Aus to Africa Tours and Safaris

22/12/2024

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22/12/2024

That deafening sound of Summer: When male cicadas sing, they contract specialized muscles in their abdomen, known as internal tymbal muscles, which cause the tymbals to buckle inward, producing a pulse of sound. To avoid deafening themselves, their ear parts, called tympana, fold up during this process. The hollow bodies of male cicadas act as natural amplifiers, enhancing the volume of their calls.

21/12/2024

Talk about being blown away! For years now, our resident magpies, where we live here in Australia, have successfully raised between one and two fledglings each season, proudly delivering their adorable offspring into the world. But this year, something was off. I kept telling Gary that something didn’t seem right with our pair of magpies. The babies, which usually make an appearance like clockwork, didn’t surface when expected. Then, in full view of the parkland near our house (yes, it was quite the spectacle!), we witnessed a mating session between the male and female.
But the mystery only deepened from there.
For days, we’d been hearing a strange, almost robotic version of a baby magpie’s squawk. It was odd—like an AI-generated sound rather than the usual sweet calls of the young birds we were used to. On closer investigation, we made a shocking discovery—one that bird lovers like me only ever read about.
A pair of noisy channel-billed cuckoos, who had been making a ruckus in the area a few weeks ago, had managed to sneak an egg into our magpies’ nest. And now, the “baby” we’d been hearing was their massive fledgling!
As a bird lover, this was one of the most bizarre things I’d ever witnessed. The cuckoo fledgling was enormous compared to our magpies and shockingly demanding of its adoptive parents. It would aggressively peck at them when it wasn’t fed enough, sitting there like the world’s most obvious imposter in a family of the sweetest magpies we’ve come to love.
It’s hard to watch, knowing that our magpies have been tricked into raising this cuckoo as their own, but it’s also a fascinating look into nature’s sometimes harsh but incredible ways. For now, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on our magpie family—imposter and all—and hope for a more “traditional” family reunion next season!

21/12/2024

Talk about being blown away! For years now, our resident magpies, where we live here in Australia, have successfully raised between one and two fledglings each season, proudly delivering their adorable offspring into the world. But this year, something was off. I kept telling Gary that something didn’t seem right with our pair of magpies. The babies, which usually make an appearance like clockwork, didn’t surface when expected. Then, in full view of the parkland near our house (yes, it was quite the spectacle!), we witnessed a mating session between the male and female.
But the mystery only deepened from there.
For days, we’d been hearing a strange, almost robotic version of a baby magpie’s squawk. It was odd—like an AI-generated sound rather than the usual sweet calls of the young birds we were used to. On closer investigation, we made a shocking discovery—one that bird lovers like me only ever read about.
A pair of noisy channel-billed cuckoos, who had been making a ruckus in the area a few weeks ago, had managed to sneak an egg into our magpies' nest. And now, the "baby" we’d been hearing was their massive fledgling!
As a bird lover, this was one of the most bizarre things I’d ever witnessed. The cuckoo fledgling was enormous compared to our magpies and shockingly demanding of its adoptive parents. It would aggressively peck at them when it wasn’t fed enough, sitting there like the world’s most obvious imposter in a family of the sweetest magpies we’ve come to love.
It’s hard to watch, knowing that our magpies have been tricked into raising this cuckoo as their own, but it's also a fascinating look into nature’s sometimes harsh but incredible ways. For now, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on our magpie family—imposter and all—and hope for a more "traditional" family reunion next season!

19/12/2024

18/12/2024

Botswana offers an unparalleled safari experience, where you can glide through the peaceful waters of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro, surrounded by a rich variety of wildlife. From the hippos and crocodiles of the Delta’s winding waterways to the rare lechwe and sitatunga antelope grazing along its banks, this lush paradise is a haven for both wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve, nestled within the Delta, reveal the mysteries of Africa’s nocturnal life, while elephants and buffalo roam the vast savannah by day. As the scent of sage grass drifts through the air and yellow-billed hornbills call from the trees, you’ll feel a deep connection to Botswana’s untouched wild beauty.
In the northern Savuti region, witness the raw power of nature as elephants, lions, and hyenas navigate a landscape shaped by shifting tectonic plates. The dramatic Savuti Channel, lined with fragrant mopane and camelthorn trees, offers moments of serene reflection far from the pressures of modern life. From the predator-rich Savuti to the majestic Chobe River, where elephants swim alongside your boat, every moment in Botswana is filled with wonder. And the adventure doesn’t stop there—continue your journey to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River, where a sunset cocktail brings your perfect safari day to a close. With its luxurious exclusivity, Botswana promises an unforgettable safari experience that captures the heart and soul of Africa.

18/12/2024

Botswana offers an unparalleled safari experience, where you can glide through the peaceful waters of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro, surrounded by a rich variety of wildlife. From the hippos and crocodiles of the Delta’s winding waterways to the rare lechwe and sitatunga antelope grazing along its banks, this lush paradise is a haven for both wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve, nestled within the Delta, reveal the mysteries of Africa’s nocturnal life, while elephants and buffalo roam the vast savannah by day. As the scent of sage grass drifts through the air and yellow-billed hornbills call from the trees, you'll feel a deep connection to Botswana's untouched wild beauty.
In the northern Savuti region, witness the raw power of nature as elephants, lions, and hyenas navigate a landscape shaped by shifting tectonic plates. The dramatic Savuti Channel, lined with fragrant mopane and camelthorn trees, offers moments of serene reflection far from the pressures of modern life. From the predator-rich Savuti to the majestic Chobe River, where elephants swim alongside your boat, every moment in Botswana is filled with wonder. And the adventure doesn’t stop there—continue your journey to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River, where a sunset cocktail brings your perfect safari day to a close. With its luxurious exclusivity, Botswana promises an unforgettable safari experience that captures the heart and soul of Africa.

16/12/2024

Getting closer to our March 25 Safari 🐾.

10/12/2024

This is a very entertaining clip that shows how the marula tree fruit can intoxicate animals.

Animals getting drunk

10/12/2024

This was one amazing young visitor during our years working in remote game lodges in Chobe Botswana. E mail us to read the blog to find out why Harry had the box on his head. [email protected]

08/12/2024

If you wondered how to charge your camera or devices out in the remotest parts of the African bush-veld on safari, this is how you do it.

03/12/2024

A mokoro trip in the Okavango is an incredible experience in itself. When your polers break out in harmonising it is just lovely!!

01/12/2024

30/11/2024

# peaceful mokoro ride on the Okavango Delta always has surprises! Stunning birdlife, hippos from a safe distance, elephants… come with us and find out. Comment below what you would hope to see.

30/11/2024

Aus to Africa is getting in early this year! Wishing all our friends, clients, and family around the world a truly special Christmas and holiday Season. Our Aussie family pictured here… We will all miss Gary’s Dad this year who is sadly no longer with us. Love each other and be kind to one another. 🐾🐘🎄🧑‍🎄