Well - last ever blog, I really don't know where to start. For those of you who I have had the privilege of meeting and for those who have followed my previous blogs would know that I am very rarely short of words. This was echoed by the words of my previous Safari General Manager in my feedback from my very first cycle at Sabi Sabi, ”Remember Terry, keep it short and sweet on the radio.” Most of you would probably expect me to share some of my favourite pictures as well as share some of my greatest sightings. If that’s what you are expecting, then I am sorry to disappoint you.

When I was asked to do a career highlights blog of my time at Sabi Sabi, I really did not know where to start. How do I cram nearly 6 years’ worth of images, nearly 8000 hours of time in the field into a blog? The truth is you can’t. Instead of a normal image packed blog, I’m going to reflect on what the environment means to me.

This ecosystem is so special, it’s not just about the “Big 5”, in actual fact the smallest things surrounding them are the most interesting. It’s about connectivity and even though all of our lodges have WiFi, I’m not talking about that type of connectivity. I’m referring to disconnecting from what distracts us on a daily basis and actually connect with something far deeper and meaningful. The interrelationships and dependency that creatures, both living and non-living, have with each other and in some instances cannot survive without each other. We do not as humans form part of this ecosystem nor the food chain, however we depend on it as much as it depends on us. The satisfaction we get from being in nature is indescribable and the way we treat it will determine how long that can last. The former Sabi Sabi Rangers before me have treated nature with such respect, that we all receive the benefits of their empathy today when we visit this wilderness area. We as Sabi Sabi Rangers are custodians of that legacy and how we treat the environment today will give future generations the joy that we have had the privilege to experience.

This blog was not ever going to be a self-indulgent reflection on my images and sightings - this is a tribute. It is a tribute to the wonderful place that is Sabi Sabi, the place that took a chance on a former Real Estate Agent from London who had no experience as a guide. An organisation that invested in me, the same way that they do in the sustainability of our natural resources. The people - our family in the bush, who we spend countless hours with, and despite arguments and daily pressures, still call each other “Friend”.

I will always remember and take with me such wonderful memories of the things I experienced YESTERDAY, the lessons of TODAY, and everything that I have learnt which will hold me in good stead for TOMORROW.

I wanted to end off with a poem, whose words resonate with me.

Africa smiled a little, when you left.

”We know you,” Africa said.

”We have seen and watched you. We can learn to live without you,

but we know we needn't yet.”

And Africa smiled a little, when you left...

“You cannot leave Africa,“ Africa said.

”We are always with you, there inside your head.

Our rivers run in currents in the swirl of your thumbprints;

our drumbeats counting out your pulse;

our coastline the silhouette of your soul.”

So Africa smiled a little when you left.

”We are in you,” Africa said.

”You have not left us yet.”

-Anonymous

“Inkomu Swinene, Sala Kahle”

(Thank you very much, stay well)