TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES

The Zambezi's Elusive Leopard

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 22:14:01 GMT

Leopards! they said. So many leopards! More leopards than lions! they said.

Such is the reputation of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park , about an hour by small plane south east of the capital, Lusaka.

Seeing that the leopard is my spirit animal I just had to go there. Again. Granted, the last time was over 25 years ago when I embarked on a five-day canoeing and camping trip down the Zambezi, where we spotted mostly elephants and birds from the river, as we dodged hippos and crocs.

This time I was travelling by motorboat and 4x4, and glamping in some rather bougee safari lodges. This time we had delicious cuisine, properly plumbed bathrooms and taking an outdoor shower was a choice :)

But I digress. We had spent the last five days searching for this elusive cat, and nary a leopard whisker to be seen!

Oh, we had some wonderful wildlife sightings - a family of elephants reveling in a mud bath, a clan of hyenas arguing over an Impala carcass, a Nile Monitor lizard slinking away, a committee of vultures devouring the leftovers of a kill, a large herd of buffalo coming down to the river to drink, leaving a cloud of dust.

Top cuteness award goes to four fearless lion cubs, who defiantly walked up to our vehicle, lay down in front of us and blocked the road. It’s as if they knew that their dad was the king of the jungle, and nobody was going to mess with them while he was around. The cubs were right, and so we waited until the lion family moved on.

But no leopard!

Other guests had seen leopards. Leopards mating (don’t tell me!), leopards crossing the road just outside of camp before cameras had even been unpacked (oh shush!), leopards up in a tree… I didn’t want to hear it anymore :) We kept missing them. Were we jinxed?

What I appreciate about the Lower Zambezi National Park are the various ways in which we could see wildlife (and search for leopards!). The mighty Zambezi River lends itself to canoeing and boat rides, sometimes with a surprise lunch or sundowner set up on a river bank, offering a whole new experience and perspective.

From the water we saw hippos galore, and crocodiles for Africa! plus many birds and the odd swimming elephant. As long as you have a competent guide (the only ones we work with!), you'll be totally safe on the river. For instance, we were approaching a rather large pod of hippos, who had made themselves at home in the river between us and camp. It seemed like there was no way around, but Luke, our guide gently directed our canoes along the river bank, always keeping a keen eye out for these humungous beasts.

I must admit that I got a little worried when they all started disappearing below the surface, wondering where they would pop up next. But thankfully Luke knew this as a sign that the hippos were relaxed and did not feel threatened by us. We arrived back at camp safe and sound, filled with adrenalin and another 100 photos for my memory bank.

Then, as dawn broke on day 6 of our safari, we started off with a scrumptious light breakfast around a campfire before heading out on our morning game drive. We spotted some elephants, zebras, waterbuck, and more lions lying around. And yet – you guessed it – no leopard!

Don’t get me wrong, I relish every game drive and will always learn something new, but I just really wanted to see a leopard…

We returned to camp in time for a delicious lunch before saying goodbye to our newfound friends, as they were heading back to Lusaka. That meant we had the guide and vehicle all to ourselves for the afternoon game drive.

As usual our guide asked what we would like to see and as usual, we answered ‘a leopard, please’. And so, we set out on yet another search for this elusive cat.

We’d been driving around for about an hour when we noticed a parked safari game-viewer. Curious, we approached, and then we saw him! A magnificent male leopard - about 100m away, on the other side of a dry river bed.

At last! I was in awe!!

Even though the leopard was sleeping and only occasionally swatting away a pesky fly, we were prepared to watch him for the rest of the afternoon and our guide, Elijah was happy to oblige.

We sat in silence as we enjoyed the scene, knowing how rare this sighting was. Soon, the other vehicle moved on, and it was just us and the sleeping leopard. I can’t quite explain the feeling, but I was totally ‘in the moment’.

After a while, the leopard yawned and stretched and moved a little closer to our side of the riverbank. There he laid down again in the lush green water hyacinths and took another nap. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat, but I was quite happy to watch this leopard sleep.

About an hour later another vehicle from our camp approached and pulled in behind us. They stayed completely silent and were out of our line of vision. It still felt like we had the sighting all to ourselves, which is very unusual and made it all the more special.

Suddenly, the leopard got up, stretched, and headed for a fallen tree. I couldn’t believe our luck as the tree trunk was positioned right in front of our vehicle. The leopard casually walked up towards us, then lay down not 10m away from the vehicle and promptly had another nap.

He was not at all phased by our presence, that was – until I moved my camera and disturbed the silhouette of the vehicle. That caught the leopard’s attention and his tail began to twitch. The guide noticed his agitation, asked me to pull back and the tail relaxed again!

Having a guide who can read nuances and respects wildlife, is what can take a sighting to the next level. Our guide, Elijah did exactly that. He was patient with us and with the leopard, always alert and reading the situation. Even though the leopard was the star, Elijah was definitely the most important supporting crew.

As the sun sank into the horizon and the crickets announced the day’s end, it was time for our leopard to search for his next meal. He yawned, stretched and slowly walked off into the African night, leaving me completely enraptured and replete.

This is an encounter I will not soon forget, and it was well worth waiting for!

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your African Safari

Taking the Kids on Safari? Yes – you can!

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 01:52:00 GMT

An African Safari is a Journey for the Generations!

I often get asked if one can take children on a safari. As you will ready below, the answer is a resounding YES!

When my daughter was 10 years old, I brought her along on a tented safari to the Okavango Delta in Botswana , a paradise for wildlife.

Arriving in Maun, we took a flight in a small plane into the heart of Moremi Game Reserve. The birds-eye view was spectacular! Ronald – our guide awaited us in an open safari vehicle at the landing strip and soon we came across the first elephants – a family with a little baby, feeding at the side of the dirt road.

On our first game drive we also spotted Lechwe antelope, herds of zebra, grazing peacefully amongst some giraffe, a black-backed jackal, impala and wildebeest in the shade of an Umbrella Thorn tree (Acacia).

Later we climbed into a Mokoro – a dug-out canoe, now made of fiberglass to save the trees and glided silently through the maze of waterways that make up the Okavango swamps. The water was crystal clear, walled by tall reeds and dotted with beautiful water lilies. It’s so quiet and peaceful – we felt like we were the only people in the world.

One evening around dusk – we had just finished a scrumptious dinner and were enjoying our desert (carrot cake baked in a bush oven over coals!) – my daughter grabbed my arm and pointed excitedly. A hyena was slinking through our camp! She was so close! And my arm was being squeezed so hard! Ronald, our guide, calmly switched on his flashlight and shone it on the hyena, as she silently walked past the safari vehicle, around our sleeping tent, through the bush and towards the kitchen. Our cook, Richard and his crew were having an animated conversation, which turned silent as soon as they noticed the hyena. Shortly after they resumed their talk and laughter – a sign that the animal was gone.

Not a word was spoken by anyone during the entire ‘visit’ and the only protection we had was a flashlight and a calm and knowledgeable guide! Thinking about it later, I was very grateful that the crew kept such a tidy camp – there were no scraps, no garbage to attract wildlife – and the guide’s reaction reassured me that we were absolutely safe.

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Family Safari

India – a Land of Delights and Surprises

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 22:39:00 GMT

Talk about misconceptions! India is fascinating, enchanting and safe.

Talk about misconceptions! India, known locally as ‘God’s own Country’ was delightfully surprising, starting with the travel visa application, which was quick and efficient. A few clicks online, a reasonable application fee and the visa arrived in my inbox within a week.

And then I met India… We stepped out of the airport building and were greeted by a cacophony of hooting cars, a melee of people, and stray dogs trying to survive in this chaos. Even though it was 11pm by now, the traffic jam was astounding. Cars, motorbikes, rickshaws, anything on wheels was doing its best to load up or disgorge their passengers and luggage.

The South African in me looked on in amazement at how peacefully everything unfolded, but the German in me wanted to start organizing things immediately! After about 30 minutes our driver had made it through the jumble of vehicles and I was whisked away to the hotel. Yet another surprise awaited – the van’s seats were dressed in white slipcovers and a generous amount of refreshments and light snacks were provided for the ride.

Driving in India is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. They say that you need 3 things to survive the ride without getting hit – a good hooter (horn), really good breaks and good luck! Surprisingly we met all requirements and by midnight I was happily ensconced in my hotel room.

It was Sunday and, while waiting for the ferry I befriended a young girl – Fatima and her family of 5, who were on their way to a wedding. Celebrations and festivals are central to the way of life in India and having 500 guests at a wedding is not unusual. I was surprised to learn that weddings are so large and lavish, that one purchases the clothes, decorations, and food from wholesalers! Delhi’s Old Town bazaar has an entire wedding market filled with wholesalers doing brisk business with wedding paraphernalia.

The ferry system is much simpler and surprisingly more efficient than what we use on the Canadian west coast. This ferry was a rust bucket, an old workhorse that transports part of the 2.5 million Kochi inhabitants from one side of the bay to another. Another surprise was to see two ramps onto the ferry – one for men and the other for women.

While in Fort Kochi we shopped at a street market, watched the Chinese fishing nets at work, strolled through Jew Street and visited both the old synagogue and the ancient Hindu temple, located right next door to each other.

