Walking with Elephants - Back to the wild with Steve Bolnick - Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe
This is the teaser trailer for Walking with Elephants, the pilot episode for the series Walk on the Wild Side with Steve Bolnick.
Steve Bolnick is a zoologist with a passion for walking in the African bush. Most people associate the bush with danger and choose the safety of a car to observe wildlife. Steve strongly beliefs that because we only evolved relatively recently from the hunter-gatherer, we still have a deep affinity with the bush. Through walking, Steve hopes to bring people back to their ancient roots and to help them better understand nature and animal behaviour.
Steve took wildlife reporter Pat Verbraecken to Hwange national park in the North-West of Zimbabwe. The park covers almost 15.000 square kilometres and is located just south of the mighty Victoria falls on the Zambezi river. Although it’s close to one of Africa’s main rivers the area is extremely arid as it borders the Kalahari dessert. Yet Hwange national park has one of Africa’s largest populations of elephants, more than 50.000 of them. Steve has developed a special bond with these fantastic animals. They’re not only the biggest living land mammals, but they’re also extremely intelligent. On top of that they’re very important for the survival of other wildlife and for the ecological balance in general.
The audience easily gets fascinated with these extremely intelligent animals and will be surprised by their human-like social organization and communication skills. Elephants also seem to have an important ecological impact on the bush and are a crucial factor in the survival of other species. Some people believe that there are too many elephants in Hwange at the moment… but Steve has a very different opinion on that matter.
This episode on elephants is the pilot episode for an adventurous wildlife series “BACK TO THE WILD – with Steve Bolnick”. This series is not yet in production.
Steve will bring us back to the wild in the most amazing way. In every episode Steve will meet one specific endangered species in the most intimate way possible… on foot.
Steve gets close with these animals and explains and illustrates their behaviour while giving clues on how to behave and survive in the wild. A healthy taste for adventure is the backbone of the series. Our deep concern for ecology, biodiversity and a healthy relationship between humans and nature are important ‘drivers’ for our stories.
Throughout the series the audience starts to understand that humans are part of ‘wildlife’ and that walking in the bush is not necessarily dangerous as long you understand and respect nature. At the same time this series introduces us to Africa’s most exciting natural regions.
Steve has a strong, surprising and personal story to tell. He’s is eager to share his passion - and experience - with the viewers and he has the talent of translating complex biological and zoological facts into fascinating stories that can be understood by a broad audience. He strongly believes that the bush is quite a natural environment to mankind. Through walking Steve wants to reconnect people with nature and hopes to bring them back to their hunter-and-gatherer roots.
‘Back to the Wild’ is a series on the relationship between humans and nature. On the one hand it offers the opportunity to dream away in a wonderful, idyllic and exciting world of fascinating animals and plants. But at the same time it raises concerns on the fragile relationship between man and nature through the personal comments of Steve.
Steve is deeply concerned with preservation issues and even started his own NGO to support the elephants. He has trained rangers in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and has developed an incredible knowledge on the African fauna and flora. Steve used to live and work in Zimbabwe but moved to Capetown about 10 years ago.
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Hwange National Park - Dusk Lion Walk by
A large family of Lions walking by the Landrover at dusk at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe Africa.
(c) Safariline - Adventures 2012
Walking with elephants in Hwange National Park
Walking in the wild is one of the highlights of a stay at Camp Hwange Hwange Nationa lPark Zimbabwe
Mana Pools & Hwange, with Kanga Camp - a short film
Mana Pools & Hwange, with Kanga Camp - a short film
Few true wilderness safari destinations exist in Africa today. Mana Pools & Hwange represent two such iconic reserves, destinations where you can still find yourself immersed in a wild encounter with nature without sacrificing wildlife sightings, photo opportunities and the little comforts in camp we've grown to enjoy.
Wild Eye hosts this exact itinerary on an annual basis and it's a wonderful safari to join, a true African adventure.
Spend 5 nights at Zambezi Expeditions (Mana Pools), 3 nights at Kanga Camp (Mana Pools) and 4 nights at Somalisa Expeditions.
For more information on this safari, simply email us at the following address..
info@wild-eye.co.za
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Mana Pools and Hwange Safari
Some highlights of our 10 day Safari through the amazing Mana Pools and Hwange National Parks.
Lion walking between our vehicles in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, southern Africa
I recorded this lion between our vehicles in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe (southern Africa).
Here's my personal webpage about our trip through southern Africa:
Here's my page about animals and wildlife:
04-23-2012
My friend walks with lions in Zimbabwe
My friend walks with the lions near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in April, 2015.
2018 Zimbabwe walking safari with Leon Varley
Leon Varley has been conducting walking safaris for over 31 years in around southern Africa and now even to Madagascar. A walking safari is unlike any other wildlife experience to be on the ground away from the insulation of a vehicle you get the truest sense of walking in the footsteps of giant elephants, witnessing the reality of the jungles inhabitants eternal life and death struggle. This is as close to the ground for wild adventures you can get.
African wild dogs kleptoparasitizing cheetahs in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe 22 June 2018
On the 22nd of July 2018, we witnessed a group of cheetahs (one adult female and two male cubs) being kleptoparasitized by a pack of African wild dogs (one adult female and four adult males) in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. This encounter was filmed by Chris Hennessy.
ZAMBEZI - MANA POOLS WALK+CANOE SAFARI
In June 2009 a small group of us led by my great friend Brad Horn from Epic Private Journeys (and including my father in law Gil) walked adjacent to and then paddled, the Zambezi through the incredible Mana Pools region of Zimbabwe. It's a safari and an adventure like no other on the planet I think. Brad exclusively uses Wilderness Safaris, who have a steely commitment to the rebuilding of tourism in Zim. Their camps, guides and level of service are simply the best going.
