The collection:
Elusive Beasts
And Where to Find Them
The Black Giza
WHAT: MELANISTIC LEOPARD (PANTHERA PARDUS)
WHERE: LAIKIPIA KENYA
HOW TO FIND HER: A melanistic leopard has been causing great excitement among the rocky valleys of the Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya. Known as Giza, she isn’t the first black leopard to have been seen in this area but she is a wonderfully rare sight. A genetic throwback to a recessive gene, these beasts hold an unfathomable and mystical appeal, inspiring a sense of spirituality, awe and fascination – instantly recognisable as something rare and coveted; the ultimate trophy for the camera reel. Finding Giza takes time and patience – a multi-day walking safari with mobile camping through the rocky hills and wooded valleys of the Laikipia Plateau with a local Samburu tracker will give you your best chance. Keep alert for her presence, perhaps spotting Giza slinking across a stream or shimmying up a tree – at other times, take a moment to simply appreciate the wilderness of Laikipia.
“For me, no animal is shrouded in more mystery, no animal more elusive, and no animal more beautiful.” Will Burrard-Lucas, wildlife photographer
STAY: LAIKIPIA WILDERNESS, KENYA
Laikipia Wilderness should be your base if you’re serious about glimpsing Giza. A classic safari camp with an adventurous spirit, the guides have been expertly tracking the movements of the rare melanistic cats for some time and recently a female cub was born very close to Laikipia Wilderness.
The Armoured Anteater
WHAT: PANGOLIN (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS)
WHERE: FROM KENYA TO SOUTH AFRICA
HOW TO FIND THEM: The mighty pangolin – a miniature dragon that manages to look fierce and cartoon like all at once – has habitually challenged the dedicated safari-goer due to their extraordinary ability to appear in unlikely places and then seemingly vanish without a trace. To find them you’ll need to delve deep into the fauna and flora of the sub-Saharan safari landscapes. Mainly nocturnal creatures, they are active for only about four to eight hours a day, often foraging in tall grasses or in dense vegetation, making the quest to see them even more acute. A skilled tracker may spot prints across a sandy trail, from which the search will commence, although even the most proficient scientific researcher will acknowledge that pangolin are evasive and difficult to keep track of. A sighting is a combination of patience, practice and pure luck.
"Pangolin - the 'wise old man' of the African bush, is said to be totem of good luck and a bringer of rain. The enigmatic creature holds the secrets of 85 million years of evolution."
STAY: TSWALU, SOUTH AFRICA
The most reliable place to find pangolin is Tswalu in South Africa – a phenomenal lodge in the rugged wilds of the Kalahari. A true wilderness experience, Tswalu has three camps – we recommend its newest and perhaps most lavish: Loapi with its luxe take on sustainable design where each vast tented home comes with a full complement of staff.
The Fiercest Brock
WHAT: HONEY BADGER (MELLIVORA CAPENSIS)
WHERE: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
HOW TO FIND THEM: The infamous honey badger is best spotted from a safe distance, preferably from a vehicle were there’s no chance it will feel cornered. Their aggression is legendary – happily taking on lion and hyena seemingly for fun, they have an impressive range of defence mechanisms – from a quill-proof skin, a stink gland that would shame a skunk, the ability to twist inside their own skin and a bite that would see off any sane creature. Although widespread they can be elusive and prefer the quieter reaches of the open plains. Meru in Kenya, the Moremi Reserve of Botswana and the Serengeti in Tanzania are good starting places to look for these solitary wanderers. Rumour has it that cheetah cubs are born with a cape of white fur to mimic the honey badger – in the hope that other predators mistake them and leave them well alone.
"The honey badger exemplifies resilience and adaptability, exhibiting remarkable intelligence and an extraordinary tolerance for venom, allowing it to thrive in diverse and challenging environments.”
STAY: CAMP KALAHARI, BOTSWANA
Camp Kalahari is an adventure-focused safari camp located on Brown Hyena Island, bordering Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Blending vintage safari-style with immersive desert experiences, it is an ideal base to seek out the elusive honey badger. Activities include game drives, meerkat encounters, cultural Bushman walks, quad biking and horseback riding.
The Painted Wolf
WHAT: AFRICA WILD DOGS (LYCAON PICTUS)
WHERE: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
HOW TO FIND THEM: Head to the wildlife rich lower Zambezi in Zambia – the catchment area of the Mana Pools national park in Zimbabwe and the Lower Zambezi National Park of Zambia culminates on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river. Here huge packs of wild dogs have found a protein-rich haven – with family groups of up to 60 stacking the hunting odds firmly in their favour. Unlike any other predator in Africa, the wild dogs use a highly complex set of vocalisations with a strong pack hierarchy. This ability to work together means the vast majority of their hunting attempts end in a meal. Listen for impala barking alarm calls before an ambush sends them scattering through the fig and ebony tree forests. The wild dogs rest much of the day and hunt in the cooler hours – perfect timing should you find them awakening on your afternoon game drive.
“Zambia’s wild dogs are the wild heartbeat of the savannah—fast, fearless, and fiercely family-driven.”
STAY: LOLEBEZI, ZAMBIA
This is a groundbreaking lodge for the Lower Zambezi and injects a hefty dose of lodge style into the previous property portfolio of the Lower Zambezi. Exceptional guiding both on land and from the water mean you will be in the best possible place to see the wild dogs. After some high adrenaline game viewing, the lodge staff know exactly how to mix the perfect G&T for sundowners overlooking the river.
Just back from
Beagle Expeditions Botswana
We explore deeper on a helicopter safari with Beagle Expeditions, a truly wild experience in remote and uninhabited parts of the Okavango Delta.
Booking with Bailey Robinson means access to the finest travel experiences. When planning your holiday we do all the hard work – in-depth research and meticulous organisation. You can be confident in the individual care for your holiday from your dedicated and experienced Personal Travel Designer and Concierge.
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The Great Migration – When & Where
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Walk On The Wild Side: Rhino Tracking
