Geometric Storm

This past May 31, an unexpected geometric storm created some stunning views of the aurora. Videographers started posting their time-lapsed clips of the Northern and Southern Lights immediately, wowing viewers from around the world. The exact cause of the storm is unknown, but the following videos are extraordinary for certain!

An incredible perspective on the Southern Lights of Tasmania.

Northern Lights glowing across the skies of British Columbia.

Over Lake Superior, thunderstorms duel with the Northern Lights.

Want to witness these awe-inspiring lights first hand? Take a look at our trips to the Arctic. Check out the aurora as well as some great wildlife (like polarbears!) along the way!

Wine and Dine in Africa

Harvesting of grapes at a winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Embarking on a safari might top your to-do list while visiting South Africa, but don't forget about the local African wine and cuisine. Great food paired with great wine may be considered a luxury in our daily lives, but on this continent it is not such a rare find. The farm-to-table movement sweeping U.S. gourmet cuisine is alive and thriving in South Africa, and has been for years. Farm-to-table means using fresh, local ingredients to enhance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Primarily along the Cape, high-end chefs are cooking with vegetables from their on-premise gardens, seafood from the near coasts, and meat raised in local valleys. From traditional South African food to experimental gastronomy, only the freshest of ingredients are dominating top restaurants. And dinner is rarely complete without a careful pairing of one of the country's best wines. 

Some of the finest restaurants and wineries in the world can be found in the winelands surrounding Cape Town, and many of them incorporate their own luxury lodgings. Delight in exquisite African wine and cuisine while enjoying Africa's top hotels.

Lodging overlooking the vineyards of the Delaire Graff Estate.

Where to Stay

Le Quartier Francais

On the Western Cape, Le Quartier Francais’ cottage-inspired suites are nestled in lush gardens that offer tranquility amidst the liveliness of Franschhoek. The luxury hotel houses two award-winning restaurant experiences: innovative fine dining in the Tasting Room and tapas-style cuisine in the Common Room. Both are run by Food Network’s 2012 Chef of the Year, Margot Janse. Both are notably vegan and vegetarian friendly. Even the hotel’s available cooking classes use locally grown and seasonal produce. 

The Steenberg Luxury Hotel

Surrounded by gorgeous views of the Constantia Winelands, The Steenberg is situated on the Cape’s oldest running farm. The location allows for both the freshest local cuisine and best African wines, with an emphasis contemporary South African flavors. Guests are welcome to have an impromptu wine tasting at the Wine Tasting Bar or schedule a longer experience in the ambiance of the Wine Tasting Lounge. Catharina, The Steenberg’s acclaimed fine dining restaurant upholds chef Garth Almazan’s philosophy that a meal should be as fresh and minimal as possible. 

One & Only Cape Town

For a more urban experience, One & Only offers modern elegance while maintaining the authenticity of South African city life. The accommodations are exquisitely furnished with color palettes inspired by the vibrancy of African culture. This same tribute to Cape Town can be felt in the food at Reuben’s, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, which prides itself on beautifully crafted dishes with big flavors. Beloved South African chef Reuben Riffel collaborates with the country’s top winemakers to host Wine & Dine Evenings that allow guests to indulge in the diverse tastes of South Africa. 

Delaire

One of South Africa’s most historic wine regions, Stellenbosch, is the backdrop to the Delaire Graff Estate. Once exclusively a farm, the lodge now houses two gourmet restaurants, a spa, two boutiques, and a winery. The estate’s executive chef Christiaan Campbell creates what he likes to call ‘sunshine cuisine’, meaning his clients are brought to life through his food, which uses only ethically sourced ingredients. Owner Laurence Graff also displays his personal collection of South Africa’s contemporary artwork, making Deliare an incredibly unique culinary, hospitality, and fine art destination.

