The sky begins to lighten, yet the sun is still below the horizon. This is my favorite time of the morning when the breeze is cool and slightly damp. The sounds and smells of life are everywhere. As the vehicle meanders down the well-worn path my excitement for what the day may bring begins to get the better of me. Small unintentional smiles edge out from my lips. My heart is pounding slightly with delight, as I hold on tightly for another pothole to gently lift me from my seat. I clutch my camera tightly as if it is my lifeline.
Soon the sun will peek over the horizon, my thoughts begin to race as I know the clock is ticking and the very small window to capture a golden backlit image is fleeting. I tell the others in the vehicle to keep their eyes open for any movement. Our guide is on top of things, he knows the savannah wilderness like the back of his hand and has already locked-in on a subject. It’s a lone cheetah walking, no wait— it’s two cheetahs walking—most likely to the next termite mound. I look behind me and see a cheetah lying in the brush, he is obscured by the burnt leaves that are hiding him. I move myself in the vehicle the best I can, to capture the shot directly above. I wanted to work the scene more but after a few glorious moments with the cheetah, a call comes in about a lion pride preparing for an early morning hunt. I still haven’t fully exhausted the cheetah shots but it’s time to move on.
When we roll up to the lions there are just two large males that are walking to join the rest of their pride. I’m sure that if a hunting opportunity arises, they will no doubt partake but for now they are just walking. Our vehicle gets into position to capture the majestic beasts coming straight at us. Soon the lions join the rest of the pride, I pick out a young male still slightly backlit and capture him alone, his breath envelopes his face—I am thrilled! Within a few minutes it is time to move on as a Serval cat has been spotted. The entire vehicle quietly squeals for joy. There seemed to be endless sightings that morning and I could hardly catch my breath.
As the day comes to a close, I’m reminded of the lyrics from the Pretender by Jackson Browne… and when the morning light comes streaming in. We'll get up and do it again. Amen
The thrill of a safari, the anticipation of what is to come and the sheer joy on each and everyone’s faces is enough to keep me coming back for more. But there is also an unexplainable draw to the Mara, it has a hold on me like no other place in the world. It feels fresh, and mysterious. There is an adventure at every turn and no two safaris are ever the same. “There is a heartbeat in Africa that is unexplainable, unpredictable, undeniable and real…as real as you can get.—Denise Ippolito 2025”.