Did you know that Vasco da Gama was buried in the Catholic church in Fort Kochi? He had made his mark along the South African coast on his discovery mission from Portugal to the “Far East” and was the first European to reach India by sea in the late 15 ^th century. Talk about adventure travel!
This shared history, together with the influence of the British Empire made me feel even more at home here in India. We ended the day with an amazing Kathakali Dance routine – traditionally performed for the Maharajah and his entourage.

The peaceful co-existence of all these cultures make Kochi a unique melting pot of the world and a must-see for all nature lovers, foodies and culture junkies!

Yet another surprise was the Ayurvedic treatments I received. Usually you’ll not find me at the spa, but I was intrigued enough to try it. Imagine being massaged by four hands that work in sync and magically release all those little aches and pains I’d gotten so used to. You’ll emerge from this experience totally relaxed and with the softest skin! I won’t go into too much detail and spoil your surprise – suffice it to say that it’s an acquired taste, and the more treatments you take, the more you'll want to go back for another rub down.

I had a few hours between connecting flights in Delhi and hired a guide and driver to give me a quick orientation. Delhi has it all – from grand forts, temples, cathedrals, and varying places of worship, to lavish homes and boulevards in the diplomatic neighbourhood, to the tightly-packed vendors in Old Delhi’s bazaar, to cows roaming freely in between.

After exploring the great mosque of Jama Masjid, I hired a Rickshaw to navigate the narrow alleys of the bazaar, and when we met the aforementioned traffic jam we hopped off and dove right into the crowd, to the great surprise of my guide. But by now I had learned that the Indian people are very warm and totally unaggressive (unless behind the wheel with a hooter close by!) and I really enjoyed the awakening of my senses on this walk-about. This is a city I definitely want to spend a lot more time exploring.

To me the biggest surprise was that I didn’t need even one of my granola bars, never used the hand sanitizer and didn’t touch my tummy meds. I’m so grateful that I rose above my preconceptions and travelled to India. They say that courage is not the absence of fear – it’s overcoming fear that leads to the greatest experiences. And exploring Kerala and Delhi will certainly count as one of my great adventures!

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Journey to India

Welcome, welcome to Jordan!

chris@travelboecker.com (Christine Boecker) — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 21:18:56 GMT

Let me introduce you to Jordan, where Antiquity meets Modernity

It was in September that I arrived at Jordan's Queen Noor International Airport, filled with anticipation and curiosity about this ancient land that has borne witness to many civilizations since the Bronze age. In the past century alone, Jordan was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1918, became a mandate of the United Kingdom, and has been an independent kingdom since 1946.

This trip awoke in me a genuine interest in history and in humanity, and a deep understanding and gratitude for how everything that has transpired in the past has made the present moment possible.

Amman, the capital of today’s Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, dating back 7,500 years. Today, remnants of antiquity live cheek by jowl with modern Amman, a bustling metropolis of over 4 million, mostly young people of Muslim faith.

Our journey into history began at The Citadel in central Amman, where the restored entrance to the Temple of Hercules (166 AD) stands guard over the Roman amphitheater and the Al-Husseini Mosque, which is surrounded by vegetable stands, cafés and local craftsman shops.

Not far from there is the Jordan Museum , a modern building clad in the typical white sandstone of the area which tells the story of Jordan through the ages and houses part of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Antiquity meets the present as well in As-Salt, a hillside town north of Amman, which dates back to 4500 BC. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was an important trading town during Ottoman times and today still has a bustling souk.

Heading further north we arrived at an impressive 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch, gateway to the walled Greco-Roman city of Jerash which dates from 63 BC. Standing in the center of the impressive Hippodrome, I could imagine watching the chariot races together with 15,000 cheering spectators.

From the huge oval colonnade, we walked down Cardo Maximus (main street), where the ruts from the iron-clad chariot wheels are still visible, and a butcher stone in the marketplace brought Jerash to life in my mind's eye and connected it to the present moment.

We admired the Nymphaeum – an ornamental fountain, the amphitheater, and took many pictures of the beautifully intact Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis.

Throughout our trip we imbibed many delicious home-cooked garden-to-table meals in small restaurants run by women empowerment groups. We took Calligraphy lessons at the #RSCN, known for its pioneering work in integrating nature conservation with socio-economic development, met a young man at Bait al Nai, who is bringing back the art of making Nais (traditional flutes) from locally grown reeds and teaches children how to play it, and visited with Dr. Fatima Al-nsour, a recognized social activist and peace ambassador whose grassroots initiatives are creating positive change, and that touched my heart.

We stopped off at Mount Nebo , in the Land of Moab (Jordan) from where the Prophet Moses saw Canaan, the Promised Land, before he died. The 4 ^th century memorial church on top of the hill holds beautiful mosaics, depicting lions, elephants, zebras, which must have lived in the area at that time.

Even on this hazy day we caught a view of the 5-million-year-old Dead Sea with Jerusalem in the background. The Rift Valley, which is a continuation of the East African Rift Valley, marks the boundary between the Arabian and African Plates and defines the western border with Israel.

Nearby Madaba is home to the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land, dating back to 550 AD and stretching from the Mediterranean to the Nile valley. Old meets new here too, as still today skilled craftsmen are inspired to create intricate mosaics.

Heading south, we arrived in the Wadi Rum just in time for a spectacular sunset and then, stargazing - which was just as spectacular. Wadi Rum is a dramatic 720 km ² protected desert wilderness, where 590-million-year-old sandstone blocks, some up to 1,700 m high, surround vast sandy valleys.

We discovered a magical oasis, a gorgeous small eco-camp set on raised walkways in a hidden corner of the desert. Here too, modern meets traditional and creates a space fit for kings and queens – literally!

I had always wanted to put my toes into the Red Sea , so I headed to Aqaba for some R&R. As Jordan’s only port city, it is also a renowned dive and snorkeling spot with beautiful beaches and coral reefs.

To the envy of many locals, we had tickets to the concert of the season with Egyptian superstar Amr Diab. Even though we were probably the only tourists in a huge crowd of enthusiastic Jordanians, it was a wonderful experience where everyone made us feel very comfortable and safe, and when they’d ask: Where are you from? to our reply they always said ‘Welcome, welcome to Jordan!’

No journey to Jordan is complete without visiting Petra , which is one of the oldest cities in the world, and also one of the New7Wonders of the World. It was described by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the “Places to See Before You Die”, and I wholehearted agree!

Thousands of years ago it was as known as Raqmu, a thriving Nabataean trading city of 20.000+. In 700 AD it was abandoned, then rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812, who called Petra “a rose-red city half as old as time”.

I grabbed the opportunity to see Petra by Night, even though we’d already been on the road for over 12 hours that day. Walking through the 76m high Siq (canyon) at night in absolute silence along a candle-lit path, with Bedouin music drifting in and out, was surreal and healing. My first glimpse of Al Khazneh – the iconic Treasury – was unforgettable.

Early the next morning I was back at the gate to experience the winding path through Petra’s Siq in daylight. It is about a 30-minute walk, this time in 38°C heat and yet there was an anticipation and excitement that drew me ever closer – through the vibrant red, white and pink sandstone canyon – to the Nabatean/Hellenistic Treasury, which was now bathed in sunlight.

Standing in front of one of the most famous facades in the world was a magnificent experience, fulfilling a dream I never knew I had!

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Journey to Jordan

How to find Your Best Travel Agent

Thu, 06 May 2021 20:44:00 GMT

7 Tips to choosing the right travel consultant for your next journey:

1. Is your travel consultant reputable?

Find out how long your travel advisor has been in the business. Often those who have been at it longer, have more experience and credibility.

Christine Boecker says:

I’ve been actively involved in the travel industry since the dark ages — you know, before the Internet — and I founded TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES in 1996. Read our Client Reviews

2. Do some background checks.

Look at your travel expert’s website and read the reviews.

Christine says:

My website is constantly updated, including relevant travel news and information , and the testimonials from our valued clients will let you know how we’ve been doing.

3. Seek out an expert, and — if possible — support small business.

There’s no substitute for the personal touch. Having one person look after your travel arrangements from start to finish is something online booking engines can’t match — especially if you’re looking for a specialist travel expert. A trusted voice on the phone is preferable to the often unintelligible customer service associate you’re connected to when dealing with an overseas supplier.

Christine:

During our initial Discovery Cal l we will talk about your travel wish list. I will guide you to make smart decisions that best meet your expectations, and enhance your trip with some creative suggestions. Be prepared for a South African accent though.

TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES specializes in these destinations:

5. Is your travel consultant insured?

As a traveller, you will need to be covered by adequate medical and travel insurance. But your travel agency will need to be covered for those ‘whoops’ moments too. Have they got adequate liability cover? Is your payment secure? In nearly all cases, you will be asked to pay a 30% deposit for your safari. This is often a non-refundable deposit. Your final payment will be required two months before you travel. Be confident your agent will not disappear into the ether before your departure date.

Christine confirms:

All travel agents located in BC are required to be licensed and insured. TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES is a division of PTM Ltd — BC registration #2806.

When you book a trip with TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES you can feel confident that your payments are secure.

6. Ask for your travel consultant’s Ts and Cs

It is advisable to get the terms and conditions from your travel agent regarding payment schedules. And make sure your advisor tells you what is included and what’s not! You do not want to confirm an expensive vacation only to find out at the last minute your agent charges additional fees, or that road transfers are not included!

