The Big 5 are only a short drive away! Previously, a trip to Cape Town usually involved a layover in Johannesburg, which meant travelers to South Africa would often split their time between Cape Town in the southwest & a safari in the Kruger National Park in the northeast. But just because you can now fly straight to Cape Town doesn’t mean you have to pick between a safari experience & a waterfront one – especially when you can have them BOTH! Travelers who are tight on time & vacation days can find great game-watching near Cape Town, where a number of EXCEPTIONAL wildlife & nature reserves offer excellent excursions & bucket-list worthy wilderness experiences!
This past month, we’ve handpicked another stunning round of top wildlife moments—offering an up-close and personal glimpse into the raw beauty of the wild. From majestic lions on the move, to surreal landscapes that feel like dreams, and even an elephant taking a dip with a bird perfectly perched on its head—nature never ceases to amaze.
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Ashia—meaning “life” and “hope”—is more than just a cheetah center. It’s a vital part of Africa’s conservation efforts, where passion, science, and determination come together to protect one of the continent’s most endangered animals.
Located just outside Cape Town in the scenic town of Paarl, Ashia’s Cheetah Center has been leading the way in cheetah conservation since it opened in 2018. Their mission is simple but powerful: to stop the decline of wild cheetah populations through rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and research.
Driven by the belief that real conservation takes smart, science-backed decisions and ethical animal care, Ashia has grown from a single idea into one of Africa’s most successful cheetah programs. So far, they’ve helped over 200 cheetahs – through release into the wild, relocation to different places, or through rescue and rehabilitation from injury.
Ashia’s Cheetah Center is the heart of the operation. It’s not a zoo – it’s a carefully designed space where cheetahs can get ready for life in the wild. Young mother-reared cheetahs from a captive background learn independence in small steps, while rescued or orphaned cheetahs are rehabilitated with the help of expert vets and caretakers. And for those that can’t be released, the center offers a safe forever home.
Since opening, the Center has cared for more than 50 cheetahs and welcomed over 5000 visitors, all of whom walk away with a deeper appreciation for ethical, science-based conservation.
Ashia does much more than care for animals on-site. Research is at the heart of everything they do. They’ve contributed to advanced genetic studies to help keep South Africa’s cheetah population strong and healthy. Their Phased-Reintegration (Wilding) Program—a careful, step-by-step process to reintroduce cheetahs into the wild—has set a new standard in conservation, with a high rate of cheetahs successfully adapting, having had cubs of their own in the wild, and their cubs also have become mothers or fathers themselves.
Ashia also opens its doors to the public. Whether you’re a student, a researcher, or simply an animal lover, there are ways to get involved. From hands-on volunteering to conservation-focused working holidays, Ashia gives people the chance to contribute—whether it’s for a few days or a few months. A pre-booked visit offers the chance to see the cats in their care and learn about the conservation work on a guided tour.
Over the last years, their work has reached up to North-West Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola working on various projects with partners such as African Parks, Peace Parks and other NGOs. Ashia’s biggest financial and co-ordination efforts are currently going into the Free-Roaming Cheetah Census. This project was developed with top universities and the Cheetah Outreach Trust to study wild cheetahs that live outside protected areas, some of Africa’s last true nomads.
At the core of Ashia’s work are the stories that bring it all to life. Like Khatu, a once-captive cheetah now thriving in the wild with 13 successfully raised cubs and several grand-cubs roaming protected reserves.
Ashia reminds us that conservation is tough—it takes time, patience, and hard work. But it’s absolutely worth it. Every rescued cheetah, every release, every tracking collar, and every volunteer makes a real impact.
If you’d like to be part of this incredible journey—by visiting, volunteering, or simply sharing their story—Ashia welcomes you.
Learn more at ashia.co.za
Witness bewildering elephants, incredible close-up wildlife encounters, heartwarming lion interactions, and adorable baby elephants!
A huge thank you to these amazing creators for sharing these unforgettable moments from April with us!
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Photo by Saeed Aljfar
The recent passing of Lorkulup, one of the Maasai Mara’s iconic lions, has provoked wider discussions about community relations and animal protection. Official records state that he lost his life to a confrontation with an Eland, while locals have a different account that suggests human-wildlife conflict. This incident highlights how difficult it is to strike a balance between the requirements of local communities that live close to wild predators and those of wildlife protection.