The Best Time to Go On Safari in Africa

So when is the best time to go on safari in Africa? On such an enormous continent, that really depends on where you want to go. If you already have a time in mind, weather can be a great guide to narrowing your options. A month that’s vibrant and dry in one country might be wet and miserable in another. And if you’re not sure when you’ll be on safari, you can use this guide to decide the season that perfectly fits your vision of wild Africa. Here is Epic Road’s handy safari calendar guide!

We've divided the continent up into East Africa and Southern Africa based on common weather patterns.  

Best Time to Go on Safari by Epic Road

East Africa: Best time to Go on Safari in Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda

In Africa, many safaris follow the path of the Great Migration.  In Tanzania, the Great Migration of ungulates can be seen throughout the year; you just need to know where to look. The migrating herds enter Kenya for a much shorter period, usually from July or August until October – though recent years have seen major arrivals as early as June, and lingerers in the Maasai Mara region until November or even later.  (See our poston the Great Migration calendar.)

In Kenya, the year is divided by two wet seasons—the “long” rains, from April to June, and the “short” rains, spanning a few weeks in November and December. The long rains aren't an ideal time to view game across East Africa, but they are followed by a relatively cool season—and this is the time of the Great Migration. In August, Kenya often experiences a safari crush as herds and their accompanying predators fill the Mara. The short rains are followed by a season of hot, dry weather in from January to March, a perfect time to dive or snorkel on the coast.

In Tanzania, the main rainy season lasts through the spring-- the end of March through May. Afternoon tropical downpours are common, especially on the coast and islands. The dry season, from June to October, is a perfect time to visit. In the winter, most of the ungulates, like the zebras and wildebeest, are calving their young which makes December through the end of February an incredible time to visit as well.

Zanzibar follows a similar pattern to the rest of Tanzania, though it tends to be more humid. The best time to visit is from June to October, when the weather is hot and dry. But December through the end of February can be just as beautiful.

Rwanda, too, is divided by its two rainy seasons—March to May, when rains are heavy and persistant, and October to November. In between are two drier seasons, but because of Rwanda’s pleasant tropical highland climate, rain is always reality in Rwanda.

Southern Africa: Best time to Go on Safari in Botswana, Zambia and Namibia

When it’s spring in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s autumn in the South. Southern Africa from February to April tends to be dry and green, following the rains of summer. So-called rain pans, holding large refuges of drinking water, are a draw for some of the region’s most spectacular wildlife, both large and small. Especially for elephants, the mud-bottomed pans are a special treat, and a great way to watch the animals in a social atmosphere. Namibia and Botwana are particularly lovely in these months.

May brings the floodwater to the Okavango Delta. This is one of the most interesting and exciting times to watch the wildlife. As the tongue of the flood moves through the dry riverbeds, the region explodes in a spectacular show of flora and fauna. The hippo and crocodiles have been waiting for this moment. It’s a time for them to shine.

As the southern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun, temperatures across southern Africa drop. At night, temperatures can be close to freezing, especially in the drier Kalahari. Great flocks of birds have arrived with the floods. The molapos, or seasonal swamps, of the Okavango Delta are filled, attracting enormous herds of zebra, giraffe, buffalo, and impala. In August, the elephants are feeding on the fruit of the palm tree. The congregation of many animals in small, concentrated wet areas can lead to a busy peak season for safaris, but in many ways, this is the Okavango at it's most beautiful. 

In spring, the trees start to flower. The molapos are filled with waterlilies, making for beautiful, verdant vistas.

December, January, and February are the hottest months in southern Africa, easily reaching temperatures of forty degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). In the Okavango Delta, the rains make it an imperfect time to safari, and in Zambia too, this is the “emerald season,” full of flooding rains that force camps to close and make roads impassable. Instead, head to the Kalahari Desert, which is spectacular this time of year. 

Southern Africa: The Cape

The Southern Cape (and Cape Town) has weather patterns unlike anywhere else in southern Africa, which is partially what makes the region so fascinating and unique. From November to March, while it rains in the rest of southern Africa, the Cape is hot, sunny, and dry—perfect vacation weather. Christmas and New Years are beautiful, but can be predictably busy with local and international vacationers.

