Savage Beauty
The plains, rivers, and wildlife of Botswana, Africa exude a sense of wonder that makes for a memorable adventure
Travelling has become an obsession of mine. The tragic helicopter crash almost a year ago that I was in made me want to explore this beautiful and enormous world we live in. As one of m y Instagram posts says, “Travel is the only thing that makes you richer”—and might I add, is something that makes us more appreciative of the world we live in.
The first thing that hits you is the silence. Like a magnet, it draws you in, and if you just surrender to it, the silence will touch your heart and envelop your soul in an almost spiritual level that’s close to indescribable.
I had always wanted to go on a safari. My friends would often tell me how lifealtering one such trip could be; when it finally happened, all those years of watching TV shows on NatGeo, and Discovery Channel paled in comparison. I felt time float by from our Land Rover, soaking in nature’s grandeur and majesty, feeling tiny, almost insignificant.
So for five days, I visited this unforgettable continent and was able to take in all it had to offer. Our first stop was Zambia, then we moved on to Botswana, where my encounter with the “real Africa” began.
Day 1
I arrived after a short trip from Zambia on a 12-seater plane—a nerve-racking flight. My eleven travelling companions were equally scared, but there’s only one way to get there
(land travel was not an option) so I really bit the bullet on this one.
Our group’s first camp was DumaTau, set on a lagoon by the Linyanti River. Right after lunch, we were taken on a ride out to the desert where we first encountered an angry elephant that was clearly bothered by the intrusion on his territory. We tried to capture the moment with our iPhones and cameras. Suddenly, the elephant let out a loud cry and poised itself to attack our vehicle. I thought to myself, “Welcome to Africa!” Thankfully, it relented and did not pursue its attack. Despite our Disney image of elephants, they are actually dangerous, especially in the wild.
Our guide then took us to see a group of lions feasting on a zebra. This is a picture that always comes to my mind whenever the subject of safari comes up, introduced and reinforced by countless scenes on television and films. My heart was pumping as I watched the predators devour their prey. Nothing can prepare you for a moment such as this. I was so enraptured by the scene that I did not notice a lioness approach until it brushed the side of our vehicle. Open on all sides, our vehicle left us totally exposed! Our guide warned us not to make any sudden moves or loud noises. I could already see the headline: “Editors Eaten by Lion.” Probably full from the zebra feast, it proceeded on. I took a deep breath and sighed heavily.
We took the vehicle for a spin over hills, water, and different vegetation, and saw hippos, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of birds. At about four in the afternoon, our guides found a place where we could stretch our legs and have tea, their version of après- ski.
I retired early after dinner because of jetlag. But about three in the morning, I woke up to strange sounds outside my tent. “Who’s there?” I yelled out. The sound stopped for a moment, but continued on. Curious, I set out to find the source of all the noise. I reached for the