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Hands-On Conservation at Victoria Falls
🦏There are many ways to experience Africa, but very few allow you to become part of its protection. The conservation journeys I recommend stand out for their authenticity, impact and accessibility. Set within the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, 4,000 hectares of wilderness in Zimbabwe, just minutes from the iconic Victoria Falls, this programme offers a rare opportunity to step directly into the daily reality of conservation work. It is run by a dedicated conservation t

silvanaolivo
Apr 282 min read


The Dilemma of Funding Real Conservation
After many years observing wildlife conservation efforts across Africa, one reality continues to surface: funding remains one of its greatest vulnerabilities. For decades, conservation across the continent has depended heavily on donor funding, large international NGOs, philanthropy, tourism revenues. Governments' conservation budgets are systematically stretched too thin. In this context, international support has brought important, often vital benefits. Yet it can also leav

silvanaolivo
Mar 33 min read


Rhinos rewilding in Zimbabwe, guarded by the Cobras
The Cobras, who received bicycles via proceeds from my book, have since become role models for the local remote villages in southern Hwange.

silvanaolivo
Sep 20, 20242 min read


A magic garden
I started painting birds with my mom when she lived amongst the hills of Mpumalanga, South Africa. She was a painter and her wild 8-hectare garden was her reign, populated by birds and flowers of every color, size and shape. Kudus and bushbucks could be fleetingly seen at dawn in the tall grass and tropical birds would come to feed off the pawpaw (papaya) tray strategically placed on my mom’s veranda. This way she could admire them from behind the large sliding glass doors

silvanaolivo
Nov 15, 20231 min read
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