Finding freedom in the wilderness
MANILA, Philippines - This journey to South Africa, as well as Zambia and Botswana, was all about freedom.
In these places, I saw natural sanctuaries far removed from our world where animals are caged and chained. I realized that I myself was caged within my own fears. Time to free myself.
Here I saw why animal rights activists are against the idea of removing animals from their natural habitat and caging them in artificial showcases called zoos. And why animals deserve freedom and respect in the natural environment where they thrive best.
Upon arrival in Zambia, my travel mates and I saw how elephants, giraffes and zebras roamed freely in this land where there is no traffic, no pollution, no urban blight to mar this natural paradise.
Even at our luxurious and comfortable Royal Livingstone Hotel, we were greeted by the sight of zebras and giraffes grazing at the Mosi-oa Tunya National Park which is a World Heritage Site.
The rainforests of the amazing Victoria Falls had an abundance of birdlife. When I saw the Niagara Falls years ago from the Toronto side, I was so awed by its beauty that I exclaimed: “There is a God!” When I saw Victoria Falls in Zambia, I exclaimed: “There is a God! And He is an artist. Today, He even painted a rainbow!”
At our next stop, Botswana, we experienced four seasons in one day — from winter in the early morning, autumn in mid-morning, summer by noontime, spring in the afternoon and winter again at night — at the Duma Tau Camp right beside the Linyati River. It had 10 cozy tents with the living/dining halls in the middle, their interiors looking like a modern version worthy of an Out of Africa remake. In our romanticized fantasies, the only thing missing was the sight of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.
We spent three days going into the wilderness in our safari vehicles, with a guide who said he grew up seeing lions and finding happiness in bonding with them.
We saw such tall, graceful giraffes, really huge herds of elephants crossing forest paths and the river, impalas or antelopes that would freeze like statues when detecting human presence, assorted exotic birds, baboons, wild boars and lions feasting on a baby zebra for lunch. We realized that it was the animals who were scared of us — they would flee at the sound of our vehicles. Only the lions would remain, just lazily roaming around. Our guide said the so-called “kings of the jungle” wouldn’t touch us unless we provoked or harmed them or interfered with their quest for food. We were also informed that Africa is not really the home of tigers; they mainly thrive in Asian countries like India, Thailand and China.
I left South Africa, Zambia and Botswana with a newfound respect for animals. Finding them was a liberating experience.
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The most comfortable way to fly to South Africa from Manila is via Cathay Pacific Airways which flies daily to Johannesburg from Hong Kong. For inquiries, call 24/7 hotlines: Globe - 1-800-8739-5117; Smart/PLDT- 1-800-1441-1011 or visit www.cathaypacific.ph #lifewelltraveled.
