We’ve always said that the only way to truly know a place is to get on a plane and check it out. So we do that. A lot. This year, as every year, Trufflepig trip planners and coordinators have done a tremendous amount of research around the world. 217 days worth—by conservative count. Here’s a […]

Over the last few years the general trend for a Botswana safari has been to offer more. More luxury, more comfort, more silver flatware and crystal stemware, more private plunge pools, more butlers (you can never have too many!), more…well, everything. Don’t get me wrong, this is not always a bad thing—let’s face it, everyone […]

Since we’re friends, I’m going to tell you a secret—but you have to promise you’re not going to tell anybody. Here goes and remember, you promised—Greystoke Mahale, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, might just be one of the greatest places I have ever been. Now, I know you want to hear about the chimps […]

Special offers—particularly where travel is concerned—are imperfect for the most part. They’re either too restrictive, not really what you want, or more of a compromise than you would like. But then there are the rare gems you need to take a closer look at. With the Six Countries Special, Wilderness Safaris has created a special offer that’s […]

The bush pool: it’s not always a necessity, but when you’ve worked up a sweat trying to count all the wildebeest in the Serengeti, you’ll certainly be glad it’s there. Where: Nomad’s Lamai Serengeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Why: After a morning spent watching literally thousands of wildebeest taking a cooling—yet terror filled—swim across the Mara River […]

Where: Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park Why: Shaded under a campaign tent in the most handsome shade of pink, it’s the perfect salve after a morning spent walking with the bushmen under a blazing Kalahari sun, or a dusty sunrise quad-bike excursion into the open-air museum of the pans. Greg Sacks has constructed a little […]

Last spring we lost one of our fine safari masters to the African bush—he left us to run camps on the ground in Zimbabwe and Botswana. We are pleased to announce that Dan Achber will be returning to Trufflepig this summer, with a canoe-load of new experiences under his belt. Before he arrives back in […]

Don’t worry, we only mean ‘capture’ in the photographic sense. One of our favourite Pigs is safari photography master James Gifford, who runs workshops to help make your wildest snaps look a little more like his. James lives in Maun, and runs his photographic workshops through a company called Letaka Safaris. He’s crazy about the bush […]

Swakopmund is: a) a quaint coastal town in Namibia, b) the adrenaline capital of Namibia, c) a tribal word meaning “excrement opening” or d) all of the above? The correct answer is d) all of the above. Swakop, as it’s called by the locals, is a charming little town set on the northwest coast of […]

I’ve always loved the Makgadikgadi Pans, but struggled to put my finger on why, as I’m a sucker for a huge herd of elephants, or a magisterial lion lounging in the grass; the Pans have none of this. After spending some time at the newly resurrected San Camp I have finally figured it out. Out […]

Growing up I used to think it might be cool to have a pet chimpanzee—kinda like Michael Jackson and Bubbles. Many years later, an enlightening visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (NICS) made me glad my parents settled on a cat instead. NICS was established in 1998 to care for confiscated chimps that could not be […]

We all know what it feels like when you’re not on “The List”. Whether you’re waiting for a promotion, a procedure, or standing outside the hottest new club in town, it is a cold, hard place to be. Such is life on the great plains of Africa for our friend the magnificent cheetah. Because the […]

The theme song from Jaws is playing in my head as I lower myself into the freezing cold water. I hesitantly peer under the surface, but murky water makes it difficult to see. Suddenly a dark shadow emerges and I find myself face to face with the most feared creature in the sea. Dyer Island […]

Mombo is located on the northern tip of Chief’s Island in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Many claim it has the best big game viewing in Botswana, so I had to find out for myself. The welcoming committee was certainly an impressive start—apart from the lovely staff at Mombo, we were met by a […]

Sometimes I rant about the trips we can plan and you just have to take my word for it. On this occasion, however, I have National Geographic Traveler backing me up. Check out our San Bushman Hunt & Kubu Island Safari—selected as the 2011 ‘Tour of a Lifetime’ in Botswana. What if I told you […]

Safaris are like dating. Not the most obvious metaphor, but bear with me. When you start dating someone new, they’re like an exciting puzzle. As you see them more often, you get more comfortable and figure out a bit more of that puzzle. It’s exciting, scary and even a little confusing. I’d argue that the […]