The winter—from April to August—is cooler, with a bit more rain. June and July are pleasant but changeable, locally known as the “four seasons in one day” time. September marks the beginning of spring—famous in Namaqualand for fields full of blossoming fynbos flowers.

Under African Skies

In the major metropolises where many of us dwell, the primordial beauty of the stars is shut out by light from skyscrapers, stadiums, and advertisements. Luckily, much of Africa remains the world's most pristine wilderness, making it the perfect place to rediscover and experience firsthand the amazing power of the night sky. Here are some of Epic Road's favorite African locations to do just that. 

Morocco: Zagora & M'hamid, Dunes of Erg Chigaga

Travelers to the Dunes of Erg Chigaga report a sky more thickly laced with stars than any they’ve ever seen. The dunes, southwest of Marrakesh, are located sixty miles from the nearest trafficked road. This is true desert. Enjoy a delicious tajine dinner on a moonlit sand dune and then absorb the awesome power of the fiery sky.

Namibia: Namib Desert

In this nearly lunar landscape, one of the world’s oldest, it makes sense that the universe should feel so close and almost palpable. The low and flat desert horizon frames and accentuates the dome of earth’s atmosphere. According to NASA, Namibia boasts one of the planet's darkest night skies, creating a spectacular showcase for shooting stars, constellations, and the Milky Way.

Serengeti: Lamai Wedge

Sleeping beneath the enormous, glittering Lamai sky is a singular experience. The stars seem almost to descend and kiss the ground. Lay back and search for Scorpio, Cygnus the Swan, and Taurus. You may even be joined by star-gazing companions, like hyenas, wildebeest, and elephants.

Malawi: Likoma Island, Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is a truly magical spot to view the celestial landscape. At night, fishermen use lanterns on their canoes, dotting the lake like stars in the night sky. Above, the stars twinkle like diamonds in velvet, creating a 360-degree sparkling panorama. 

Mozambique: Quilalea Island

Where better to star-gaze than from the isolation of a private island? At Quilalea, only the gentle sound of the surf can interrupt what may be one of the most romantic, stellar nights of your life. The pink and blue cloud of the Milky Way is visible overhead almost every night.

Botswana: Duba Plains, Okavango Delta The Southern Hemisphere offers a completely different view of the universe than the Northern. On a clear winter’s night (June-September), with a strong telescope, there’s a possibility of glimpsing Mars, Jupiter with its four Galilean moons, and the ever-stunning ringed Saturn.  

Rebuilding the Circle: Africa's Conservation Success Stories

The African continent is one of the few remaining places where we can witness the breath-taking range of nature’s diversity. Although 45 percent of the world’s wilderness lies in Africa, the human population is growing at nearly twice the global rate. With a growing population come serious threats to the natural majesty of the continent. From the windy crucible of the Cape to the steaming jungle of the Congo, from the red moonscape of the Kalahari to the blizzards of the Atlas Mountains—totally unique biospheres are disappearing before our eyes.

But the future isn’t hopeless. The tireless efforts of individuals across the continent to turn back the tide of environmental degradation make a difference every day. Here are some inspiring examples of conservation efforts in Africa that are succeeding.

Gorongosa National Park: Gorongosa National Park lies at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, in the heart of central Mozambique. Known as “Africa’s lost Eden,” Gorongosa was recently and miraculously brought back from the brink of disappearance. Years of civil war in the country decimated the large mammal population (including hippos, elephants, buffalo, zebra, and lions) by over ninety percent, and ravaged the natural landscape.

But in 2004, the American-based Carr Foundation and the Government of Mozambique teamed up to restore the park. They reintroduced both large mammals and tiny critters, like ants, essential to rebuilding a complete ecosystem, and refurbished Chitengo Safari Camp. Since then, Gorongosa has emerged as one of Africa’s greatest success stories—wildlife is thriving and the park is once again beginning to function as a wonderful place to experience African safari. As E.O. Wilson, one of the world’s most celebrated biodiversity scientists, said, Gorongosa gives us the rare opportunity to “see earth as it looked and felt before the coming of humanity.”

