Arc Earth

11/04/2025

Watch as this massive bull elephant reaches for the green foliage from the tree near our camp at Linyati River. He keeps all the guests on their toes when they're walking back and forth to the rooms, always need to keep a look out for him!

The Linyanti River is a magnet for all animals during the dry season (June to October) and it's ideal for game viewing as migratory herds gather along rivers and lagoons. Predator sightings are frequent during this period as they follow the herds.

The Linyanti River region combines exclusivity, breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and basic to luxurious accommodation creating a serene safari adventure.

As it's so remote and private, secluded moments in remote wilderness is a major draw card for a lot of our guests who want to retreat from the frenetic nature of city living.

09/04/2025

The Gemsbok, also known as the Oryx has adapted remarkably to semi-arid areas in Southern Africa.

How have they managed to adapt?

Oryxes can withstand extreme heat by cooling the blood flowing to their brains and tolerating high body temperatures.

Their muted coloring helps deflect heat and in turn helps them camouflaged from predators as their colours match the surrounding landscapes to a certian extent.

They extract moisture from their food, such as roots, bulbs, grass, wild melons, and cucumbers.

They can go months without drinking water if necessary.

Oryxes feed late in the afternoon or at night when condensation gathers on plants, maximizing moisture intake.



📸Richard De Gouveia

07/04/2025

In this captivating video, watch as a powerful silverback gorilla inflates his air sacs (NOT lungs) and beats his chest—a dramatic display of dominance and territorial ownership.

We really savour, appreciate and respect the time we have with Gorilla Families in Uganda and Rwanda and are showcasing these videos to share thrilling moments with you, our loyal audience, not for sensationalism but giving you a snapshot of wild animals in action.

This rhythmic chest-beating, performed with cupped hands, creates a resonant sound that can travel over long distances, serving as a nonvocal communication tool to assert authority, attract mates, and deter rivals.

The silverback male is the heart of the family group. As the leader, he makes crucial decisions for the group, such as where to find food, resolving conflicts, and ensuring safety during interactions with other groups.

It’s a symbol of strength and leadership in the gorilla world, showcasing the silverback’s role as the protector and ruler of his territory.

04/04/2025

When we go on Gorilla Safaris and Gorilla Trekking we maintain a strict 1 meter restriction between us and the gorillas.

Sometimes however, the gorillas will move closer.
It's always important to stand still and listen to your guide's advice when in situations like these.

Of course, the gorillas are habituated to humans but we need to appreciate that we are in their territory, their home and we need to respect that.

02/04/2025

Ever noticed those little red-billed birds perched on giraffes? Meet the red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus), a fascinating partner in one of nature’s most iconic symbiotic relationships! 🦒

Why They’re a Team:

Mutual Benefits: The oxpeckers feed on ticks, parasites, and dead skin from giraffes, helping keep these towering herbivores healthy and comfortable. In return, the birds get a steady food supply and a safe perch to rest on!

Natural Pest Control: Giraffes are often hosts to pesky ticks, and oxpeckers act as their personal grooming crew, reducing parasite loads.

A Complex Relationship:
While this bond is mostly mutualistic, it isn’t always perfect. Sometimes, oxpeckers peck at wounds to feed on blood, which can shift the relationship toward parasitism. Even in nature, relationships can be complicated!

Why It Matters:
This partnership showcases the interconnectedness of ecosystems. By keeping giraffes healthy, oxpeckers indirectly support the balance of biodiversity in the bushveld.

Next time you spot these feathered friends riding on a giraffe, remember: they’re not just hitching a ride—they’re helping each other thrive!

31/03/2025

Have you followed our Youtube channel?

We have over 200k followers and for good reason!

If you'd like to view more videos of all of our wonderful animals, here is a link to one of our latest videos:

Share your videos with friends, family and the world

31/03/2025

Five Facts About Monday's Meerkats:

1. Meerkats live in what is loosely referred to as "mobs," consisting of 3 to 50 members. Just look at this guy, with his scary fang that peeks out warding off potential predators.

2. They all co-exist with designated roles such as babysitters and sentries to ensure group survival.

3. They live in underground burrows that protect them from predators and extreme temperatures.

4. Meerkats are omnivores, feeding on insects, small reptiles, birds, eggs, and plants. They are uniquely immune to scorpion venom, allowing them to consume these dangerous creatures safely.

5. Meerkats use a complex system of over 20 vocalizations along with scent and body language to communicate within their group

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24/03/2025

Watch a little snippet Rich did of
Tracking Giza, the Black Leopard in Kenya

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Laikipia, Kenya, as we track one of the world’s rarest and most elusive big cats—Giza, the black leopard. Under t...

17/03/2025

World Water Day 2025 🐘

Happy World Water Day! Today, we celebrate the lifeblood of our planet—water. In Africa, water is crucial for wildlife, especially for majestic creatures like elephants.

Elephants need around 100 liters of water daily. In times of drought, finding water becomes a challenge.

By creating awareness and supporting non-profits in Africa, we can ensure that elephants and other wildlife continue to thrive.

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12/03/2025

From their early morning hunts to their mid-day rest under the shade, watch how a cheetah spends their day. Watch as they stalk prey with precision, accelerate to breathtaking speeds of up to 70 mph, and recover after their high-energy chases.

Daytime Activity: Unlike most big cats, cheetahs are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, especially during dawn and dusk. This behavior helps them avoid nocturnal predators like lions and hyenas.

