A E London Journal

A rare day "Off" at Victoria Falls

Mon, Jun 2nd, 2025

Our 2025 Arts for Animals tour in Zimbabwe and South Africa!

We just returned from spending almost 6 weeks in Africa, working to teach children the importance of African wildlife to their heritage, and to their future. It was an inspiring, memorable trip and we wanted to send you a short note to thank you for helping to make this trip possible. How? The support and friendship of all our friends, has always been a source of strength and inspiration for us. Our moments of shared laughter, kinship, and adventure help us get through the challenges we face in Africa and, over the years, have enriched our lives beyond measure. So although you may not realize it, your friendship and the energy and the support it generates in our lives, has been integral to our success! We want you to know that in a significant way, you also share these accomplishments. Although Anne and I arranged the main tickets to Africa ourselves, your friendship and energy helped us reach our partners in Zimbabwe and South Africa with Art supplies, teaching aids, artwork, Wildlife Protector Program elements, and Wildlife Protector wristbands.
We were able to train staff members and even develop some new inspirational conservation programs at Global Conservation Corps, Seeds of Light Foundation, Bush Babies Foundation, Timbavati Foundation and Painted Dog Conservation. These programs reach thousands of children with environmental education each year.
Working with Children in the Wilderness, we developed a new program which recognizes local children at Eco-clubs across Zimbabwe. South Africa, and Zambia as "Conservation Heroes". Together with our partners in Africa, these new programs will help about 2000 more kids each year learn more about the importance of wildlife conservation ,while offering them opportunities to develop their own personal wildlife conservation future.
As Arts for Animals grows, we and you indirectly, are touching the lives of almost 5000 children each year.
Thanks to your help, all those children are developing their own conservation stewardship skills and becoming more aware of the importance of their wildlife. These children are the adults that will shape Conservation policies all over Africa in the future.
One of the side benefits of connecting creativity with Conservation is being able to identify and mentor young artists, as well as expanding the creativity and creative thinking of all the children we reach. A good example of this process was a young naturally talented artist, named Thembelani ,whom we met at Mosi oa Tunya ("Smoke that Thunders") high school, one of the largest schools in Zimbabwe. He was 16 when we met him, and had designed and drawn his own anti-poaching poster.(Below) With Anne's mentoring and our continuing support of the schools art programs, he is now a 20-year-old professional artist.
Here's a photograph of a leopard he is working on with another of our young artists, "Descent". Thembelani has even worked images of other endangered animals into the spots on the leopard's head! Amazing work!
In South Africa, one of the high points for Anne was working with a special group of young artists from the Seeds of Light foundation. This organization focuses on helping young women reach their greatest potential in whatever field they choose. Some are choosing to become Park Rangers, veterinarians, or artists. She said, helping those young girls with their artwork was one of the most enriching moments she experienced on the trip.

Here's one more photograph of some of the students we are working with at Mosi Oa Tunya high school in Victoria Falls- taken in front of the new "Arts and Conservation" building you helped us renovate. In South Africa, we printed 3000 new posters which enable the children to create their own wildlife drawings and bring them home to spread the Wildlife Conservation message to their families and neighbors. Most of these children also make the pledge to become a "Wildlife Protector" and proudly wear the blue wristband we give them for making that commitment.

Besides working hard on Arts for Animals programs, in Zimbabwe, we managed to take two days off and visit our old friend Steve Bolnick and his wife Debbie at their camp on the Zambezi river in northern Zimbabwe in Mana Pools National Park. Thanks so much to Wilderness Air for flying us up there for free ,and for Steve's generosity in putting us up and allowing us to share his small slice of paradise at Mana pools. He runs an absolutely beautiful camp, in a the center of a world heritage site surrounded by incredible wildlife. Camp Mana focuses on a true African experience, surrounded by wildlife observed by doing game walks instead of drives. Although not a luxury camp, it's quite comfortable, and it's hard to imagine being any closer to the nature of Africa anywhere else. Camp Mana is not a luxury camp, but it's quite comfortable and we can't tell you how much we enjoy just spending time with our old friends Steve and Debbie who run the camp.

Although we only manage to spend three nights there, it was a wonderful experience, not only getting to see our old friends, Steve and Debbie, but getting to share the incredible camp they have created. Since we had to come back a day early, we took an afternoon off and went to Victoria Falls. Although we have been to Victoria Falls town 15 or 20 times bringing friends and working with students, we hadn't had time to even visit the falls in about five years! So although we've been there several times, in past years, we were simply blown away by the magnificent and spectacle of Victoria Falls. I'll see if I can include a better video of the fall to give you a better idea of how awesome it is.

