The Eco-Logic Awards 2024 has announced the finalists for the highly anticipated awards event that will take place on 30 October at the Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Highlighting some of South Africa’s most innovative and impactful eco-champions, these awards – now in their 13th year – celebrate individuals, organisations, products and services…
World Rivers Day, celebrated this year on 22 September 2024, is a global event that underscores the importance of rivers and their conservation. Rivers are essential to ecosystems, biodiversity, human life and economic activities. They provide fresh water, which is vital for drinking, agriculture, industry and energy – making them indispensable to life on Earth.…
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), together with South African National Parks (SANParks), celebrated the completion of the Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden at Sendelingsdrif in the Richtersveld National Park, on 20 August 2024. The botanical garden was established through a partnership between SANBI and SANParks, in terms of which a management plan for the…
On 8 September 2024, South African National Parks (SANParks) will host a celebratory event at Marakele National Park (pictured) to kickstart the 19th annual SA National Parks Week, which will be held from 9 to 13 September 2024 and extended to 14 and 15 September at selected national parks. During this period, free access is…
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are the ‘nature reserves’ of the sea, conserving marine biodiversity to protect threatened species and ocean health. South Africa is home to some 41 MPAs that play a vital role in ocean conservation, although currently only 5% of the country’s ocean space is protected by these vital areas. In celebration of…
Patrick Mavros stands for craft, design, art, conservation and, above all, family. Having recently launched its newest boutique in Cape Town, Lynette Botha delves a little deeper into the history of this esteemed brand – and the inspiring lineage behind it. Ensconced in the serene Umwimsi Valley outside Harare, Zimbabwe, the story of Patrick Mavros…
Bushwise Field Guides and the Sabi Sabi Collection have announced a new initiative to train the next generation of field guides through the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park. This initiative will sponsor students from local rural communities to complete field guide training, equipping them with valuable skills and providing…
In a significant move to restore Egyptian vultures as a breeding species in South Africa, VulPro – in collaboration with the World Bird Sanctuary and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – has successfully relocated two endangered Egyptian vultures to VulPro@Shamwari. The arrival of the pair at VulPro’s facility at Shamwari Private Game Reserve outside…
In its 20th anniversary year, Thanda Safari has launched The Royal Thanda Club. This exciting new experience is set to become one of the most exclusive private residence clubs and real estate offerings in Africa. Owned by discerning families from around the world, these Royal Residences, located within The Royal Thanda Club Estate, is where…
Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary has been awarded the prestigious title of “Most Dedicated Big Cat Rescue Sanctuary – South Africa 2024” by MEA Markets as part of the latter’s seventh annual African Excellence Awards. This esteemed recognition highlights Panthera Africa’s unwavering commitment to its 25 big cat rescues, and the captive big cat industry…
Gondwana Collection Namibia maintains the highest eco-standards across its lodges and hotels, a commitment demonstrated since its inaugural participation in the Eco Awards back in 2011. Once again, this year Gondwana has excelled, marking continuous improvement in sustainable operations. Most recently, the Gondwana properties in the Kunene Region received notable recognition. Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp and Palmwag Lodge & Camp,…
The 6 500-hectare Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve, which was formally gazetted on 18 April this year, adds to a conservation corridor connecting the adjacent uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal (declared a World Heritage Site in 2000) to the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve in the Free State. The new reserve is made up of 19 properties owned by…
South African conservation organisation WILDTRUST has released Caleb: Beyond the Bite: a short film following award-winning actor, para-athlete and shark bite survivor Caleb Swanepoel, and his relationship with the ocean. In hopes to reconnect with his experience and better understand the animal that changed his life, the short film follows Caleb as he contemplates swimming…
The mighty Zambezi River, the fourth largest river in Africa, plays host to an incredible four-part documentary series titled Wild Zambezi. Celebrating Environment Month in June, the docuseries will screen exclusively at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas around South Africa, with the first episode releasing on 9 and 11 June. And, the best part is that the price of…
In May, the racing suit of one of F1’s brightest young stars, Oscar Piastri, went up for auction to raise much-needed funds for the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre near Hartbeespoort. The suit was worn during Piastri’s amazing rookie season in Qatar in 2023 where he scored his very first Sprint win and first career…
