Like a cheetah on a tree-stump, or an elephant in Knysna forest, I enjoy seeing wildlife out of it’s traditional or expected environment. I came across this Swainson’s francolin, which usually scuttles around in the grass, in the southern Kruger Park, not far from Malelane Gate. I was producing a TV investigative story about the pressures on an iconic #KrugerNationalPark surrounded by poverty. Local lodge owners were opposing the proposed construction of a Radisson hotel at Malelane gate, with an all-night bar and 24/7 access into the park on the table. This in an area known for its dwindling rhino population. Lukimbi Lodge was where we stayed. http://www.lukimbi.com The programme produced can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKAphsjn2UU

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Papkuilsfontein, in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. On this 300 year-old Van Wyk family farm is arguably the best value accommodation and experience in the country. While bemoaning the ease with which farmers still shoot jackals, family patriarch Willem van Wyk states matter-of-factly while gazing over Oorlogskloof (‘battle gorge’) that it was probably his ancestors who shot the last bushmen in the area. ‘Ag no you can’t say that Willem’, says his wife, establishment hostess Mariette. Apart from boasting probably the highest bulb diversity on the planet, the country-cooking dished up is phenomenal. papkuilsfontein

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Saffron Woman. With a NASA probe having entered Jupiter’s orbit after five years of travelling, It’s bloody ridiculous that the subject of race & diversity in America remains as prominent as it did in the 1960s. So with police officers being shot and killed during a race-march in Dallas, and outbursts of racial intolerance from the likes of Donald Trump and the odd backwards-looking South Africans, I thought a reminder about the striking beauty of diversity wouldn’t be out of place. I came across this woman in Guwahati, north-east India, a riot of colour, filth, lethal firecrackers and odd sense of calm. Incredible India #incredibleindia #visitindia

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