After spending two weeks in Zimbabwe, we returned to Johannesburg to gather materials again and headed out to Hoedsprit ,South Africa to work with our partners in the Kruger Park area.

Thanks to our friend Lindy with children in the wilderness, we were able to print thousands of posters for our South African and Zimbabwe partners. We shipped the posters to Timbavati foundation and we spent time working with them on their programs at their interpretive wildlife center, new aquatic life Center and the schools they sponsor as well. Our good friend Caran drove us around to the different towns where our partners operate and we spent a lot of great time with him, exploring South Africa and visiting our partner programs around the country.

We have been quite busy getting "our feet back on the ground" since we returned, and over the next few weeks, we will record more about our trip on our Face book and our Arts for Animals web site Journals. Hopefully, by next month, you can learn lots more about these programs and our adventures in Africa .
We appreciate your trust and support so much! It invigorates us and gives our team the energy and heart to accomplish more each year. Please keep us in mind and rest assured that you are leaving a legacy that is changing the future of Earth's wildlife! Never underestimate the role friendship plays in the happiness and success of the folks you touch!

We will write lots more when we have a moment, stay tuned!

Although we were excited about our visit to Africa, we knew this was again primarily a working trip and not a Safari .
Since we weren't escorting friends on this trip, we had only arranged to be out in the bush with the animals we love for a couple of days over the six weeks we were in Africa.

Although we were excited about our visit to Africa, we knew this was again primarily a working trip and not a Safari .

Children in the wilderness is helping us print conservation posters
Using their South African printers, we are able to save thousands of dollars on printing our program conservation posters. The allows us to print the posters in a central African location and distribute them from there to other countries

Children in the wilderness is helping us print conservation posters

Of course, we always look forward to seeing our scholarship recipients.
It was so great to visit Thembelani and see how his Art had progressed. We are so proud of the fact that he is now a successful professional artist thanks to Arts for animals!.

Of course, we always look forward to seeing our scholarship recipients.

At 16 years old, Thembelani was showing not only artistic talent, but also a love of wildlife!
Thanks to an Arts for Animals scholarship and support by Arts for Animals mentors, Thembeni has become quite a talented artist

At 16 years old, Thembelani was showing not only artistic talent, but also a love of wildlife!

We were so impressed with his grasp of Conservation challenges, we knew we had to help him develop his talents

We were so impressed with his grasp of Conservation challenges, we knew we had to help him develop his talents

Thembelani has produced some beautiful wildlife art, like this leopard with other animals hidden in his spots.
Thembelani manages to maintain a successful art business at Elephant Walk Mall, while mentoring other Arts for Animals students at the high school and the wildlife Center.

Thembelani has produced some beautiful wildlife art, like this leopard with other animals hidden in his spots.

This is Thembalani when we first met him at 16 years old
He had created this anti-poaching poster to put up in the classroom! Who would've known the talent hidden inside this young man!

This is Thembalani when we first met him at 16 years old

Thembalani is now 20 years old and doing amazing work as a professional artist in Victoria Falls.
This is a beautiful leopard commission he was doing. He had also hidden drawings of endangered animals in the spots on the leopard's head!, Amazing!

Thembalani is now 20 years old and doing amazing work as a professional artist in Victoria Falls.

Our aAts for Animals partners probably display our logo
By helping our partners to connect creativity with Conservation in their programs, Arts For Animals is accomplishing its goals.

Our aAts for Animals partners probably display our logo

One of our most popular programs is our Conservation poster program.
While. students learn how to draw endangered wildlife, they learn about the threats to those animals and how they can help to protect their wildlife.

One of our most popular programs is our Conservation poster program.

The teachers at Mosi oa Tunya high school have been very supportive of the new Art and Conservation room
Thanks to Arts for Animals, the teachers have art supplies, paint, and an inspirational environment to teach students the magic of art.

The teachers at Mosi oa Tunya high school have been very supportive of the new Art and Conservation room

The headmaster at Mosi high school is an artist himself and loves the new Art and Conservation room. We helped create at his school..
One of the leaders in Zimbabwe education, we presented the headmaster with some of Anne's to thank him for his enthusiasm and support for the Arts for Animals programs at the high school.

