This new system, the first of its kind for wildlife safaris in the world, allows you to log onto the internet to retrieve sightings posts made by other visitors to the parks and also to post your own sightings as they happen, all with your own cellphone.

There is no charge to subscribe to the service, and because it makes use of the GPRS network and not SMS for message delivery it is very cheap to send and receive your sightings, costing as little as one South African cent per message.

All you need to make use of the sightings service is a WAP enabled cellphone with an internet browser, a subscription to the relevant wildlife sightings group which is free, and a keen eye for spotting wildlife so that you can share it with others.

The concept works especially well with lion sightings because they tend to stay in one place for long periods of time during the day, making it possible for you to get to them before they leave even if you are some way away when you get the sightings message.

“The technology really helps visitors to wildlife parks to be in the right place at the right time to see more wildlife, because you can access the sightings while you are still driving around, unlike the conventional sightings board which is located at the camp where it’s not as effective,” says Bruce Whittaker, owner of African Safari Journals.

“And the fact that it’s free to subscribe means that there are more eyes out on the road and all the members can benefit from the collective sightings power of the network. The system works best when members pay it forward by contributing their sightings too because like most things in life, you reap what you sow.”

To learn more and to subscribe to get sightings in the Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve and Etosha National Park in Namibia, visit this page

www.african-safari-journals.comContact Details:Bruce Whittakerwww.african-safari-journals.comTelephone: +27 (0) 13 712 7564