SAFARI
An exhibition by Tony Minett
April 25th to May 19th 2018
April 25th to May 19th 2018
An exhibition of Photographs from the Intrepid Travel tour “The Road to Zanzibar” 2017 by Tony Minett.
Most of us have a desire to travel to an exciting place that stems from experiences during our childhood. I always wanted to visit Africa to see the amazing and dangerous wild animals after being read a book by a teacher by Gerald Durrell, and later reading his books myself. Later I was intrigued by the exploits of David Attenborough featured on TV through the renown BBC production team and still am a solid fan. Places like The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater were just impressions of my imagination.
Work was a bit quiet so I decided to plan a trip. Within a few weeks after lots of jabs and travel preparation everything fell into place. I was to travel to Thailand visit the famous “floating Islands” in the south, return to Bangkok , then fly onto Nairobi, Kenya where the African tour began........
First stop was a delightful old hotel in Ngairobi which reminded me of the colonial days with the magnificent hardwood door surrounds and solid furnishings. A visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for orphaned elephants became an absolute paradise for a budding wildlife photographer to cut his teeth on tame animals. Baby elephants and young elephant teens that had been orphaned by the cruel action of poachers was a heart rending experience that dug deep in my psyche, having developed a love of elephants from visits to the circus and Wellington Zoo in my childhood. Ever had an elephant reach out with its trunk and delicately vacuum a peanut from the palm of your hand or had a rocking rolling ride on an elephant’s back? Those were life-changing experiences, I have loved elephants ever since.
****
The following morning began the trek proper, with a very long drive after crossing the border into Tanzania; finally we were heading for Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti wild life reserves.
Driving through thick mist on the steep hills of the approach road to the Ngorongoro crater, most of us were feeling pessimistic about the weather, with very poor visibility all round due to thick low clouds and misty rain. The 4WD began the descent of the steep inside of the crater. Magically the clouds disappeared and we could see several kilometres with brilliantly coloured wildflower grassland in front and a large lake filling in the mid and background, on the side of the road were baboons and zebra..... then, began a photographer’s delight. Wild animals abounded, trapped within the crater they were part of an amazing natural enclosure away from the interference of civilisation. Most of the day was spent driving around and observing lions, hyenas, jackals, rhino, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, baboon, vultures, flamingos....and so the list goes on. Close encounters with a jackal, hyena, hippos and various birds were the highlight. Lunchtime we were invaded by a plague of bright yellow stitch birds who stole bits of sandwich as we were lifting them towards our mouths. Sadly the afternoon wore on and we were again on the road, this time heading towards our campsite in the Serengeti National Park Reserve where we were due to spend several days.
***
On arrival, tents were erected at the camping ground with a herd of elephants less than 100metres away. Warnings were given at the afternoon briefing about visiting the loo at night. Torches were a must. Green and blue coloured eye reflections in the dark were ok, herbivores; yellow and red meant back to bed and zip the door up rapidly as they would be carnivores. Huge buffalo could be heard grazing, tearing at the grass and munching in close proximity and hyena could be heard rummaging in the rubbish bins yipping and yapping at each other. Nightly toilet visits were reduced, only for the desperate. A sea-eagle owl, with perfect camouflage, visited us earlier in the evening, content to sit up a tree and watch our game of cards as we sat in the sun shelter. In the morning a marabou stork rummaged in the bin, possibly the world’s most ugly bird. The lizards in the loo caused all sorts of squawks from the ladies who did not enjoy their company.
***
The few days ahead led us to some amazing encounters: a pride of lions feeding on a wildebeest, and the most fantastic of all a leopard feeding under a tree; all of which we were able to drive within five or so metres to watch with awe inspired whispers amongst ourselves. A balloon ride in the early morning was a highlight, as the animals stirred from their night-time slumber, many looking skywards as the roaring of the gas flame caught their attention. Never before had I seen such a vast open landscape that seemed to go to the very horizon. Far from smooth, the landing saw us hit the ground at some speed then unceremoniously dragged along in the wicker basket tearing a great skid-mark in the grass to finally come to a stop. A decorous breakfast laid out with full silverware was held in the middle of the savannah, was part of the deal to top off a great experience which seemed to be over in too short a time. How strange it felt sitting eating fruit and toast, drinking coffee, sitting at a formally laid table, being waited on by immaculately presented waiters in the middle of carnivore territory.
