Sight, sound or smell, which evokes African Safari the most?

[Newboomer]

I remember kerosene lamps. They were our only source of light til I was a senior in High School in 1959. We finally got electricity that December. Great Christmas present.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

You mention the paraffin lamps from 50 years ago. We must be around the same age. If I close my eyes I can smell the kerosene from those lamps. We bought kerosene in Debi (sp) cans and also used kerosene in our refrigerator and freezers.

The smell I remember most is when the pastoralists would burn the plains. For 2-3 months the smell of burning grass would fill the air. The sunsets were always amazing with the smoke.

The night sounds of hyena, leopard, lion and bushbaby. The evening and morning sounds of baboon, guinea, franklin and the cape collard dove.

The small village has grown up. Now, when I visit the old house, I am kept awake at night from the blasting music coming from the bars and pool halls across the highway. I am woken by the 6am Muslim morning call to prayer. Time does not improve all things.

Fortunately there are still wild spaces where we can regress to a simpler time. I too am blessed.

Where was that village? Someone once said that the happiest man in Africa is the one with no memory. But here in Zimbabwe though things have largely stood still, it is a secret little gem. Apart from university in South Africa I have never moved, can take a 20 minute drive around 66 years and I still love it.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

for me, and i live here....sound of francolin in the morning, that the sound of africa
and definately impala in the rut!!!
smell.....coffee brewing on a hard wood fire
sight.....that dusty red sunset

 

[Wheels]

Where was that village? Someone once said that the happiest man in Africa is the one with no memory. But here in Zimbabwe though things have largely stood still, it is a secret little gem. Apart from university in South Africa I have never moved, can take a 20 minute drive around 66 years and I still love it.

It is neat that your corner of the world remains largely unchanged. A lot can be said for things remaining simple.

Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

This thread will probably give you more information than you care to read about the area.

1969 Tanzania Safari

The pictures below are from a good friend of mine's Father. He went for a month and a half safari in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park area in 1969. He took elephant, sable, kudu, lion, buffalo, zebra, and several other species. He is now eighty-nine years old. He remembers his PH as being a Keith...

www.africahunting.com

 

[Ravensview]

You guys are killing me with your descriptions, as I have never been to Africa, but I can relate to all of your descriptions, The sights, sounds and scents are all vivid to me from the Northwoods to the Jungles to Europe but sadly I lack those pleasures from Africa

 

[Bsto270]

I would say the sound of the doves ( it was the first thing I noticed when I got to the lodge ), the sound of jackals in the evening ( distinctly not like coyotes), and the smell or the one bush I cannot recall in the Eastern cape but when crushed or when the land cruiser went over it and it hit a hot tail pipe smelled a bit like cat pee or wet dog mixed.

 

[375sunrise]

For me its the call of the Go Away bird, always gets my attention. Also the chatter of the Ox Peckers when you are tracking Buffalo.

 

[Beretta391]

The smell of the campfire, coffee brewing and the hippo’s grunting with their sound echoing over the river

 

[Fred Gunner]

After 20 years in the Army my hearing is shot and my sense of smell has gone with it....Sight horizon to horizon with no signs of human activity. Fence free wilderness as far as my eyes could see...

 

[Buffalo1]

Early morning sounds of the birds, the smell of burning dung on the sill of the shooting window attempting to neutralize human scent, the cry of zebras just before dark trying to call a killed herd member back to the herd, howl of the jackals just before dark getting ready for the night.

 

[375sunrise]

The first time I saw the green bark of the Fever Trees. Also when the Pangolin rolled up into a ball when I picked it up.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The first time I saw the green bark of the Fever Trees. Also when the Pangolin rolled up into a ball when I picked it up.

I have been in Africa all my life and seen a wild pangolin just once. He was huge, just looked at me with his little eyes and sniffed to say hello. How heinous that the Chinese fuel their death trade for no good at all. Despicable.

 

[375sunrise]

The trackers & PH I was hunting with were very surprised with the find. PH stated he had seen only 3 or 4 in his many years of working in the bush. This was several years ago while hunting Buffalo in the Greater Kruger.

 

[Red Leg]

Doves in Namibia, Bushbabies in the Limpopo, and Hippo (at night) in the Zambezi Delta of Mozambique (along with the hum of mosquitoes - though they remind me of South Louisiana as well!)

 

[John Telford]

Kevin it has to be the birds mate!
Red chested cuckoo calling at all hours signaling that summer is here.
Natal Francolin heralding the dawn.
Fish eagle reminding you that you are miles away from the office and the Woodland Kingfisher confirming that indeed you are in the bush...
Then there’s also the nightjars, owls and the incessant call of the black cuckoo.....

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I agree birds are a big one John. Would you believe we have Natal Francolin here on our plot in central Borrowdale. Nightjars of course and about 65 logged species in all including giant eagle owl.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Its sights, as I look back on photos and videos. I can look at the mountains around home and think of how the mountain views are similar to those of Africa.

Photos of animals, termite mounds, the floral and fauna, the bush veld, things that can never be seen anywhere else but in Africa.

Sounds, with exception of a couple of local news anchors, few sounds can remind me of Africa. Although there are some tv wildlife shows that spark memories.

Smells, wood smoke from campfires, home/chimney fires, grills brings to mind other fond experiences/memories not solely of Africa.

When sharing your African experiences photos help to tell more, than trying to mimic animal sounds or the taste of the food.

 

[John Telford]

I agree birds are a big one John. Would you believe we have Natal Francolin here on our plot in central Borrowdale. Nightjars of course and about 65 logged species in all including giant eagle owl.

In Borrowdale? That’s awesome Kevin. How far is it from your plot to “Blue Roof” palace? Do you stay on the golf course? I was there a few years back with Raye Middleton to see if we could do something about the sewage...

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hi John, no we are closer in to town near Sam Levys Village. Found a 5 acre plot on a wooded hill that we have left fully natural. They have since installed a little sewage works near that golf complex, much better.

 

[Dinosaur]

Looks as though everyone has it covered, sound is a good one though, as I recall the screaming eerie calls of the tree hyraxes, the bark of the geckos, and yes, the terrifying buzz of a carpenter bee, when you prod at it in the holes that they have made in the ceiling rafter beams, and the aggressive buzzing dive bombing sounds when it tries to bluff an attack on you. My first contact with one scared the hell out of me.

Regards
Rob