Mark Ziese

September 24, 2024

The Serengeti’s Odd Couple: Partners in the Great Migration

Mark Ziese

September 24, 2024

Discover why wildebeests and zebras are inseparable during the Great Migration. Learn how their unique senses and grazing habits help them survive the Serengeti.

Mark Ziese

September 23, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

A “Bloat” of Hippos: The Quirky History of Animal Collective Nouns

Mark Ziese

September 23, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Why is a group of hippos called a "bloat"? Explore the history of animal collective nouns, from the Book of St. Albans to modern safari terminology.

Mark Ziese

September 21, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Larger Than Life: Meeting the Giant Ancestor of the African Elephant

Mark Ziese

September 21, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Meet the Straight-tusked elephant, the 29,000-pound giant that once roamed Israel and the Mediterranean. Compare it to today's African savanna elephant.

Mark Ziese

September 18, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Fun Facts from an Elephant Nursery

Mark Ziese

September 18, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Fun facts from an elephant nursery.

Mark Ziese

September 17, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Agape & Ornis: Why We All Love Fischer’s Lovebird

Mark Ziese

September 17, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the vibrant Fischer's Lovebird of the Serengeti. Learn about the Greek origins of the name Agapornis and why these "lovebirds" are protected in Tanzania.

Mark Ziese

September 16, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Lilac-breasted Roller: The Most Beautiful Bird in East Africa?

Mark Ziese

September 16, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the stunning Lilac-breasted Roller! Learn about its acrobatic "rolls," 8-color plumage, and how to see one on our 2025/2026 African safaris.

Mark Ziese

September 12, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

An African Buffalo Bull Boss

Mark Ziese

September 12, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the power of the Cape buffalo. Learn about the "boss" on a buffalo skull and why this member of the Big Five has never been tamed.

Mark Ziese

September 10, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Canary’s Song: A Study in Freedom and Foliage

Mark Ziese

September 10, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Explore the contrast between freedom and captivity through Morris Rosenfeld’s "The Canary" and a rare sighting of a wild White-bellied Canary in Africa.

Mark Ziese

September 9, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

A Serengeti Honeymoon: The Radiant Colors of the Yellow-billed Stork

Mark Ziese

September 9, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the stunning breeding plumage of the Yellow-billed stork at Lake Manyara, Tanzania. Join our 2025-2026 safaris to see the Great Rift Valley flyway.

Mark Ziese

September 8, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The White-rumped Shrike: A Guide to East Africa’s “Shrieking” Passerine

Mark Ziese

September 8, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the "shrieking" White-rumped shrike of East Africa. Explore the biblical history of passerines and God’s value for the natural world. Observe and preserve!

Mark Ziese

September 7, 2024

Exploring Tanzania

Julia Throws Up

Mark Ziese

September 7, 2024

Exploring Tanzania

See Julia Hinkle throw up with the staff from Olerai Lodge. Tanzania? Yup. Goin' on safari!

Mark Ziese

September 6, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Sun, Stone, and Simba: A Serengeti Afternoon

Mark Ziese

September 6, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Experience the magic of the Serengeti. Discover why lionesses and cubs thrive on granite kopjes and book your 2025 or 2026 Tanzania safari today.

Mark Ziese

September 5, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Serengeti’s Spotted Welcome Committee: Cheetahs on the Lookout

Mark Ziese

September 5, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Meet the Serengeti's cheetah welcome committee! Learn why these fast cats use termite mounds as lookouts and how you can join our 2025-2026 safaris.

Mark Ziese

September 4, 2024

Exploring Tanzania

Knobby Tyres and Skilled Wheelmen: The Secret of Success in the African Bush

Mark Ziese

September 4, 2024

Exploring Tanzania

Discover why rugged gear and expert handling are the backbone of a legendary African safari.

Mark Ziese

September 3, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Bad Hair Day? The Quirky Habits of the Black-Headed Heron

Mark Ziese

September 3, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Why is this Black-headed heron fluffed out? Learn about the hunting and roosting habits of Ardea melanocephala in the Serengeti. Book your 2025-2026 safari!

Mark Ziese

September 2, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Dinner in One Gulp: A White-browed Coucal’s Surprise Catch

Mark Ziese

September 2, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Watch a White-browed coucal take down a frog in the Serengeti! Discover the predatory side of this unique African cuckoo and join our 2025-2026 safaris.

Mark Ziese

September 1, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Beyond the “Endless Plains”: The Explorer Behind Grant’s Gazelle

Mark Ziese

September 1, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the history and biology of Grant’s gazelle. From their unique lyre-shaped horns to the Victorian explorers who named them, learn more and book your 2025-2026 safari.

Mark Ziese

August 31, 2024

Exploring Tanzania

Where is the Horizon?: Why the Maasai call it the Serengeti

Mark Ziese

August 31, 2024

Exploring Tanzania

Discover why the Maasai call the Serengeti the "endless land." Explore the vast horizons of Tanzania and book your 2025 safari adventure today.

Mark Ziese

August 30, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Feeling a Little Cuckoo? Meet the White-Browed Coucal

Mark Ziese

August 30, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Meet the White-browed coucal of East Africa! Learn about this quirky member of the cuckoo family and book your spot for next year's safari season.

Mark Ziese

August 29, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Black and White: The Greek Roots of the Magpie Shrike

Mark Ziese

August 29, 2024

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the shy Magpie shrike (Lanius melanoleucus) of the central Serengeti. Learn the Greek roots of its name and why birding on foot is a safari highlight.