Story by Londolozi Repeat Guest Cheryl Grace:
In 2010, South Africa Calls was a mantra streaming steadily into my consciousness, driving an inner yearning for me to pay a call to nature’s gift to humanity. My innate love for wildlife and the enchanting African Bush combined with Londolozi’s safe haven where all nature is in rhythm and in harmony was an ideal match for me.
I purchased my first mirrorless camera – a Sony a6000 with a 50mm lens – and it arrived a week before my departure from the USA. With no photography experience, I began my journey into the wisdom of the wild.
Five nights and 10 game dives later, I had deeply bonded with Londolozi’s mission to advance world consciousness and its need to conserve and protect. Spending time with these sentient animals taught me how to know and love them, to be able to photograph them accurately.
While at Londolozi I realised I had never before been in a situation where every moment was amazing. I immediately booked my return for the following year.
Then in 2016, months before my departure for yet another Londolozi trip, I was diagnosed with throat cancer. I immediately went into aggressive chemo and radiation treatment. My oncologist said that to conquer cancer I needed to have a goal. I told him it was Londolozi. “You can’t go”, he said!
One month after my final treatment, I was back at Londolozi, my happy place, cancer-free!
I have to admit my first photography experience seemed easy. I decided not to take any chances and purchased a Sony E 55-210mm lens. I instinctively knew it was rare to get excellent natural lighting combined with strong composition or to have wildlife do something unexpected for a photogenic opportunity.. The longer lens helped me achieve patience to advance the narrative.
I returned to Londolozi in 2017 and 2018 with a second a6300camera body combined with a Sony FE 100-400mm lens. I understood that having zero control over the wildlife subject made it difficult to predict the final image. Extreme close-up photography became my passion to further achieve an emotional connection. A flawless image can draw any viewer into the animal’s world.
As I arrive for my fifth consecutive visit to Londolozi, I come with a broken arm/shoulder in a harness/sling. My orthopedic surgeon said I couldn’t go, yet here I am. I had to scrap all my professional photography equipment and opt for a Sony RX100 VI compact 200mm camera so I can shoot with one hand. This year my focus is to hear, heed and heal. These challenges are blessings in disguise for the good of our human world.
I am completely content being in the African bush, seeing a herd of elephants with their young or a leopard napping in a tree.
Londolozi… I am home.
A wonderful blog. Positive and courages. Nothing can compare with being in the African bush. To just be out there, to observe, hear and feel it all around you. Nature heals.
Thank you so much 🙏🙏❤️❤️
JAMES, this is such a great story – throat cancer, and cancer free!
Such an incredible story 🤗
Thank you Joan🙏🙏
Beautiful story! Thank you.
Thank you Peggy🙏🙏
What a story! Whose story is this? It is truly an ode of love for Nature’s Gift to us all. I agree wholeheartedly! There is nothing like nature to heal the soul!
Thank you Darlene 🙏🙏
You story is amazing. I am so glad I read this. You are one tough lady with a beautiful heart. God bless you and may you enjoy many more days in the Bush!
What an inspiring post from Cheryl Grace. I wish you complete healing and many more trips to Londolozi.
Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙏🙏
James, As a fellow cancer survivor the purpose you found to your life is compelling. Though not able to be back each and every year ( wish I could) I fell in love and immediately bonded with all that Londolozi is. This had a profound effect on me as this feeling had never before occurred. Still with me today. Following this blog has allowed me to stay connected with Londolozi and the amazing people and all their wonderful work and humanitarian efforts, both with people and animals. This feeling of love and connection is not easy to describe to people until they too visit these living wonders. Londolozi opened my eyes and captivated my heart. The mind and self determination is a powerful force within us. My thought and my prayers are with you James. Looking forward to sharing some stories next time I find a way to make it back to Londolozi. Hope we meet one day soon. Thanks you for your contribution to the Blog. Sharing your experience as you have boldly done means you have a large extended family who will have you in their thoughts each and every day. Love your pictures and your work. Stay strong
Thank you James Tyrrell for this amazing experience to be a guest blogger with my photos. Also thank you to Matt Uys for all of your expertise and encouragement to realize my dream to be on the Londolozi Blog. It doesn’t get more exciting than this, and I read every blog to see your amazing photography and tips. Than you. 🙏🙏🙏
Your blog echoes the sentiments of those of us who been fortunate enough to call Londolozi “home” for a bit. My first trip last November has now yielded a longer trip for March-it’s an addiction I welcome. Take care and hope you have a speedy recovery!😊👏📷
So thrilled you lived your Londolozi dream! Wonderful images.
Best of luck for a durable remission and future photographic adventures!
Mark
Thank you so much!
Cheryl,
First congratulations on freeing yourself from cancer. Second, thank you for sharing such a lyrical and beautiful contribution that is both inspiring and moving. You brought me to tears. How wonderful to be brought into your personal journey, your awakening and your love for this planet and the creatures that dwell upon it. Thank you.
Thank you so much Johanna. 🙏🤗🙏🤗🙏
It is a thrill to see your photos on the Londolozi blog, isn’t it Cheryl! And I’m so with you, calling Londolozi my African home too! Lovely images!
Thank you Mary Beth! It’s a thrill for me!!! 🤗🙏
Beautiful photos, Cheryl! I feel the same way about being at Londolozi
Thank you Kat 🙏🙏
What wonderful photos! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. May you continue to find healing and wholeness in all your adventures.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Thank you. 🤗
Your guest article is so correct. As we left from our first visit, we looked at each other and said we have to bring our children and grandchildren, which we did. We keep coming back because we feel it is almost part of our family and we learn so much and make friends with everyone there. We are coming back in January with a friend and we are counting the days! Victoria
Lovely!
I resonate with this so much Cheryl. I, too felt that I belonged at Londolozi. I have never felt more in alignment with my true self and the Universe than when I was there. I am currently going through some health issues of my own, and it has forced me to really pay attention to what doesn’t serve me and to eliminate those things from my life. The feeling I had there has become my goal, because with practice and the right choices, I know I can create it wherever I go. That being said, I can’t wait to go back. I don’t have any return trips planned yet, but I’m shooting for 2024. 🤞🏼
Chelsea! Create the vision and you will be there! Thank you for your kind words. 🤗🙏
Absolutely LOVE your photo of the baby elephant. Stunning!
Yes, that little elephant was practicing her trumpet! 🤗🙏
Well said … stay healthier!
Amazing and I understand that knowing of “South Africa calls”…deeply and personally. Wonderful blog, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Susan 🙏🙏🙏🙏