The headmaster at Mosi high school is an artist himself and loves the new Art and Conservation room. We helped create at his school..

Without the help and support of Children in the Wilderness staff, we would not be able to accomplish nearly as much in Africa.
We spent hours working with CITW staff to develop our new" Wildlife Heroes" program and fine tune our other programs. We love working with them!

Without the help and support of Children in the Wilderness staff, we would not be able to accomplish nearly as much in Africa.

Thanks to our partners at Painted Dog Conservation, children in western Zimbabwe are exposed to Art and Conservation.
Painted Dog Conservation, one of our first partners, operates a wonderful conservation education, camp for children they run year round near Hwange national Park. Our wildlife protector program helps them motivate children to protect their wildlife.

Thanks to our partners at Painted Dog Conservation, children in western Zimbabwe are exposed to Art and Conservation.

Now students at Mosi oa Tunya high school have a place where they can focus on Conservation.
We are hoping that the Art and Conservation room concept expands to other schools across Zimbabwe. School administrators realize that conservation needs to be an integral part of their curriculum..

Now students at Mosi oa Tunya high school have a place where they can focus on Conservation.

We love helping local art teachers by providing art supplies and inspiration.
Unfortunately, the schools in Zimbabwe are very understaffed and unsupported, especially as it relates to art, music, and Conservation. We are helping to change that!

We love helping local art teachers by providing art supplies and inspiration.

Descent , our first scholarship recipient now exhibits alongside Thembelani
We are very proud of Descent not only for his own talent, but how he uses those talents to mentor and support other young talented wildlife artists.

Descent , our first scholarship recipient now exhibits alongside Thembelani

Both Descent and Thembelani have set up a small booth together in this" shopping mall" in Victoria Falls
Although they work 10 hours a day seven days a week, they managed to take off time to help out at the Arts for Animals wildlife Center

Both Descent and Thembelani have set up a small booth together in this" shopping mall" in Victoria Falls

We met Descent as a young talented, but uneducated Artist.
It's so wonderful to see Descent thriving as a successful wildlife artist and using his skills to develop other artists and teach the value of wildlife to young local students.

We met Descent as a young talented, but uneducated Artist.

We can't thank our friends at Wilderness Air/Destinations enough for helping us fly up to Mana Pools national Park
We could've never afforded to fly up to visit our friend Steve Bolnick at his camp at Mana Pools in northern Zimbabwe. They managed to get us on an existing flight at no cost, which was awesome!

We can't thank our friends at Wilderness Air/Destinations enough for helping us fly up to Mana Pools national Park

We have been trying to visit our friend Steve at Camp Mana for about 10 years. Finally!
Steve is one of Africa's leading conservationists and guides. He operates a beautiful, comfortable tented camp right on the Zambezi river near MANA POOLS State Park.

We have been trying to visit our friend Steve at Camp Mana for about 10 years. Finally!

Steve and his wife Debbie were such gracious hosts.
Steve, who is a walking wildlife encyclopedia, specializes in walking Safaris and canoe trips on the Zambezi river. Staying at Camp Mana is such a treat because there is nothing between you and wildlife but a thin tent wall.

Steve and his wife Debbie were such gracious hosts.

Although we were only there for two days, we had some incredible wildlife encounters.
Game walks or hikes enable you to really get down on the ground and feel a connection with local wildlife.

Although we were only there for two days, we had some incredible wildlife encounters.

Although it's a small tented camp, each tent has Anne's art hanging in it
Steve wanted Camp Mana to be a simple, yet comfortable oasis incorporating artwork, and surrounded by a wildlife

Although it's a small tented camp, each tent has Anne's art hanging in it

Herds of elephants, and prides of Lyons often walk right through the middle of the camp.
Staying at Steve's camp, you never know what wildlife is right outside the door of your tent!

Herds of elephants, and prides of Lyons often walk right through the middle of the camp.

This elephant walked up to the dinner tent and got within five or 10 feet of one of Ann's pieces on display.
I rushed over to take a photograph of this massive elephant, just a few feet from Anne's art piece "Zambezi Crossing". The juxtaposition of the elephant and Anne's artwork was pretty cool, although I neglected to notice the mop leaning against the picture

This elephant walked up to the dinner tent and got within five or 10 feet of one of Ann's pieces on display.

