The Majestic Sable Antelope: Ecology, Population, Behaviour & Conservation Few African mammals capture the imagination quite like the sable antelope (Hippotragus niger). With its strikingly curved horns, glossy black pelage in males, and graceful presence across woodlands and savannas, the … Read More
Author Archives: Jaco Becker
Tamboti tree
The Tamboti Tree (Spirostachys africana): Ecology, Uses, and Medicinal Significance The Tamboti tree (Spirostachys africana) is one of southern Africa’s most intriguing and paradoxical trees. Revered for its durability and fragrance, yet feared for its toxicity, the Tamboti occupies a … Read More
Kruger vs Serengeti Safari
Kruger National Park vs Serengeti Safari Which African Safari Is Best for You? | Intrepid Odyssey Choosing between Kruger National Park and the Serengeti is one of the most common questions travellers ask when planning an African safari. Both destinations … Read More
The Bombardier Ant-Guest Beetle
The Bombardier Ant-Guest Beetle: A Master of Chemical Deception In the hidden chambers beneath our feet lives one of the most fascinating, secretive, and evolutionarily impressive insects on Earth: the Bombardier Ant-Guest Beetle, a member of the subfamily Paussinae. These … Read More
The Woodland Kingfisher
The Woodland Kingfisher: an ecological portrait of Africa’s blue flash Bright, vocal and unmistakable against the green of summer woodlands, the Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most charismatic small birds. Often heard before it is seen, … Read More
The Legendary Baobab
The Legendary Baobab: Africa’s Ancient Tree of Life Few trees on Earth command the same sense of wonder, myth, and ecological importance as the African baobab. Rising like natural monuments from the savannas, deserts, and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, baobabs … Read More
The Longhorn Beetle
The Unsung Architect of the African Savanna: The Longhorn Beetle When we think of the African savanna, images of majestic elephants, stealthy lions, or elegant giraffes often come to mind. Yet, beneath this dramatic tableau exists a smaller, often overlooked … Read More
Protecting Kruger’s Wilderness
Protecting Kruger’s Wilderness: The Battle Against Invasive Species Kruger National Park — nearly 20,000 square kilometres of wild savanna, woodland, and river — is one of the world’s most celebrated conservation landscapes. It is home to an incredible diversity of … Read More
The Giants Among Us
The Giants Among Us: Understanding Elephant Population Dynamics Elephants, the world’s largest land mammals, are not just icons of the wild—they’re also powerful indicators of the health of Africa’s ecosystems. Their numbers rise and fall in response to a complex … Read More
The “Unstoppable” Honey Badger
The Honey Badger: Ecology, Population Dynamics, and Conservation of a Legendary Survivor When it comes to fierce animals, size is not everything. The honey badger (Mellivora capensis) may not be the largest predator in Africa, but it has earned legendary … Read More