Capturing the Moment

Jumping challenge accepted Deedee entering a traditional hut   One thing you will often hear me tell potential Africa safari clients is that the animal encounters will be magical, just as you imagined, but it is often the indelible people of Africa that change visitor's perspectives. No doubt seeing how some of the rural villagers live will lead to questions about what things really are neccessary and important to living a happy life. I always come away feeling quite lucky that I was born where I was born, in a place where I don't have to spend multiple hours every day trekking to the river and back, then boiling the water before we can fill our cup. Inside Gabriel's home  Just outside Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya we stopped in a small village of my friend Gabriel. This is one of many villages near parks and reserves that invite tourists in for a cultural demonstration. Gabriel is the guide for this particular village. We first met thirteen years ago on...

Mike and Gabriel   Into the Samburu Village  One thing that the group is finding out very quickly is that the people of Africa are some of the warmest people in the world. They have consistently given us so many stories, smiles, and in the case of Gabriel, even invited us into their village.  Conner raising some eyebrows among the warriors Is there a hidden trampoline?   I met Gabriel 12 years ago when our driver James took us to his friends village for a cultural encounter. A young, good looking warrior named Gabriel met our group to welcome us to his village. He spoke in pretty good English and took us all through his village, explaining the inner workings of the life his Samburu people.  Barb and Erin's initiation Mary dancing with Gabriel   So here we were, 12 years later, on Christmas day, being welcomed into his village. After getting a big hug from Gabriel, the warriors of the village welcomed us in traditional st...

Samburu Ten years ago I was introduced to a tall, warrior looking member of the Samburu tribe. His name was Gabriel and lived in a small traditional village just outside of Samburu National Park. He graciously introduced us to his village, showing us how the traditional huts were constructed, what the thorny walls that surrounded the village were made of, and introduced us to other members of the community including the chief, the teachers, the kids, and the other men. Then he showed us something even more remarkable than the lion scratches on his chest, he showed us how to make fire. Kim and the kids The dynamic duo: Jim and Gabriel  I still remember how thought provoking this visit was even though it was 10 years ago. As luck would have it we were headed back to Samburu National Park during this trip and when Jim made an effort to contact Gabriel he was there and welcomed us all back to the village. I could see how the years had aged Gabriel as he could probably ...