Serengeti - It's like seeing the world when it was young

We still have some spaces on our photo and natural history safari in January 2010 (limited to 10 participants). Next year marks our 25th year of running photo safaris there. If anyone is interested, information here: http://www.wildernessphotography.com/tanzania.htm

Some thoughts on Serengeti. While writing the text for my new book, I came across some interesting material. Famed psychologist Carl Jung visited East Africa in 1925 and wrote of a "most intense sentiment of returning to the land of my youth."

That seems a curious statement because Jung had never before been to Africa. But the sentiment is understandable by those of us who feel like we are coming home when we return there. Each time I have visited Serengeti (I've spent over 900 days there) I have experienced a strong feeling of belonging. We are all Africans and it is, indeed, the land of our youth. Somewhere, deep in the molecules of our genes, are the echoes of our ancient past. Spencer Wells has corroborated this in his fabulous DNA tracing studies.

Jung also noted (and he could have been referring to Serengeti) the landscape is like "the stillness of the eternal beginning."

We haven't begun final picture selection for the book, but I thought I'd post a few happy snaps.

Machu Picchu Nightmare

I guess I had been spoiled. On previous trips (I’ve been there five times) the photography at Machu Picchu was great – not many people in the ruins if you got there early for sunrise. But this recent trip in April this year it was a mob scene – thousands of people roaming about the ruins all day, from early morning to late in the day. And this during a really rainy day. I can understand Peru’s need to promote tourism, but this has been overkill. I’ll never again come back.

Perhaps even worse, Peru’s infrastructure at the new international airport in Lima is terrible. Just to get through customs/passport control on leaving we had to stand in line for over an hour. Mass chaos. Some people would have missed their flight had it not been late on arrival.

Fernandina Eruption

During the recent trip to Galapagos I was lucky enough to be at Fernandina Island during a recent eruption. Tough photography – the only illumination was the red glow of flowing lava as it moved down to the sea. But I got some great shots, soon to be posted on my website www.wildernessphotography.com

Work on Serengeti Book Progressing

The work on my Serengeti book is nearly done - one chapter to finish. Publication will probably be next Spring (Fulcrum Publishing).