A mile into our evening hike, our guide announced to my family that a lion was on the preserve. Immediately, my mind flashed to images of my head being swallowed by Scar. I turned and ran.
Safely inside a safari jeep, we slowly crept over the rugged terrain. Holding our breath, we scanned the savannah until … the muscular form of a male lion on a hunt captured my attention and instantly turned my Lion King prejudices into a memorable reality.
Over the semester break, my family travelled to South Africa and Kenya.
Africa was a world of its own, a realm of nature, unlike anything I had seen. The scenic beauty that first greeted us in Cape Town, South Africa, was a sight to behold. The drive from the airport to our rented house, which sat amidst majestic mountain ranges, left me in awe.
Our seven days in Cape Town often began with early morning hikes. The weather was perfect, and the hills were challenging. Hiking up Lion’s Head, a nearby peak, was a thrilling experience that ended with spectacular 360-degree views of the city.
I anticipated the water being cold, but I still jumped in during our first visit to the ocean. That was not a good idea. The water was a chilly 62-degrees fahrenheit, and I did not go in for the rest of the trip. My family loved it, though, and they went in almost daily.
The food there was out of this world. Mainly consisting of meats that challenged my ability to chew, there was a complexity to each bite that captured my stomach and my heart. The first steak I got, a beef filet, was some of the best and most complex meat I have ever savored.
After a week on the coast, a five-hour flight took me from a populated city to a reserve teeming with four-legged creatures. My time at the Lewa Conservation Reserve in Kenya was a fantastic experience.
Over nine days, I saw zebras, impalas, elephants, rhinos, and many other animals. The zebras, with their striking black and white stripes, were a common sight. The impalas, with their elegant horns and graceful leaps, were a delight to watch. The elephants, with their gentle yet powerful presence, left a lasting impression. The rhinos, with their prehistoric appearance, were a rare but thrilling sight. Although my mom and sister were into the little animals because they were cute, my dad, my brother, and I were interested in the cats. Seeing the lions was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
One night in Tsavo National Park, featured a presentation on Masai warriors. I learned about their ideals, unique way of life, and deep connection to the land. I even got the chance to play some of their games, including a much-more complex form of cornhole than I play at home and one involving archery.
During our New Year’s Day hike in Kenya– one of our many treks– I hiked up a hill and took in the grand vista punctuated by the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. I have always dreamed of hiking up Kilimanjaro, so seeing it in person was breathtaking.
Boarding our plane to return home was one of the most challenging things I have ever had to do; it wasn’t the 34-hour journey that caused my eyes to moisten, but the realization that my fun in Africa was ending.
