“Living on the continent of Africa we are privileged and blessed to experience so much of nature and the wild. Here are my most three most transformative experiences out of over 100 trips to the bush.
It all began in 1978 with my first visit to the Kruger National Park. Driving on a dust track we came across a yellow-eyed lioness walking casually down the middle of the road. Completely overawed by her power and beauty, we followed her for some time before she turned off and connected with her spotty cubs. She greeted them with gentle head butts and licks of her long pink tongue. I was smitten and my lifelong love of the bush started there and then.
The next experience was completely different. In the tranquil bay of Gansbaai, 150km from Cape Town, we were on a marine safari. As we coasted over the glassy silver ocean, a great shimmering black shape broke the surface. A quiet puff and a salty breath as a huge Southern Right Whale glided slowly alongside the boat. This prehistoric animal turned one huge eye to look at us with so much respect and gentility. Then she disappeared right under the boat to emerge about 50m away and raise a flipper as if in salute. I felt changed by the deep connection with this remarkable giant of the deep.
A couple of years ago, I took my family to the Maasai Mara to see the Great Migration. Words cannot capture the vast scope of the experience. Wide open savannah plains, brilliant blue skies and, between it all, 2.5 million Wildebeest, Zebras and Thompsons Gazelles gathering to make their great trek following the rains and the grasses. Herds up to 30,000 strong, stretching for miles, as far as the eye can see. It’s like being transported back in time and glimpsing the world before man. Drama on a vast scale with the abundant resident wildlife creating one of nature’s most majestic annual events.”
