This new year brings new hope for Africa’s elephants. At the beginning of this year, China announced it would officially end it’s ivory trade by the end of the year. As the number one market for ivory, this development has the potential to slow down the ivory trade, which has caused the elephant population to decrease by 30% in the last 7 years to just over 350,000 worldwide. That may sound like a lot elephants, but a far cry from the the estimated 18 million that roamed the continent in the 1800’s.
2017 brings the start of my third year as a Wildlife Ambassador leading safaris to Africa. Your support and encouragement has been wonderful and I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m departing this week for our Big Cat Safaris in Kenya. In the middle of the summer is the Annual Migration Safari, and later in the Fall there is a Tanzania trip in the works. 2018 looks to be even busier. If you’re thinking about a safari in the future or want to learn more about the safari experience or just have general questions, please don’t hesitate to call.
2017 Safari Dates
February 4-18 Big Cat Safari July 29 – August 5, Annual Migration Safari October, 12 Day Tanzania Safari
Our most recent safari was to Kenya to admire the great elephants of Tsavo National Park, the endangered rhinos of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the unique ecosystem of Samburu and the Masai Mara for the Great Annual Migration. Below is a sampling of photos from that safari. To see more photos from our trip, check out the “Recently Added” tab on our website.
The red dirt of the Tsavo region gets on everything, including the animals giving them a beautiful reddish tint.
If this guy is allowed to live his life in peace, he has the potential to become a “Tusker” elephant, meaning each of his tusk can grow to over 100 lbs. each.
Giraffe admiring the cheetah cubs and their mom in Samburu National Reserve
Threatened Greevy Zebras visiting a water hole in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is rhino sanctuary and home to many of Kenya’s remaining rhinos, who are protected around the clock by a dedicated group of rangers.
Wildebeest stooping down for a drink in the Masai Mara
Curious ostrich, Samburu National Reserve.
With over 450 bird species in the Masai Mara, it can be a birders paradise
While in Tsavo, I had the opportunity to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Release Center where they care for orphaned elephants (and an occasional zebra). I adopted this elephant, Bada, whose mom was murdered by poachers. He will be watched over by a group of dedicated people who will care for him until he is old enough to be released back in the wild.
While most of our game viewing is from vehicles, there are opportunities to get out and do a walking safari. Robert and Patrick are two of the dedicated rangers who took us out into the bush to observe rhinos and cape buffalo on foot.
I’m working on a new informative website that should be completed in the first half of the year.
Regards,
Peter
P.S. Feel free to share this e-mail with your friends and family.
I don’t know where the time has gone! This update is waaaaay over due and I have lots of news to share with you.
As a wildlife ambassador, my goal has always been to create awareness about the threats facing our world’s wildlife by taking you to places where you can experience these magnificent animals up close and personal, while you still can. By doing so, I hope that you too can become ambassadors for wildlife.
Let’s start with two future safaris I’ve developed for you: India and Alaska.
India – Tigers and Snow Leopards
Did you know there are more tigers in captivity in the state of Texas than there are in the wild? India is home to approximately 3,500 wild tigers. With April and May being the best time to view tigers, I spent three weeks this spring exploring India’s wildlife. While my exploratory trip took me to multiple locations throughout India, future tiger safaris will focus on central India.
Next month, my family and I are on a quest that will take us to the Himalayas in Northern India in search of the White Ghost, aka the snow leopard. Stay tuned for a trip report and my announcement of 2019 tiger and snow leopard safari dates.
This female Asian elephant is pregnant and looks ready to give birth soon. The Asian elephant is much smaller than the African elephant.Mom and her cub finishing a drink at a man-made watering hole in Bandhavagarh National Park. The park is not fenced and these tigers are free to move in and out of the park. The Asian rhino is distinguished from his African counterpart by having only one horn and his skin looks like a suit of armor.The giant hornbill is on his way to bring his mate some berries. She is inside a hollowed-out tree with her young. The male made this predictable trip about every 20-30 minutes throughout the morning.
Alaska Experience
Alaska, often referred to as the “last frontier”, has captivated travelers and photographers alike. While part of the United States, it can feel like a foreign land. Alaska is so large you could fit the state of Texas in it twice! Alaska is also home to some amazing wildlife.
While the focus of our trip will be the Alaskan Brown Bear, we will experience fly fishing, hiking, rafting and camping. This inaugural trip is limited to just 4 guests.
With the bears so focused on the salmon, they are not paying much attention to the humans watching them play just 50 yards away on the other side of the river. This allows us to get into the river and be at eye level with the bears. They are magnificent animals to watch up close. We spent the entire day watching bears come and go. At one point we counted 16 different bears spread out along the river. It was non-stop action!Mom and her little ones relax while watching other bears fish for their dinner.Success! Bears take advantage of the annual salmon run to fatten themselves for the coming winter. There is no shortage of fish, but catching them is not as easy as it looks.These young bears look like humans wearing bear suits. They were standing up to get a better view of the salmon in the river and looking out for older male bears who wanted to chase them away.
Kenya – Annual Migration
Kenya never disappoints, and our Big Cat and Migration safaris this year were no exception! These perennial trips are scheduled for 2018 with one new offering: an optional extension following the Big Cat Safari in February to Uganda for a gorilla trek. Several guests have been asking for this trip and we are making it happen in February.
The hippo spends much of its day sunning itself on the banks of a river, then going into the water to cool off. The evenings are spent eating grass in the fields near the river.This young male leopard spent a good 45 minutes trying to get his dinner out of the tree after he got it caught between two trees. Eventually he realized the best thing to do was to take the meal back to the top of tree.A young male and his girl taking a break.
Kenya School Building Project – Satao Wildlife Foundation
A visit to a local village school is a part of all of our Kenya safaris and is a very rewarding experience for our guests. This past February we noticed the student population quickly outgrowing the current facilities, with many students sitting on the floor or doubled up at desks. Long story short, I committed to fundraising to construct a new 4 classroom and 4 office building complete with desks and textbooks for each student.
We have raised nearly half of the $60,000 cost of the project and need your help to raise the rest. While I’m certain you have no shortage of good causes, I would like you to consider supporting one more.
To learn more or donate on-line, please visit the Satao Wildlife Foundation, a 501c3 public charity I established whose mission is “Improving the lives of wildlife”. We do this by improving the lives of people through community conservation programs in Africa. This school is our second project in Kenya.
If you have any questions, please contact me and I would be happy to answer your questions. The architect drawing is below.
2018 Safari Dates
MedWish Brigade to Kenya for Medical Professionals February 1-10