As you will see, there was a wee bit of drama at times, but that's Africa and that's why I love it so very much. Gil has re-told the story of what happened many times over the bar of his pub Flanagans in Kalgoorlie!
I have also posted our amazing Epic Botswana walk
You can also check out my website now at botswanasky.com and read Death of an Elephant related to the above safari.
Simon
Safari Diary: Mana Pools Safari, July 2018
Mana Pools is truly one of Africa's last remaining wilderness safari destinations. You'll believe me 100% once you've looked through this video.
What makes it special & different to any other safari in Africa is that you're able to not only approach big dangerous game on foot, but also photograph them at close range with absolutely nothing between you & your subject. Can you imagine leaving the relative safety of the game viewer & then walking along with elephants, lion, buffalo and wild dogs. You'll have your camera in hand and thanks to the versatility of being on foot, walk away with incredibly unique photographs.
Mana Pools is the kind of place where you don't spend a few minutes with an elephant before moving on. Here at Wild Eye we've come to know many of the elephants well & at times can spend an entire morning simply walking with a few bulls as they feed on the large Winter Thorns growing on the Zambezi Floodplain.
The camps in Mana are authentic & the staff create an atmosphere very special, one you'll long to return to time and time again.
Please enjoy this safari video journal with me as I share this magnificent safari experience with you.
If you would like to join Wild Eye on safari to Mana Pools, simply send me an email and we will make it happen.
Linkwasha Camp, Hwange, Zimbabwe
With the abundance of the famed Ngamo Plains in Hwange national park right on its doorstep, Linkwasha camp offers luxury and location for those desiring a first class wildlife safari experience
waking up the the wild in somalisa camp, hwange, zimbabwe
this had to be the best place ever to wake up in...not only was it a view not to forget but the sound of the the guinea fowls and birds first thing in the morning is amazing..
walking safari at the Hide in Hwange NP.wmv
Walking safari at the hide in Hwange NP during our educational.
Baby elephant rescued from water trough in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
The rescue of a baby elephant stuck illustrates the amazing compassion and intelligence of elephants! Proceeds from this video will be donated to animal conservation projects in Africa, so please, Share, Share, Share! To skip the narrative and get straight to the rescue - go to minute 3:30.
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In October of 2015, I was in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. A pride of lions had killed a baby elephant the day before next to the water hole and were relaxing nearby, guarding the carcass.
I thought the elephants were nervous due to the presence of the lions, until I realized that there was a baby elephant trapped upside down in the water trough, right next to the pipe where the water came out. National Parks was advised of the stuck youngster, but while they were organizing their rescue effort, several hours passed.
During that time, we watched the frantic mother try again and again to pry the youngster out, unsuccessfully. She was also doing her best to keep the other elephants away from him, but this was during a heat wave in the dry season and everyone was desperate for water, so they pushed back. Her backside was covered in wounds from where they had pushed her off forcefully with their tusks. But as you will see, she still persevered – approaching them with her backside, in order to minimize the damage.
At a certain point, I saw another elephant herd arriving at a break-neck speed, faster than any others had approached. They ran straight past the pride of lions and almost immediately, the matriarch immediately mounted her own rescue effort.
While you watch this video, also keep an eye on the rest of the family – who work together to keep the mother from interrupting the rescue effort – you will be able to recognize the mother as the one approaching walking backwards! The others eventually drove the mother off. After 5 minutes of continually trying, failing, and reassessing, she managed to free the calf, and the rest of the herd returned immediately, trumpeting with joy.
After several minutes of calming the baby down, the matriarch separated him from the rest of the family and somehow gave the OK to the mother to come collect him!
My apologies for the video quality - this was all shot on my iphone!
The Hwange Lion Conservation Safari
With this Hwange Lion Conservation Safari, Wild Eye in collaboration with Panthera, The Mother Africa Trust, The Soft Foot Alliance and Children in the Wilderness gave four guests the opportunity to visit two locations in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park where, along with Panthera’s Dr Paul Funston we gained a deeper understanding of the threats which face wild Lion populations in the region.
Wild Dogs in Hwange Reserve Zimbabwe
Small clip of rare animals
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Footage taken from a week spent at the fantastic Davidson Camp, Wilderness Safaris in 2012. We visited towards the end of the hot dry season, and herds of a hundred or more elephants were regular visitors to the camp. Also woke on our last morning to our first ever sighting of wild dogs. Only a brief visit but brilliant none the less.
Wild Zimbabwe Safari - Wilderness Travel
One of the world’s least-known safari destinations—Zimbabwe—just happens to be one of the best. This stunning country has the most stringent training regime in all Africa for its professional guides. As a result, you enjoy one of the most incomparable safari experiences at its best—getting close to big game while exploring on foot with an incredibly experienced and highly trained guide. Our safari explores Zimbabwe’s phenomenal Hwange National Park, where elephants outnumber annual visitors. Hwange, at 5,657 square miles, has a level of biodiversity matched only by the Serengeti in Tanzania and is full of wildlife. We balance active days with overnights in award-winning lodges, partnering with them to promote wildlife conservation by engaging local villagers in the effort—you’ll meet some of the villagers and see the direct positive impact of your safari on both the wildlife and the people. On this safari, you’ll also take an overnight ride on a restored vintage train, watch elephants and many other animals from a special underground viewing blind, and stay at a lodge where you dine within a few yards of mighty bull elephants who come to drink from the lodge’s pool. Join us in Zimbabwe for the safari of a lifetime.
Surprise visit from wild elephants drink from pool
An amazing moment is captured on camera when a herd of wild elephants drink from a pool in the Somalisa Tent Camp in Hwange NP, Zimbabwe. What a sight to see!
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