Adaptations for Daylight Hunting: Cheetahs rely heavily on their keen eyesight to spot prey during daylight hours. They often use elevated vantage points, such as termite mounds or kopjes, to scan the horizon for potential prey.

During the hottest parts of the day, cheetahs rest in shaded areas to conserve energy. Their peak activity occurs when temperatures are cooler in the early morning or late afternoon.

They're often seen resting during the hottest parts of the day, often in shaded areas or atop termite mounds, which they use as vantage points to scan for prey.

Cheetahs use high-pitched chirps to coordinate during hunts, especially within coalitions (groups of male cheetahs) or between mothers and cubs. These sounds help them maintain contact over short distances without alerting prey or predators.

Cheetah can be seen in Nambia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania however sightings are never guaranteed, but the thrill of trying to find one is almost as exciting!

07/03/2025

atch these 2 lioness mothers keep a close eye on their collective cubs as we watch from the vehicle.

Lionesses will look after all the youngest cubs in the pride regardless of whether they are the mothers. The pride is a tight-knit community and a mother lioness is ferociously protective.

If you ask experienced trackers, they may say that coming across a lioness with cubs when you’re on foot is one of the most dangerous scenarios you can encounter.

Being in a vehicle, we always give these wild animals as much space as they need and are cognisant on not intruding.

05/03/2025

The sounds of bone crunching…

Watch as 2 hyenas methodically devour an impala carcass.

Contrary to what most people think, hyenas are highly capable predators - they can run for lengthy periods of time and have tenacity and determination. They have a disproportionately large heart (1% of their body weight) enabling them to continue for long chases. They are even known to take down buffalo when they hunt in co-ordinated packs.

Their jaws are short and robust, with strong interlocking joints that enhance its mechanical advantage during biting. Hyenas can pulverise bones with ease - this ability is crucial for accessing nutrient rich marrow.

Dinner anyone?

03/03/2025

Isn't this photograph so adorable?

A baby gorilla learning to swing on his primary food source - bamboo.

Baby gorillas primarily rely on their mother's milk for nutrition from birth until about 6 months.

From 6 months on, they begin to taste and try solid foods, although they still continue to nurse. They start with small amounts of vegetation, such as leaves and fruits, by mimicking their mothers and other group members like this little guy.

Similar to humans, by 2 to 3 years, baby gorillas are fully weaned from their mother's milk and start eating a diet similar to that of adult gorillas, which includes a variety of plants like stems, bamboo shoots, and fruits.

28/02/2025

To witness these gentle giants as they roam freely in one of the world's most unique ecosystems is a privilege.

A few of our guests can be nervous when elephants approach as they are formidably big and one can feel infinitesimally small in comparison, even in a open top game vehicle.

If you give the elephants more than enough room, let them wander freely without making them feel threatened, turn off a noisy vehicle and quietly observe, you'll often capture the essence of calm and tranquility, just like this in this video.

26/02/2025

Do you know what this dinky little animal is?

It is called a Dwarf Mongoose and they are found in Africa.

We occasionally see them on bush walks and drives however it is often fleeting.

They may be little in size but they make up for this with their complex social hierarchy which involves a combination of cooperative behaviorus, dominance structures, and conflict management strategies:

Each group is led by a dominant male and female, typically the oldest individuals. This pair is the only one guaranteed to reproduce, while subordinate members assist in raising the offspring.

Subordinates may attempt to breed, but the dominant female often suppresses reproduction through behavioral or hormonal means.

Both males and females follow a linear dominance hierarchy within the group. Higher-ranking individuals have priority access to resources like food and grooming, while lower-ranking members must wait their turn or disperse to other groups for better opportunities.

Subordinate members contribute to group survival by performing various tasks such as babysitting, grooming, acting as sentinels, and defending territory.

These cooperative efforts enhance group cohesion and ensure the survival of the dominant pair's offspring.

Disputes within the group, often over food or rank, are resolved through vocalizations and physical displays like growling or hip-slamming. Aggressors may face social consequences later, such as being excluded from grooming sessions—a key bonding activity—by other group members.

Communication and Trust: Dwarf mongooses use vocalizations, scent marking, and body language to maintain order and cohesion. New arrivals (immigrants) must earn the group's trust over time before fully integrating into sentinel duties or other key roles.

(They are hardcore aren't they?)

25/02/2025

Hides significantly enhance the safari experience in 5 unique ways and that's excluding how much fun they are and the rush of adrenaline that courses through you when you enter a hide!

Intimate Encounters with Wildlife:

Hides allow for unobtrusive observation of wildlife, enabling guests to witness natural behaviours without disturbing the animals.

This close interaction fosters a deeper connection with nature and provides authentic moments for photography.

Optimal Photography Conditions:

Strategically positioned near waterholes or feeding grounds, hides offer optimal vantage points for capturing stunning images.

They provide unobstructed views and consistent lighting conditions, ideal for photography during the golden hours.

Immersive Experience:

Sitting quietly within a hide immerses guests in the sights and sounds of the wilderness, enhancing their appreciation of ecosystems.

This setting encourages patience and allows for extended observation periods, increasing the chances of capturing unique moments.

Conservation Support:

Using photographic hides supports wildlife conservation efforts, as many operators contribute to local conservation initiatives.

Learning and Creativity:

Hides offer a conducive environment for photographers to hone their skills, experiment with techniques, and explore creative compositions.

It's a win win for everyone!

https://youtube.com/shorts/UtywRrHAFdo