Vamizi Turtle Preservation:

Mozambique’s Vamizi Island is famous for its private resort, its simple luxury, and its unspoilt beaches—but it’s also home to a large population of green and hawksbill turtles, who lay their eggs on the same pristine beaches where we tan and swim. When baby turtles hatch each winter, they immediately begin an arduous trek down to the water’s edge. Turtle survival is already one of nature’s greatest lotteries, made much more difficult by the intervention of humans who poach them for their shells or catch them in fishermen’s nets.

Since 2012, the WWF has been working with Vamizi to stabilize the turtle population. A fulltime staff of nine protects the nests, nurtures hatchlings, spreads the turtle news throughout the local community, and encourages the island’s guests to get involved hands-on.

The plight of the turtles is one of the most compelling and accessible conservation stories on Earth, and as a result, success stories are multiplying. Why not combine a world-class luxury retreat in Vamizi with the life-changing opportunity to watch hatchlings emerge from shells, and nudge them towards survival?

Singita Grumeti Anti-Poaching Unit

Before 2002, illegal poaching across Singita Grumeti in Tanzania, west of the Serengeti, was a daily occurrence. Poaching undermined the tourist potential of the reserves and, in doing so, undermined the ability of local communities to reap sustainable benefits from the area’s rich natural resources.

In 2002, Singita Grumeti Lodge, alongside the Tanzanian Wildlife Division, created an anti-poaching unit to patrol the area, consisting of 120 rangers (many of them ex-poachers) and resulting in unprecedented success. Since the creating of the unit, illegal poaching within Singita Grumeti has been virtually eradicated, and ecotourism is thriving.

Recently, Singita Grumeti has reintroduced black rhino into the reserve, as part of the “Save the Rhino” repatriation initiative, in the hope of revitalizing the population’s numbers and genetic diversity.  

Big Life Foundation

Singita Grumeti isn’t the organization that’s successfully tackling poaching in East Africa. The Big Life Foundation, founded in 2010 by photographer Nick Brandt and conservationist Richard Bonham, is dedicated to coordinated cross-border poaching prevention. In its first 22 months of existence, Big Life made 627 arrests and confiscated 1639 weapons in the Amboseli ecosystem across Kenya and Tanzania where Big Life operates. They are successfully protecting 2 million acres on a daily basis with a team of more than 250 rangers—all of whom are hired from local communities.

Since its inception, Big Life has branched out into other, innovative conservation efforts, such as GPS rhino tracking, doggy rangers, a compensation fund for livestock killed by endangered predators, and a Maasai Olympics.

The efforts of these committed conservationists are keeping certain species afloat. But much of their success depends on continued interest in the region, which spurs demand for conservation and makes it financially viable. Tourism is essential to keeping Africa’s biodiversity alive.

By choosing an African safari that engages and explores these issues, you’re choosing to keep the efforts to solve them alive.  

Epic Road's Most Romantic Honeymoon Safaris

Whether you're looking to relax together in the utmost elegant luxury, or to stregnthen your bond over thrilling natural adventures, Epic Road has the most romantic trip for you. 

Rwanda: Trekking with Gorillas

With less than 800 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, the time to see them is now. Ascend the slopes of Rwanda’s dormant volcanoes into dense, misty green forest, and come face-to-face with the great ape who shares 95% of our DNA. Be amazed by the eerily familiar behavior of these intelligent, charismatic and endangered apes as they eat, nap, and play in family groups.

Cape Town, South Africa: Jet-set holiday

Cape Town is the most European of African cities–a true melting pot, molded by Dutch and English imperialism, and deeply infused by the indigenous African cultures. The glittering skyscrapers that stretch towards the cloud-wreathed peak of Table Mountain are punctuated by the shouts of children in the townships and the call of the muezzin from the mosque. In one day, you can experience dazzling landscapes, visit cutting-edge art galleries, and enjoy a world-class meal made from the region’s many farms and vineyards.

