Travel Professionals: Promote Yourself to Ecotravelers...       Apply now to be part of our EcoDirectory!       Click here for details     Become an EcoContributor       Tell us about the latest book you read, your favorite gear, or a funny story for a chance to win an organic cotton t-shirt!       Click here for details     Book Review The Safari Companion, A Guide to Watching African Mammals By Richard D. Estes     Full review >>
	Destinations WILD PRIDE: Thrilling Safari in the South African Bush During the evening game drive on day two of my African safari, Jonas, our tracker, leads us to a magnificent pride of lions making their way through the bush. We stop to observe, and to my surprise and delight, the lions approach us. But my excitement soon turns to apprehension when Kevin, our ranger, slowly turns around and, with a very concerned expression on his face, cautions us, "No sudden moves… this pride is very wild." The lion is known as the "King of African Carnivores," and will claim prey at any time, whether hungry or not, if presented with an easy opportunity. And I suddenly feel like very easy prey, sitting in an open air Land Rover with no roof or sides. The wild animals in this South African nature reserve are familiar with the safari vehicles and most likely will not show aggression toward them. However, they are not used to people, and, while they generally do not see humans as prey, may perceive sudden moves or loud noises as a threat warranting an attack. As the pride proceeds closer and closer still, I recall one of Kevin's comments on a previous and more distant lion encounter the day before, "If you get out [of the Land Rover] right now, you're as good as dead. They'll be all over you." I freeze as one lioness, her glowing eyes steadily fixed upon us in an intimidating stare, prowls to within 3 feet of our Land Rover and then continues on around the back of the vehicle, momentarily out of sight. A silent stillness takes hold of our small group. Excited and alarmed, I hold my breath. My heart's hard and hurried pulse resonates throughout my body. In the next moment the lioness reappears on the other side of our Land Rover and, to my great relief, continues on her way. I am left to watch in speechless awe as the pride trails off into the evening's gathering darkness.   Full Story >> Book Review The Safari Companion, A Guide to Watching African Mammals By Richard D. Estes, Illustrations by Daniel Otte The Safari Companion, A Guide to Watching African Mammals(Chelsea Green Publishing Company; $25.00) is a comprehensive guide to over 80 African mammals. From bushbabies to elephants, this tremendously informative book will help animal lovers to identify and understand the behaviors of African mammals, including hoofed mammals, carnivores, and primates. Lucid drawings of each mammal are accompanied by detailed descriptions of physical appearances, habitat, social and mating systems, reproductive behaviors, maternal care, predators, and more. This guide to animal behavior contains an incredible wealth of fascinating and useful information. Full Review >>   Recent Ecotravel Features First Ecotourism Conference in Venezuela Angel Falls, Venezuela Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Climbing the Grand Teton. Churchill, Manitoba Polar Bear Capital of the world. Machu Picchu, Peru Discover the world of the Incas. What is Ecotravel.com about? Read more about us our mission and vision for the site.
Email this page to a friend   About Us       Terms of Use       Privacy Policy       Contact Us       Freelance Writers       Travel Professionals
Copyright © 2001, 2002 Ecotravel, LLC. All rights reserved.