Collected Moments of Survival

In a perfect world I find myself on a safari vehicle camera in hand, the wind gently moving the air to take the bite out of the relentless sun while the bush is alive with all sorts of wondrous activity.  Each day presents something new and exhilarating and each night the stars fill the heavens. And I am at peace! The reality, of course, is much different and I find myself at the keyboard of a computer instead. The words do not flow easily and as I search the recesses of my brain to express myself I have to be content with the consolation prize that is the bank of photographs that represents my travels. Each journey unlocks new experiences and secrets that the bush shares only with the patient, vigilant and knowledgeable. One of the downsides of Wildlife Photography is that each day spent away from the bush represents another day of undiscovered mysteries and stories that cannot be told. However, in the little time that I am afforded to share in the magic, one story worth...

Through the ages great stories of Africa have emerged from explorers and adventurers. The greatest of these stories must surely be of David Livingstone marching ever forward to discover and see what no white man had seen. Following his exploits many wonderful and magical stories have emerged and as the world has developed and become more “civilised” there are less and less of these tales to tell. However, for the patient and the persistent, Africa is still yielding up tantalising little titbits that keep us in awe and wanting more. The first inkling of a secret to be uncovered comes as we bump along the track on our very first morning drive. There, in the open plains, with the break of dawn just moments away on the horizon, is a mating pair of lions. Their exhausted bodies lie next to each other with the long golden grass almost hiding their activities. We quietly sit and wait for the sun to emerge from its night slumber and watch the story unfold. The lioness suddenly moves and ...

As I sit and stare out across the landscape in front of my house, as it stretches 60km’s into the distance, it dawns on me that the true magic of Africa lies in space. Acres and acres of space. The sad facts about the space lie in the failure of Africa to feed and clothe itself. This, however, is not any fault of Africans but of a harsh climate coupled with an unrelenting earth that does not easily reward efforts to tame it. The early migration of man, northwards, to greener pastures has created this space and the animals of Africa that were left behind simply adapted and made this space their own. Of course, this space is now in jeopardy in the 21 st Century but as long as the climate remains harsh and unrelenting we will be able to enjoy the benefits of this space. Down in the more affluent area of Africa, namely the good old South, human encroachment has pushed the animals back behind fences and into cages and the glory of the wide open plains is fast disappearing. But as...

From the air the myriad of animals on the plains of the Mara can be seen. Then the wheels of the plane touch down on the dusty runway and the show begins.  The short drive to the camp is filled with involuntary arm extensions as I compulsively reach for the camera bag and silently curse the fact that everything is so well packed. Animals abound on all sides and it takes brute willpower to drive on by. Entim Camp is one of the southern-most camps in the Mara. The Mara River meanders by in full view of the tent and the whole camp. Lunch is served in an open Bedouin-like tent with a show of grazing animals on the other side of the river. This must surely be heaven. Finally 4pm rolls on by and the first game drive is no longer anticipated, it has arrived. Not even 500m from the camp and the first animals curiously watch as the vehicle rolls on by. In the Mara animals standing staring are ignored as they do not offer any exciting prospects. There is enough time and enough animals for ca...

Or better said eyeball through lens to eyeball. The Safarilink Caravan bumps down onto the runway at Olkiombo and I cannot believe that this is only my second visit to the Masai Mara. It is inconceivable to imagine that it has taken so long for me to discover the heart and soul of Africa. The anticipation is tangible and I look forward to the seven days ahead. This time I have deliberately chosen to visit the Mara when there are no wildebeest. The last time I touched down here there was hardly a spot unoccupied and the stream of grunting wildebeest constantly on the move did not leave space for the appreciation of the wilderness. The plains are devoid of the players of this epic annual event and the eye can search back and forth and soak up the plains that stretch out in a display of golden harmony. The road to the camp (Entim Camp) is still as rutted as ever and the crossing of the Talek River is a little more difficult as the rain has washed the access badly this year. I...