Serengeti Plains, Tanzania: Africa's vast plains and you

Experience the Africa of storybooks and documentaries of the Serengeti Plains. Wide open savannahs, herds of wildebeest and big cats tracking them down. Zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes and you. Reminiscent of a bygone era, Singita Sabora Tented Camp dishes up lavish doses of romance, exploration and intrigue. It's location on a private reserve in the Serengeti will often make you feel like you’re the only one on the planet. Alone to experience Africa’s vastness.

Arctic Circle: Northern Lights

The delicate, painterly wash of the Aurora Borealis is worth staying up for. Nestle close with your loved one outside of your safari-style luxury igloo while the sky lights up in psychedelic pinks and greens. In the morning, helicopter over the ice floes in search of a mother polar bear with her cubs, and the rare Torngat caribou herds. When night falls, settle once again into the warmth and luxury of your own personal igloo.

Mozambique Archipelago: Lost in the Indian Ocean

Aside from the wonderful staff on Mozambique’s Vamizi Island, who provide everything—shade, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment—don’t expect to see a soul. In this most remote, pristine setting, you and your loved one can dive with whales, dolphins, turtles, giant parrotfish, and manta rays, fish for your dinner, explore the island’s conservation activities with the World Wildlife Fund, or simply lie on the beach and let your worries be washed away by the island’s beauty and gentle surf.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: Wonders of the World

Few natural sights are as arresting as the massive Victoria Falls, the biggest waterfall in the world and one of Africa’s top draws. Less known however, are the wonders that surround the waterfall in this rich and diverse regions—one of Africa’s most beautiful. Swim in the thrilling precariousness of Victoria Falls’ Devil’s Pool. Lounge beside hippos as they bathe in the great Zambezi River. Bungee jump next to the awesome, powerful Falls. Safari on the back of an elephant. This is romance at its most exciting.

Namibia and Botswana: Animal Adventure

The Kalahari Desert, stretching across Namibia and Botswana, is Africa’s oldest, unchanged landscape. This land of epic dunes, volcanic mountains, and prolific plains is also home to some of Africa’s most luxury safari lodges. In addition to spectacular landscapes—vast deserts with thousand-foot sand dunes and a coastline strewn with bleached whalebones and ancient shipwrecks. Stay at the Serra Cafema Camp in the northwest corner of Kakaoland to enjoy the mars-like landscape in luxury. Then head to greener Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where you can spot some of Earth’s most adorable creatures (giraffes, elephants, zebra, wild dog, hippopotami, lions, and leopards) gather at the rich floodplains near Selinda Camp.

Stellenbosch and Franschoek, South Africa: Food and Wine

Few regions on earth rival the gustatory bounty of South Africa’s Western Cape. This is the heart of Africa’s farm-to-table movement, a veritable eden of vegetable garden’s, sheep farms, vineyards, orchards, and even apiaries. Feast your eyes and stomach on the best that culinary Africa has to offer—from famous fine dining to over one hundred wine cellars open to the public. 

The Great Migration: Epic Road's Recs

The great migration is one of Earth’s most thrilling spectacles—and one of Africa’s most consistent draws. Every year, millions of zebra, Thomson’s gazelles, giraffe, and wildebeest move northwards across Africa from Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains to the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of food and water. As the grazers move, so do the predators, in anticipation of the massive herds of prey. In fact, it’s the greatest migration of mammals on the planet. The arduous journey covers 18000 miles in a clockwise circle, and every year, many animals don’t finish it.

Whether you’re watching it from an open vehicle, on foot, or in a hot air balloon (yes, really) the great migration is a seriously spectacular sight. Stand witness to the natural majesty of lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest and more as the move across the African plain, interacting at close quarters. Watch crocodiles as they hunt their prey in the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. Watch lions stalking antelope. Watch massive herds of wildebeest and zebra graze peacefully together on the flat, green plains.

