Links

Useful Links

We’ve gathered a selection of useful links that will make your travel planning easier.The subjects covered are diverse; from travel advice, to medical advice, currency conversion and suggestions for books you should buy before you go.

We’ve also included links here to to the websites of some wildlife and conservation organisations where you can find valuable background information to prepare you for your travels.

For Photographers

Information for Travellers

National Parks

http://photographylife.com  

PhotographyLife.com is a terrific site for anyone interested in photography. It has tips on technique, gear reviews and loads of sound advice.

http://www.dpreview.com

One of the essential sites to visit when you are considering buying new equipment. Their in depth reviews are second to none and the forums put you in touch with a whole community of photographers who are more than happy to help with any issues you may have.

http://www.birdphotographers.net   

It Ain’t Just Birds. The Premier Online Educational Nature Photography Community. If you are trying to improve the standard of your photography this is a brilliant site. Photographs posted to BirdPhotographers.net receive detailed and insightful critiques from experienced nature photographers. Be warned though, this is not like some of the social networking sites where people will ‘like’ everything you post; if people don’t like your photo they’ll tell so, and tell you why and tell you how to improve it. Invaluable.  
The discussion forums are a wonderful resource when you need a bit of help.

http://naturephotographers.net 

Nature Photographers Online Magazine, the official site of the Nature Photographers Network. A top site for those who want to receive and give constructive critiques on all aspects of nature photography.
The standard is very high and will inspire you to kep improving.

http://lightstalking.com

This is a really informative photography site, bursting with tutorials and great advice.

If you use Adobe Lightroom for your post processing then there are some great tips to be found here.

 

UK Foreign Office Travel Advice

Written with the intention of safeguarding British people travelling overseas, this site is kept bang up to date with information about potential threats to your health or safety on a country by country basis.

Smartraveller.gov.au

Travel advice and information for Australian travellers

Fit for Travel

Travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK.

A good place to check what vaccinations and medicines you might need.

Tanzania National Parks 

Their official website

Kenya Wildlife Service

Parks and Reserves managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service

South Africa National Parks

Parks managed by South Africa National Parks service

Parks in KwaZulu Natal are managed by a separate organisation

http://www.kznwildlife.com/

 

Zambia National Parks 

Zambia Tourism Board website

Conservation

Videos Worth Watching

Conservation, Crime and Communities

Case studies of efforts to engage local communities in tackling illegal wildlife trade. In downloadable PDF format; very insightful and well worth reading.

The Wild Foundation 

The WILD Foundation protects wilderness while meeting the needs of human communities, working across cultures and boundaries by collaborating  with local peoples, organizations, the private sector, and governments to create dynamic practical projects and communications initiatives.

One of our favourite Wild Foundation initiatives is the
Mali Elephant Project

Big Life Foundation 

Big Life is the only organization in East Africa with co-ordinated cross-border anti-poaching operations.

Space for Giants 

Space for Giants aims to secure a future for the largest mammals on earth forever, to be enjoyed by humanity forever, by ensuring that they have the space and security to live and move freely in the wild forever.

Wildlife Direct

A grassroots Kenyan organisation working to save Africa’s wildlife.

Elephant Advocacy League

Raising awareness about elephant exploitation.

The Thin Green Line Foundation. 

Protecting Nature’s Protectors.

“Our vision is to ensure all Park Rangers, and their immediate communities around the globe are sufficiently supported to carry out their conservation duties, and where a ranger is injured or killed in the line of duty that the family is adequately supported.”

African Wildlife Trust 

Protecting Africa’s Endangered Wildlife

African Conservation Foundation 

Working towards the protection and conservation of Africa’s endangered wildlife and their habitats

Cheetah Conservation Fund 

The most specialized member of the cat family, the cheetah also is the most endangered cat in Africa.

Breaking the Brand  

Despite valiant efforts, billions of dollars and years of campaigning, conservation, in the main, appears to be losing the battle to save species, environments and bio-diversity. By understanding the motivation of the primary users of illegal and/or endangered wildlife products we aim to build campaigns to influence the patterns of purchasing behaviour – our initial target will be focusing on the demand for rhino horn in Viet Nam and throughout Asia which is causing the current killing spree. Breaking The Brand is run 100% by volunteers which means everything donated goes directly towards the campaigns.

Niassa Lion Project · Dr. Colleen Begg · Expo 2014  

Dr. Colleen Begg lives with her family on a wooden platform in a tree in the wilds of Mozambique’s Niassa National Reserve. Working with local people is at the heart of her work to save Niassa, its lions and its other wildlife. If you have an interest in wildlife, the wilderness and conservation this is one video you must watch.

Punch above your weight

Mali elephant conservation: Dr. Susan Canney at TEDxVailWomen

Last Days 

A powerful animated film by Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow

Hunted 

A short animated film by Chinese icon Li Bingbing. This was shown in 1,300 cinemas across China to draw attention to elephant poaching