Something magical happens each year along the coast of South Africa - whales migrate all the way from icy Antarctica to the warmer climates of South Africa roughly during June to November. South Africa is one of the best destinations in the world to view whales, either from boat or from the land. The southern coast of South Africa provides ideal calving conditions, making the bays a hot spot for whales during the whale season. You can witness these majestic beasts frolicking, mating, rearing their young calves along the coasts!
The town of Hermanus in the Western Cape province of South Africa is also known as the whale capital, where people flock during the whale season just to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants, either right up close on a whale watching boat tour or a bit further away from land (either way is unforgettable).
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The oceans around Cape Town are heavily polluted with a variety of chemicals and pharmaceuticals that are now being found in the flesh of fish being caught. Fish found in waters off Kalk Bay have been found to contain everything from antibiotics and pain killers to cleaning chemicals and other toxic substances with at least 15 different chemical compounds being found in alarming numbers.
It is always good news to hear about declining levels of poaching of any kind. For decades the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique was one of the top spots for illegal elephant ivory poaching. We are elated to report the good news that this once “ivory factory” has not seen a single elephant killed since 2018.
Saskia Carelse
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