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Update from our biodiversity conservation Malawi expedition
Farewell to our first group of citizen scientist who leave with the satisfaction of a job well done.
102 species identified on iNaturalist, 811 hippos counted, 43 bird species identified, 6 new elephant identifications, 2 leopards captured on camera traps, the first aardvark and lions since 2018!
Continue reading “Leopard conservation Malawi 2026: Sundowners”Update from our leopard conservation Malawi expedition
We placed and are monitoring 21 cameras in positions across the reserve. We have 14 at sites we utilise every year and a further 7 that we move around dependent on sightings or signs of specific animals.
Continue reading “Leopard conservation Malawi 2026: Aardvark to vervet”Update from our elephant conservation Malawi expedition
We are now in the groove of field work and data collection, much helped by the generous actions of the Vwaza wildlife.
Continue reading “Elephant conservation Malawi 2026: Big beasts”Update from our lion conservation Malawi expedition
We have been busy. Bird transects, elephant counts, hippo transects, elephant dung analysis and camera trapping.
We start early with dawn drives or the bird transects. 05:00 up and out. Back for one of Luka’s amazing breakfasts (pancakes are popular) and then out again. Either on foot for the Hippo transects or into the vehicles for elephant counts. The elephants paid a 03:00 visit to camp this morning too.
Continue reading “Lion conservation Malawi 2026: Lights, camera, action!”Update from our Malawi expedition volunteering with elephants, hippo, lion and African biodiversity
The expedition team reached base on Saturday after a 450 km bus journey and a mishap 1.5 km from base. The bus git stuck, but no problem – we dispatched a vehicle recovery team and got to practice our skills.
Continue reading “Wildlife conservation Malawi 2026: Underway”Update from our Malawi expedition volunteering with elephants, hippo, lion and African biodiversity
Us staffers (see picture) got together in Lilongwe to load up supplies for a month and trying to leave enough room for the five of us! All went well until four hours into the journey to Vwaza master chef Luka announced that we needed another half-tonne of fresh veg….
Continue reading “Malawi African biodiversity study 2026: At base”Update from our Malawi expedition volunteering with elephants, hippo, lion and African biodiversity
Welcome to the 2026 Malawi diary. My name is Simon and I will be your expedition leader on this African biodiversity expedition to Malawi studying elephants, lions, hippos and other species.
I arrived on Sunday and met with our in-country partners, the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT). On Tuesday we all head to our camp in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve to get everything ready for the arrival of African biodiversity survey team 1 on Saturday. I hope your preparations are going well and you are excited about the expedition.
Continue reading “Malawi African biodiversity study 2026: Getting ready”Update from our Tien Shan snow leopard expedition
“It’s a nice office you have here.” Barry’s words brought me right back to Earth as I sat sipping hot tea from my thermos. We are currently journeying back from servicing our final camera trap of the season, and I am jotting down notes while looking across the valley at giant glaciers that are normally hidden from view from our base camp. We are in raptures high up in the Jiluu-Suu (“hot water”) valley, taking it all in.
Continue reading “Tien Shan snow leopard 2026: Jiluu-Suu and goodbye”Update from our snow leopard Kyrgyzstan expedition
We’ve hit the halfway mark for our final group of the season. Camp is quiet as all the team are out exploring the area. I find myself at camp in a period of quiet reflection.
Continue reading “Tien Shan snow leopard Kyrgyzstan 2026: Rest day”Update from our snow leopard volunteering expedition
When you read this group 3, which arrived and made their way to base safely, is through their training and into field research.
Continue reading “Tien Shan snow leopard volunteering 2026: Group 3”