching has reached catastrophic proportions! South Africa is home to about 80% of Africa's rhinos (white & black). In 2015, 1175 rhinos were killed in South Africa with 826 of those being poached in the Kruger National Park. These are alarming statistics! The killing goes on despite significant anti-poaching and security efforts in the... Kruger National Park. Rhino horn is big business - it fetches $60,000 per kilogram on Asian markets. It still beggars belief that rhino horn, which is made up of keratin (the same "material" as our finger nails) can be in such demand in this modern era when keratin can be artificially manufactured. Rhino horn is regarded as an aphrodisiac as well as having medicinal healing properties in many Asian countries. Scientific studies have proven that rhino horn has neither aphrodisiac nor medicinal healing properties. White rhinos can weigh up to 3,600 kg and black rhinos up to 1,400 kg. Despite its smaller size, the black rhino is the more aggressive of the two. Both white and black rhinos have poor eyesight but extremely good hearing. This why a rhino will charge when confronted with anything it perceives to be a threat. Black rhinos are more solitary than white rhinos. Any sighting of either a black or white rhino is a privilege. Sadly, if poaching continues at the present rate, these magnificent animals may not be around for too much longer. We have already reached the "tipping point" - more rhinos are being slaughtered than the number of calves being born each year! It is essential that we make people aware of the plight of the rhino because the greater the awareness, the greater the chance of saving the rhino from extinction. DownUnder Africa Safaris is focussed on trying to educate people about the plight of the rhino. All of our safaris actively seek out rhinos on our trips so that people can see what magnificent animals they are. DownUnder Africa Safaris also encourages people to photograph rhinos and show their friends, once again to create greater awareness. Why don't you book a safari with DownUnder Africa Safaris so that we can show you these magnificent animals. Visit: www.downunderafrica.com

16.01.2022 Part 2. In Part 1, I made the point that photography is an individual pursuit, and that not everyone understands (or wants to understand) basic compositional rules, correct exposure etc! However, my view is that if one is going to take a photograph, then rather take a good one than a bad one! This is true for almost all types of photography, but it is particularly true for wildlife photography. On our DownUnder Africa trips we will help you take better photographs without f...illing your head will all sorts of technical jargon. We will encourage you to follow some very basic principles in order to produce very acceptable photographs. You will be surprised how quickly you will improve your photography. Some of the basic principles we will promote are: 1. Use a camera that is fit for purpose. By this we mean don’t be disappointed when an elephant 100 metres away appears very small in the frame if one is using an iPhone camera. I know one can zoom in on the subject, but the more one zoom’s in, the greater that chances of camera shake (more on camera shake below). IPhones are brilliant for landscape and portrait photography but they weren’t designed for wildlife photography. 2. Camera shake. This is probably the single biggest factor that spoils a good photograph. May people will condemn the lens as being inferior if their images are slightly out of focus. The truth is that unless one is able to hold any camera really steady, then camera shake becomes an issue. A general rule is: If one is using a single reflex camera with a 200mm lens then the minimum shutter speed should be greater than 1/200th of a second. I say that this is a general rule because most modern: lenses have an Image Stabilization feature (IS) which will allow one to step down by up to two stops. In other words, if one is shooting at 1/200th of second at f5.6 with a 200mm lens, IS would allow one to use an aperture of f11 at 1/200th of a second. If possible always use a tripod or at least a monopod. 3. Backgrounds. Always be conscious of the background in the photograph. When composing the photo in the viewfinder, always make sure that you don’t have any distracting items in the background. A portrait photograph seldom looks good with a tree sticking out of the subject’s head. The really satisfying thing about photography is that the more photographs that one takes, the more one will strive to make better photos. Be critical of your photos; ditch the poor one’s immediately (either in-camera or on your computer). This discipline will ensure that you only keep the best photos and also don’t clog up your computer hard-drive with unnecessary junk! I will talk more about basic principle, improving one’s photography and having fun in forthcoming articles