There is nothing more interesting and fun than walking among wildlife with Steve.

There is nothing more interesting and fun than walking among wildlife with Steve.

I love the golden early morning, sun illuminating the dust of a herd of Impala.

I love the golden early morning, sun illuminating the dust of a herd of Impala.

Although we were only there for two days, we got to see lots of wildlife!
Elephants, hippos, wildebeest, lions, warthog, and Painted dogs roamed around the camp or appeared in the bush on our walks.

Although we were only there for two days, we got to see lots of wildlife!

A few things more Majestic and beautiful than Lions walking past your tent in the golden light of dawn!

A few things more Majestic and beautiful than Lions walking past your tent in the golden light of dawn!

OH! OH! Elephants in camp approaching OUR TENT!

OH! OH! Elephants in camp approaching OUR TENT!

The views of the Zambezi river and the wildlife along it's Banks or just awesome.
Steve's Camp Mana is a testament to his conservation background and love of African wildlife. We can't thank him and Debbie enough for inviting us to stay with them for a couple of days!

The views of the Zambezi river and the wildlife along it's Banks or just awesome.

We spent our last afternoon tracking a den of Painted dogs!
Although we were only there three days, we had so many wildlife experiences, it seemed like we were there for weeks. We sadly left Camp Mana to fly back to Victoria Falls to continue our work there.

We spent our last afternoon tracking a den of Painted dogs!

We had forgotten how impressive Victoria Falls is.
Although we visit Victoria Falls, town once or twice a year, we realized it had been almost 6 years since we actually visited the Falls themselves. So one afternoon at 4 o'clock, we revisited the falls! Awesome!

We had forgotten how impressive Victoria Falls is.

We didn't get a chance to get over to the Falls till about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
And we realize that that was the best time to go. Fewer people, no school kids, and the sun was high up in the sky, creating double rainbows everywhere!

We didn't get a chance to get over to the Falls till about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

In May the Zambezi river is at its highest and it roared as it dropped 300 feet for almost 3 km in front of us.
Definitely one of the wonders of the world and we are so glad we managed to get back to see it again. Really awe inspiring.

In May the Zambezi river is at its highest and it roared as it dropped 300 feet for almost 3 km in front of us.

One of the high points of visiting Zimbabwe for us is getting to spend time with our dear friend Sue Goatley with CITW.
Sue's Help in starting arts for animals in Zimbabwe was crucial! Although incredibly busy herself, she always manages to take time to offer her support and friendship! We sure love this woman!

One of the high points of visiting Zimbabwe for us is getting to spend time with our dear friend Sue Goatley with CITW.

We always enjoy working with the kids at local schools.
African children have so much fun learning how to draw and express themselves creatively. It's so easy to intersperse Conservation stewardship messages with their art lessons.

We always enjoy working with the kids at local schools.

We enjoy working with teachers around the Victoria Falls area and their enthusiasm is so infectious!

We enjoy working with teachers around the Victoria Falls area and their enthusiasm is so infectious!

Of course, the kids at the orphanage love to see us visit!
We bring our supplies, coloring books, and help the orphanage whenever we can.

Of course, the kids at the orphanage love to see us visit!

Of course we had to visit the kids at the Rose of Charity orphanage
We have been visiting and helping at the orphanage for almost 14 years now and when we heard they wanted a volleyball court, had to pitch in and construct one for their yard.

Of course we had to visit the kids at the Rose of Charity orphanage

The kids are so adorable, but I think we both got a stomach virus from hanging out with them.,
For the first time in 15 years of visiting Africa, we got sick this time, but luckily it was only a 48 hour virus – no fun, but it could've been worse!

The kids are so adorable, but I think we both got a stomach virus from hanging out with them.,

One of our favorite kids over at the orphanage is Lamisha, who we first met as a baby 11 years ago.
Over the years we and our friend Sarah Mogk have helped support Lamisha and we hope to continue that support until she becomes a successful young professional woman.

One of our favorite kids over at the orphanage is Lamisha, who we first met as a baby 11 years ago.

These children draw their favorite animals on their own poster and bring it home to spread the message of wildlife conservation to their friends and family.
Our arts for animals poster program enables our partners programs to continue to spread the word after the children return home. They have so little, these beautiful posters are treasured on the walls of their homes, even though those walls may be made ou

These children draw their favorite animals on their own poster and bring it home to spread the message of wildlife conservation to their friends and family.