The Londolozi Game Reserve in Sabi Sand, South Africa, adjacent to the Kruger National Park, is a favorite destination for Savvy Navigator’s gay tours. Rich Laburn from the camp photographed this amazing mating ritual of the Camp Pan male and Nottens female leopards (both beloved animals often seen on our safaris). The entire story can be read here on the Londolozi blog, but to whet your appetite, here’s the video showing the dance of the wild. 

Savvy Navigator and his gay tours pass through the Cape Town airport (CPT) multiple times every year as the gateway for fabulous trips to Southern Africa. Savvy's very own photog on the move, Vanessa Ratcliffe, sent over these terrific shots of the newly-renovated terminal. Finally, no more schlepping in the rain between the international and domestic terminals! Come join us on our next trip to South Africa in 2010!

This one's a bit graphic, but it is amazing. The video comes to us from an elephant sanctuary in Bali (quite a distance from South Africa, the frequent destination for our gay tours) and was brought to our attention by a savyv journalist friend. While there are quite a few videos of Mama Elephants giving birth, this one is particularly moving, and shows us the struggle to bring a newborn to life.

In honor of our friends, the pachyderms, for all Savvy Navigator tour bookings made in November and December 2009, Savvy Navigator will donate 5% of all profits to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant Orphans Project. 

Take a look!

Savvy Navigator’s brilliant partners in Cape Town, Vanessa and Liesl, sent over this recent photo of a reposing, female Baboon down at the Cape Point nature reserve, through which our gay tours transit on the day trip down to the Cape of Good Hope.

As always, a picture is worth 1000 words...

For those of you who have traveled on a Savvy Navigator gay tour to South Africa, a trip highlight was always the Cape Town dinner with local historian, actor and raconteur, Guy Willoughby. 

This morning, we received word that Guy passed away today, and this saddens us greatly.

Over the past several years, Guy entertained and regaled our travelers with his insightful take on the history of South Africa, as well as the gay history of the country. An evening with Guy was always interesting and fun, and one never knew what to expect. I, Jeff, honestly believe that my own knowledge of Southern Africa history is based on the evenings spent with Guy.

Guy was truly a savvy friend, whose presence made the Savvy Navigator tour different from any other. He will be greatly missed.

Here’s his Cape Times obituary:

Cape Town - Actor, director, playwright and entertainment writer Guy Willoughby died on Tuesday of Aids-related complications, after being ill for some time.

"We've lost a great actor. He was brave and clear-sighted to the end," ex-wife Finuala Dowling told News24. "He's been sick for a while and it was a relief to speak to him about his illness and approaching death."

His death was met with shock and great sadness in the industry.

"Guy was extremely witty and wit rather than farce made him laugh. I remember him having an incredible turn of phrase," actor Anthea Thompson told News24.

She said that Willoughby was a comedian who displayed passion and creativity in his work.

Passionate and driven

"I saw a stand-up that he wrote and his work was topical and he would also look at the funny side of things - that make ordinary people laugh. He was a passionate and driven man and the range of his work was incredible."

"Of course his creativity rubbed off on those around him. I played opposite him in a play (African Star) that he wrote and he was hands on and incredibly on the go."

However, she added that Willoughby was demanding of himself in the work that he did.

"Guy was a hard task master and was very hard on himself; he always wanted the best, but I never saw him shout at somebody because they weren't doing something exactly the way he wanted."

Willoughby, renowned in entertainment and media circles, also wrote for newspapers around the country, including the Mail & Guardian, Sunday Times and Cape Times.

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