The great migration in its totality lasts the whole year, meaning that there’s a wide variety of places and times to view the action. Here’s a rundown of some of our favorites, by season. 

January, February, March: Ndutu (southern Serengeti)

In the southern Serengeti, the herds birth their calves—almost all are born during a three-week period. When the herds and the newborns are strong enough they restart the migration north. Wildebeest babies are born to run, and can run alongside their mothers almost immediately after birth.

ER recommended lodges: Kusini Tented Camp, Olakira Ndutu

April, May: Seronera (central Serengeti)

In late spring, the heard move north into the Central Serengeti for rainy season. Seronera, in the Serengeti National Park, can be a taxing place to watch the migration, due to a high volume of tourists and restrictions for off-road safaris, but with the rainy season, it’s off peak with many camps closed. So in summary not our favorite time but it can have its own charm if the camps are open.

ER Recommended Lodges: Dunia, Serengeti Under Canvas, Four Seasons Serengeti

June, July: Grumeti River (western Serengeti)

The Grumeti River, in the northwest Serengeti, is the first major obstacle facing the herds. While attempting to cross the river, herds are exposed to hunting crocodiles, hoping to take advantage of distressed zebra and wildebeest.

The Grumeti River crossing is one of our favorite moments and places to see the migration, because of the stunning natural beauty of the region and the high quality of its luxury lodges.

ER Recommended Lodges: Faru Faru, Sabora Tented Camp, Singita Explore

August, September, October: Lamai Wedge, Mara River and Maasai Mara

As fall arrives, the herds move northeast towards the Mara River and eventually into the Maasai Mara. The rolling hills and endless plains of the region make for a beautiful, unforgettable backdrop to the migration. It's a picturesque, remote and unspoiled part of the Serengeti. The Mara River too, is filled with chomping crocs.

ER Recommended Lodges: Sayari Mara Camp, Nomad Lamai, Singita Mara River Camp, Serengeti Bushtops, Governors Camp

November, December: Lobo and Seronera

The herds move south in winter, crossing back into the Serengeti National Park to birth their young and begin the cycle anew.

ER Recommended Lodges: &Beyond Klein's Camp and Serengeti Under Canvas

Best Documentaries on Africa

Here at Epic Road, we like to get ready for our epic journeys and African safaris by reading up on the natural history of the region. Another, faster way to prep is watching some of the best documentaries on Africa there are—and there are many. Here are a few great recommendations to get you excited and aware.

The Last Lions

A collaboration between National Geographic and Explorers-in-Residence Derek and Beverly Joubert, The Last Lions documents the rapid decline of Africa’s lion population due to poaching and a terrible lack of government protection. The film documentary focuses on a lioness named Ma di Tau ("Mother of Lions") as she battles to protect her cubs against the daunting onslaught of enemies to ensure their survival. This is the jumping-off point for a disturbing, well-researched and beautifully shot cri de coeur about our moral duty to save this majestic species and others like it.

BBC’s Planet Earth

There’s no one segment on Africa in this mind-boggling series about the world’s wealth of little-known natural wonders; rather, spectacular footage of the continent is sprinkled throughout. Look out for a lion pride’s elephant hunt, elephants migrating towards the Okavango Delta, a seasonal bloom of life in the otherwise arid Kalahari desert, huge families of gelada monkeys living on the steep precipices of Ethopian highlands, and the touching, uncannily human behavior of Chimpanzees in the Congo.

War Dance

In war-torn Uganda, the L. R. A. (Lord's Resistance Army) kidnaps young children, turning girls into sex slaves and boys into soldiers. Thousands of children seek refuge from the L. R. A. in the Patongo camp, and this film follows several of the camp's children as they compete in the National Music Competition. Despite the enormous odds against them, these children manage to find new life and hope in dance. A story of human resilience in the face of total brutality, War Dance was nominated for an Academy Award and heralded as one of the best documentaries about Africa.

