The people of South Africa stand as the example of everything good about humanity. They believe in peace and sharing and harmony. I like to think their souls are beautiful because they are a part of a true circle of life here. They understand their place among the animals, in the grass, with the trees, all while walking with their ancestors.
Our evening drives were the perfect decrescendo to the day. As the golden hour set and the Southern Cross smiled down from the heavens, we sipped our cocktails over the endless horizon and said good night to all the creatures we had shared in the moment with. I try to go back to this place in my memory when I lay in bed awake early in the morning. I try to remember the colors of the sky, the whites of the horns, the sounds of nature and vastness of view. I try to remember that all that is good is all that ever was.
As we boarded the plane to leave, I was planning how to come back. The great migration, Tanzania, Kenya, gorillas in the mist… I think I have begun a lifelong love affair for all that is Africa. These photographs are all that remain of our fading memories now. As the years press on and we set out to new lands, new experiences, I hope this place stays just the way it was so that future generations can experience what we have and know this love now in our hearts.
All about Safari: The Adventure / The Dreams / The Mornings / The Afternoons
Wow, awesome, beautiful, incredible,…I don’t have enough words.
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Your words and your photos remind me of my lost africanness.
Cheers,
Cristiane Santos. (ILpiccoloMONDODICRI)
you’re such an incredible writer too! I’ve found that a lot of my photography friends have a difficult time expressing themselves with words. You’re just refreshing! xx
Jamie…your words and photos are so beautiful! You really do know how to narrate your journey with words and your lovely photographs. You truly are one of a kind and there is no one else like you.
You are too sweet. Thanks doll.
Aww I’ve been loving your posts about South Africa, because firstly I’m South african 🙂 and secondly, because you convey it so beautifully! i am really proud of my country.. I’m glad you love it so much. Your photos are inspirational.
Thanks! That means a lot coming from local. I hope to do your country proud.
your photos are so inspiring – thanks so much for sharing them.
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i love this series. i went on safari in zambia last year, it was truly life changing. it was so incredibly profound to see how strong and yet so fragile the animal civilization is (for lack of better categorization) – I really just wish, like you, that it stays exactly as it is forever.
I love that you know exactly what I mean. Thanks for the comment Justine 🙂
You are so brave! I am so intimidated by nature’s wilderness….
Out of this world…out of Africa. Beautiful heartfelt words and photography…I am blown away… Safari dreaming now…
magical
Ann – if you haven’t already watched the BBC’s recent series “Africa” I can’t recommend it highly enough – it is spell-binding. Narrated by the venerable Sir David Attenborough who has much to say about the future of the continent’s wildlife. Thank you for sharing your memorable experience.
Thanks Diana for the tip, I’ll have to check it out!
I’ve always enjoyed your blog and following your studio one as well. I had to share this one with my boyfriend’s dad (Cute Danish) who offered to take us on their next safari photo trip. Your photos inspired me to tell him to “book it Dano”… Lol. Okay so I had to explain that line but I hope you for the laugh? Lol. Thank you again for sharing.
Enjoy your Safari! Xx
Yes…. come to Kenya 🙂
beautiful images. nice post
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Stunning Pictures! Africa is still my number places I’d love to experence! Thanks for sharing these beautiful images!
Absolutely amazing shots! I’m sure it’s impossible to capture Africa’s beauty in a photograph, but I think you’ve come as close as possible. These make me want to go there even more.
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Stunning shots! The light is beautiful
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These photographs, your safari…. no words. I’m currently in Tanzania and went on Safari a few weeks ago (staying for a total of 6 weeks and it’s still not enough time!) and all these memories, I still don’t know how to process them. But your words fit the pictures. Both stunning and moving. And yes, obsessions with Africa I can relate to. There’s a different side to it too though. A side of crowded ferries and busses. A side of loud streets, rude people and polluted scenery. To me, all of this makes my experience even more intense and special, because I think it’s important to break out from the touristy thing and experience the real life as well. (Ok, in this case I was breaking out of the real life and experienced the touristy life for 1 week. Strange, I know.)
In any case, I hope you can go back, there’s so much more to see and discover, it’s a huge continent and full of possibilities. <3
6 weeks! Oh heavens that sounds like a true dream! I am also dying to see Tanzania and I would be interested to see some of the “real life” of Africa. The cities, the towns, the different cultures. It blows my mind how large the continent is but fills me with wonder and adventure to think about and all the dreams of photographs I would take. Thanks for your comment, it means a lot coming from someone who has seen so much more.
No, thank you for your wonderful pictures. Truly.
For me the best way to live a “local” life was always to do voluntary work – which probably is out of the question for you. To me it is just so much easier. i’m surrounded by locals who go out of their way to show me their country and culture. They take me to family gatherings, dinners and on weekend trips. They explain culture differences to me and it all makes sense. Escpecially in a country like this, more knowledge will make you more relaxed and less annoyed.
A tip that is easy to do though is to talk to people. Always ask questions and never be afraid to do so. I’ve come to realise that people are super eager to show their culture and help you to understand their way of life. I’m usually extremely shy and reserved but here I just don’t think, I do.
Tanzania has endless possibilities. Serengeti, but even more so, Ngorongoro (STUNNING!!!) and Kilimanjaro. Then let’s not forget about Zanzibar…
To me it’s all a bit overwhelming, I live in a tiny country, to even think that the Serengeti is twice as big as Austria… mindblowing.
I’ll stop my rant now and hop over to see the other Safari posts. Thanks for sharing <3
Your trip sounds incredible! My husband and I are taking our honeymoon at Londolozi as well, in November. We will be married almost a year at that point, but we had a feeling South Africa would be worth the wait. Now I’m even MORE excited to go 🙂 Your blog is gorgeous!
Beautiful! Going in 3 weeks and love your high waisted cargos. Who makes them? Thanks!
Wow beautiful pictures but the first paragraph about South Africans being everything good about humanity…uh I hope that was a joke or make we have all forgotten the very troubled history in that part of Africa. Lovely photos tho xx
Lisa I am not sure that anyone can point a finger at South Africans in terms of a troubled history…America and Britain both had troubled histories…South Africa has just been one of the most recent, andit is now a country which in the past 15 years has been working on righting the many wrongs of the past.
As a South African I am truly proud of what we have all accomplished
gorgeous!!
I have loved your photos for a while and I am happy you fell in Love with Africa, make sure to definitely come to Kenya and hopefully meet other photographers here, no?