Page 20 - IFV Issue 4 May 2023

Estate News

“In Africa, you have They would build their nests exactly they gaze in wonder, you know that a

space… there is a above where they anticipated the flood profoundly deep, spiritual experience
profound sense of space line. I saw a giraffe foetus wriggling in is taking place somewhere inside them.
its mother’s belly and knew, thanks to
here, space and sky.” my guide’s incredible knowledge, that This is my favourite quote from Neil:

THABO MBEKI she would be a mother by the following “An African proverb says,
sunset. ‘To get lost is to learn
As we drove away, Thomas told us of And after each morning and evening
a secret spot we could travel to, to enjoy adventure, my luxurious peace of the way.’ Getting lost is
our morning coffee. He took the Land heaven awaited. That perfect haven simply a different way of
Cruiser up a steep incline to a clearing where I could put up my feet and going on an adventure.
that looked out over the reserve, all the absorb the peace. My soul awakened
way to the Kruger Park. I felt like Rafiki in a way I never thought possible, and I When you’re lost, it is
in the opening scene of the Lion King, saw the world through new eyes. an opportunity to learn
standing proudly, gazing down on the As a writer, I get to learn new things how to find yourself and
splendour. And still, all I could hear was every day. Travel is one of my favourite listen to your thoughts,
peace. A city girl doesn’t get much of topics as I vicariously experience all the
that. It brought me to tears. amazing places on earth through my your inner being, and
I could write a book about all the craft. And this is how I came to know other people. It’s a
fantastic experiences Thomas shared Neil De Jonge, Operations Manager journey to self-discovery.
with us. Everything was unique and co-owner of Jewel of Africa Safaris.
and intimate, from slowly driving Neil knew by age 14 that he wanted I learned this at a very
alongside a pride of hunting lionesses to share the splendours of Africa with young age and have
to watching the young Impala practice others and has made a career out of made it my life’s work
their morning pronking (it’s a word). I designing custom luxury safaris for to help others embrace
never realised the stories one could globetrotters from all over the world.
tell just by looking at a tree trunk or an When you take someone from a busy the adventure that
abandoned anthill. I didn’t know birds metropolis and place them in the vast comes with exploring
knew how much rain the season would Namib Desert at night, I can guarantee the world”
bring long before any weatherman. they have never seen so many stars. As

18 • Issue 4 2023 • The Villager