Has Africam Inspired You?

Hmmmmm......... Has Africam inspired me?

The simple, but resounding answer is YES!

I don't have time right now to explain all the things that I have learned, done, enjoyed since I first visited Africam but many of the bomites know most of it anyway!
Some of these things were not directly concerning Africam, as with you BF, but were an 'offshoot' of the connections and friends that I made - and other websites that I visited via africam, and via their staff, over the years.

Africam has not only inspired me greatly but has also introduced me to some wonderful friends and for both reasons I will always be very grateful to Paul, Helen, Jurie, Pippa, Campbell and all the others involved - including Peter A - both in the past and now because, without them, this site would not exist and there is not, and never has been, a wildlife website that can compare with this one!

Yes. :!:

I have travelled a lot in Africa BA (before AfriCam) but had never been to South Africa. AfriCam got me interested in South Africa, so at the end of 1999 I spent some weeks in Djuma Game Reserve (operating AfriCam's virtual game drive cam) and Kruger National Park. I fell in love with the country and have been back 9 times since then. My next trip is planned already.

AfriCam also increased my interest in wildlife and made me take courses in game ranging and other wildlife relate issues.

Last but not least: I have made some wonderful friends through AfriCam - I have already met some of them in person, and there are some that I hope to meet in the future.

AfriCam has inspired me and changed my life. I will forever be grateful for that!

Wow - its amazing what this thing has done for the interest in our beautiful continent of Africa and enticed so many of you out here to see and share the beauty. In addition its so satisfying to see how it has inspired people to get out there and explore their own back yards and put something into conservation in their home country.

For me, while I always held an interest in the African bush and was fortunate to be able to get out into it regularly, watching the cams in the early days of Africam from my office in Johannesburg, made me realise that I didn't really want to be the yuppie I was becoming so I gave it all up and moved to the bush to become a guide and game lodge manager - a life far more satisfying than striving to own the latest model car and newest cellphone. Today, while no longer living in a game reserve, I still live outside a city and am surrounded by natural vegetation and wild animals and birds (though not too many of the hairy and scary types). I can let the toads on the cam compete with the frogs outside my window.

Landi

AfriCam has inspired me to love animals more than ever. I always have been an animal lover, but AfriCam made me enjoy them all the more and I've become more dedicated to helping conservation efforts.

I've never visited any place in Africa, but who knows what the future holds?

** AFRICAM HAD BROUGHT THE WORLD TO ME - THROUGH ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE POSTING THIER THOUGHTS AND PHOTOS- I LOOK FORWARD EACH DAY TO THE CHIT-CHAT- PHOTOS AND INFORMATION SECTIONS- HAVE HAD A LOVE AFAIR WITH AFRICA SINCE I FIRST READ A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC- NOW I GET TO SEE IT **LIVE DAILY ON AFRICAM-BOMA- KOOL

Yes, Ja, Oui, Si :!: :!:

I always loved animals and went to Africa first time in 1997.
Discovered Africam in 1999 and was addicted right away !
Through Africam got to know of wildlifecampus and finished a game ranger course and did 5 weeks practical Ecotraining in Sabi Sands 2001 and had a FANTASTIC time, learned a lot (but have forgotten a lot by now lol)
I've really been bitten by the safari bug and visited South Africa & kenya a few times and hoping to return soon.

Have made lots of friends through africam and yes, I can truly say it has changed my life.

and also... without Africam I would never ever have spitted impala-dung at the Africam Impala dung-spitting competition in London 2000

thanks Africam, you are the best.