15.01.2022 Video shot in a private game reserve in the Timbavati area of the Greater Kruger National Park

15.01.2022 I have just read an article about someone from the US who went on a Safari in Tanzania. Several times she made reference to the fact that it was a whirlwind trip - the driver seemed intent on driving as fast as possible to find as much game as possible. It is quite sad to read about these experiences! People pay lots of money to go on Safaris with a view to realising a lifetime ambition. Unfortunately, the "experience" is often a bit of a let-down. Too often, Safari companies... talk about "an experience of a lifetime", but their take on this is quite different to "peoples" expectations. It is not about packing as many people into a bus as possible, having a guide who knows very little about conservation and biodiversity and who is more interested in a tip than providing a valuable experience. Good Safari companies are about quality, not quantity. My advice to anyone thinking about going on a Safari, is to make sure that the group is small, the tour leader has a good knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants (not just the lions and elephants) and that, as far as one can ascertain, the experience will be a true experience - quality not quantity! Discuss the proposed Safari with the tour operator before you book. See more

12.01.2022 DownUnder Africa recently visited a very interesting place in the Ceres Mountains in South Africa called Kagga Kamma. Geologically unique with wonderful rock formations (see some photos attached). These rocks and boulders are world-renown amongst the "Bouldering" fraternity. Kagga Kamma is regarded as being in the top three "Bouldering" areas in the world. Kagga Kamma is also home to hundreds of Bushmen paintings, many dating back 6,000 years. In Spring, Kagga Kamma is the de...stination for flower-lovers. A really interesting place to visit. One does not have to be a "bouldering" fanatic to visit Kagga Kamma, it is a great holiday destination with numerous walks of varying difficulty - suitable for all families. Kagga Kamma is also a photographers paradise - the early and late light is beautiful and the rocks just glow. DownUnder Africa doesn't generally include a trip to Kagga Kamma on its safari schedule, but enquire through www.downunderafrica.com if you are interested. If you are interested in seeing photographs of Kagga Kamma in their original format visit: https://alvin-v-n.smugmug.com/Landscapes See more

11.01.2022 October is a great month to go on safari - before it gets too hot and the rains start. DownUnder Africa Safaris has a Safari available at this time! Go to www.downunderafrica.com for more information

10.01.2022 In my last article (Part 2).I said that I would discuss some more basic photographic principles in future articles. Well, now I am going to talk about (in very general terms) the very essence of a good/interesting photograph. I am going to talk about composition - that elusive element that renders a photograph interesting/captivating or just plain boring! Before delving more into composition, I am assuming that the technicalities, such as accurate focus (the important parts ...Continue reading

10.01.2022 Legalising the sale of rhino horn - what a dilemma! In May 2016, the South African High Court of Appeal dismissed the moratorium placed on the sale of rhino horn by the Minister of Environmental Affairs. This, in effect, renders the sale of rhino horn now legal in South Africa! This decision opens the door for unscrupulous poachers (who are largely driven by very large and well-organised crime syndicates) to increase their poaching activities. The High Court decision also ope...ns the door for "rhino famers". These are people who want to "farm" with rhinos and harvest their horns for sale on the open market. This concept has been supported by some reputable scientists (and I worked with some of them). Whilst the concept is well-intentioned, it is somewhat naive because of the very significant amounts of money and the involvement of large crime syndicates. They will not stop until the very last rhino has been slaughtered. Remember rhino horn sells on the black market for in excess of $65,000 per kilogram! The temporary ban on the sale of elephant ivory did nothing to stem the rate of elephant slaughtering; in fact, it increased it! There is nothing to suggest that the same won't happen if the trade on rhino horn is legalised internationally. Whilst the debate on the legalisation of the sale of rhino horn continues, sadly the number of rhinos being slaughtered also continues unabated! So what can we do? Well firstly, we can all educate ourselves about these issues and place pressure on governments to begin to take stronger actions. In particular, pressure needs to increase on those countries where the sale of rhino horn is well established. Secondly, at a personal level, we need to support organisations that carry out very good work, be it research or education. Awareness is the key! Safari companies need to educate their clients about the plight of the rhino. DownUnder Africa Safaris ( www.downunderafrica.com ) actively engages with clients on these issues. We need to take our kids to these wilderness areas where rhinos still roam "free" before it is too late.