Christine:

You will receive our terms & conditions at the time of booking before the first payment is made. Exploring a new destination can hold some pleasant surprises — no need to be ‘surprised’ by the booking process!

7. Are you getting the best value?

Cheapest is not best and travel consultants are not responsible at the end of the day for lack of service. Remember — you will always get what you’ve paid for.

The best travel experts will work only with reputable global partners, and will supply you with local emergency contacts. Make sure you are getting the service you want and expect.

Christine says:

We have long-standing partner relationships with global partners, each personally vetted and in keeping with our ethos of sustainability, value and service excellence, always having your comfort and safety front of mind.

Top reasons to see the world with

TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES >>

“Good travel agents have an edge over almost any other seller of travel. They know what you want, they speak your language, and they’re there for you when you run into trouble.”

— Christopher Elliott, National Geographic Traveler's ombudsman

Schedule a Discovery Call with Travel Expert

Christine Boecker

and start planning your next trip.

The Bald Eagle and the Midshipman

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 22:54:28 GMT

The return of the Bald Eagle

Interview with David Hancock, conservationist

and head of the Hancock Wildlife Foundation.

Staying at home during the pandemic, I am grateful for my little piece of Terra Firma which is about 10kms south of the Vancouver International Airport. We overlook a diverse marshland which is flooded by king tides in the wintertime and attracts a great diversity of birds. We have the migratory snow geese overwintering here from Alaska and Wrangell Island, as well as Northern Harriers, Short-eared Owls, Grey Herons, Trumpeter Swans, and a variety of ducks and shorebirds.

At the top of the food chain is of course the iconic Bald Eagle, and I always wondered what attracts them to the floodplains. I thought I'd go straight to the expert for the facts, so here is the fascinating story of David Hancock, aka the Eagle Man:

C.B. When did you first become interested in Bald Eagles?

D.H. I’ve been following them for 65 years. It all started a long time ago when I was twelve and I caught a hawk. That day I had met a falconer, a Mr. Frank Beebe who worked for the Provincial Museum in Victoria, which is now the Royal Museum. I was astounded at him flying a great big falcon – a Peregrine, which I had never seen before. I told him what I was doing at the time and he showed me how I might catch a hawk. As soon as I left, I went and modified my quail trap, and sure enough – I caught a Cooper’s hawk. I came home with a hawk in jesses and some instructions on how to train the hawk, and that began my love affair with birds of prey. At 14 I got my first bald eagle and then I learned to fly myself at 15.

C.B. How did the eagle population bounce back?

D.H. Well, that can be attributed to one thing - a change in human attitude. Back in the days when I was starting to follow bald eagles, they – along with wolves, coyotes, owls and seals were all classified as vermin, something that was to be despised. Today we tend to think of vermin as rats and mice, but in those days, it included eagles and they paid a bounty in Alaska on eagles. Most of the Alaskan fishermen keep their boats in Washington state all winter, which is across the road from where I live here on Zero Avenue on the US border. Here is where I realized, on my 16th birthday actually, what the challenge of bald eagles was, and why there were hundreds of them nesting north of the border and on the Canadian Gulf islands and there were ZERO eagles nest in Washington state. I had flown over all these local islands and I found the answer Blaine WA, where all the fishing boats had a little white bucket on the back for eagle legs. Because, if they can fill that bucket up with eagle legs and take that back to Alaska they could pay for their gasoline, which was 23c/gallon and covered their trip to Alaska and coming back to Washington. That then, to a large extent, eliminated eagles south of the border.

C.B. So there was a bounty on Eagles because they were catching the fish?

D.H. Yes – the thought was that they were competing with humans. The point of this is that the big change came about when people's attitudes changed, and that started with Rachel Carson, a fish and wildlife biologists in the United States. She brought together all the data that had been accumulating since pesticides were released into the environment. Pesticides were developed to keep pests off humans and then, after the war it became this huge business of dumping it out on the agricultural fields, particularly in the Mississippi valley and east. As we now know, it kills not just the insects but also kills birds that feed on them.

Rachel Carson’s book ‘Silent Spring’ kind of stunned the world. The concept was that we would wake up one morning and Spring would be silent. There would be no migratory birds singing and defending their territories. At that time, I was just beginning to do my eagle studies at the university, and so we collected some early pesticide analysis from eagle eggs back in 1963/64. Fortunately, we didn't yet have an agricultural industry here and therefore our rivers tended to be cleaner than the ones elsewhere. Also, Eagles have now become an icon of conservation. And now they’re totally protected.

The reason we have these big numbers of eagles on the Fraser River is because of the lack of pesticides, but also because these are the biggest late season salmon spawning rivers in North America. Dead salmon are accumulating on the riverbanks in November, December and into January, and some of the deeper pools would have dead carcasses in February, which is when all the northern lakes and rivers are frozen and under ice. So, this huge population of eagles historically learned to come here, because there was this great deliverance of food on the riverbanks for 4, 5, 6 months of the year.

C.B. Is it true that Eagles prefer to eat dead fish over live ones?

D.H. Absolutely. Eagles are incredibly lazy. I don’t want to speak disparagingly about them, because I really love the bird, but it takes a lot of effort to catch a live fish.

It takes five to six years for a bald eagle to mature. The white head only develops on their 5th year of life, which is sign that they are ready to mate. This long maturing process is undoubtedly related to the fact that this is how long it takes them to learn to hunt. OK, hunting is not really their thing. They can hunt but what they need is to learn how to catch fish, which is what's going to feed their young.

They are one of the world's seven sea- or fish eagles and so the basic economy of these birds is to live where there is a surplus or an acceptable amount of fish that they can catch.

C.B. Are Bald Eagles territorial?

D.H. Yes, once they nest they have a territory of one to 1.5 kilometers on either side of their nest that they rely on to get their food. In the Fraser Valley there are a lot of streams and ditches cutting across all the islands that make up the Fraser Delta and the farmland. These little waterways all have fish, frogs, muskrats, ducks and geese and during spring eagles will feed on young ducklings and goslings and some Eagles are also able to hunt voles.

C.B. What can you tell us about the Bald Eagle Migration?

D.H. About 20 years ago we discovered what may well be the world's biggest concentration of bald eagles right here, up the Harrison River. One year we counted 7,780 eagles on a three-mile section of the river in about 1.5 hours, and there were probably around 15,000 eagles in the area. Of course, it always depends on the number of spawned out salmon in the river. The Squamish River also has a healthy eagle population in the wintertime, but it’s nothing like I’ve seen in the Fraser Valley.

I’ve been trying to understand the movements of these birds. Right now we are starting to track the eagles by putting GPS trackers on their back, and we’re beginning to draw a picture of where our eagles come from. It was pretty obvious that the wintering eagles had been frozen out of their northern territories, when they arrived here just at freeze-up. But where do the nesting eagles go? We've only got 1 nesting eagle so far with a tracker and we're hoping to put a whole bunch more trackers on local birds to find out their movement.

In the summer there is not one eagle in the Valley. Where do all our breeders go? It was assumed that they went north to Alaska, because starting in June and early July there are dead salmon in all the rivers of Alaska. That’s what I’ve been researching over the past while.

C.B. What are the challenges facing our Eagles today?

D.H. One of the things is the general decline of some of the key species like herring and small fish that feed the salmon. These have been devastated by the fishing industry and are barely coming back in some areas.

The other big challenge to the eagles is still this total disregard for the environment. I mean the eagle is a fairly big bird, with wing spans of 6 feet across, and they weigh 12, 13 pounds. Their nests are 5, 6, 7, 8 feet across and about 10 feet deep, so it takes a big, big tree to hold a nest, as you can understand. And then the humans come along and the first thing we do is to cut down the big trees, as they are a source of timber, or in the way of a road or a house we want to build. We have created a big challenge for nesting eagles, that have no alternative than to nest in smaller trees and their nests often fall down.

Now there are laws that specifically protect eagle nests. Developers can’t get away with cutting down trees and destroying the environment anymore. They're being held to account and need to have a plan to recompense the habitat and keep those eagles there. So today we have all these eagles nesting in people's backyards and local parks and on golf courses and its great!

The fishing industry has been over-fishing, which reduces the amount of spawned out salmon in our rivers. And, when a dead whale washes up on our shores, we get rid of it as quickly as we can, which means the eagles can’t feed on it. Because eagles are adaptable, they’ve taken to raiding the landfills for protein, but now that food waste is not being dumped in the landfills anymore, this food source is also dwindling.

C.B. How we can we preserve the food source for these Eagles?

D.H. Good question. I'm just beginning to put together a film about this and what I’ve learned from my trip to Japan to see the White-tailed and Stellar’s Sea Eagles – the most magnificent of all the eagles. I mean it's just a huge kazoo. They can weigh nearly 20 pounds, whereas our bald eagles are generally around 11 pounds.

The Japanese did the same thing as we did. They have over-harvested their salmon and that left nothing for the wintering eagles. Now the Japanese have taken to feeding their eagle population and have turned it into a money making adventure, which is especially popular with photographers, who line the shores with their big lenses.