Good Topic BF…
Yes, I think Africam has inspired and changed my life. The year was 1999 and I was alone at work with my new computer. Taking a well deserved break I plunged into cyberspace and found web cams…I started with the letter “A” – Africam - wildlife cams. I never made it to “B”. Then it was night and day at the water hole and learning time zones. My first live wild zebra!! Africa became a REAL place. Nights of my alarm clock going off to catch the baboons in the trees as the sun came up. Sabi sounds came and NJ crickets waged war with their African cousins under my window. I learned who and what was making which sound and sat for hours listening. My ears became better at hearing and an idea was born. Maybe I could go there one day.
I have been to several Afrimeets, spit dung, had Amarula and almost got to go to jail because of Africam!! I believe I have learned more about wildlife and the world in general and hopefully how to put that knowledge to use by supporting people who are in a position to do things to create change and improve conditions for wildlife.
The idea of going to Africa became a reality in 2004 and again this past August when I stayed in a tented camp in the Masai Mara for 2 weeks. Oh, and the biggest change?? Its seven yrs later and I am sitting here in Vienna, Austria with the love of my life, my husband Florian, whom I met on the Boma!

I am brand new to africam and have to say , it is extremely inspiring. I work with domesticated animals every day .Africam has put the wonder, excitement of the species I never get to see , back into my life! I have never had the oppurtunity to travel Africa ( something I've wanted to do since I was a child) So for me , this is my adventure!

I love the relaxing sounds of the all the critters after a hard days work outside with all my critters ..... lol.

I cant say enough how thrilled I am to have found africam!

Thank you , to everyone that keeps africam going and a great part of my life

I noticed little changes in my daylife. Sometimes i buy books with african wildlife stories an I go more often in oure zoo to the african animals to take fotos wich looks like africam:

Has Africam changed my life?
I'd say thats a definate ..YES! I have become consumed with the happenings on here to the point of obssession. I keep notes of tidbits I've caught in the forums sticky taped all over the place. I have a book now that i keep the bird sounds in...you know..what it sounds like its saying!
Ive bought an Audobon book on the wildlife in Africa, but do need a new one on SA animals.....Barnes & Noble is and always has been like Disney World for me. LOL
Ive told everyone I know about this site...and hope to see some of them on here one day soon.
Africam was very much on my mind when I went on a holiday last month...We visited a Big Cat Rescue Habitat. They take in animals that people TRY to keep as pets, only to find out...DUH!!! THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS!! They also had animals from places like circuses, zoos & more,where they just could no longer care for the amount of animals they had. Some of the Cats were badly mistreated & are now given a safe place to live out their lives, as they cannot be returned to the wild.

It tears me up to think that people would take such beautiful animals, Gods animals & treat them with so little respect.

Yes, I would say Africam has affected my life very much. I see things in my own yard more,,,I hear sounds clearer in my backyard gardens. I Notice the Hawks & Owls as we drive down the road, & catch myself looking closer at the world around me.

Africam not only opened my eyes & my mind to AFRICA...but my own little world as well.
For this I thank all involved, the people I have met, the sight operators, the camera person-and all the tech stuff I know nothing of. You have done a wonderful job of teaching the world, a little at a time, about a splended part of the world.

Africa
Nkorho Pond !!

Please have a look at the books already posted in Reader's Suggestions or post the books you like in there, so we all can share in each other's experiences.

Dear Santa,
Our wish list is short this year. if you get a sec this year, and when you land on my roof, could you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me and 32 students hitch a ride in your sleigh on your way to Africa. Will feed Rudolph, clean up after all the reindeer, bring extra cookies and milk for you, and and and...well you get the picture. And Santa, we have 'ALL' been good this year. If you will do this one itty bitty favor for all of us, could you swing on by kru-kab over on Bowser Island and pick them up so they can come with us. If you can't find our house, were the ones with the 10' blow up Elephant on our roof this year.
Thank you Santa.

' We still believe '

Being originally from South Africa now living in New Zealand. I must say there is no place like Africa!

I worked as a safari guide through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda taking people on trips of a life time through our beautiful continent. I feel really blessed and honoured to have been to all these places and seeing amazing sites, especially the wildlife and people!

I leanrt alot about wildlife, birdlife and the magical places we travelled through and I can honestly say to wake up each morning to the sounds I hear on this website every day and sitting watching many an African sunset with a glass of good wine, was probably some of the best times of my life.

