Month: October 2012

I often tell guests that working in the African safari world is not a job, but a lifestyle. And if you have been on Safari or visited Africa, you will know exactly what I mean. You, without human intervention, turn into a conservationist, and you have a new found respect for wildlife. A very good example of this is the Pygmy Kingfisher that Pierre caught in one of the rooms at the lodge recently, or the insects that are so carefully “relocated” to the bush by the housekeeping staff every morning. Every single creature, great or small is cherished, and we also sometimes take for granted how lucky we are to live this life, and it takes but one person to make one comprehend this.

Shane Lynch, Vuyani Safari Lodge’s newest family member is originally from Johannesburg, and lived in the city all of his life. He decided that he was tired of the hustle and bustle and fast paced life and packed up to move to the African bush. The first day I met him he confessed that he knows very little about this lifestyle and that he was very intrigued yet a little anxious. On his foremost evening at the staff village he had an encounter with an arachnid, which did not aid in his forecast of a lifestyle change. He had never been on Safari, never been woken by Vervet Monkeys, Chacma Baboons or chattering birds – he was a complete Safari rookie.

His first day in the Kruger was memorable, not only for him, but even more so for Pierre. From a guide’s perspective there is nothing as rewarding as watching someone who is seeing something for the first time. I am sure it is like this with many jobs. The enthusiasm and curiosity that people bring, the utmost fascination with an Impala (which is by far the most frequently spotted Antelope) the contagious excitement when one of the Big Five are spotted. And then by far my best moment when the African sun lays its head down to rest, the spectacular sunsets that the Drakensberg mountain range brings into being. That is the moment that most feel the magic of Africa. The moment they fall in love with our beautiful country.

These are the moments that we live for; these are the moments that make my lifestyle the best that I could have ever asked for. The awe in which everything is seen and documented, the moment that I realize how blasé I really have become and in that moment appreciate the marvel of it all. It reminds you why you chose this career path, why you love to share your moments, why you want the whole world to know that Africa really is exquisite.

It takes but one person to make me realize this, and I suddenly miss being out there sharing my knowledge and love for conservation. I look at the guides with so much pride – Pierre with the most delicate touch ensuring the little Pygmy Kingfisher is not injured and then watching intensely as it flies off into the open skies. Stacey reporting back with so much passion about the happenings of her morning safari and Jesse who sits in the parking area to ensure no one accidentally steps on the dung beetle that is making his way from North to South.

The best safari experiences, the breath taking sunsets at dusk and dawn, the implausible array of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects and lastly the enchanting feeling that penetrates your soul is what will convert you to the conservationist and aficionado of Africa that you might have never known you were.

*Justine Ferreira

Every morning when I get up for work, I peek through the curtains to see what the weather might have in store for us. Normally this time of the year the skies are almost continuously clear and the most beautiful shade of sapphire one can imagine.

The sun produces an array of beams through the shade of the colossal Leadwood tree next to my window; it creates the most striking patterns on the floor next to my bed. I lay there for at least an hour every morning watching as the day starts to unfold around me. A stream of light fills the room and the sun is officially starting a new dawn. In the animal kingdom the birds are the first of the creatures to start communicating the start of a new day, there are multiple Purple Crested Turaco that have made our garden their home, their distinct “kok….kok……kok….” can be heard by all. They are usually the first to greet, closely followed by the Fork Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Yellow Billed Hornbill and of course the ever present Grey Turaco. The latter having the most distinctive call in the Avian Kingdom, it is also locally known as the “Go Away Bird”. The story behind the this specific appellation is the call that it makes which I suppose sounds a bit like “Kweh..h…h..” or “Go….Awaaay….” infamously known for warning antelope whenever there might be a hunter present. It is also very nearly time for the Woodland Kingfisher to make its appearance. A magnificently decorated little bird, with a very unique (and continuous) call that I might interpret as “ yimp…ttrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” .

When the birds have finally settled in their morning routine, the Vervet monkeys like to jump from what seems the highest branch of the same Leadwood Tree and start playing around on the roof of my house. I often wonder if they might secretly be reenacting the Lord of the Dance, because from where I am lying in my bed it sure sounds like Michael Flately himself is tapping away on the thatch. The monkeys also do not hesitate for a minute to make themselves heard! Constantly chattering away and I am sure, recalling the happenings of the evening. Which I suppose is why there is such an uncanny resemblance between man and ape. It never seizes to amaze me, the sounds of the African Bush, especially at dusk and dawn.

As I leave my house to walk to the vehicle, I spot a small family of Nyala Antelope. The fierce and robust Male Nyala, proudly keeping a watchful eye over his little family. The graceful and elegant female, with her reddish-brown coat and little snow white spots splashed over the body. The youngster is keeping a vigilant eye on me, curious as to whom or what I am. This little family seems to loom outside the staff village permanently; I guess they are now residents.

A colony of termites have started building a new mound just west of the gate outside our little village, they are harvester termites,  I watch them endlessly collect pieces of grass for construction , and the mound is growing by the day. Termite mounds can get pretty big out here, and they are fascinating little creatures.

So everything and all emerges from their night’s rest and starts the new and fresh day with a loud call, a very excited chatter, a curious eye or immediately jumping into some hard labor. We as humans are very much alike, I am sure that each and every one can relate to some form of mammal, insect or bird in our morning routines.

*Justine Ferreira – *Pictures: Craig Carnaby

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