If I could describe those feelings, put the flow of my own thoughts on the journey into words, I would probably say: Joy. An inhale. Creation. Interdependence. Timelessness. Purity. Mysticism. Beauty. Fragility. Strength. Heart. Relaxation of the mind.
Part One
The atmosphere began to grow heavy. The wind swept across the savanna. The wild date palms stood proudly defiant against the powerful gusts, which seemed to be competing with one another to see who would reach Burunge first. The river, meanwhile, was a silent witness to the dramatic events unfolding above it… The thunder rolled on without ceasing. It was as if a single clap of thunder had lasted a good two hours. Then the first drop… Then the second… And finally, the gathering of the sky’s sparkling friends into one—a heavy downpour. The cracked red earth joyfully welcomed its best friend—Water.
The buffalo continued to chew their cud peacefully, standing there by the river like timeless guardians of the ancient savanna. The elephants quickened their pace, and the gazelles began leaping over the tall grass. The boundless joy of the entire fauna could be felt in all the water that kissed the parched earth from the sky. Yeah, some things don’t change… they remain… through the millennia.
The next morning, I set off at sunrise. The glowing red-and-yellow orb cast an ever-brightening light on the magical landscape, which was bathed in birdsong. A hyena danced away into the tall grass with its characteristic swaying gait. I, however, drove on, along a path that changes color every 50 meters or so—from brown, black, and red to sandy beige hues.
The structure of the areas along the tectonic fault line is extraordinary, and alongside the high biodiversity, there is also a geological diversity that is often overlooked. Thus, while marveling at the savanna’s fauna, visitors often fail to notice the endless shades of earth and stone they’re driving over—an incredible kingdom of rocks pulsing at the very heart of Mother Africa.
Morning slowly turned into forenoon, and I was slowly making my way back to camp when a friend surprised me from the left—one I had spotted resting just a day earlier, a few kilometers away. The East African golden jackal was hopping nervously along the path, glancing toward a tall bush not far away. And he had good reason to be so agitated.
Two large lionesses were resting in the morning shade beneath the bush. One, with half-closed eyes, was soaking up the sun’s rays; lying on her back with all four paws spread out, she was likely daydreaming about her night’s catch. The other, just as nonchalantly, watched the jackal move out of her field of vision. In an instant, a lion cub jumped out from behind the sleeping lioness and looked at me curiously. It wobbled back and forth across the grass as if it were just learning to walk. It “flopped” down next to its little brother—or sister, who was learning to rest next to the sleeping lioness in the same way as their mother—on its back, with all four paws splayed out. The two little ones tried a few times to coax their mom and aunt into playing, but both quickly silenced them with a warning—aaarghhh. Well, it’s time for the lions to rest, because a new night is coming soon, and then they’ll need a lot of energy for the hunt. And so… they rested.
Our many visits to the wilderness have given us a sense of when and where to set out on our journeys through the national parks. As a result, even in the more popular areas, we are often completely alone. Mother Africa can completely enchant you this way; time slips away, and the elements of nature embrace you…
And for me, too, it was time to rest, a morning rest. Filled with feelings and joy from the morning encounters, I slowly made my way back toward the camp. A few kilometers away, through the savanna and beneath thousand-year-old baobabs, I arrived at the “lodge,” which blended beautifully with its surroundings. A few glamping tents under old acacia trees, with a restaurant and reception area. The staff was already waiting with morning coffee. I sat down before the day had even really begun. Wonderful. Inspiring. A family of zebras was grazing about 30 meters away, enjoying a delicious meal of lush grass that had taken on a fresh, bright-green color after yesterday’s rain. Time for breakfast.
The accommodations Aruna and I select, are mostly located in secluded areas, connected to the natural environment and surrounded by the rich wildlife of the Tanzanian wilderness. When traveling, I always recommend staying in national parks, as this allows you to experience Africa in the most authentic way—without time constraints and in direct connection with the very heart of the wilderness.
What you’re reading is part of our latest trip—a one-week safari in January 2026. For a video recap of the entire story, click this link (video) and experience the journey through images and the local music of the Iraqw people.
Every season of the year brings different experiences, different wildlife, changing landscapes, and at times truly dramatic transformations. So even if you returned to the same park, to the very same place, again and again, it would never feel the same. East Africa – The Land of the Sun never ceases to surprise.