So I say if you have ever thought of going, go, you will probably have the best and most memorable time of your life.....the again, I am extremelly biased

Tanya

Mery Christmas Tanya. We are in fact planning on going over in 2007 to see all this first hand. I can hardly wait to see our water hole in person and meet Campbell and his crew, and thank them all personally. We are hopeing to take over a film crew to bring a lot of footage back. I have never had so much fun nor have the kids till they saw all this and our eagle nests back here in Canada. What a great year this has been.

http://kidsinthenest.com/

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
THANK YOU Campbell, Thank you ALL.

Africam is Fantastic!! I was born in South Africa but now live in dull gloomy England. When I get home from work the first thing I do is put the live audio on and fill the house with sounds of home. I have commitments to fufill here so until i can return,Africam keeps me sane and helps with the homesickness!!

I know what you mean Mac and know the feelings of homesickness.....that is why this sight is great as it does fill your house and life and with the sounds of home and for me makes it a little easier

Africam has taken over my life! I just returned from a vacation this past Oct - the highlight of my trip was a visit to Hluhluwe. I LOVE being able to view all the animals right on my computer - and I've turned several other people on to it as well!! This is the most fantastic site I have visited in YEARS!

Has Africam made any changes in my life?? Wow. You 'oldies' know the answer to that one
To the best group of people in the world we have met/never met, Africam and cammers, Thank You all so very much.

I have always been "inspired" I love animals and take every chance to watch them, listen to them, and I feed them in my backyard birdfeeders.
Africam, is inspiring me to learn how to use my computer better. I'll be snapping some pics, and exchanging them with friends. That is something I didn't do before I found AFricam.
I really don't see any point in going to Africa, I love it right here on the web in its 17 inch screen form. MUCH Thanks! to the camera owners and operators.

Africam has deffinitely inspired me. I am an aspiring wildlife photographer. I have fallen in love with this site and all the animals i get to see here. My husband and i are starting to save our money so that we can make a trip to the lodge and hopefully be able to take some wonderful pictures of the amazing animals there. I have always loved animals and nature and africam has re-inspired me to be more active in the preservation of nature. I am quitting my regular job soon and am looking into volunteering at my local zoo as well as some volunteering opportunities overseas. My sister turned me on to this site and i have been sharing it with everyone i know. She tells me that the employees at the hospital where she works all watch the cam every chance they get.

This site is a very powerful tool for bringing people together in their love for nature. I am greatful to all involved in running this site for bringing it to me and the rest of the world. Thank you for bringing the wonder of nature into my home.

Hi gang...glad to hear all your stories. Keep spreading the word and with luck africam will be back to its former glory.

I'm pretty new around here, and have only been here a month. I think I am appreciating African animals more. I have ALWAYS been an animal lover, but it seems like my appreciation for Africa and the animals there has grown.

I am learning so much around here, it's amaziing. Meaning i'm learning about different kinds of animals and on their habits.

I love Africam and I will spread the word!

I haven't been here in a while and cannot think of a better reason to post again!

Africam has been one of the most incredible places I have ever discovered. It instilled in me again appreciation for the wonderful country I live in and just how lucky I am to only live 90 minutes from the nearest game reserve where I can lose myself in the tranquility, the constant change, the scenery and photography.

The bush is such an honest place - everything just is what it is. No acting, no lying, it just is. And that's why I feel so at home in it. It is the one place where I can just find myself again and get perspective on life...

And these qualities are also so true of the people I got to know here in Africam. You have been my best friends, been there through all my ups and downs and the source of so much inspiration!

Who can EVER forget the excitement in the early days of waiting for the first sighting of anything on the cams! Or the black and white mobile cam in the wheelbarrow lol! Or the white tailed mongoose that used to be there every night?

Some of my Africam friends I see more regularly than people I have known for 20 years lol! Keep on coming! You are always welcome in my house

I have learned SO much about the animals (having been a lazy git before) and conservation in general and about the people who make sure that we will still have wildlife in 20 or 50 years' time.

