Mark Ziese

October 3, 2025

The Little Bee-eater: East Africa’s Most Dazzling Safari Bird

Mark Ziese

October 3, 2025

Discover the Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) and its unique "superciliary" blue eyebrow. Join our 2026 Tanzania safari to see these emerald gems in the wild.

Mark Ziese

October 1, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Secretarybird: Africa’s Fierce Snake-Hunting Raptor

Mark Ziese

October 1, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Meet the Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius)—the eagle on crane legs. Learn how this endangered raptor hunts snakes on our 2026 African Safari.

Mark Ziese

September 30, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Why does the Stork Lack a Feathered Face?

Mark Ziese

September 30, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the hygienic and thermal secrets of the Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis). Join our 2027 Tanzania safari to see these colorful waders.

Mark Ziese

September 28, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Clever Spotted Hyena: Intelligence & Scavenging at Lake Magadi

Mark Ziese

September 28, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Did you know spotted hyenas can outsmart chimps? Watch the "clean-up patrol" at Lake Magadi, Tanzania. Join our 2027 safari to see these clever predators.

Mark Ziese

September 26, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Thomson’s Gazelle: The Serengeti Speedster

Mark Ziese

September 26, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Clocked at 40 mph, the Thomson’s gazelle is the 4th fastest animal on Earth. See these "Tommies" in the Serengeti! Registration closes Dec 5, 2025.

Mark Ziese

September 24, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Lilac-breasted Roller: Africa’s Eight-color Bird

Mark Ziese

September 24, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the 8-colored Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus). Join our 2026 African safari to photograph this stunning "gem of the savanna" in person.

Mark Ziese

September 23, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Kori Bustard is a Bruiser

Mark Ziese

September 23, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Weighing up to 40 pounds with a 9 foot wingspan, the Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) is a prehistoric giant. See them in the Ngorongoro Crater on our 2026/2027 safari.

Mark Ziese

September 22, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Steenbok: Discovering Africa’s “Brick” Dwarf Antelope

Mark Ziese

September 22, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Meet the Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris), a 20-inch tall dwarf antelope of the Serengeti. Join our 2026/2027 safari to see Africa’s petite treasures.

Mark Ziese

September 18, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

How do You Feel? On Elephant Depression

Mark Ziese

September 18, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Sometimes I feel this way.

Mark Ziese

September 16, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Northern White-crowned Shrike: East Africa’s Acrobat

Mark Ziese

September 16, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the Northern white-crowned shrike (Eurocephalus ruppelli). Learn about its acrobatic hunting style.

Mark Ziese

September 15, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Yellow-billed Storks: Falsetto Screamers

Mark Ziese

September 15, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the "hissing falsetto screams" of the Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis).

Mark Ziese

September 13, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Steppe Eagles vs. Python: Dramatic Serengeti Predator Encounters

Mark Ziese

September 13, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Witness a pair of Endangered Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) devouring a python.

Mark Ziese

September 12, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Grant’s Gazelle: Lyre-Shaped Horns of the East African Plains

Mark Ziese

September 12, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the Grant’s Gazelle (Nanger granti). Learn to identify their distinctive lyre-shaped horns on safari.

Mark Ziese

September 11, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Ngorongoro's Matriarchs: The Secret Society of Spotted Hyenas

Mark Ziese

September 11, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Did you know spotted hyena society is matriarchal? Meet the clans of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Mark Ziese

September 10, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Black-bellied Bustard: Master of Grassland Camouflage

Mark Ziese

September 10, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the Black-bellied Bustard (Lissotis melanogaster). Learn how its lacy plumage provides the ultimate camouflage in the sub-Saharan African savannah.

Mark Ziese

September 9, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Nursing Mum: Elephants & 2026 Tanzania Safari

Mark Ziese

September 9, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Did you know elephant nursing glands are between their front legs? Learn amazing elephant facts.

Mark Ziese

September 4, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Verreaux's Eagle-owl: The Silent Predator of East Africa

Mark Ziese

September 4, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the stealth technology of the Verreaux's Eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus). Learn how this 24-inch raptor hunts in silence.

Mark Ziese

September 3, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

The Impala: Africa’s 55 MPH Acrobat and the “M” Brand

Mark Ziese

September 3, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the Impala (Aepyceros melampus). Learn about its 30-foot leaps, "M" markings, and symbiotic relationship with oxpeckers on our 2026 safari.

Mark Ziese

September 2, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Little Bee-eater Eating a Little Bee

Mark Ziese

September 2, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Discover the Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) in Tanzania. Learn how these vibrant birds hunt and de-sting bees on our 2026/2027 African safari.

Mark Ziese

August 29, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Rüppell's Vulture: The Grumpy Scavenger of the Serengeti

Mark Ziese

August 29, 2025

Exploring Tanzania, Plants & Animals

Witness the "greedy game" of the Rüppell's Vulture! Discover why this high-flying scavenger is the Serengeti’s most efficient (and grumpiest) garbage collector.