Painted Dog Travel

07/08/2026

Our trip to Peru over the winter solstice poignantly revealed the marvels of Incan architecture and their reverence for the cosmos; their architecture designed to match the sun’s path through the heavens. Inti Raymi, the celebration of the sun takes place as the shortest days of the year come to an end. It was the most important celebration of the ancient Incan empire. At sunrise, we stand in awe as Machu Picchu awakens, rejoicing in its beauty and the breathing room that comes from arriving before the masses.

06/21/2026

Ahead of this year’s in Lima, Peru, small groups of travel professionals and media set out on a 5-day exploration of different regions of the country. Ours was the Tambopata region of the Amazon Basin with Rainforest Expeditions Lodges where we immersed in the jungle ecosystem in search of the social and the secretive species that call it home. The boat journey up the Tambopata River takes a few hours, depending on the time of year and the strength of the river. Once you arrive, it’s all about searching for wildlife from boating along the river, staking out the clay licks, walking through the forest trails, and quietly drifting in lagoons preferred by the giant otters. We also get to participate and learn about in the citizen science conservation work, from audio recordings for their primate research, collecting moth species, installing camera traps, and supporting the artificial tree cavities required to maintain the macaw populations as deforestation impacts their suitable range. This river basin is unique in that it sits beneath the Andean foothills where the mineral rich sediment deposits into clay licks that attract hordes of parrots, and the Tambopata Research Center is the only property inside the park boundary. As we departed back to civilization, our group asked a young girl who had been there with her family what her favorite sighting was. She said, “a jaguar.” Great answer! Thanks to Malte Clavin - Speaker & Adventurer for the drone shot!

05/18/2026

A coalition of big cats occurs when adult males join forces to survive. Until a female gives them a reason to squabble, they are safer together, stronger together, and share larger meals when they work together. Often, it's observed when brothers stay together, but they aren't always related. This coalition of four male cheetahs were seen this year on the expansive grass plains in the Dinare concession. The ecosystem variation and abundance of plains game means it's possible for cheetahs to find purchase even when competition from lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs remain an endless challenge.

05/15/2026

Did you know that female raptors are larger than males by anywhere from 20-50%? This female martial eagle is noticeably larger than her mate as she swoops in to collect the Egyptian goose he has claimed for her. In doing so, he demonstrates his suitability for reproduction. On safari in Africa, you don’t have to be a birder to appreciate the incredible bird life, but you may return home with a new affliction. This marvelous sighting took place in the Okavango Delta, and while it could take a lifetime of safaris to witness this specific event, it also reveals the many irreplaceable and unexpected wildlife stories awaiting on safari, especially when designed for an immersive pace and strategic location rather than ticking the boxes.

05/01/2026

Visiting Tikal at sunrise isn’t about watching the sun. It’s about being present for the jungle’s awakening. With constellations overhead, we approach Temple Four in the darkness. The haunting chorus of howler monkeys grows louder as pre dawn colors the canopy. The symphony builds with the songs of the red-crowned ant tanager, slaty-tailed trogon, melodious blackbird, flycatchers, woodcreepers, humming birds, and toucans. The crowd builds, and yet, silent reverence is preserved in unspoken understanding until the sun shines bright and the spell is broken.

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

The 14 hour flight from Newark to Johannesburg was the perfect setting to binge the series which takes place over a five year period in the Nsefu sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. I had the privilege of seeing some of these characters in real life during my stay at Tena Tena Camp back in 2023, including Flint, the remarkable and resilient Wild Dog who survived a poachers snare and returned to his mother’s pack. The pack not only tolerated him, but cared for him in revealing displays of compassion. The opportunity to follow the lives of these animals and the conservation work that photographic safari tourism supports, through all of the triumphs and tragedies, is an emotional roller coaster. Now off to Botswana’s to discover what new wildlife dramas await!

08/26/2025

The African Wild Dog, also known as Painted Dog or Painted Wolf, are highly social, charismatic, and elusive. With a massive traversing area that puts them in the crosshairs of human-wildlife conflict, they are an endangered species that requires good planning and a generous sprinkle of good luck to encounter on safari. How do you see African wild dogs on safari? Here are a few tips to help with the planning:
Tip #1: Combine Areas - Generally, safaris need to be booked a year in advance to have your choice of camps, concessions, and dates. A lot can change in a year, including if a pack is disrupted by competing predators. Hedge your bets by combining areas with strong populations and sightings reports. We can help narrow the selection.
Tip #2: Travel During the Denning Season - This isn't a must, but their range is shortened and whereabouts more predictable this time of year.
Tip #3: Prepare for Adorable and Gross - Dogs are highly social, cuddly, and playful. Unlike the elegant dispatch of a big cat, however, a dog pack attack on its prey is gruesome and not an enviable way to go.
Tip #4: Pay for Private Guide and Vehicle - Unless you are with a like-minded group of 4 - 6 travelers who will be committed to the long hours, tracking, and skipping other sightings, plan to pay for private guide and vehicle for your priorities to be fulfilled.
Tip #5: Don't Rush It - 2-night stays might get you a dog sighting by the grace of the safari gods, but you'll likely miss out on all of the other wonderful wildlife. Give yourself the time to feel unpressured and present as well as goal-oriented.
The painted dog is our namesake because it represents an immersive and informed travel that contributes to impactful conservation. These elegant apex predators thrive where the ecosystem is intact. We can help you balance your wildlife goals with the budget and travel style you prefer most! All photos were taken by owner of Painted Dog Travel, Darcie Smith on different safaris.

08/13/2025

In honor of World Elephant Day, here are a few of the notable conservation programs across Africa working tirelessly to preserve habitat, fund research, and support communities who coexist with these magnificent ecosystem engineers.

1. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is the first community-led elephant sanctuary and first to employ female keepers. The Samburu community rehabilitates and releases the elephants back into their northern range while benefiting from their coexistence and preserving their pastoral traditions. 📸Reteti Camp
2. Imvelo Safaris in Zimbabwe manages bore holes in Hwange National Park to keep elephants inside the boundary during the dry months while working alongside the local communities to ensure they benefit from the tourism and coexistence with wildlife.
3. Kamba Africa operates remote camps in the vast forest of the Republic of Congo, working with primate researchers and conservationists to preserve one of the world's last remaining vast, carbon-sequestering forests. 📸Kamba Africa
4. Mara Elephant Project protects elephants and their habitat through research, anti-poaching patrol, and community support. Ivory poaching has dropped by 98% and human-elephant conflict incidents have dropped by 95% as they monitor over 1,200 elephants. Many safari camps in the Mara contribute to this project as part of their bed night flat rate, and travelers can take time out of their safari to visit the headquarters.
5. As some parts of Africa grow rapidly, other parts become the last safe havens for wildlife, adding pressure to the ecosystem and surrounding communities. Elephants Without Borders, based in Botswana, studies the migratory patterns, behavior, and ecology of elephants to lead with data that informs sustainable growth by protecting migration paths across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.