My South Africa Safari
A trip of Memories, Spectacle and Reflection
Jaime and I went to Africa after her college graduation, thirteen years ago. We did a full tour—Capetown with a drive down to the Cape of Good Hope, the Royal Malawane Lodge at Thornybush Game Reserve in Greater Kruger National Park (this is where I returned to), all in South Africa, a tented camp in Botswana, and finally Victoria Falls in Zambia. I thought at the time it was a trip of a lifetime—like, once in a lifetime. But as my big 75 is rolling around, I thought I’d love to do it again. Thus, a second trip of a lifetime!
THE SPECTACLE
The days started early. We'd meet at 6:30 (fruit, cereal, toast, coffee available) and head out for our morning game ride, which usually lasted about three hours. It can be quite chilly before the sun is fully up, but the guide had a hot water bottle and blanket ready for me! The animals who hunted all night are looking for a shady tree to rest under, and others are busy nibbling at bushes, trees and grass.
Nyala - one of at least 18 antelope species in South Africa - I saw five
Hippo - they must stay in water all day, but they can't swim
There was always a welcome morning stop in the bush for coffee, tea or hot chocolate and a variety of pastries.
I'd arrive back to be greeted in the lobby with a hot hand towel and some new interesting drink. Then I’d be ushered into the dining room for a full breakfast.
Then it was wonderful down-time to be spent in the multiple open-air lobby areas or your room—showering, resting or dipping in your plunge pool. If you were at all hungry you could request anything in your room or have lunch on your schedule. I would have a latte delivered and lounge on my deck overlooking the watering hole where many animals come to drink and cool off.
At 3:30 we'd meet again for another drive and more incredible sightings. I learned that the Big Five were chosen for their dangerousness—in reference to big game hunting. They are: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhinoceros and African Buffalo. I saw all of those almost daily. My two other favorites are Giraffe and Zebra—which we also saw a lot of--in addition to baboons, wildebeest, hyenas, wild dogs, warthogs, eagles, vultures, herons and owls.
South African Giraffe
But it’s not all game scouting. We always stopped for a “Sundowner”—where any alcohol and mixer is available with accompanying hot and cold appetizers. The timing was perfect, the sunsets were gorgeous.
As we headed back in the dusk to dark, the temperature would drop and my guide was ready once again with a hot water bottle and blanket for a toasty ride back to camp. More hot towels and drinks greeted me and dinner was at my leisure. After dinner I'd return to my room where a fire had been lit for a cozy nightcap (if I partook) and a good night’s sleep.
THE REFLECTION
I think I almost enjoyed the daily down-time each afternoon as much as the game rides. It was an imposed rest period and a unique experience for me. I never turned on the television, I did read, but I also sat with my thoughts and just gazed around me.
One thing I thought about was how I strive to get good wildlife photos (to make a keepsake book—as I do of all my trips). But sometimes I think I miss experiencing the event itself in my eagerness to “capture the moment”. So, I decided from then on to make an effort to move my phone/camera aside and look past it when parked in front of a photo op—to just watch and absorb the wonder that we’re ten feet away from a pride of lions! I used an actual camera last Africa trip, and now my phone allows me to video, so I can capture and relive the scenes.
In thinking about all this, I came to the realization that this is a common theme in my life. I do many things for the end-result—often missing the experience of getting there. Or not even taking advantage of the end-result. I want to change that. I want to interact with my life as it’s happening—enjoy it, appreciate it—deliberately, consciously, first-hand. For example, I planned and planted my garden and I’m finally getting the results I'd hoped for. So now I need to stop and smell the roses, and lilacs, and the freshly mown grass.
INTO AFRICA
I have seen the savannah
Naked, harsh, vast
In stillness, activity
It is habitat
There is lushness in the silhouettes of broken limbs
Scrub and thorns and silvered grass
Ruts in sandy riverbeds, muddy water holes
It is disguise
Nature curates
Cycles and fitness prevail
We do not insert ourselves
It is survival
A sky that is bigger than all
With wisps of coral and rose
That settles quickly in darkness, rustlings
It is continuity
And the faces of the people
Gentle and open,
With dreams of a glimpse
It is resilience
And the many children
Of no privilege
But eager hands and minds
It is hope
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