I'm on a game drive, gliding through the Serengeti in Tanzania, akin to a journey through Middle Earth in its grandeur and mystique. The safari vehicle is my modern-day Rohan steed, effortlessly navigating the vast, wild plains. Here, amidst the natural beauty, I feel as though I've stepped into the untamed landscapes described in Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings".
Embark on your own adventure in Africa, Image Credit: Serengeti Safari Camp
Remember, You're Over the Edge of the Wild Now
The Serengeti unfolds before me like the fields of Pelennor, an expanse teeming with life. Elephants roam with the grandeur of Oliphaunts, and lions lounge with the regal air of the kings of Gondor. Each animal sighting is like uncovering a new chapter in a Tolkien epic, filled with wonder and awe.
The Serengeti is home to a thriving predator population and diverse birdlife, Image Credit: Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge
I feel like I’m Frodo embarking on an unexpected journey, but with the home comforts of the Shire. There's no need for a heavy backpack or the discomforts of camping under the stars. Instead, I'm enveloped in a haven of opulence, reminiscent of the Elves' love for beauty and elegance.
Under canvas opulence in East Africa, Image Credit: Nomad Tanzania
Home is Behind, the World Ahead
As the landscape shifts and the day progresses, it's as if I'm travelling through the varied terrains of Middle Earth – from the rolling plains of Rohan to the shadowy paths akin to Mirkwood. Yet, here in the Serengeti, the dangers are kept at bay, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the splendour and diversity of the wilderness.
Fulfill your dream of a safari in Tanzania, Image: Serengeti Under Canvas
With every acre traversed, I'm reminded of Tolkien's words, "Not all those who wander are lost." In the heart of Africa, amidst the majesty of the Serengeti, I find a sense of adventure and discovery that even the most imaginative tales could scarcely capture.
This journey, though devoid of physical hardships, is rich in the spirit of exploration and the magic of an untamed land – a true adventure in the spirit of the greatest fantasy epi
Experience the magic of Tanzania
Then Something Tookish Woke Up Inside
Whether sleeping beneath the stars or indulging in the opulence of a luxury lodge that even the elves of Rivendell would envy, my African explorations often blur into a fantasy reminiscent of Tolkien's creations.
Luxury lodges offer guests a lavish and personalised safari experience, Image Credit: Singita
The landscape's sheer magic invokes a sense of being part of an epic tale, one that would be worthy of Bilbo Baggins' memoir, "There and Back Again."
What could be more relaxing than this, Image Credit: Thorntree River Lodge
There Are Many Paths to Tread
From savouring breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper in the picturesque Cape Winelands to gorilla trekking through lush Rwandan forests under the watchful eye of three volcanoes, searching for ancient rock carvings in Damaraland, navigating the winding tendrils of the Okavango Delta, facing the formidable rapids of Victoria Falls, uncovering the secrets of Madagascar's twelve sacred hills of Imerina, or keeping stride with towering Thornicroft's giraffe in the land of Luangwa, Africa is a cornucopia of adventures – and, my oh my, these examples are just the tip of a wizard's hat!
Glide silently along the Okavango Delta, Image Credit: Sable Alley
Write Your Own Adventure in Africa Tale
Our lives should be rich with such escapades, memories so vivid they're forever enshrined in our personal "There and Back Again" anthology.
As a wise wizard once said, "The world is not in your books and maps; it's out there…" So, why just read about it? Step out, embrace the wonders of Africa, and create a collection of experiences worthy of being recounted for years to come!
Featured Image: Nomad Tanzania
