Other than my family’s annual camping trip to the Kruger Park over Easter, I did not grow up going to safari lodges. I never took much of an interest in bush-life or activities associated with it – such as birding. However, at the age of 26 I found myself in the heart of the Lowveld. This might not be the most accurate description geographically, but to me it is the heartland because Londolozi is a place that beams with love and life – much like the heart.
I am living (and loving) my bush life so far and am incredibly grateful for the lessons I am learning along the way. So much so that I would like to share them with you!
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To look up at the sky
One sunny afternoon, I could swear someone was flying a kite in the Sabi Sands. I could not believe my eyes. But on closer inspection, with the help of my trusty binoculars, I spotted a Brown Snake Eagle with a snake in its claws, and for some reason the whole situation looked the same as a kite.
Since this day, along with my fascination with the night sky, I have always been more conscious and curious of looking upwards- in anticipation of anything out of the ordinary.
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Look forward (both physically and metaphorically)
Like most millennials, I too have fallen into the trap of making use of my walking time to be on my phone. However, the Camp path that runs east to west is home to all sorts of animal and plant life – begging to be appreciated. I have started making a concerted effort to look where I am going and have since encountered so many weird and wonderful things since doing so. A Turquoise Longhorn beetle being one of them. I affectionately call this little insect “The After Eight Beetle” which I find rather fitting given it’s colouring.
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Trusting my gut
Being surrounded by animals, who are probably the most instinctual beings, I have tried to capitalise on some of the lessons they could potentially teach me as a human being. Being out in the bush has encouraged me to tap into my more natural instincts. By appreciating my surroundings, and the animals in it, I have learnt to take note of my inner emotions and to lean into them more. I am slowly grasping how nature affects your state of mind and how each animal on the reserve has something to teach me. Whether it be the patience of a predator or the determination of a mother – each wildlife encounter can teach you something.
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Believe in the signs of life
Prior to my job at Londolozi, my knowledge of tracking was very limited. I have since been very privileged and seen trackers and the art of tracking lead to sightings and discoveries of a lifetime. By witnessing this I have taken some tricks of the trade and attempted to apply them to my own life. Taking note of signs. Taking in all of my surroundings. Making connections where there otherwise would not have been. Seeing the bigger picture, with the combination of all the smaller pictures. As a result, I am now more observant and might I even say, more intuitive.
Tracks of a spotted genet
While on a walk, I was shown the track of a Small Spotted Genet. This was my first experience of actively tracking. On this walk I also collected some new dried flowers and grass to add to my collection. Read my Nature Reunion Instagram Post to understand my fascination with this!
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Enjoy the little things
Life in the bush, both living and working, has been splendid to say the least. I have the recurring thought of “How lucky am I” and with this mindset, the smallest of things fill me with joy. From my morning coffee, to my commute to work to mundane tasks like doing stocktake come with little bursts of joy, and to be honest, a huge sense of gratitude for myself, for Londolozi and for life.
I like to look at the above as little lessons from Londolozi, and they are certainly not exclusive to the staff here. In fact, in discussion with most guests, one would find that they too have made the same realisations in their visits and are thus able to take a little piece of Londolozi back home with them. As the saying goes “the most valuable lessons in life cannot be taught, they must be experienced”.
Celebrating Heritage Day at Londolozi
So here’s to: looking up, looking forward, trusting, seeing and enjoying!
Hi Ashleigh, your gratitude and humbleness to nature is astounding and we can all learn something from nature. Never just take a walk for granted, but look around and experience new things, feel and touch the grass,flowers and always look up to appreciate the blue sky and all the birds that share it with us. Each day is a gift from God, so take full advantage of it and appreciate everything and everyone around you. Enjoy the clean fresh air that you breath and smell the rain when it falls on the ground.
Ashleigh, your enthusiasm for your new position in the lower veld is apparent in your blogs. It’s great to take advantage of your walk to work by using all of your senses to explore the path, rather than look at your phone. You’ve amazing opportunities working at Londolozi so continue to love and listen to nature’s teachings, all the while learning each and every day.
Valmai and Denise, thank you both for your comments (and compliments).
I sincerely appreciate the encouragement for my efforts to be more in touch and intuitive with my surroundings. It has been such a blessing taking more notice of the world around me.
Like you I grew up in Scott and the only contact I had was with the animals in the zoo. Then one day my husband called from work and asked if I would like to go to South Africa. I said I would love to and it turned out that my Mother in LW needed a roommate for a Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I had a fabulous 3 weeks altho only 2 nights at a wildlife reserve. I decided we had to come and actually spend more spend more time with animals and. Not so many flowers. We were by living inFrance then Phil found a very nice travel agent. We had 3 weeks and the icing on the cake was 3 magical days at Londolozi. We had Jess and Jeff and we saw so many animals and birds and a newborn zebra. We loved every minute and as we were driving away I said to Phil we have to bring the children here. So I understand how you must love a job that allows you time in the bush and to be part of the Londolozi family. Victoria
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Victoria, although rather biased I agree with your “cherry on top” of the cake being your three days with us at Londolozi.
Being a part of the family here has been an absolute blessing- thank you!
Sending love to you, Phil and the family. We hope to welcome you back here in the near future.
Ashleigh, thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Nature and the wilderness are indeed beautiful teachers if we just allow ourselves to listen!
It was my pleasure to share my lessons from nature with you, William.
Thanks for your beautifully written article. It’s true: there are only few things in life that are as good as being out in nature enjoying it and nearly nothing can beat a good safari out in the bush with its smells, sounds and animals interacting with each other and also with us human beings.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Christa!
Ashleigh, I read all the blog posts every day and because I also live with wildlife in the Limpopo wilderness (nearest town 80km) I confess that I may gloss over much of the text. Then suddenly there is this profound missive which focuses away from the aim to impress the foreign visitor – as well-meant as those are – and see nature and not only describe impressive moments by nature’s apex predators.
I liked that.
Dries, what a compliment indeed. I appreciate it and thank you for not glossing over this particular blog post.
Ashleigh, wishing you many many more wonderful moments sharing your personal journey with the Londolozi family. Don’t forget to pinch yourself often as you couldn’t have found a more perfect place to be 🙏🏻❤️
Cally, thank you very much. Sadly I need to make more of a concerted effort to appreciate all that I have, but “pinching myself” more often is one of my 2022 goals!
Ashleigh – I so enjoyed this blog and understand the wonder you feel at Londolozi. Next time you write would love to see a photo of your Turquoise Longhorn “After-8 Beetle” !
Jennifer, thank you very much. Sadly the image I took was done with so much excitement that the quality was not good enough to actually see my special beetle clearly. However, if you would like to see it you are most welcome to email us and I will get the blurry picture that I do have on file to you.
These are all great observations. My favorite is look up. Try walking on on Fifth Avenue in New York City – it’s almost impossible as most everyone is looking at their phone.
Albeit not Londolozi, I sure would like to see Fifth Avenue sometime in the future!
I can assure you that I will NOT be looking at my phone if I ever made my way to New York City.
Some good lessons there Ashleigh! Thank you for this. I hope to practise these here at home and also at Londolozi one day.
Thanks Ashleigh! We love your perspective on life at Londolozi and how you have found special appreciation for your new surroundings! We look forward to hearing more!
Beautiful post Ashleigh – so much natural wisdom and grace in your account of how you connect with nature, perceive it’s many lessons, and apply them to your life. Very inspiring!!