It is 4:30 am and I am sitting outside listening to Mother
Africa waking up with a variety of different bird species talking to one
another. The most amazing sunrise tells me it is the start of another perfect
day in this magical place called Kruger National Park filled with opportunity
and adventure.
This part of heaven on earth that I can proudly call my
office for most of the year. A place where you come to lose yourself in the
beauty of Mother Nature and replace the anxiety of the city with complete peace
and silence. Giving you the same type of feeling as after your first morning session to the toilet after a night of over indulging on spicy food.
I take another sip of my black coffee while appreciating the
fact that I am blessed to do the work I do. As I put another peace of wood on
the fire and finish my first cigarette for the day I thank God for what I have
and for what he enabled me to do. I think back to the many people from around
the globe that I introduced to the magic of Kruger National Park over the last 17
years.
Each group or family unique; from different back grounds,
gender and race but all leaving here with a part of Africa in their hearts.
Planning to come back as soon as time and money will allow it. I made so many
good friends because of this place and a big part of who I am is due to what
this park has taught me. Every visit a unique experience with animal, reptile
and bird behaviour changing from one day to the next.
Then the sound that I have been waiting for! The roar of a
male lion vibrating through the air calling his mate announcing his presence
and confirming his status as King of the jungle. It is at that exact moment
when I hear my wife’s voice coming from our bedroom! “Francois turn down the stereo
you will wake up our neighbours and put
out that stupid fire in the Weber we do not have enough wood to last us during
the last part of lock down! It is 5am come get back into the house! You are in
Pretoria not the bush! Rember we still
need to do the egg drinking challenge later today!”
COVID_19 affected all of us and for small businesses it is an
uncertain time for survival. I will be back in the African bush but we do not know
when. We as a company will survive and come out stronger but for that to happen
we need to help one another even if it is just by sharing this story or liking
a page or a word of encouragement.
For those of you that have been on tours with us we pray for
all of you during these times and know that you will be back as soon as this is
over but in the mean while if you feel like supporting us during these times by
donating towards these stories I write, please follow the link to our PayPal
channel and let us know you are still there for us too.
#StayAtHome
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