Africa: Home to the Lion, Elephant, Rhino, and Me

There can be no better time of day than a sunset in Africa. The serenity that befalls the continent at this time is food for the soul. The brilliant red, orange, and yellow that suffuses the sky is nature's art at it's best. Add to this visual image, the other senses of smell, touch, and hearing, and you are in paradise.

I travel throughout the world and enjoy my time in places far away. But breathing in Africa’s unique scent, feeling the gentle breeze at the end of a scorching day, and listening to a symphony of birds, the roar of a lion or the trumpeting of a herd of African elephants is my cue that I am home.

"You have to understand – there is a romance to Africa. You can see a sunset and believe you have witnessed the hand of God. You watch the slow lope of a lioness and forget to breathe. You marvel at the tripod of a giraffe bent to water. In Africa, there are iridescent blues on the wings of birds that you do not see anywhere else in nature. In Africa, in the midday heat, you can see blisters in the atmosphere. When you are in Africa, you feel primordial, rocked in the cradle of the world." ― Jodi Picoult, Leaving Time

I am a child of Africa -not just my native country South Africa- as I am comfortable in Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. The same is true for Morocco, Egypt, and Tanzania. There is a camaraderie among Africans that, in my experience, can not be found anywhere else. And the warmth of its people is genuine.

The further behind one leaves the big cities, the more Africa takes hold of you. You can feel the African drums throbbing in your veins, making your heart beat faster and your step that much lighter.

Africa has natural beauty. Zimbabwe's famous Victoria Falls, the lesser-known South African Howick Falls, and the many nature reserves sprinkled throughout the continent are a testament to the scenic beauty.

Wildlife is abundant as the numerous safaris prove. South Africa's Kruger National Park and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park are among the most popular places. We have zebras, giraffes, lions, elephants, and rhino.

However, certain species are facing extinction due to poaching and the destruction of their habitat.

It is worrying that the white and black rhinos who lived on the grassy plains of eastern and southern Africa are now mainly in reserves and national parks as poachers target them for their horns. The northern white rhinos are on the brink of extinction as there are no male northern white rhinos left, and the last two females are in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Eggs have been harvested from these rhinos in an attempt to bring back the species.

Fortunately, the southern white rhinos have made a comeback and are thriving in protective sanctuaries. South Africa’s government and dedicated conservationists joined forces to bring the southern white rhino back from less than 50 in the early 1900s to around 18,000 individuals today – though the population has declined due to poaching over the past two to three years.

We in Africa were reminded of poaching evils again, when the world celebrated World Elephant Day on 12 August. African elephants’ numbers are declining in many African countries because they are targetted for their tusks. Though elephant herds thrive in Botswana, recently, however, they are dying of unknown causes.

As an African, injury to our animals is felt on a personal level. I implore travelers to Africa to enjoy our natural beauty, but please don't destroy our wildlife's habitat when you visit. Also, be vocal about protecting our wildlife, and don’t take part in vile sports like canned hunting.

Is a trophy of a lion’s or elephant’s head vital to your existence? I think not. Yet, leaving nature the way you found it, is critical to theirs.

So, my humble plea is Mayibuye iAfrika - Bring back Africa! Or Let Africa Return! The dark continent’s melodious rhythm is refreshing and energizing, as is the land and its people. Africa is the song of my soul. It can be yours too.