Iconic international jewellery house Patrick Mavros has opened its first boutique in South Africa at Cape Town’s prestigious V&A Waterfront. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the family business, bringing together two icons: the timeless elegance of Patrick Mavros’ creations and the beauty of the V&A Waterfront. The eponymous brand was founded in 1978 when Patrick carved a pair of…
In an inspiring move to honour and support the unsung heroes of wildlife and marine conservation across Africa, African Secret Cream Liqueur has created “The Secret Hero of Africa” initiative. This campaign is dedicated to celebrating the courageous efforts of individuals and groups working tirelessly to ensure the preservation of Africa’s rich wildlife and marine…
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) has experienced an unprecedented increase in visitor numbers to its Research & Education Centre, surpassing pre-pandemic visitation figures. This notable rise in interest highlights a growing commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, supporting wildlife conservation efforts and involving local communities. In response to this demand, CCF has introduced several new…
In the few months that the three-legged leopard tortoise has lived at Crocworld Conservation Centre, it has already befriended a fellow ‘tripod’ tortoise who is also being rehabilitated at the Scottburgh centre. To make the latest Crocworld resident really feel part of the family, the team at Crocworld is calling on the public to suggest…
Canine companions are our best friends in the quest to conserve Africa’s wildlife. Training dogs to work alongside human handlers has proven an indispensable strategy, especially in the realm of counter-wildlife trafficking efforts, where our furry friends’ superhuman sense of smell is deployed to assist across a wide range of tasks. These highly trained specialist…
South African National Parks (SANParks) congratulates the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) on their 2023 Integrated Report. The report showcases the amazing work of the volunteer members and the projects that have made a tangible difference in the country’s national parks. This year is also the 60th anniversary of the SHR. In 2023, the contribution of…
Non-profit organisation Rhino Disharmony will be launching the Saviours’ Army, a brand-new rhino awareness initiative, on 12 February during an exclusive event at The Winchester Hotel in Sea Point, Cape Town. The Saviours’ Army calls for a united stance against rhino poaching, with the slogan: “Will you stand with us?” Harnessing the power of social…
The first phase of a project to secure the future of wild vulture populations in southern Africa has been successfully completed, with 160 Cape and African white-backed vultures settled into their new home at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The birds are the vanguard of a two-year project to establish a breeding facility, VulPro at Shamwari,…
The weather outside is delightful, which means it’s time to start making those holiday plans! For holidaymakers and residents on the mid-KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh has it covered with an epic festive season programme running from 13 December 2023 to 17 January 2024. “This is one of our favourite times of the year,…
The special Olifants Reserve anti-poaching unit, established in 2018, forms an integral part of the fight against poaching in the Greater Kruger National Park/Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park under the leadership of security manager, Callan Hartman. The Olifants Reserve is prime rhino territory and home to populations of both white rhino and their more endangered black…
Just two hours’ drive from Cape Town, one of only a handful of true sanctuaries in South Africa is home to rescued lions, tigers and other cats who narrowly escaped being slaughtered for their bones and body parts. They are lucky to be alive and owe their lives to two remarkable women, writes Marisol Gutierrez.…
Ilha do Fogo, a 42-hectare island off the coast of Mozambique, has fully transitioned to 100% renewable energy. The island is a safe haven for one of the world’s most vulnerable marine species: sea turtles. In order to protect Ilha do Fogo’s habitat, for all wildlife, the island’s directors vowed to keep the island as low-impact…
The largest relocation of vultures ever undertaken reached a critical milestone, when approval was granted to move a first tranche of 155 birds to a new home in the Eastern Cape. Now that the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment has given the green light, work is underway on a bespoke facility at Shamwari Private…
Coinciding with World Animal Day earlier this month, Samsung announced the expansion of its Wildlife Watch pilot, in partnership with Africam and The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, to protect against animal poaching in the South African bush. Launched in 2021, the programme uses Samsung technology as a live ‘surveillance system’ to enable anybody to watch…
The Rim of Africa Hike, a remarkable odyssey for adventurers seeking the ultimate South Africa trekking experience, has unveiled its upcoming 56-day journey from Clanwilliam to George. With a captivating duration spanning 650 kilometres, this trek is tailored for the super-fit, promising an expedition through the heart of Cape’s awe-inspiring wilderness. Setting out on an…