I just cannot imagine life without this site and without its people....where else can you find people who love hyenas as much as I do? LOL

My whole life I have had a strong passion for animals, and their well being. So when I was introduced to Africam I was estatic to be able to get a small touch of the beauty other countries can offer, especially when it comes to animals. Since veiwing Africam for the first time, my knowledge for SA wild life has grown, which only adds to the endless animal tidbits I carry with me, and I love Africam for that!

However, the story of inspiration belongs to a family member of mine.
My husbands youngest brother is a passionate, energetic young man (14 Yrs Old) with many hobbies and interests. When I first began veiwing Africam, I thought of him, as I knew he would enjoy it. I introduced him to the world of wonder one night, when the animals were being rather active and he was blown away with excitement.

His fascination grew with every second, as did his dreams.
Its widely known in our family that he has hopes of becoming a professional photographer. Since becoming an Africam Addict, he has decided he would love to be a Wild Life photographer in SA, or somewhere similar as the environment calls to him, and the animals entice him!

He now speaks of cathcing Lions, Giraffe and elephant on Camera Day & Night! LOL He's even posted print outs of NKHORO STREAM Highlights on his wall and talks of Visiting the Lodge one day! (Or so he hopes, LOL)

Im happy I was able to help him discover his interest in SA, and I can only hope his dreams come true.
I am grateful for Africam for inspiring a young boy to dream beyond the limits of our COW-TOWN!

What a lovely site this is. My next trip to the San Diego Wild Aninmal Park will be so enhanced. I am so grateful to all of you - posters and moderators. Keep up the good work. Thank you again :idea:

Oh boy don't get me started on this subject - it has been the backbone to my very existence since I came on board and watched lived game drive on Mala Mala, cams all over Africa, made friends around the world some of whom I have been lucky enough to meet others of us have formed the most amazing bonds. In all the dark days when Africam died some of us really believed that a resurrection would come and we were not disappointed - thank you to Africam and the wonderful staff who have gone to such lengths to bring us such a phenomenal site! Africam is permanently open on our computer and we have been so blessed to have shared with so many such wondrous sightings over the years. May Africam go from strength to strength and bring more and more people to our wonderful country to admire our wildlife and the beautiful country we live in.

Yours in Parking
Penny

this cam has made me miss africa. It reminds me of when my dad and I use to go fishing and i use to hear similar bird aounds that are on the cam. I hope to go back soon and maybe even visit the nokrho lodge and see where all the action happens

Great topic! I'm a newbie AA and I can see that I am now excited to get up each morning and don't want to go to bed evenings. Africam and the forums have caused me to research so much about SA. I can't walk that well but having Africam makes me say "So what??"

My sister-in-law is a manager of a large IT department in a billion dollar firm. She will get calls from her many colleages that say "elephant" and then they hang up. She then hurries over to look at the Africam!

What an awakening to the South African world!

Thank you ALL!

I went to Namibia in 2003 with Tabs. We stayed on a farm in the bush and it was the most amazing time I ever had. We had an overnight staying at
Etoshia. I fell in love with Africa there and then.

Tabs also got me interested in AFRICAM and I love it. I have seen so much.

I do not post much but do watch as often as possible. I even keep it on at night at times so that when I wake up during the night (I often do) I can see if anything is on screen.

So yes I am an AFRICAM ADDICT. lol

I was inspired to follow up the Cape Leopard Trust, when I saw their logo on the side of a landi snapped by the motion-triggered cams on ‘Leopard cam’. I went to their site and seeing they had a fund-raising auction I contacted them to see if they would like a couple of my prints (of my paintings) for the auction. Upshot is that although I did not have any prints depicting leopards (which they would like for the auction), I sent them a couple of prints to sell, keep or auction off at another fund-raiser event as they see fit. I don’t have disposable funds to donate as I would wish to charities but maybe in a small way I can contribute with my work.
Also watching the cams and seeing the change through the months in all weathers to the bush takes me back there and keeps me 'in touch' with Africa as I am unable to afford to return for some time. Somehow it keeps it close. And in doing so helps inspire me in my work when I'm painting at home. I only wish I had broadband so that I could watch the Nkorho stream properly instead of just the first 15-19 seconds. Very frustrating!