A SAFARI THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

July 16th 2021, changed my perspective of life forever. As we landed at “The Green City in the Sun” -Nairobi, we were embraced by cool pristine winds and hospitality that was genuine and heartfelt. A night in the city well spent with a quick tour of the marketplace ending with good food and a good night’s sleep to rest our bodies for an adventure of a lifetime that we would never ever forget. This is our adventure…

A bond of friendship, a troupe of 6, a group of different ages, decided to explore this incredible planet of ours and touch base with Mother Nature. We headed to Masai Mara, an experience that was about to blow our minds. Checked-in, dropped our bags and we were summoned to our very first safari. The game drive begins… with the 4x4 Landcruiser (practically our home for the next 6 days) maneuvering carefully over the 1510 square kilometers of grasslands of the Savannah.

Over the days, we witnessed the infamous Big Five, watched the sun paint the horizon with lovely hues during sunsets and sunrises, the majestic walk of the creatures in the kingdom and the breath taking landscape. We picnicked under a tree and relaxed as the crisp clear air kissed our face and as our bodies touched the earth, we felt the soil so pure, untouched to smell the wild.

LORRAINE FERNANDEZ

AREA 30 DIRECTOR | DIVISION I | DISTRICT 105 2021-2022

We started the day with no expectations, however Mother Nature provided a treat for us to see “The Kill” , the harsh brutality of the animal kingdom played out on the champagne-coloured African Savannah. We witnessed a mother cheetah with a baby Gazelle, training her cubs to run, catch, play and devour, while listening to the Gazelles last mournful cries. Excited with Adrenaline high, I realized that being on a safari isn’t about taking the best pictures, it’s about being in the moment and to have the best experience.

We experienced Africa will all senses, heard the lions roar, tasted the local food, smelled the rain, watched the colourful species of birds and touched the Masai people. A visit and peek into the life and culture of the Masai Warriors – the red guardians of the land, made us realize that poverty and hardships are in no ways obstacles to the glow of happiness, peace and freedom that the Masai radiate.

The 1 week we spent in different parts of Kenya made me realize that, I needed to make travel part of my life. I needed to see the world. I needed to learn about different cultures. I needed to feed my soul with more enriching experiences. The safari is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Back in Dubai I look around, I see humanity caged in a constant dilemma of stress and money, work and family, individuality and society… and I wonder, are we really free? Can we find happiness in the little things of life? Can we truly stand tall like the Giraffe.. as tall as the flat-top Acacia trees? Can we refrain from killing and taking lives like the lions who don’t kill and take life for pleasure? Can we have a good night’s sleep without stressing on what tomorrow may bring? Can we learn to live “Carefree” like the Masai…learn how to live by "Hakuna Matata. "

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