The Surprise of the Serengeti

The bush plane landed safely on the small airstrip tucked in the cornfields. Elias drove our vehicle closer and handed over our luggage to the pilot, who greeted us warmly and assisted us into the plane. Before he closed the door, we said goodbye to our new friend, Elias, who taught us so much about the life of the Maasai.  He smiled with joy as we said, “Asante, Asante,” – or thank you in his native Swahili, which he so proudly taught us just a couple of days before.

Within a few moments, our small plane was airborne once more. Elias became increasingly smaller while waving goodbye from below, and, just a few yards behind him, a fleet of gazelles pranced and played.

As we settled into our seats, we learned that bush planes do not fly in high altitude. Looking out the windows was like being inside a most spectacular nature movie except this was real, with a host of wildlife in starring roles against an endless backdrop of vast green and gold pastures.

The travel to our next location would take half a day and involve several different plane connections.  We seamlessly hopped from plane to plane like hummingbirds from flower to flower.  On one particular descent, the pilot had to divert from the landing strip due to a very stubborn group of zebras who decided to gather there.  “I will make another circle around the area to give them time to move,” said our pilot.  Circle as much as you like, we thought. Every new ride above ground level revealed a vast sea of zebras, elephants and giraffes. It was beyond our wildest imagination.

Once the zebras had safely departed, the plane landed, and we were greeted by our guide, Rowland, with whom we would spend the next several days in the bush.  There was a warm and welcoming light breeze and Rowland graciously escorted us to our vehicle, where refreshments and snacks awaited. 

Our passage down a dirt road was flanked by families of gazelles, zebras, giraffes and elephants—all leading us in an orchestrated parade to our camp in the Serengeti National Park.  Little did we know that this would be one the most amazing adventures we would ever have in our lives.

At our camp, we were greeted by David and his team and escorted to a tent overlooking a small lake that only exists during rainy season.  Refreshments were served as the sunset lit up clouds as they danced across the lake, coaxing the last straggling zebras to complete their crossing before nightfall. 

In our tent, before dinner, we unpacked.  I dug deep into my bag for my special jar of honey and I was so thankful to find it safely sealed and in one piece. I gingerly placed it on a side table.

“Jambo, Jambo,” David greeted us in a kind voice. It was time for dinner. With flashlight in hand, he escorted us on a small path, while sweeping the light back and forth across the brush and trees around our tent, watching for the glint of an eye. A bonfire was lit and our dinner was masterfully created using basic camping equipment. We dined al fresco, by candlelight. 

Rowland joined us for dinner and captivated us with his rich knowledge and wisdom of the Serengeti. He walked us through his understanding of nature, emphasizing that every species in the wildlife kingdom has a purpose and works together. To bring the evening to a close, Rowland took a deep breath and said, “Let’s take a moment to look up and see the great Milky Way that is brushed across the sky with endless stars. Tomorrow,” he added, “you will see the great migration of Wildebeest, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, giraffes and lions marching their way through the park.  Look with wide eyes and take in the treasure of this journey.”

With a deep breathe, we, too, stretched back in our chairs and looked up at the masterful painting of sky complimented by the evening songs of birds and hyenas.

After dinner, David escorted us to our tent via flashlight and said goodnight.  As we settled into bed, thinking about what tomorrow would bring, the evening orchestra played a soothing symphony of harmonies accented by a choir of birds, the percussion of the hyenas’ bark, and the the roar of a distant lion, lest we forget whose home we were visiting. 

As I drifted off, I could hear Lesse’s voice encouraging me to enjoy the honey. I could hardly wait until morning.