In South Africa the Cape Vulture was nearly extinct in the early 60s. The population was reduced by almost 90%, when they lost their natural food source as the area was fenced-in for the cattle industry. Then, starting with one husband and wife team, the farmers began to feed the pig and cattle carcasses to the vultures to compensate for the lack of wildebeest and zebras carcasses. It was so successful that there are now around 50 of these so-called Vulture Café’s up and down the Drakensberg Mountains and they have brought the entire population of Cape vultures back to near normal numbers. So you see, we do have some options here.

C.B. David, what can we do personally to support the eagle population?

D.H. Well, this was the question that has driven me since my teens, and I know that nature conservation and sustainability is what you’ve built your travel business on. How can we get people to think of not just the wildebeest, but the ecology that supports them?

And it’s the same thing here. You don't get this plethora of bald eagles without a support system. Because these are fish eagles, they need good, pure waterways that are not contaminated by industry or agriculture. And salmon are known return to within 100 meters of their spawning grounds, but sometimes a natural phenomenon, like the recent landslide at Boston Bar will block their way. Fortunately, there is about 10% of the salmon population that are, what we call ‘Pioneers’ and they go in search of newly available salmon rivers. This ensures the survival of the species.

C.B. You’re saying that nature is adaptable, which of course is the basis of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution?

D.H. Yes - not only do the salmon have to be pioneers, you and I have to be pioneers in a way too. We should think about our choices, like consuming locally caught salmon instead of East Coast or farmed fish. You can think about what you purchase, where you choose to spend your time and to be sensitive to the ecological needs of the different species. As humans we don't live in isolation, but are dependent on a whole community, whether it's the insects, fish, mammals, birds and even the grass and the mosses. All these things are what make the ecosystem functional. We can start in our gardens, where backyard feeders are a food source for small migrating birds and also help sustain birds through the winter. Responsible water usage and keeping waterways clean is so important, as nothing survives if the waterways die.

C.B. When and where is the best place to see Bald Eagles in the Lower Mainland?

D.H. To bring it back to your readers who are interested in conservation and the outdoors, there are a few places along the coast here where eagles have been the subject of photographic opportunities, such as between Harrison Lake and Hwy 7, just before the Harrison runs into the Fraser River. That's where we get thousands of eagles every end of November, December and January, before they disperse. There are other places, such as the rivers that come down from the North Shore mountains, and Boundary Bay too. It really was an old mouth of the Fraser and it is now a big shallow bay and estuary. Brackish water is the richest habitat in the world, and it supports so many of the young salmon that come from deeper waters and it is a good place for many shore birds and ducks.

Boundary Bay is a great food source for our nesting eagles because it has so many small flounders, and wonderful little fish called a Midshipman that spawns in the rocky, muddy bays. It’s a 6” long fish, who will put his head out of the water, and he whistles to attract females and to protect his territory. You’ll often see 100’s of bald eagles feeding on these little fish, which is probably the major food source of eagles up and down the entire coast of British Columbia and most people don't even know the fish.

C.B. David, it seems that in your ‘eagle lifetime’ you've seen some positive developments, having gone from very few to now quite a large population of bald eagles here in the Lower Mainland.

And so, I'm going to end on this positive note, knowing that we can all play a role in supporting the eagles and the environment.

D.H. I’m pleased that you're acknowledging them. The bald eagle is just a wondrous creature and it seems to be loved by everybody.

If you’ve enticed some people with this interview to come down to our rivers, and they see me out there, please come and say hello. I always like talking to fellow enthusiasts.

Visit The Hancock Wildlife Foundation to view their Live Streaming CAMs and follow the GPS-tracked eagles.

David may be contacted at: david@hancockwildlife.org

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Canadian Safari

When is the best time for an African Safari?

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 03:03:00 GMT

When planning a Safari to Africa, I am often asked what the ideal time of year is for the very best wildlife-viewing.

The green season or rainy season is in summer (November to April), however the rains in Africa usually consist of a short afternoon shower which clears the air and cools things down nicely. It is baby-time in the bush and is great for photography and birding, especially if you are okay with elevated temperatures.

Although you may witness spectacular scenes in the high season, there are many advantages in visiting at other times of year, not least being that you can enjoy watching the teeming wildlife without so many other travellers being around. Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes and many other species roam the African savannah all year around. Visiting at quieter times of the year means that you’ll find considerable savings on off-season prices. Also -solo travellers can often forgo the single room supplement, so this really may be a very smart time to be out on safari.

Birders may be intrigued by Zambia’s Fruit Bat Migration (in November), or by the chance to spot the elusive Shoebill. During our Birding Safaris (between November and May), you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable sightings of rare and migratory birds.

As you can see, there are many reasons to travel in the off-season – especially if you wish to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the African wilderness.

Whenever you want to go on safari, it’s never too soon to get in touch to ensure the best value and top choice of lodges and guides. And please don’t feel you have to have it all researched in advance. Even if your plans are a little vague, I am always happy to chat and come up with great itinerary for you to consider.

Contact African Safari Specialist

Christine Boecker

to plan your exclusive safari

Galápagos Islands – the ‘How to’ Guide

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:18:00 GMT

BeWILDered about Galápagos?

When to Travel to the Galápagos Islands

Because the Galápagos Islands are equatorial, any time is good to visit these lava-formed islands.

If you prefer warmer temperatures, you may consider visiting between January and May. The water is more temperate for snorkeling at this time of year, yet you might also encounter some light rain. This rain is warm and over in minutes so your exploration of the islands is never interrupted.

From June onwards the water temperature falls, so you may consider bringing a snorkel shirt and/or snorkel pants (available at sporting goods stores) to wear under the shortie wetsuit (available for rent aboard your ship, or from the hotel).

Temperatures: Daytime Nighttime Water
January – May 85 – 89 70 – 75 75 – 82
June – December 75 – 80 65 – 70 62 – 68

Temperatures in Fahrenheit

The animal species exhibit different behaviors at certain times of year, for example blue-footed boobies do their famous mating dance between April to July and then again in October/November. Marine iguanas exhibit bright colors from January to March. Black frigate birds inflate their red throat pouches during their breeding season which is from March to June.

Something wonderful is always happening in the Galápagos and if you want to see particular animals or birds, we will certainly help you select a time frame and itinerary that will give you the best hope of experiencing them for yourself.

Trip Options

There are three sizes of ships in the Galápagos: small at 16-20 passengers, mid-size at 30-50 passengers, and large at 80-100 passengers, ranging in style and service from bespoke luxury to first class.

A smaller ship will allow you to anchor close to the islands with easy access to the shore. You’ll get to know your fellow passengers, while the larger vessels offer more onboard facilities, greater anonymity and perhaps a more diverse set of passengers.

The higher the ship category, the better the quality of cabins and meals but more importantly - the better the guides, enhancing your experience tenfold.

Many ships offer sea kayaking, and all cruises offer access to the remarkable undersea world of the Galapagos by snorkeling. Some vessels include a glass-bottom boat for those who prefer to stay dry while viewing the colorful and diverse marine life. If the education program is a main focus of your trip, we will search out a ship with guides who have gone through additional training programs via the Galapagos National Park.

Whether you are celebration a special occasion - a honeymoon or anniversary, or travelling solo or with family and friends, our first-hand knowledge will match you with just the right vessel, be it a luxury catamaran, a mono-hulled yacht or a larger cruise ship.

For landlubbers we offer our very popular land-based programs on the islands with a choice of small, typical hotels and lodges - an excellent option for those sensitive to ship movement or for families with small children who might not be comfortable aboard ships. Some land-based trips also offer high-energy activities such as mountain biking, kayaking or rigorous hikes.

TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES can also arrange scuba diving in the Galápagos, a cold water destination for the more experienced divers.

Trip Length

Wildlife

Since we work with the owners of many of the best vessels and hotels on the islands, you will benefit from our unbiased expert opinion, based on our experience and your personal travel preferences with wildlife sightings that may include:

So whether you are excited about swimming with sea lions or you’re determined to add the Humboldt penguin to your lifer list, we can help you select a vessel, lodge and itinerary that is just right for you.

Having recently explored this archipelago ourselves, Christine at TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES will consider all of these factors when selecting the perfect Galápagos Islands experience for you, meeting and often exceeding your vision and expectations.

Contact Galápagos Safari Specialist

Christine Boecker

to plan your Galápagos Adventure

Never dip your Toe into the same River twice

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 03:30:00 GMT

Interview with Josh Reimer, Grizzly Bear Guide in British Columbia, Canada

C.B. Thank you for sitting down with me, Josh. What started your career as a wilderness guide?

J.R. Well, I guess the reason I started guiding was that I found it to be a venue where I can make a real difference in an area. Here I have a better, a stronger voice and can help keep things pristine and natural.

As an outfitter we follow the rules and regulations of the CBA, the Canadian Bear Viewing Association in British Columbia. I am one of five guide instructors in BC and been training guides for the past 17 years to be certified in bear viewing. The courses and the training we do is considerable. Trainee guides will learn about the river and the wildlife. We practice for weeks upon weeks upon weeks before actually getting on to the river and to the bears. The new guides learn bear behaviours, they learn what to look for when the bear looks comfortable, and the warning signs when it feels uncomfortable or threatened, and how to approach casually without being intrusive.

