Sauntering on spongy feet, the big tusker’s truck-sized frame grows larger with every step. His ears are spread wide as if in warning, but his immense trunk dangles languidly, a sign he is relaxed. “His name is Ummoja,” said my guide Daniel of the 40-something pachyderm. My adrenaline surged. Not from fear. From excitement. He […]
26
Aug
Aug
The Molori Safari Lodge Experience “If you need anything your butler’s name is Isaac. “Butler?! I have a butler?! It took me a moment to realize he wasn’t kidding. Toni Watson, my host at the Molori Safari Lodge in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, smiled and opened the massive wooden doors (think Game of Thrones worthy) […]
18
Jan
Jan
If you haven’t seen a river crossing during the Wildebeest Migration in person, no documentary will ever do it justice. Trust me. It’s akin to trying to capture the enormity of the Himalayas in a photograph or the feeling of flight from a video. Crossings are unlike anything you’ve seen before. Each is unique and […]
11
May
May
Who doesn’t want to go on a trip of a lifetime? The question is, what does that mean to you? If you’re looking for a spectacular, otherworldly nature and wildlife experience, then an African safari will be a perfect fit. My first safari was in South Africa, but over the years I’ve safaried in Namibia, […]
09
Jun
Jun
If you’ve never been on a safari, chances are you’re not really sure what takes place a game drive is like. Sure, you know you go out into the wild looking for animals, but there’s no way to say exactly what happens, mainly because it’s never the same. And THAT’S what makes the experience so […]
03
Jun
Jun
What to wear on safari requires thought. Some colors are betters than others, there are seasonal considerations, and you have to keep things minimal because of luggage restrictions and weight limits on domestic flights into the bush. Below I’ll explain the nuances, and when you’re done, be sure to download my safari packing list detailing […]
22
Apr
Apr
There are moments when the stars align and everything comes together and this is one of them. Above us, lounging in the crook of a sprawling jackalberry tree, an adult female leopard is bathed in golden light and to my delight, she knows how to work the camera. I can tell, it’s going to be […]
19
Mar
Mar
On a trip to Africa, my mission was two-fold: I needed to escape my A.D.D., a necessary evil if you want a career in Manhattan (Africa, I found, is one of the few places on earth I can truly relax and be present), and to improve my wildlife photography skills. I have a seemingly infinite […]
03
Mar
Mar
Updated June 2021 The King of The Masai Mara It was he, Scarface the lion (Scar), curled up like a housecat in the grass, his thick dew-covered mane sparkling in the sun. His brothers Hunter, Sikio, and Morani were nearby; they also slept. The Four Musketeers, known for their prowess and savagery, instead looked precious where […]
03
Mar
Mar
It’s mid-morning, and I’m crossing the long, raised boardwalk leading to the island, my excitement building with each plank left behind. I’ve come to Duba Explorers Camp in Botswana, part of the Great Plains Conservation portfolio, one of the best camps in the Okavango Delta, and one of my first stops on an eight-day safari. […]