Travels with Akela
Lessons from the Travels
Tag: Akela
Goodbye Akela & Kenya
The oddest couple – and true soulmates – who were my 'kids' for over 14 years, are no more. Akela the Grey Wolf – wilful, insightful, submissive and far more intelligent than any dog. Kenya the Staffie – 'n liefbare dier in the words of a 4-year old, Mr Personality and loved by all. He […]
Growing old is not for sissies!
Akela the wolf turned 14 years old yesterday — that's a venerable 98 in human years! And she shared her celebratory dinner (pig's trotters) with Kenya the staffie (14½) and Beezus the pomchi (1½). For Beezus, it was his first "dedicated" bone, as opposed to dinner left-overs, and his small piece absorbed him totally for…
For the love of wolves
[youtube MLTP53WTN9M] Just a reminder of one of the reasons for the travels — Akela the wolf!
Happy Birthday Akela!
Akela is 12 years old today! That's a venerable 84 in human years although, in the wild — where wolves are challenged by the elements, illness, starvation and injury — wolves only live an average of 7 years. In a domestic environment, they live up to 15 years. We've been together since she was five…
Akela goes to Indaba!
The fantastic people at Durban's ICC who made arrangements for Akela to visit were all keen to meet her. These photos are the highlights of the people she met — the story on Indaba and our travels there will follow. Most ask if they can touch Akela but only women get lucky — she's female…
Wow! Durban's ICC impresses
We're planning a detour in our Limpopo travels to visit Durban's ICC for Indaba — Africa's biggest travel show. So I wrote to the ICC asking for help with shade parking for a wolf in a bakkie. I have never had such a fast, positive and helpful reply. Nicolette Elia's answer suggested alternatives, mentioned concerns…
The Road to Prince Albert
The plan was not to dally in the Western Cape, where so much is already familiar, but head for Mokopane in Limpopo – SA's northernmost province and the furthest from Cape Town – as quickly as possible. I've never been there and, of SA's nine provinces, know least about it. But the first stop is…
Table Mountain to Simon's Town
Before leaving Cape Town, it was only right to take leave of some of the most memorable places. Just one of the things that set Cape Town apart from any other city in the world is Table Mountain National Park – part of a world heritage site – in the heart of the city. We…
Akela has a visitor
Michael Tatalias, SATSA's CEO, came especially to meet Akela last night. He sent a few of the photos he took. One just has to imagine walking in a forest, hearing nothing but seeing glowing orbs of light shining from the undergrowth that follow your progress. Wolves are shy and will avoid people, unless they are…