My most meaningful safari

Regular readers of my newsletter have been asking why I have been so quiet – and they are correct, I have not posted a newsletter for almost 3 months. The truth of the matter is that I have been extremely busy and so I apologise for letting this slip.

This year has been incredible in terms of the safaris that I have guided, but one safari stands-out for me. Many cultures have a coming-of-age ritual for adolescents and I wanted to offer such an experience to my boys. They were raised very close to the bush and once were very much at home in the bush, but 11 years of living n the city had stolen that from them. So I decided to provide a “deep-safari” for them.  The planning was fraught with complications but in the end my dear friend Marco, saved the day. Together with their godfather we spent four days backpacking through very wild country and sleeping under the stars. I will treasure the memory of those few days forever . . . and I think the boys will too. The photos tell the story.

At the beginning – with boys.

Still cocky

Large loads and big banter

Then came the time to find a sleeping spot. No tents! Just mosquito nets. The boys had to keep watch at night.

Accommodation for the night.

Within 45 minutes there were inquisitive hyaenas visiting. It was an exciting night!

It didn’t take too many days for them to slip back into the bush.

By the end of the tripI could sense that something had changed indelibly:

At the end – with young men!