Although there has always been a delicate balance between humans and wildlife in the Maasai Mara, actual coexistence is still difficult to achieve. The Maasai community, known for their pastoral lifestyle, depends significantly on cattle herding for survival. Sharing land with predators like lions frequently results in conflicts, occasionally with deadly outcomes for wildlife. For the Maasai, cattle are deeply intertwined with their culture and livelihood, making livestock losses especially impactful and sometimes provoking defensive actions rather than outright aggression.
Events like the loss of Lorkulup reveal the intricate challenges communities face. Conservation, tourism, and local livelihoods depend heavily on each other, creating a complex web of interdependencies. Conservationists understand these complexities and continually pursue strategies to address conflicts, including compensation programs for lost livestock, educational outreach, and initiatives to promote harmonious coexistence.
Photo by Christian Hargasser– @hargasser_wildlife
The death of a dominating lion has broader ecological ramifications than the loss of a single wildlife animal. Increased territorial disputes, instability within lion prides, disturbances in predator-prey relationships, and possible effects on tourism—a vital source of income for the area—are all possible outcomes. These ecological disruptions highlight how urgently sustainable practices must be implemented to avoid future occurrences.
Conservation initiatives rooted in the community offer a possible way forward. Peaceful cohabitation has been successfully promoted by projects that actively involve Maasai community members in wildlife management and provide definite benefits like jobs or education. By economically and socially empowering local people, these initiatives help transform them into allies rather than opponents of wildlife conservation.
Visitors and supporters can significantly contribute to these conservation efforts by promoting ethical travel practices, donating to local conservation groups, participating in community initiatives, and raising awareness about human-wildlife conflicts. Responsible tourism includes following wildlife regulations, selecting eco-friendly accommodations, and engaging in activities that directly benefit local communities.
It takes ongoing discussion, education, and real financial incentives to resolve human-wildlife conflicts in the Maasai Mara. Lorkulup’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties that still exist. To uphold his legacy, we must dedicate ourselves to long-term solutions that benefit local communities and wildlife populations. With collaborative effort and mutual respect, the Maasai Mara can continue to thrive as a sanctuary for wildlife and humans alike, ensuring its future for generations.
Another month calls for another recap—we’ve witnessed a great deal of extraordinary moments, from unforgettable big cat and snake encounters, breathtaking landscapes to dolphin pods playfully mingling with the gulls. A big thank you to the creators for their incredible work!
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Are you ready for the safari experience of a lifetime? Look no further than Namibia! It’s vast, it’s interesting, it’s extraordinary & it’s exhilarating (not to mention magnificent, magical & mysterious) – PLUS, to top it off, there’s absolutely nowhere else on earth like it! Bursting with incredible natural wonders, remarkable historic sites, endless sights & attractions, must-visit National Parks, an extraordinary & unique abundance of wildlife & birdlife, exciting safari experiences & thrilling adventures + SO MUCH MORE, it’s safe to say that Namibia is a treasure trove of discoveries waiting to be explored! A Namibian safari holiday is ideal for nature & wildlife enthusiasts as well as first-time & avid safari goers – there truly is nothing quite as thrilling as experiencing an authentic & action-packed African safari adventure in this sandy oasis. We’re here to tell you exactly why Namibia is one of the GREATEST NOT-TO-BE-MISSED destinations for safaris & why it should be on EVERY wildlife, wilderness & nature lover’s African safari bucket list! Trust us, Namibia will exceed all your expectations & captivate your heart & soul at the same time!
A luxury safari in Africa is an experience like no other – its no surprise that going on a luxury safari getaway in the vast and gloriously diverse continent of Africa has fast become one of the most highly sought-after travel experiences amongst avid travellers, tourists, globe-trotting adventurers, and wildlife enthusiasts across the globe. If you’re looking to combine adventure, romance, luxury, and exclusivity with phenomenal game viewing, vast unspoiled landscapes, the magic of the African bushveld, beautiful beaches, bucket-list worthy safari experiences, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and so much more, Africa will undoubtedly exceed all your expectations as a luxury safari holiday destination. In a world where we can travel anywhere and do anything our heart desires, Africa steps up its game and offers us luxury we could only ever dream of.
A luxury safari isn’t just about the wildlife – it’s also about the opulent accommodations and personalised service that make your trip truly unforgettable. Here is just some of what you can expect from a luxury safari in Africa.
We’ve enjoyed some amazing posts this past month and are excited to showcase our top 10 features, highlighting content featuring an array of wildlife from roaring lions to an enormous herd of Wildebeest at a river crossing . Huge thanks to these incredible creators for their inspiring pieces.
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