05.01.2022 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ELEPHANTS Elephants are wonderful creatures. If one has ever just sat and watched these magnificent animals you would be amazed at their intelligence and social behaviour. The group dynamics are fascinating and most often controlled by the matriarch. In areas where water is particularly scarce, such as in the Namib desert, the matriarch will lead the herd to water that many animals would have difficulty in finding. This ability to find water is passed d...own from generation to generation. The good thing is that these elephants are willing to share "their" water - once they have had their fill of course! The social dynamics are particularly entertaining when there are babies in the herd. They play in an ungainly fashion; one cannot help but be amused and fascinated by their antics. Of course, the more mature animals and their respective mothers are always on the lookout for any danger. Mothers are fierce protectors of their young. Below are some pictures of elephants taken on a recent DownUnder Africa safari to a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Here one can sit at the breakfast and lunch table and watch these animals drinking and socialising about 80 to 100m away. It is a great way to enjoy one's meals! If you are interested in joining DownUnder Africa Safaris on a trip to the Etosha National Park (in Namibia where one will see almost white elephants (a consequence of the local soils)), or the Kruger and Greater Kruger National Parks, then visit our website - www.downunderafrica.com See more

05.01.2022 THE ROLE OF SAFARI COMPANIES IN THE PRESERVATION OF KEY ANIMAL SPECIES Two famous quotes drive this discussion: 1) The future depends on what we do in the present Mahatma Gandhi, and 2) In wildness is the preservation of the world Henry David Thoreau...Continue reading

02.01.2022 WHERE HAVE ALL THE RHINOS GONE? The year is 2040 Discussion between 10 year-old girl, Jenna and her Grandfather...Continue reading

01.01.2022 Photo by Alvin van Niekerk

01.01.2022 Mutual fascination! Friend meets friend - see video below.

01.01.2022 Photography a way of seeing things! Part 1 Much has been written about photography as an art form. Everyone will have their own opinion on this! But, does it really matter? For many people, photography is just a way of capturing an image, which they can look at again or show their friends or family. Whether the photography subscribes to the two-thirds rule or some other rule is of very little consequence to such photographers. ... However, for those who want to pursue photography more deeply, then the rewards are great. Not only in producing photographs that people admire, but for the photographer the increased ability to really see things as opposed to just looking at things. The challenge for me is to see things differently and to try and photograph a familiar subject or scene and make a photograph that immediately gets the readers attention. Many black and white landscape photographers will be familiar with the photographs of Ansel Adams. The beauty and power of his photographs, together with the writings of John Muir, led to Yosemite National Park in the USA being proclaimed a national park way back in October 1890 (the second oldest National Park in the US). Hundreds of thousands of people have visited Yosemite over the last 126 years and many of them have tried to capture the scenes that Ansel Adams recorded but very few have been able to produce photographs that are truly different. This is not to say that other photographers have not produced beautiful photographs (they have) but to find a Yosemite photograph that is unique and knocks one’s socks off is quite rare. Another landscape photographer, in the more modern era, that has that keen ability to see scenes differently to most other people and make beautiful photographers is Hougaard Malan; a South African photographer who produces the most beautiful landscape photographs Hougaard is someone who not only sees a photograph where many others’ don’t, but is able to capture and accentuate the scene by exploring photography and all of its facets. The bottom line: Photography is a very personal thing if one is happy just recording images that is fine, but if one want to progress one’s photography, read on!