Africa

BBC’s latest addition to its spectacular annals of nature documentaries is Africa, a beautifully shot, in-depth look at the elusive continent. Narrated by David Attenborough, the series travels across Africa region-by-region, capturing never-before-recorded natural phenomena and animal behaviors on film. 

April in Africa

Serengeti

April is unfurling across Africa, but that means something different in each small corner of the continent. It is the perfect time for an African safari trip.

In Zimbabwe, April brings autumn. The rains have just ended but the grass is still green and the rivers are full. Days are warm and dry and the skies are a bright, vivid blue.

It’s a big month for the animals (both resident and tourist) of Zimbabwe’s mighty Zambezi River, which flows from the Congo basin in the north to the coast of Mozambique in the east. The fish in the river are jumping and the crocodiles are snapping. Rain means life, and wildlife (including lions and hippopotami) are rampant.  

Westward, in Botswana, the skies are clear and lovely. April is the perfect time to go on safari in the region as the wet season has just ended. The best game viewing in Botswana shifts from the Kalahari to the game rich Okavango Delta. Herds are congregating around the Okavango Delta. A quiet paddling trip down the Selinda Spillway in a mokoro (traditional African canoe) is the perfect way to watch them.

Perhaps April’s most spectacular sight is the South Serengeti. The life-giving rains that fall from mid-November to early May are ending and the well fed wildebeest who have grazed on the short grass of the Southern Serengeti Plains are getting ready to restart the great migration. It is also the tail end of the calving season. Mothers are waiting for their young calves to fatten up and have the strength for the journey north. The Great Migration is the region’s greatest spectacle. Thousands of young wildebeest calves stick closely to their mothers while predators eye them cannily from the grasses. Massive African elephants cool themselves in the woodlands around Lakes Ndutu and Kusini.

Nearby sits the Ngorongoro Crater, one Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Though only ten miles across, the crater is home to black rhino, elephants, buffalo, lions, and cheetahs.

In Mozambique, the rainy season has already ended. The sun has come out and the humidity is passing. It’s a magical time of year to experience the country’s pristine coastline and islands. Mozambique's beaches are simply stunning and its the perfect way to end a luxury safari.

Auction Item for Charity: Four-Night Singita Safari for Two in Tanzania's Serengeti. Proceeds Benefit The Explorers Club

Experience Tanzania's Serengeti! This package includes two nights for two people at Singita Mara River Tented Camp and two nights for two people at Singita Explore Mobile Tented Camp in Tanzania's Serengeti. Be sure to check out charitybuzz by March 26, 2013 to bid on this incredible experience. Also check out Epic Road for more information on this incredible experience 

Singita Mara River Tented Camp is located on the northern banks of the world-renowned Mara River in the Lamai triangle which covers 40,000 hectares (98,000 acres) of the northernmost tip of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. A small and intimate retreat, the camp is an oasis of casual elegance and relaxed bohemian glamour. E-brochure click here.

Singita Explore is a return to the very essence of safari. This exclusive mobile camp treads lightly on 340,000 private acres of Tanzania’s majestic Serengeti, allowing guests to overnight under canvas in the most outstanding corners of Africa’s premier wilderness area. Return from game drives to en-suite hideaways, where canvas walls frame contemporary details infused with the durable textures of Africa. Understated furnishings of wood, steel, leather and natural fabrics remove the clutter of everyday life to offer a safari both luxurious yet uncomplicated. E-brochure click here

Bidding closed 

Donated By: Singita Game Reserves and Epic Road

Attend the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival! January 30 - February 2 at the Crosby Street Hotel in New York City. Great films and talks. Buy your tickets online before they are sold out.