Our philosophy in guiding is that we are part of nature, that we live with the land. We don’t consider ourselves as being at the apex of a pyramid, but we are part of the circle of life. We are a part of the river, part of nature. Even though we are observing it, we’re still part of it. We’re not a black spot shall we say, that is obtrusive and creates problems. That is what we really drill into our guides.

C.B. What is it about the Grizzly Bears, that fascinated you?

My passion it to share this with our guests. When you see someone, who may have never been in the Canadian wilderness before, truly recognize the situation – whether it be the first time they see a grizzly bear, or the view from the top of the mountain, and realize the power behind it out here in this vast, pristine area – I like to call that the AHA moment. That is just something! It’s hard to put into words, but when you get it, then you’ll know what I mean.

Being in the wilderness allows you let that go of your troubles, to go inside and then really think within yourself, and to live within that moment and to even extend that moment.

C.B. Don’t you want to guide elsewhere?

J.R. I have been here 17 years and people always ask – don’t you get bored? Obviously, the answer is NO. There’s just something special about this area. When you start looking at the natural beauty, at all the small things, all the details, you’ll notice that every day is different. And, as the saying goes “a person never dips their toe into the same river twice, because the person is changed, and the river has changed.”
The river always changes. Every day you can experience something special, every day you appreciate that you are able to be here. It is a privilege, not a right. And I want to share that with people in a way that doesn’t harm the environment we are in.

C.B. What can we do to protect and conserve of our Canadian wildlife?

J.R. I think the biggest thing is to understand that these are wild animals. They are not here to pose for an Instagram photo, they are not here for our entertainment. And so, when you visit wild areas and you visit the beautiful parks in BC and across Canada, realize that these animals are wild. They are protective of themselves and their offspring, and our presence has a huge impact on them when we interact with them or try to get the best photograph of them.

C.B. Any last words?

J.R. I am passionate about protecting this area for future generations, to keep it wild and to keep it free. I believe that is a good goal for many areas in British Columbia, realizing that some things are not so important that we have to destroy the beauty of nature that you and I live in.

C.B. We are all so grateful to have you and your guiding colleagues at the vanguard of wildlife conservation in B.C. Thank you for sharing your world with us!

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Canadian Adventure

Why we took an Uber to our Tent!

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 23:19:00 GMT

Our trusted Safari Guide kept us safe!

At first a couple of young bulls jostled for position to get the freshest water from the spring, which was only about 30 feet from where we were sitting around a fire pit. There was much ear flapping and trumpeting, but after a while they worked it out and everyone got their fill of the fresh water. Then a female arrived with 2 calves of roughly the same age. Our safari guide told us that one would have been her own, the other a ‘foster child’. Elephant babies will often be taken care of by their aunties while mom is foraging elsewhere, however these foster babies are at greater risk of being taken by lions since the natural instinct of the mother is to protect her own offspring first.

I must say that – even though I grew up in the bush and have experienced countless game drives, I was grateful to have such a knowledgeable team and safari guide at my side to keep us safe and teach us about the nuances of the African wilderness.

More about the elephants of Hwange >>

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to meet the Elephants in Hwange

Elephant Eden – does it exist?

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 21:33:00 GMT

Hwange - Zimbabwe’s Elephant Sanctuary

Since then wildlife numbers have climbed steadily, and it is estimated that there are now more than 40,000 elephants in Hwange along with over 100 species of mammals and more than 420 recorded bird species. Not only is Hwange an elephant sanctuary, the eco-system also sustains one of the largest populations on Cape Wild Dogs (Painted Dogs) and is considered a foremost lion conservation area – although sadly it is also where Cecil, the lion was hunted and killed some years ago by that American dentist.

At long last my travels took me to Hwange, and so in May I found myself on an Elephant safari, driving from waterhole to waterhole in this vast paradise, curious to learn which animals we could spot. We were richly rewarded with many antelope species including the elusive Sable Antelope and good sightings of the shy Kudu, the huge Eland and my favorite – the Waterbuck. And on one of our game drives we’d stopped to observe a yellow-billed oxpecker (a lifer for me – I was in heaven!) when we noticed a blood-covered baboon. She had just given birth and was gently holding and cleaning her tiny infant, while shielding it from our inquisitive eyes. The bush can be very raw, but that was a tender moment I will always remember.

Probably my favourite way to observe wildlife is to sit quietly at a waterhole, hidden from view in a blind and waiting for the animals to come to us. Now, if one also gets served coffee and baked goods, as we were by our able guide Eric, well – there’s just nothing better! This particular elephant-proof blind is disguised as an anthill and put us toe level and within splashing distance of the grey giants that drink here. I was mesmerized. Never have I been this close-up and able to look an elephant in the mouth!

I could have spent the entire day here, but alas – the Eli Express was waiting to take us north and into the center of Hwange National Park. This one-wagon railcar lived up to it name, as it was powered by a Landcruiser engine! As we chugged along the main railway line that runs along the eastern border of Hwange, the topography changed from vast open plains dotted with Ilala palms to a denser Mopani forest, a great hiding place for wildlife and the perfect elephant sanctuary. Along the way we stopped for giraffe and even an elephant crossing in front of us, all while enjoying a delicious lunch, washed down by a cool glass on wine. It just doesn’t get better than that!

Why we took an Uber to our Tent >>

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Elephant Safari

Galápagos – where the Stars meet!

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 02:32:00 GMT

Galápagos Islands celebrate 60 years of Conservation

The delicate environment of these islands requires a dedicated group of individuals, who are strongly committed to the archipelago’s conservation. We salute the Galápagos National Parks Board and the Charles Darwin Foundation for taking on this important task, so that we – and our children’s children may experience this magical place!

Our favourite way to explore the Galápagos archipelago is to cruise from island to island aboard a small 16 passenger yacht under the expert guidance of certified naturalist guides.

How does one get so close to the animals, you might ask? After sailing overnight, you arrive at one of the 19 islands in the morning. Typically, you’ll embark on a nature walk on one of the islands in the morning to observe and learn about the birds and reptiles and how they’ve adapted to their specific land mass.

Later it’s time to cool down in the clear sea, sliding over the side of the zodiac kitted out with mask, snorkel and fins to explore the many species that live below the surface of the water. And after a delicious dinner you can either take part in a discussion of the day’s sightings or relax on deck for some star gazing.

Did you know that this is one of the few places on earth where you can see both the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper at the same time? It’s another one of those experience you didn’t know was on your bucket list!

Our How-To Guide will help you choose the best travel time and select the islands that appeal to your interests.

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Galápagos Adventure

African Safari – Beyond the Safari Vehicle

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 19:23:00 GMT

Walking Safaris

There is nothing more thrilling than watching rhino or elephant grazing in the morning light whilst you are on foot or following the tracks of a leopard. Our entire selection of African destinations is renowned for incredible guided walking safaris (with appropriate protection, of course)– perfect for the active and curious traveller.

Cycling Safaris

From fat-biking across the dunes of Namibia to exploring the Cape winelands on two wheels, the possibilities are endless. Our clients recently circumnavigated the base of Mount Kilimanjaro on a cycling trip they will never forget.

Horseback & Camelback Safaris

Riding allows you to enjoy the wildlife in its most natural form, without the sound of a car engine or the sight of a road. It’s truly quite a privilege to ride right up next to animals such as giraffe, zebra, impala, waterbuck, eland, ostrich and baboons. Ideal for both first time and advanced riders.

And, if these ideas don’t stir up your wanderlust, here are Lonely Planet writer Alan Murphy’s the TOP 10 reasons to visit Afric a:

Watching Wildlife – I am completely besotted by watching wildlife and you may just find that you will be too. For me it’s the Big 5 sure, but I love the birds too, especially bee-eaters, kingfishers, rollers…hippos though are my favourite, extraordinary creatures…

Landscapes – From the swirling sands and granite rocks of Namibia to the great African plains of Tanzania, the landscapes of the continent will sear themselves in your mind. Savannahs, woodlands, mighty mountains and crystal-clear waters… the landscapes are phenomenal.

Guides and Rangers – I have found the guides and rangers to be amongst the most interesting and admirable people I have met anywhere. Sitting under a Mopani tree and chewing the fat with one of these folk is a memorable experience.

The Great Spectacles of Africa – No room to list all of Africa’s wonders here – but a few favourites…. The Great Migration of East Africa; Victoria Falls; the Drakensberg Mountains; Carmine Bee Eater colonies of 10,000 plus; the Rift Valley; Fish River Canyon; Table Mountain…

Bush Experience – Under the stars in the African bush with the sounds of the night all around you is something you won’t forget. It’s just such an antidote to urban grit. For me it was bouncing around the back of an ox cart after a local festival in Zambia.

Luxury Accommodation – Some of the accommodation options available to people are incredibly opulent. But really, luxury on safari doesn’t have to be just that. A wooden decking, a cold drink, a view of a waterhole, candlelight…the formula is pretty simple.

Cultural Experience – The opportunity to interact with local culture – through local people, food, crafts, dancing and singing (if you’re lucky enough to see it), festivals and local celebrations – is a real highlight.

Broadening Your Mind – Everyone needs to broaden their perspective on life, it’s just plain good for you. And the opportunity to see how people live and survive in places like Africa can be a life-changing experience.

Seeing the Best of Eco Tourism – Responsible tourism comes into its own on safari. Africa shows off the best of eco or green tourism spearheaded by responsible safari tour operators.

