The IK people of North-East Uganda
My recent safari to Uganda was altogether wonderful for many reasons, but one of the highlights was our visit to The Ik people. This minority Ugandan community lives in the midst of The Karamoja region in North-East Uganda, close to both the border with South Sudan and the border with Kenya. The Karamajong people are also a fascinating tribe in North Eastern Uganda. They are a Nilotic tribe for whom cattle form a vital part of the culture. The cattle are herded communally and provide the staple food of cow blood...
Dark Safaris
I conducted two special safaris in July. One was to Uganda and the other was a "rite of passage" hiking trip through big-game country with my twin boys. I promise to post more about these wonderful safaris soon, but you may already know that I contracted malaria. The doctors in Cape Town refused to believe me that I had malaria and insisted on proof from a blood test. The blood test for malaria is notoriously inaccurate and my results came back negative, so the doctors would not treat me for...
After the fire – three months later
Safaris have kept me away from my regular inspections of the post-fire recovery of the Cape Peninsula hills. I'm back in Cape Town for a little while and we have had some winter rains so I seized the opportunity last week to see what obvious changes had occurred during my absence. Because the soils are still very exposed and fragile, I have to confine my inspections to what is visible from the tar road but there were some exciting developments apparent. I especially enjoyed seeing this Gladiolus maculatus (The Brown Afrikaner)....
Yet another great safari
Ive just returned from yet another fantastic safari, which began with a dramatic sunrise at The Victoria Falls. From there it just improved! There were lions involved: And many elephants . . . Plus some Painted Dogs . . . And some safari converts. ...
Back in my element
I have just returned from another extraordinary safari. Whenever I first arrive in the bush after an absence, I experience a wave of tremendous emotion - perhaps a sense of home-coming. We had great sightings of Painted Dogs hunting as well as of Lionesses with playful young cubs but I think that this handsome gentleman won the hearts of many. However it always the elephants that seduce me. Most of the time they leave me feeling very calm. And I love the artwork that they create and leave everywhere. Here is just one...
Pointy, prickly, poisonous pals on my passage to adventure
The past few weeks have been a lot of fun, partly because my damaged shoulder has been recovering but largely because my adventures have taken me to wonderful places to meet wonderful creatures. While walking in a very special part of The Cape Peninsula we saw this remarkably docile Mole Snake. This individual was at least 1.5 metres long and although the species has a reputation for aggression, this snake was unconcerned about us being 50 cm away from it. These non-venomous snakes feed mainly on Golden Moles and are therefore...
After the fire – the first splashes of colour
The unique fynbos vegetation of The Cape is adapted to fire, however this is not to say that all species fare equally well after a fire. The recovery of the vegetation after a fire is not simple to predict. It is a chance occurrence and the recovery of each species is influenced by when the fire occurred, how hot it was, when the last fire occurred, how soon after the fire the first rains arrived and the quantity of rain in the following rainy season. Whatever the circumstances, the resprouters are...
Steve on UKTV Eden
The documentary about Steve's walking safaris will be aired in England & Ireland this Friday at 8pm. [caption id="attachment_2770" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Telegraph's recommended viewing for Easter Friday[/caption] If you manage to watch it, please let us know what you think of it. The same documentary will be shown later this year in Belgium and on France-5....
FYNBOS FENIX AND THE ASHES
It is almost one month since the devastating Cape Town fire began and about three weeks since it ended. Although it is normal for our area to have fires at this time of year, this fire was particularly bad because of its extent (5,000 Ha burnt) and the damage it caused to property. In the immediate aftermath our beautiful mountain appeared destroyed and beyond recovery. [caption id="attachment_2765" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Three days after the fire[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2766" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The burnt mountain - three days after the fire.[/caption] In Greek mythology, the phoenix (also...
Identity theft in Table Mountain National Park
Before I tell this story, I must express my gratitude to the brave firefighters who have been battling the flames of an enormous and terrifying fire that has ravaged the Cape Peninsula for the past 48 hours. I extend my sympathies to my friends and those I do not know, who have lost their homes and businesses. Last week, while on a walk in The Table mountain National Park with some super-fun visitors from California we were very fortunate to see a beautiful small snake in the path. The Cape Peninsula...