Wildlife Conservation Film Festival New York

Suri Donga Clash

Watch two Suri tribes partake in stick fighting on the day of the Donga. This traditional event is central to Suri culture, and is often used to settle disputes and to help Suri men find girlfriends and wives.

http://vimeo.com/6183249

Rhino Poaching in South Africa

This year in South Africa poachers have killed a record number of Rhinos—their horns can be sold in Asia for use in traditional medicine. The species is already considered endangered, and the increased demand from the Asian market threatening the survival of the species.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19966164

Lemarti's Camp

Lemarti’s Camp is a beautiful safari hideaway located in Kenya’s Northern Laikipia Plateau. The camp combines adventure, nature, and authentic culture to give travelers a unique glimpse of Kenya. Take a look at this video to experience a different side of Africa. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GlIJTIfB8WI

Uganda's Endangered Mountain Gorillas

Video from BBC about Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Due to neighboring conflict in the Congo and Rwanda, there are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild. Watch travelers experience the gorillas first hand.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120806-ugandas-endangered-mountain-gorillas

Conkoutai's Wonderful Wildlife

Conkoutai, a national park in The Republic of Congo’s has partnered with the environmental charity The Size of Whales to protect two million hectares of rainforest. The project includes protection for wildlife living in the tropical forest, the savannah, and the marine reserve. These photos give you a glimpse into the diversity and grandeur of the project.

Waterfalls

Beautiful photos of waterfalls from BBC. Make sure to check out Zambia’s Victoria Falls and South Africa’s Libson Falls. Epic Road can take you there.

www.bbc.com/travel/slideshow/20120803-beautiful-waterfalls-around-the-worldtt

Epic Road Partners with Wildlife Conservation Film Festivals

Epic Road is proud to announce its partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Film Festivals. The WCFF produces film festivals across North America that screen the finest conservation, natural history, and wildlife documentary films in the world. Epic Road is a proud sponsor of this year's film festival in New York City. 

"Cocktails for Conservation"

Epic Road will be hosting a cocktail reception for WCFF this Thursday, October 18 from 6pm to 10pm. Join us for an evening of animal welfare and conservation, great cocktails, and photography from Mark Lakin, the Co-Founder of Epic Road, as we prepare to launch the upcoming New York Wildlife Conservation Film Festival.

October 18, 6pm - 10pm

Open Bar/Free Admission

Guest of honor: A.J. Cady, Senior Program Advisor, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

Mark Lakin Photography

750 Greenwich Street (Corner of W 11th Street), Ground Floor

RSVP to: melissa@epicroad.com

"Film Festival Opening Reception"

Please also join us for the New York Wildlife Conservation Film Festival Opening Reception and Fundraiser to benefit Trust for Wildlife and Big Life Foundation. Open Bar and hors d'oeuvres. Meet and greet filmmakers and some of the world's leading environmental and wildlife conservationists. Mark Lakin, the Co-Founder of Epic Road, will auction his photography alongside the works of legendary artists like Nick Brandt, Charlie Hewitt, Arman, Andrea Belag, Kate Carey, Steven Gross, Jane Dickson, Isack Kousnsky, Cyril Christo, and Marie Wilkinsonto to benefit the Trust for Wildlife and Big Life Foundation.

November 7, 7pm - 9pm

$75

I Tre Merli Restaurant 

463 West Broadway

Purchase Tickets Here

"New York Wildlife Conservation Film Festival"

November 8 - 10

Tribeca Grand Hotel & Theater 

2 Avenue of the Americas

Purchase Tickets Here

Hope to see you there.

Best,

Epic Road

World Malaria Day

New York, USA- Today is World Malaria Day. Per the Wall Street Journal, Malaria has been responsible for half of all human deaths since the Stone Age. Per The Gates Foundation, Malaria causes nearly 1 million deaths per year, and 85 percent of those who die are children under 5 years of age. Ninety percent of malaria deaths occur in Africa, where the financial cost of malaria is crippling economic development due to the high cost of medicines and reduced productivity. Unlike many other diseases that plague our world, we can wipe malaria off the face of the map in our lifetime- forever. Its been done in the US generations ago with less money, less awareness and less technology. - Epic Road Team

Swimming with Penguins

Boulders Beach, South Africa- Swimming with penguins in the freezing waters off the southern tip of South Africa. - Mark Lakin, Epic Road Co-Founder