The Wow Factor When You Return Home – Come on – you know this is the best bit! The wows, the ooohhhs, the aaaahhhs when you show your photos to friends and family back home. Oh, the elephant wasn’t that big… Was I scared? Naah, I was at one with the big fella…

Contact African Safari Specialist

Christine Boecker

to plan your exclusive Safari

My Bucket List Gorilla Trek

Sun, 23 Sep 2018 02:35:00 GMT

Of Ponies and Gorillas

Most people, including myself associate Uganda with Gorilla Trekking.

The trek seemed daunting, as it can take anywhere between one and eight hours, depending on where the gorillas are located on the mountain. Would the hours on my exercise bike pay off? Would I be able to keep up? Would it all be worth it? There was a nervous anticipation amongst our group, but the soothing rain and a couple of G&T’s soon had us relaxing around the fireplace before retiring to our rustic, yet comfortable rooms to rest up for the big day ahead.

After a hearty breakfast we donned our hiking gear – rain jacket, gators, garden gloves and walking stick, and off we went to the National Park’s headquarters to meet up with our trekking guide and porters. Each guide leads a group of up to 8 trekkers to one of the habituated gorilla families. Scouts go out at first light to find the gorillas in the forest and relay their location to the head guide via two-way radio.

Our group set off to find the Mubare family, consisting of about 10 gorillas.

Thankfully I had hired Laban, a porter who helped me up and down steep hillsides and across small streams. Laban lives in the local village and knows the mountain like the back of this hand, which was always stretched out just at the right moment to prevent me from tripping or slipping.

‘Portering’ is sought-after work, and even though these keen helpers rely solely on tips from visitors, it often makes up more than 20% of their monthly income. They’re on a rotation system – a great motivator to take good care of ‘their’ visitor and to protect the gorillas and the habitat. The porters are the eyes and ears on the ground and report any suspected poachers to the authorities, which has resulted in the gorilla population increasing to over 1000 individuals at last count.

After a two-hour hike through the dense jungle we heard the gorillas vocalizing and we knew we were getting close! After some serious bush-whacking through what seemed like an impassable wall of foliage we were rewarded with an unforgettable encounter with Kanyonyi, the Silverback and his family, who we found peacefully munching away on the lush vegetation.

One teenager approached and sat down about 4 feet from us, curiously observing us with her gentle brown eyes. Two youngsters were playing in the trees – the original Jungle Gym – while the Silverback was taking a nap in the undergrowth.

These great apes were so relaxed, and I felt very much at ease around them… until one of the ‘toddlers’ fell out of a tree and landed on the Silverback. He didn’t take well to such a rude awakening and gave a loud and fierce mock charge. I quickly hid behind one of the guides, thinking that was probably the safest place. The guides calmly stood their ground, and Kanyonyi retreated to continue his nap. Phew!

All too soon our visiting hour was up, and we headed back. Luckily the rain held off long enough for us to get some awesome photos with the gorillas – but then the rain forest lived up to its name and it started pouring with a vengeance.

By the time we got back to the lodge we were tired and drenched, but exhilarated. After a hot bath and relaxing foot massage my energy was restored. It was an experience and achievement I won’t soon forget.

I can highly recommend Gorilla Trekking to anyone who can presently climb 2 flights of stairs and is willing to do a little exercise in preparation for the trip.

Of course there is so much more to Uganda!

We visited Queen Elizabeth Park in search of tree-climbing lions, took a boat cruise on Lake Albert, home to a brilliant breeding colony of Pied Kingfishers, and explored Murchison Falls – where the Victoria Nile River surges through a narrow gap over a massive drop.

With game reserves, lakes and rivers that are home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds, Uganda offers a wider variety of wildlife experiences.

But I digress… I'm currently flying at 38.000 feet above sea level, about halfway through my 40 hour / 4 flight marathon journey home from Uganda. That’s what those airline points will get you!

I asked Margarete, my Polish/German flight attendant why she thought I was from Düsseldorf. She told me that during one of her first flights a passenger had asked her for a Pony. When she said that they don’t allow animals over 8 kg in the cabin, the passenger laughed and explained that when you order a Pony in Düsseldorf you’ll get a Mimosa. Who knew!

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Botswana – Safari Destination of Note

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 08:19:00 GMT

There’s more to Botswana than its famous Okavango Delta

To get a taste of the Delta’s incredibly beautiful wilderness, take a look at the National Geographic documentary , which chronicles a team of modern-day explorers, led by conservation biologist Steve Boyes on an epic four-month, 1500-mile expedition across three countries to save the Okavango river system. (Trailer, 2:16 mins)

Botswana offers an all-round safari experience, whether you are travelling alone, as a couple or with family or friends.

The magnificent Okavango Delta and its diversity of habitats is astounding enough. Add opportunity to gaze at it from different angles by air, water and land and you have the ideal safari experience!

A legendary inland waterway, the Okavango Delta slices sinuously through a large part of Botswana, creating an area of unimaginable natural splendour. Millions of liters of water reach miraculously into this part of the Kalahari Desert, infinitely enriching an environment that supports an incredible diversity of mammals, fish and bird life.

To fly over the Delta in a light aircraft for the tracking and viewing of game is scenically arresting and awe-inspiring. It is also, in certain cases, the only way to reach the more remote camps! Some camps are water based, others offer both water- and land-based game viewing. Here you can meander slowly through the watery courses in a traditional Mokoro (dug-out canoe), or travel over land in an open safari vehicle.

Botswana may be best known for its Delta, but the country also boasts two of Africa’s finest game reserves: Moremi, renowned for its huge herds of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and antelope; and Chobe, further north, thought to have the highest concentration of elephants in the world. For a thrilling end to a memorable day, take a sunset cruise on the Chobe River, and watch hundreds of dusty elephants ponderously cavorting with each other at the river’s edge as they quench their thirst.

The Linyanti region lies within Chobe and here, in the dry season, the concentration of game is such that visitors will see buffalo by the thousands, followed by sizeable prides of lion. The Savuti Channel, also a part of the Chobe region, stakes its own unique claim – here the legendary San Bushmen left their unique mark of cave art on the rocks around their ancient homeland.

Further San Bushman artwork is marvelously preserved in the Makagadikgadi Salt Pans, at the edge of the Kalahari Desert in central Botswana. The scenery and game viewing in this remote region is altogether different from the lush waterways and grasslands of the Delta. Here, on the sand dunes and in the vast salt pans, horseback and quad bike excursions are the order of the day.

BOTSWANA’S MUST DO EXPERIENCES:

Watch in awe as thousands of elephants converge on the Chobe River
See Wild dogs, aka Painted Dogs as you traverse the Moremi Wildlife Reserve
View the abundance of lions in the Savuti marshland
Enjoy the prolific bird life in the world-famous Okavango Delta, as you gently float along in a Mokoro (dug-out canoe)
Take a guided game or nature walk in the Delta

If this has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Botswana Safari

Testimonial: Savuti Sundowners – I like your style!

It was just a fantastic and wonderful sundowner, so much fun and like nothing that has happened to us before or since. It was hard to believe that we were out in the middle of Africa sipping chilled white wine (my choice) from a table covered with a white tablecloth.

As I told our hosts, I liked their style! Hats off to Savuti and the wonderful people who made our stay so memorable and so much fun.”

-Shirley S. and family

If this testimonial inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your own safari to Botswana

My Father’s Legacy

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:33:00 GMT

My parents shared a deep love for nature and, starting in my early childhood they would load all four children into our old stationwagon, along with a great clatter of pots and pans, provisions and a heavy old canvas tent, and we would head for “the bush”.

Retiring from a full-time career in the early 1990’s, my father was free to do what he loved best, and he became a tour guide in the Kruger National Park. Always fascinated by the bush and nature he studied the biodiversity of Mpumalanga by starting with the lichen covering rocky outcrops, observing how every living thing in nature is inter-dependable.

He had a unique understanding of nature and over time this changed his entire view of the world. He came to the realization that as humans we are simply a link in the greater creation – neither more nor less important than the fauna and flora around us. Rather than using and often abusing our natural environment, my father taught us to show compassion and respect for every living being.

Growing up with a father who had a great love of the African bush and its wildlife, I soon followed in his footsteps. It is truly my passion to support the conservation of the amazing creatures that roam the African savannah. Game viewing from open safari vehicles, expert wildlife guides, and guided safari walks for birdwatchers and reptile enthusiasts are all part of a great experience.

It was in February that I revisited the Kruger National Park for the umpteenth time. Sitting on the huge deck of my luxurious suite at Singita Lemombo, overlooking a rocky ridge where a ghostly fever trees stand tall, I feel at home. This is the Africa I know and love.

Over the past 22 years, I have organized hundreds of safaris to Africa. More and more I find that the discerning traveller is asking how their contribution benefits the local community and the environment. Populations of rhino, elephant, lion and even giraffe are dwindling at a rapid pace, and it is time for visitors to be aware and to funnel money directly into organizations that are taking steps to sustain the world’s precious wildlife heritage.

As a first time visitor to Africa, nothing prepares you for the beauty. It is the cradle of humanity, the birthplace of all of our origins. It is our ancient and spiritual home. For me, it is a place of rest. A place where I reconnect with the essence of who I am. The dusty sunsets, the crisp dawns that rise over untouched land populated by ancient creatures – magnificent, beautiful, free and wild. Let’s keep it that way.

