Author Archives: Somewhere in Africa Safaris

Mushroom walk through Mukuvisi Woodlands , Harare , Zimbabwe February 2014

Today l signed up for a guided walk about wild mushrooms . The walk was conducted by Cathy Sharp , who is a mycologist living in Zimbabwe and has been studying mushrooms all her life . I was looking forward to this as there is seldom access to these type of people and l haveContinue reading “Mushroom walk through Mukuvisi Woodlands , Harare , Zimbabwe February 2014”

TRIP REPORT FROM NORTH WESTERN ZAMBIA in November 2013

I was very fortunate to get another opportunity to explore the north-western corner of Zambia in November this year . The trip was planned so as to experience this region in rainy season ( total rainfall is 1500 mm per annum ) and experience the influx of birds , insects and abundance of plant lifeContinue reading “TRIP REPORT FROM NORTH WESTERN ZAMBIA in November 2013”

Ethiopia Trip Report ( 27 December 2012 to 8 January 2013) with a friend

ETHIOPIA TRIP REPORT  From 27 December 2012 to 8 January 2013 A friend and l travelled  to Ethiopia for 13 days . We  booked the trip with A&K , who provided a private guide throughout the trip . The entire trip was 12 days duration , the last day being a return flight to HarareContinue reading “Ethiopia Trip Report ( 27 December 2012 to 8 January 2013) with a friend”

Walking with Paul : Fork -tailed Drongo – one of the most intelligent birds in the African bush ?

One of my favourite birds to see when out walking in the bush is a rather conspicuous little black bird called the fork-tailed drongo . The plumage is entirely black and the eye is the colour of red wine , closer inspection reveals a deeply forked tail , which is actually a result of theContinue reading “Walking with Paul : Fork -tailed Drongo – one of the most intelligent birds in the African bush ?”

Walking with Paul – The Praying Mantis

When you are out walking in the African bush , you might be forgiven for mistaking that dry grass coloured stick for a piece of dead plant . Approach it closer and the prayer like attitude of its huge raptorial forelegs begins to unfold , you have probably come across a praying mantis . OrderContinue reading “Walking with Paul – The Praying Mantis”

Walking with Paul – The Dwarf Mongoose

On a walking safari through the African bush, you might notice an old termite mound with many holes in it . These holes are quite often utilised by Africa’s smallest carnivore , the Dwarf mongoose ( Helogale parvula) . They weigh in at between 200 and 300 grams . Active colonies will be indicated byContinue reading “Walking with Paul – The Dwarf Mongoose”

ZAMBEZI RIVER CHRONICLES

Hi all , having being on the Zambezi River for at least three quarters of my working life , l have been very priveleged to gain an insight into this area . The last 15 years or so have been closely associated with the  great Zambezi River from Kariba town down  to Kanyemba town onContinue reading “ZAMBEZI RIVER CHRONICLES”