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Venice in winter

Trying to find the quiet side of Venice

The #femaletravelbloggers project

Changing the perception about female travels

Hotel Review: Strand Hotel Swakopmund, Namibia

Swakopmund: 4 tips for the Atlantic Coast of Namibia

Dunes, flamingos & a cold breeze

3 weeks in Namibia: Road trip itinerary

Best of our travel year 2018

Top 5 Destinations & Experiences

Myanmar’s tropical paradise: Ngapali Beach

Hotel Review: Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa

San Luis Retreat Hotel & Lodges

Our favourite hotel in South Tyrol

5 tips for Lana in autumn

The best kept secret in South Tyrol

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Marion Payr | Vienna, Austria

marionpayr

Travel photographer and storyteller. 📷🖋Empowering womxn to explore & create. Engaging in acts of travel, photography & conservation. Vienna based. Member of @bellcollective. Co-Founder of @printsforwildlife.

Have you ever been to this part of Kenya? 🇰🇪 Have you ever been to this part of Kenya? 🇰🇪 It took me three Kenya trips to finally visit the famous Amboseli National Park, defined by the dry lake bed and countless herds of elephants 🐘♥️ Although countless might not be entirely right, as the Amboseli elephants are among the best studied elephants on our planet. Initiated in 1972 by Cynthia Moss and the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, these studies focus on understanding the behavior, ecology, and social dynamics of African elephants. Here’s what makes it special: 🔹 World’s longest-running elephant study – Over 50 years of continuous research! 🔹 Tracking 3,000+ elephants – Documenting life histories of entire families. 🔹 Revealing complex social structures – Understanding matriarchal leadership and family bonds. 🔹 Insights into elephant communication – Including their use of infrasonic sounds. 🔹 Conservation impact – Informing policies to reduce poaching and human-wildlife conflict. 🔹 Habitat protection advocacy – Ensuring space for elephants to thrive in Amboseli. Thanks to decades of dedication, we know more about these incredible animals than ever before. Together, let’s keep supporting their future! 🐘✨ #ElephantConservation #AmboseliElephants #WildlifeResearch #SaveTheElephants
🇿🇲 FREE WEBINAR INVITE 🇿🇲 Last week I 🇿🇲 FREE WEBINAR INVITE 🇿🇲 Last week I asked you which safari destination you’d be interested in next in my series of webinars and Zambia was voted #1 (which I can very much relate to ☺️). So I’ve partnered with Luke Evans (@luke_zambia) who is not only the founder of @classiczambia and @pintoafrica, but also born and raised in Zambia 🇿🇲✨ Together we’ll share our combined knowledge about the safari destination Zambia and all its specialties in a free webinar on 28th of December. During the session, we will cover: ▪️ National parks & wildlife of Zambia ▪️ Tips how to best plan a safari in Zambia ▪️ Insights into safari costs and budgeting Webinar Details: 📅 Date: Saturday, December 28th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 4:00–5:00 PM CET (Vienna/Berlin) 📍 Location: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration) Reserve your spot today! You can find the link in today’s story or copy this short URL: http://bit.ly/4gguEAg I can’t wait to see you there! ☺️🙌🏼
Let's go to the North. Laikipia, Kenya 🇰🇪 U Let's go to the North. Laikipia, Kenya 🇰🇪 Undoubtedly, Kenya‘s South is stunning and always delivers in terms of wildlife sightings and unique landscapes. That’s why everyone visits the Maasai Mara and Amboseli eco system ☺️ But it’s well worth venturing into the wild North of Kenya, which offers an authentic adventure and some very unique species too. Home to the incredible „Northern Five“, this region is a sanctuary for some of Africa’s most unique wildlife. Never heard of the „Northern Five“ before? Me neither before my first trip to Laikipia a few years ago. This time I revisited Laikipia, with a focus on rhinos and the black leopard, but I still saw at least two of the five Northern Specials too… ☺️ 🦓 Grevy’s Zebra ✔️ 🦒 Reticulated Giraffe ✔️ These are the three species I didn’t photograph this time (but have seen them before 😉): • Gerenuk • Beisa Oryx • Somali Ostrich How about you? Have you seen them on a safari? #NorthernFive #Laikipia
Have you ever heard of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Ke Have you ever heard of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya? (On safari with @kicheche_laikipia and @pintoafrica | Advertisement) 🇰🇪 Tucked in the heart of Laikipia with stunning views of Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an outstanding destination for wildlife lovers and conservation enthusiasts. 🐘🦏 ✨ Abundant Wildlife Home to the Big Five and Kenya’s largest population of black rhinos, plus a sanctuary for white rhinos – including the last two Northern White Rhinos Najin and Fatu. Witnessing these majestic creatures is unforgettable. ✨ Private conservancy For an intimate and private safari experience, head to Kicheche Laikipia Camp, located in the quieter western side of the conservancy. Accessible only to camp guests, it offers exclusive access to wildlife-rich areas, far from self-drive visitors. ✨ Conservation in Action Ol Pejeta leads efforts to protect endangered species while supporting local communities, so your visit directly contributes to meaningful conservation work. 📍 #OlPejeta #KichecheLaikipia #MagicalKenya #WildlifeConservation #SafariAdventures