..... Too soon the encounters with the wild animals ended, we headed west to more adventures on the way to Zanzibar.
Most of us have a desire to travel to an exciting place that stems from experiences during our childhood. I always wanted to visit Africa to see the amazing and dangerous wild animals after being read a book by a teacher by Gerald Durrell, and later reading his books myself. Later I was intrigued by the exploits of David Attenborough featured on TV through the renown BBC production team and still am a solid fan. Places like The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater were just impressions of my imagination.
Work was a bit quiet so I decided to plan a trip. Within a few weeks after lots of jabs and travel preparation everything fell into place. I was to travel to Thailand visit the famous “floating Islands” in the south, return to Bangkok , then fly onto Nairobi, Kenya where the African tour began........
First stop was a delightful old hotel in Ngairobi which reminded me of the colonial days with the magnificent hardwood door surrounds and solid furnishings. A visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for orphaned elephants became an absolute paradise for a budding wildlife photographer to cut his teeth on tame animals. Baby elephants and young elephant teens that had been orphaned by the cruel action of poachers was a heart rending experience that dug deep in my psyche, having developed a love of elephants from visits to the circus and Wellington Zoo in my childhood. Ever had an elephant reach out with its trunk and delicately vacuum a peanut from the palm of your hand or had a rocking rolling ride on an elephant’s back? Those were life-changing experiences, I have loved elephants ever since.
****
The following morning began the trek proper, with a very long drive after crossing the border into Tanzania; finally we were heading for Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti wild life reserves.
Driving through thick mist on the steep hills of the approach road to the Ngorongoro crater, most of us were feeling pessimistic about the weather, with very poor visibility all round due to thick low clouds and misty rain. The 4WD began the descent of the steep inside of the crater. Magically the clouds disappeared and we could see several kilometres with brilliantly coloured wildflower grassland in front and a large lake filling in the mid and background, on the side of the road were baboons and zebra..... then, began a photographer’s delight. Wild animals abounded, trapped within the crater they were part of an amazing natural enclosure away from the interference of civilisation. Most of the day was spent driving around and observing lions, hyenas, jackals, rhino, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, baboon, vultures, flamingos....and so the list goes on. Close encounters with a jackal, hyena, hippos and various birds were the highlight. Lunchtime we were invaded by a plague of bright yellow stitch birds who stole bits of sandwich as we were lifting them towards our mouths. Sadly the afternoon wore on and we were again on the road, this time heading towards our campsite in the Serengeti National Park Reserve where we were due to spend several days.
***
On arrival, tents were erected at the camping ground with a herd of elephants less than 100metres away. Warnings were given at the afternoon briefing about visiting the loo at night. Torches were a must. Green and blue coloured eye reflections in the dark were ok, herbivores; yellow and red meant back to bed and zip the door up rapidly as they would be carnivores. Huge buffalo could be heard grazing, tearing at the grass and munching in close proximity and hyena could be heard rummaging in the rubbish bins yipping and yapping at each other. Nightly toilet visits were reduced, only for the desperate. A sea-eagle owl, with perfect camouflage, visited us earlier in the evening, content to sit up a tree and watch our game of cards as we sat in the sun shelter. In the morning a marabou stork rummaged in the bin, possibly the world’s most ugly bird. The lizards in the loo caused all sorts of squawks from the ladies who did not enjoy their company.
***
The few days ahead led us to some amazing encounters: a pride of lions feeding on a wildebeest, and the most fantastic of all a leopard feeding under a tree; all of which we were able to drive within five or so metres to watch with awe inspired whispers amongst ourselves. A balloon ride in the early morning was a highlight, as the animals stirred from their night-time slumber, many looking skywards as the roaring of the gas flame caught their attention. Never before had I seen such a vast open landscape that seemed to go to the very horizon. Far from smooth, the landing saw us hit the ground at some speed then unceremoniously dragged along in the wicker basket tearing a great skid-mark in the grass to finally come to a stop. A decorous breakfast laid out with full silverware was held in the middle of the savannah, was part of the deal to top off a great experience which seemed to be over in too short a time. How strange it felt sitting eating fruit and toast, drinking coffee, sitting at a formally laid table, being waited on by immaculately presented waiters in the middle of carnivore territory.
..... Too soon the encounters with the wild animals ended, we headed west to more adventures on the way to Zanzibar.