Contact Africa Safari Expert Christine Boecker to design your Legacy Safari

One Thousand and One Nights in Egypt

Sat, 03 Mar 2018 01:41:00 GMT

Egypt is alive with history – Sphinx, Pyramids and Temples galore!

Watching the sun rise over Luxor from a hot air balloon is an experience not to be missed. Floating over temples and statues, some half buried in the sand, some – like the Colossi of Memnon prominently rising out of the desert for the past 3,400 years – all telling the story of Ancient Egypt and her Pharaohs.

I cannot begin to grasp that the Karnak Temple complex was built over a period of 2,000 years and is connected to Luxor Temple by an avenue of Sphinxes, only recently discovered. Walking down this ancient road leaves me speechless, as I imagine the opulent parades and processions these Sphinxes have seen.

Another early morning is rewarded by seeing the sun awaken the ancient walls of Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. The temple features a circular staircase mimicking the falcon’s ascent to the heavens in a thermal, and – on the other side of the shrine – a straight staircase, descending as the falcon comes in to land.

Nile Cruises are a popular way to travel between Luxor and Aswan, and although only a third of the fleet is currently operational, the Nile is a very busy waterway. Even though itineraries are very similar, it’s important to choose your ship wisely. Here my first-hand experience will serve you well, as one considers food safety, size and docking area.

In many places the cruisers are docked in five or more rows, each consisting of four to five ships tied up alongside each other. Since there is only one access gate to the river bank, every vendor in town is jostling for your coveted tourist dollar! And are they ever persistent!

“Shukraan, shukraan!” I say emphatically as I maneuver to a small café, order my tea and a Shisha pipe and watch the world go by. Horse drawn carriages, motorbikes, tuk-tuks, trucks, donkey carts… absolute chaos, but somehow it all works.

No visit to Egypt is complete without visiting the temple complex of Abu Simbel. Built into the side of a mountain and protected from sunlight, this is the most colourful of the temples I’ve seen. Artisans used a series of mirrors to reflect light into the dark hallways, as they carved beautiful images of gods, pharaohs and scenes of everyday life into the rock walls!

Which brings me back to Aswan – and dinner on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel. Memories of prominent men and women come to life here. Autographed photos of King Farouk, Queen Noor, Omar Sharif, even Winston Churchill amongst many others grace the hallways of this Grand Hotel. One day I will return to Aswan and be enthralled by more of Scheherazade’s stories of the Arabian Nights!

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Journey to Egypt

Travel with Purpose and Save the Rhino

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 22:39:00 GMT

White Lions and Black Rhinos

Recently I returned from one of my most memorable wildlife safaris in South Africa. It all started with a light aircraft flight from Johannesburg to the Lebombo region of the Kruger National Park, which holds a special place in my heart.

Sitting on the deck of my beautiful suite, overlooking a rocky ridge where a ghostly fever tree stands tall, I watch a family of kudu silently come down to the river to drink. Birds are calling, crocodiles are snapping for fish, hippos are grunting and cicadas are chirping in the heat of the day. I could stay here for hours and watch nature take its course, my reflections interrupted only by an elephant trumpeting downstream. This is the Africa I know and love!

Of the many safari camps I’ve visited, Sweni Lodge in the Kruger National Park is in a class of its own. But it’s largely the wildlife in the remote Greater Lebombo Conservancy, on the border with Mozambique, that makes this such a special place. This part of the world is very close to my heart – my father’s ashes are scattered here, and it was my dad who instilled in me my love and appreciation for the African bush.

Our morning and afternoon game drives were very rewarding, starting off with a large pride of lions – including my first ever white lion sighting! This colour mutation is rare – I believe there are only three white lions in the wild.

Contact Luxury Safari Specialist

Christine Boecker

to plan your Legacy Safari

What did I get myself into?

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 19:20:00 GMT

We sailed north along the coast of Africa, weathered a storm in the Bay of Biscayne and eventually docked in the U.K., from where I made my way by train and ferry via Belgium and France to Germany. After a month of travelling I finally arrived in Remscheid – ready to start my career as a travel agent, just like my uncle.

It was exactly 40 years ago today that I set foot in TravelSchmidt for the first time. I was a keener – excited to take my first group of clients around the world. The destination didn’t really matter to me, as long as I would be travelling! As you can imagine, it didn’t quite work out that way…

Like everyone else, I started on the bottom rung of the travel agent’s ladder – as an apprentice. On my first day I was shown to my place in the rail department, where clients would purchase their train tickets to the next town, or sometimes a little further afield.

“Learn the commuter train timetable to Cologne” I was told. WHAT? I thought I was going to travel, not be an assistant to a train ticket seller... This was not what I had signed up for! I was devastated, and my dream of travelling the world was shattered.

Luckily, persistence has always been my strong suit. After finishing my 3 year apprenticeship I worked in many different departments of the travel industry and in many cities, be it arranging tour groups from Düsseldorf, or booking flights, hotels, trains, cars, ferries for large corporations and vacationers in Johannesburg – all without the internet. For a while I was a travel wholesaler and even pounded the pavement in Cape Town as a sales rep for various African safari lodges.

Fast forward to today and – although I have yet to escort a group, I am grateful for all the amazing experiences I've had in my long career as a travel agent. I absolutely love arranging wilderness safaris from my home-base in Vancouver BC where, every day I get to travel vicariously around the world as I research and design fabulous journeys for curious travellers.

Looking back, I could not imagine spending my days doing anything else. Over the past 40 years I’ve lived on three continents – Europe, Africa and now in North America. I've been privileged to visit and explore over 50 countries, so my dream of travelling the world did come true! I’m so thankful that I could carry on the family business and didn’t give up on that first day in March 1977 in the rail department of TravelSchmidt!

Contact Global Safari Specialist

Christine Boecker

to plan your next Adventure

Mid-century classic cruising - the way it was!

Video (15 mins)

Gorillas rescued by a Prince... and the Trekking Experience

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:36:00 GMT

Along with being named National Geographic Society’s Explorer of the Year in 2015, de Merode is perhaps most widely known for the 2014 movie ‘Virunga’, which follows a team of brave individuals who risk their lives to protect the last mountain gorillas in the chaos of civil war.

Although the DRC is currently under a travel advisory for Canadians, we can still support this worthwhile cause by visiting the Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda, and by creating some awareness of the dire situation across the border in the DRC.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

Climbing steadily through a steep and intensively farmed landscape, the group eventually enters the national park. At times the incline is steep and the vegetation dense except where elephants have demolished a few trees overnight. It can take up to six hours to locate your particular gorilla family.

Once the trackers have located the gorilla family, they tell everyone to leave their bags with the porters. Walking sticks are also left behind – mountain gorillas may be habituated to human visitors, but they also harbour bad memories of spear-wielding aggressors.

Cameras at the ready, the group moves forward quietly. Who knows when you’ll round a clump of trees and see the first primate swinging – literally – into view, dropping nonchalantly from branch to branch. Cameras will go into a frenzy, but no flash is allowed. As your group moves in, ducking, stretching and weaving your way through the undergrowth until you find the silverback whose family this is: a huge male, who can weigh up to 220 kg, and who – unlike the females – looks every kilo. He sits with his back to you, being groomed by two much smaller males.

Some people squat to be photographed with the silverback. You’re supposed to keep a seven-meter distance but that’s not always possible, especially when the younger gorillas come over to investigate. If they get within touching distance, one of the trackers will grunt in a very convincing impersonation of the gorilla sound for ‘back off’.

An hour later, your very exhilarated trekking group reluctantly takes their leave from the gorillas and heads back to the vehicle. You may have seen ten or more gorillas, magnificent creatures, relaxed and playful, with facial expressions that so closely resemble humans’ that you believe you know exactly what they’re thinking.

It’s good to see wild creatures who seem to have no fear of us.

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Gorilla Safari

Galápagos Islands – Nature at its Best

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 22:40:00 GMT

It was a moment I never would have believed I would experience in my lifetime.

- Article and photos by Kelly Mossman

Every day was a new experience. Each island different from the last. Each day we explored the islands, watching the waves crash against the volcanic rock or quietly wash upon the shore and admired the flora, fauna and wildlife of the islands.

We were totally amazed at how tame the creatures of the wild were. I remember sitting on a rock one day watching a male and female albatross engaged in a mating ritual (loud smacking of beaks) when a mockingbird flew onto a rock beside me. It sat there for several minutes just curiously watching me. Other times walking along the paths, we had to be ever so careful not to step on iguanas, baby seals or resting blue footed boobies. I was amazed at their indifference to our presence. Life just continued on. It was surreal.

Every day we swam or snorkeled in picture perfect clear turquoise water, and on a few occasions were joined by sea lions. They were quite curious and loved to play, finding us unique and, for the most part, willing playmates.

Our How-To Guide will help you choose the best travel time and select the islands that appeal to your interests.

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to arrange your Galápagos Safari

On Top of the World

Sun, 24 Jan 2016 14:03:00 GMT

“No scared?” asked my Inuit guide, Sam.

