It was early morning — as half our safaris were at Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa. We climbed as agilely as newbies could into the open vehicle when there was barely any daylight at all. Chilled by damp air, we pulled up our blanket around us and grabbed hold of the hot water bottles given to us by those who waved good-bye and wished us good luck. It was a special moment all four times we went on safari, but one adventure unfolded as a Hollywood drama in the span of a matter of minutes.
The world comes like a lover, courting. But a seeker only sees a hunter, circling its prey. Adiela Akoo
Our party required two vehicles, so we followed second in line down dirt paths, in and around stripped bare trees and communal pools of murky water.
But nothing alerted to us to a real-life drama quite like the immediate pullover by the first group. And then we knew why. With a quick glimpse of a cheetah on the move, we were all on alert.
Colored birds and a host of monkeys picked up the chatter, unaware of specifics but knowledgeable of impending danger. Trees buzzed with nervous chit-chat. And animals on the ground decoded messages from above.
A water buffalo looked up and moved forward.
An elephant seemed annoyed at the prospect of giving up a morning mud bath to see what the chatter was all about.
Zebras turned toward the sound, then cleared the path, only to follow us as we tried to keep up with the stealthy, swift spotted cat.
A sleepy lion aroused — more slowly than we would have thought. “Isn’t this just the drama du jour? Do I really need to come over there?” he seemed to say.
But being king, he moved forward, swiftly and surely as if he knew the routine well.
Our special moments were silent ones, as we became frighteningly aware of magnified sounds of cameras clicking and muffled gasps of amazement.
But then, as quickly as it had begun, the chase ended. We weren’t even sure who was the hunter or the one being hunted. It just ended.
The cheetah who put the reserve on notice stood still — watching, waiting. Then moved on.
Was this elegant creature prey for the cheetah?
We journeyed on as well, looking for drama and more special moments around each curve.
The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa — for he has so much to look forward to.
Richard Mullin
Thanks to Tina Schell of Travels and Trifles for this week’s engaging photo challenge — Special Moments. If you’d like to read more entries, be sure to click on the links under her inspiring post this week.
And may you have many special moments — no matter where you are,
Rusha & Bert
rajkkhoja
Wow
Wonderful captures. I like.
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much!
Rupali
Wonderful captures.
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much!!
WanderingCanadians
What an incredible experience. How neat to have seen all those animals up close in their natural habitat. Going on a safari like this is very high up on my travel bucket list.
Oh, the Places We See
You must. It’s an incredible experience!
Amy
Thank you, Rusha for sharing your special trip, photos and memories!
maristravels
I don’t know if my comment was posted or not, it seemed to disappear. It was just to say that it is obvious how very special these moments were. Wonderful photos.
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much. It was indeed a special time. We tried to savor the moments, but the trip sort of runs together now. Would love to return, especially if we could see herd migration. Thanks for your comments.
maristravels
Amazing photos and I can well understand that this was a series of truly Special Moments.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look. We loved this trip, mostly for the animals and the daily dramas.
kzmcb
What a wonderful experience, written with such craft. Thank you for the share.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks you for the sweet comments. We loved seeing these animal dramas unfold!
Leya
Very special moments, Rusha – well captured and described! Love the cheetah and the lions.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I, too, loved that cheetah — but I didn’t want it to jump into the Jeep with us!!!
Leya
Haha, yes, I have seen photos where just this happened – or onto the windshield at least!
Photography Journal Blog
Fabulous moments, very special indeed.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. We still have vivid memories even after 6 years!!
JohnRH
Wow. Wonderful! Very special indeed.
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you, John. It’s a great memory to bring back up!
Tina Schell
I must agree Rusha, the special moments of an African safari are hard to beat! The sleepy beginnings of the very early mornings, the anticipation and realization of the appearance of creatures you’ve only dreamed of seeing, the thrill of the chase – all captured beautifully in your post. I absolutely loved the Mullin quote as well. I’d not thought of it that way. Ah to have the chance to do it all over again!!!
Oh, the Places We See
I, too, would love a return trip, especially to see a herd migration. Possibly not in this lifetime, though, so I’m clinging to memories.
Tina Schell
That is what I would wish for too Rusha. Also probably not in this lifetime
tappjeanne
Wow Rusha! Beautiful photos but your excellent prose gives them all special meaning. Thank you for sharing .
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Jeanne. If I could have a do-over of an adventure, it would be this one!!!
Toonsarah
Your opening paragraph perfectly captures that early morning excitement on safari, setting out not knowing what you will see! And I love your cheetah photos – great sighting! Although I have to say that as I started to read about your encounter I was convinced you were about to see a chase and kill 😲
Oh, the Places We See
We thought so as well. I guess the whole event was anti-climactic, but it’s life in South Africa, I suppose. Lots of non-events as well as big real events.
Teresa
Really special portraits. Simply gorgeous!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I loved looking through these again. Brought back good times!
Teresa
And your story is so exciting too. And as the quote says….I am to be envied because I haven’t been to such a magnificent place. Hopefully one day.
Oh, the Places We See
I do hope you can make a trip there. I wonder how the pandemic had interrupted this part of the world and tourism. I imagine that times have been tough.
Pit
Great animal portraits. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much! I was almost afraid to take the pictures for fear that the animal could jump up on me, and I’d be trying to take a photo! Of course, that never happened. But I did consider how that might unfold! Thanks for commenting.
Steve Berger
What a pleasure to read this post and your pictures are fantastic. I can still remember the pure joy of my first safari. There’s absolutely nothing like it.
Oh, the Places We See
It was our one and only safari, but I’d love to see another game reserve and do it all over again. I LOVED seeing the animals — and great sunsets!
Sue
Oh, what brilliant memories, Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Sue. It was a day on safari that I’ll never forget!!! And I just keep wishing I could do it one more time!
Sue
😊😊