🌍✨ A journey like no other: Kenya’s rarest 🌍✨ A journey like no other: Kenya’s rarest wildlife encounters 🐘🦏🐆 (With @klm | Advertisement) From meeting Craig, one of the last supertuskers in Amboseli, to standing in awe of Najin and Fatu, the final Northern White Rhinos on Earth at Ol Pejeta, and spotting Giza, a breathtaking melanistic leopard in Laikipia — these moments were beyond my wildest dreams. Seeing even one of these animals in the wild is a privilege few experience, but encountering all three in just one trip was an unparalleled honour. ✨ Their presence is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect endangered species and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit. And again, this trip highlighted our responsibility as humans (and mine as a travel photographer). It’s up to us to help safeguard these species and the wild places they call home. And that’s what meaningful travel means to me: reflecting on our impact and trying to become more mindful of the way in which we travel and how we can contribute to conservation, empowerment and sustainable development while on holiday. Because in the best case well managed and practiced tourism helps protect these animals and safeguard ecosystems for future generations. I’m grateful to KLM for partnering with me on this journey, showing that tourism can tell powerful stories that matter, bridging the gap between fun-loving escapes and the deeper context of meaningful travel. 🌎✈️ Thank you for the wonderful journey and the trust ♥️ #klm #royaldutchairlines #travelwell #travelwithpurpose #meaningfultravel #supertusker #northernwhiterhinos #melanisticleopard
Homebase at @laikipiawilderness 🇰🇪 (Advertis Homebase at @laikipiawilderness 🇰🇪 (Advertisement). Tented camp ✔️ Canopy bed ✔️ Open air bathroom ✔️ Terrace with a view ✔️ This camp might not be extra fancy, but wow, I loved the atmosphere here. Of course having Giza, the black leopard, in the neighborhood is a big plus (and the main reason why people come here), but it doesn’t hurt to have a really cool camp too. This is one of those places where you don’t feel like a guest, but more like a friend visiting. No detailed briefings, no welcome tea, no indemnity forms… its all a bit more informal, but I absolutely loved it. Also: No wifi (except for the tiny „wifi tent“ aka the curio shop). That means ample time to just sit and listen and take in the views and atmosphere of it all. I would’ve never guessed how much I’d enjoy being offline for a while, until I experienced it. And now I love a safari without internet so much… it makes the days feel much longer too. Would you stay here?
Giza, the melanistic leopard. 🖤🐆🖤 (Seen Giza, the melanistic leopard. 🖤🐆🖤 (Seen on safari with @laikipiawilderness and @pintoafrica | Advertisement). A night to remember and probably one of the most oustanding wildlife encounters I ever had. ✨ Yet at the same time the toughest conditions to take photographs… pitch dark, spotlights from the vehicle’s headlamps and the spotter‘s torch, a fast moving animal on the hunt plus the constant juggling of two cameras with two different zoom lenses 😅 But let’s start at the beginning: Melanistic leopards, often referred to as „black panthers,“ are incredibly rare, making Giza a truly extraordinary creature. Found primarily in dense forests in places like India their dark coats offer excellent camouflage. But against all odds here in the semi-arid mostly beige colored savannahs of Northern Laikipia in Kenya there’s said to be six of these ghosts of the night. Yet only one of them is seen frequently and that’s Giza. Her sleek black coat, punctuated by faint rosette patterns visible only under certain light, is the result of a rare genetic mutation known as melanism. This condition causes an overproduction of the dark pigment melanin, giving her a striking appearance. The moment I saw her the first time I was awestruck. Was this even real? How lucky I was to see her. It was just my first evening in Laikipia and there she was. Like she was waiting for me. I’ll never forget this short period of time we spent with her. An encounter that will be etched in my memory forever. A true privilege to witness such a powerful reminder of the magic of our Earthly kingdom.
Another Dik-dik appreciation post. 💌 Throughou Another Dik-dik appreciation post. 💌 Throughout all my Africa travels Kenya remains the country with the very best Dik-dik sightings. 😍 This small antelope loves the semi-arid landscapes of Kenya—from Laikipia to Amboseli and from Samburu to Tsavo. I’ve seen Dik-diks in all those places, but very often they’re hiding under bushes or jumping away as soon as our car approaches. But sometimes they remain blissfully calm and pose on a small rock in the golden rays of the sun, letting their little snout glow in the light. ✨ This is when a gleefully joyous Marion will sit in the car and thank the guides for the perfect arrangement, while filling her memory card with way too many photos of Dik-diks 🫠 I probably will never have enough of those encounters… 🥰
It’s my first day in Laikipia‘s wild North… It’s my first day in Laikipia‘s wild North… (On safari with @laikipiawilderness and @pintoafrica | Advertisement). The territory has changed completely from the vast savannahs in the South. Its rugged and dotted with rocky outcrops, divided by the Ewaso Nyiro River, which is lined by palm trees and serves as an essential water source for the semi arid region. My guide Josphat and spotter Joseph make sure to show me the territory and explain its specifics, all while preparing me for nightfall. As soon as it gets dark we‘ll start tracking something special. Its the main reason why people flock to this remote part of Kenya: She‘s called Giza, and she‘s a melanistic leopard. Her black colored fur is a unique feature, caused by a genetic mutation that is incredibly rare—especially in such beige and brown colored landscapes. But before that we find Nyosha. A beautiful female leopard with a regular coat, rosettes and all. She has just had a cub recently, but today she wasn’t ready to share her. The cub remained hidden somewhere along the riverbank. And while we sit there and watch the sun set and Nyosha prepare for her nightly outings the anticipation rises for what lies ahead. With every fading ray of light I know we’re about to start our search for Giza. Will she reveal herself just like Nyosha? Or will she stay hidden like Nyosha‘s cub? I only have two nights here, which gives me only two real chances to find Giza. It’s a gamble, but one I’m willing to take ☺️ Stay tuned.
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