I knew we’d travel to the edge of the ice. But I wasn’t prepared for the pristine yet desolate beauty of the Canadian Arctic, for the haunting whistling of seals swimming far below the surface and the strength, courage and determination of those who choose this place as home.

From my airplane window, mammoth glaciers and mountains surged high above the ground, their surfaces coated by a heavy dusting of snow that flowed into frozen inlets like whipped cream off a hot dessert. There are no footprints here, no buildings, in fact, nothing down below to indicate human presence. Only the slow movement of the glaciers and the brief melting of snow and ice in the summer mark the passage of time.

It was evening in the town of Pond Inlet when our flight landed, and though a heavy fog obscured the view, night could not have been further away. By late May, Nunavut has surrendered to 24-hour days, confusing the mind and body with sunshine even at 11pm. We retreated to a hotel to rest up for the next day’s departure onto the ice floe, donning airplane eye shields to help force the onset of sleep.

The sun shone brightly the next morning as we followed our guide, Dave Reid, owner of Polar Sea Adventures, to “the beach,” our point of departure. Despite the presence of upturned boats on the shore, it was hard to imagine this stretch of ice as a beach. Husky sled dogs sat nonchalantly on the ice alongside their komatiks, or sleds, and with no sound of waves, no trace of sand and no visible water, it’s easy to believe this is, indeed, land.

Peer down a crack, however, and you can’t help but notice that it’s ice frozen five feet deep. We clambered aboard the komatik that would transport us behind a roaring snowmobile for the two-hour journey to Bylot Island, along with camping gear, food and a very long rifle – just in case we encountered an aggressive polar bear.

Our first stop, just four kilometers from the shore, was an iceberg, arrested in its path last fall and frozen in place until the ice melts in July. The residents of Pond Inlet have the benefit of continually changing scenery, as new icebergs arrive from nearby Greenland each year, while others continue their journey en route to Newfoundland.

We hiked onto the massive girth of this centuries-old iceberg, marveling at its 100-foot height, and even more at the knowledge that most of its magnitude was hidden well below the surface. And we knocked off a small block, saving it for our tea and coffee break. “There’s nothing like the taste of water derived from a 10,000-year-old iceberg,” said Reid.

Before we reached our campsite, there was one more stop, where we disembarked from our sleds and hiked up a hill to the graves of two German explorers who perished here in 1907. A teetering wooden cross designates their memorial, and as we pondered their fate 100 years ago, we couldn’t help but notice that death can come easily out here. Your only companions are the mountains, glaciers, ice floe and the whistling Arctic wind that whips an icy chill through your five layers of clothing.

“This is a harsh land,” cautions Parks Canada in its literature to visitors of Sirmilik National Park. “Rescue facilities and services are very limited…and may make rescue entirely impossible. You must be prepared for self-rescue.”

From a distance, we saw seals lying like large slugs on the ice surface, nearby the holes they’d ingeniously created. At the first sound of the snow machines, however, they lumbered back into the icy water. Perhaps time has taught them that machines like ours can be their demise. Many Inuit hunters rely on their seal catch to stave off hunger, waiting for hours and days at their small cabins to hunt.

Though they know this land so well, even they can make potentially fatal mistakes while traversing its surface. In the comfort of our communal dining tent at night, we heard stories of Inuit who, caught on the ice for weeks in bad weather, were forced to eat their team of Huskies to survive. Inuit elders still recall family and friends who died of starvation, some found frozen to death in their makeshift homes.

The message is clear: the weather has no mercy out here, and your resources are all you have. There’s no sign of human civilization but the odd empty cabin on a lonely hillside, or the occasional passing of Inuit in a dog-pulled komatik. The isolation is at once magnificent and fearsome.

We saw this with sheer clarity when we stopped briefly in Sirmilik National Park to inspect the remains of an old whaling station. All that remains of this once active slaughter house is a rusty barrel and the bones of an unfortunate, long-dead mammal. Nearby, circles of stones designate the places where a Thule community resided long ago, and the shallow grave of one of its residents lies undisturbed, a skull and femur glinting in the afternoon sunshine.

Nunavut leaves you with a sense of your smallness in the world, and the power of the natural forces around you. Travel here requires a sense of adventure and a willingness to push the limits of your experience. But it’s richly rewarded, for the Canadian Arctic is one of the last pristine frontiers, a place literally on top of the world, and one so vast and silent, you can hear the murmur of your very soul.

If this story has inspired you,

contact Christine Boecker

to plan your Polar Adventure

Canadian Arctic – Coolest Place on Earth!

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:54:00 GMT

My Arctic Expedition – seriously off the beaten track

After my 109 fellow travellers and I had settled into our cabins, we enjoyed a hearty dinner as the ship headed across the straight to Griffin Bay. We were in the land of the midnight sun, which means that it never gets dark at night. It felt strange to be having a drink in the bar, sunlight pouring in through the windows and yet it was almost 11pm already.

The next morning we boarded the zodiacs because a Polar Bear was spotted hunting on the sea ice. I was in awe – it was the very first time I had seen this magnificent king of the north. During the expedition we would learn much about the wildlife, but also the geology, the sea ice and the history of the Artic during the fascinating program of lectures presented by the specialist guides on board.

Our first stop, and one of many ‘wet landings’ was on Beechey Island. This gave us an historical perspective on the centuries-long quest to find the Northwest Passage and a trade route across the top of the world. We hiked to the graves marking the winter camp of the ill-fated 1845 Franklin expedition. All 132 crew members perished in search of the Northwest Passage, after their ships were crushed by sea in the icy waters off King William Island in Canada's far north.

Then we sailed east across Baffin Bay towards Greenland. It took 2.5 days because there was so much sea ice. We attempted to break through 2 or 3 times and had to turn back. So eventually we sailed back up to the 75th parallel and cut across from there. It was a stunning journey!

Greenland is also fabulous. Our first stop was Ilulissat, a very picturesque town. I loved all the colourful houses and could not believe the difference in lifestyle between Pond Inlet and Ilulissat. They don’t get the sea ice in winter at all and have a thriving fishing and whaling industry year round. We took a zodiac cruise amongst the gigantic icebergs at Jacobshavn, and it felt like we were in a freezer. Created by the Jakobshavn Glacier, this fast-moving glacier is like an ice making machine! After a visit to Sisimiut the finale was a midnight cruise up the magnificent Sondre Stromfjord, the longest fjord in the world. I was sad to leave our ship – I didn’t really want to come back to civilization.

Zodiac cruises among polar bears, seals & bird colonies, tundra hikes, remote Inuit villages, 8/10th sea ice, Jacobshavn ice fjord and colourful Greenland houses – the entire expedition was unforgettable! You should go!

TRΛVELBOECKER ΛDVENTURES

The Zambezi's Elusive Leopard

Leopards! they said. So many leopards! More leopards than lions! they said.

Taking the Kids on Safari? Yes – you can!

An African Safari is a Journey for the Generations!

India – a Land of Delights and Surprises

Talk about misconceptions! India is fascinating, enchanting and safe.

﻿

Welcome, welcome to Jordan!

Let me introduce you to Jordan, where Antiquity meets Modernity

How to find Your Best Travel Agent

7 Tips to choosing the right travel consultant for your next journey:

The Bald Eagle and the Midshipman

The return of the Bald Eagle

Interview with David Hancock, conservationist

﻿ and head of the Hancock Wildlife Foundation.

When is the best time for an African Safari?

When planning a Safari to Africa, I am often asked what the ideal time of year is for the very best wildlife-viewing.

Galápagos Islands – the ‘How to’ Guide

BeWILDered about Galápagos?

﻿

When to Travel to the Galápagos Islands

Trip Options

Trip Length

Wildlife

Never dip your Toe into the same River twice

Interview with Josh Reimer, Grizzly Bear Guide in British Columbia, Canada

Why we took an Uber to our Tent!

Our trusted Safari Guide kept us safe!

Elephant Eden – does it exist?

Hwange - Zimbabwe’s Elephant Sanctuary

Galápagos – where the Stars meet!

Galápagos Islands celebrate 60 years of Conservation

African Safari – Beyond the Safari Vehicle

My Bucket List Gorilla Trek

Of Ponies and Gorillas

Most people, including myself associate Uganda with Gorilla Trekking.

Our group set off to find the Mubare family, consisting of about 10 gorillas.

﻿ Of course there is so much more to Uganda!

Botswana – Safari Destination of Note

There’s more to Botswana than its famous Okavango Delta

BOTSWANA’S MUST DO EXPERIENCES:

Testimonial: Savuti Sundowners – I like your style!

My Father’s Legacy

Contact Africa Safari Expert Christine Boecker to design your Legacy Safari

One Thousand and One Nights in Egypt

Egypt is alive with history – Sphinx, Pyramids and Temples galore!

Travel with Purpose and Save the Rhino

White Lions and Black Rhinos

What did I get myself into?

Mid-century classic cruising - the way it was!

Gorillas rescued by a Prince... and the Trekking Experience

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

Galápagos Islands – Nature at its Best

It was a moment I never would have believed I would experience in my lifetime.

On Top of the World

“No scared?” asked my Inuit guide, Sam.

Canadian Arctic – Coolest Place on Earth!

My Arctic Expedition – seriously off the beaten track

and head of the Hancock Wildlife Foundation.

Of course there is so much more to Uganda!