LIGHT AND DARK
By Sue Van Der Hout
There is beauty, then there is the Kalahari and Jack’s Camp, where eternity, the horizon, past and present unite. In a place where there is salt, sand, and restless wildlife, hear the heart of Africa.
In Botswana, on the edge of the Kalahari there is a safari camp named by a son in honour of a larger than life father, a legendary adventurer named Jack Bousfield. Jack hunted over 53,000 crocs, lived close to the land, and raised a son who saw the eloquence of transforming memories of the intellect, courage and heart of a man he so clearly adored into an exquisitely beautiful camp dedicated to his father. While son Ralph is charismatic and also larger than life, he has yet to claim that legacy. He’s well on his way.
There is brilliance in the execution of the concept. As bare as the surroundings are, the camp is grand, welcoming, lush. It is the work of Ralph’s life partner and her dedication to Africa and this family is reflected in every small detail. The tents are replicas of a magnificent time when adventurers, as part of the grand tour, began or ended their odyssey for knowledge about their world in search of game. The feel of the camp is turn of the century. There is a sense of safari imbued with trappings of the wealth of a life always well lived. The spirit rings true – it is one of smoky, sensual comfort. If there was ever a mirage in a desert, this is it.
Ralph has gathered around him a team who share his lust for the Kalahari and his dedication to it. Drawn from scientific backgrounds or refugees from brilliant jobs in London and elsewhere, they are drawn to the myth of the power of the natural word and are clearly intoxicated with it. To share this commitment with 20 new people almost every 2-4 days, commitment is a necessity.
Inside the main tent is the communal dining table, library and lounge overstuffed with comfortable settees, books on Africa and animals, framed pictures of man and beast and skulls, tusks, and artefacts of all kinds. Touch everything.
Outside of Jack’s Camp, there is a saltpan as big a Switzerland. As you jump, twirl and dance across it the boundary between it and the endless horizon, you begin to feel the enormity of Africa.
That is an experience unique to Jack’s which cannot be shared. To write about them to one who’s not been there is to spoil the secrets. There are many to be enjoyed.
There is an opportunity to learn about the bounty of the desert from bushmen.
Come close to meercats.
Track game. Learn.
Play.
Engage. Chat. Meet kindred spirits.
Touch a living plant that was on earth at the time of Christ. Explore serenity. Live in the past, the present and visualize the planet’s future.
Revisit your preconceptions about the rules of how to live life.
Jack’s is named in 1000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE. Many women arrived in 1’s and 2’s. It is a place for 1s, 2s, couples and friends. It is a place of welcome. Do it.
Want more information? To speak to Jack’s directly contact Maude Nsukamiala at reservations @unchartedafrica.com, call +27 (0)11 447 1605 or check out the Jack’s web page at www.unchartedafrica.com In North America contact AFRICA SAFARIS LLC. in San Diego California. In the UK speak to Jane Durham at Okavango Tours and Safaris (jane@okavango.com).
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First Africa was plundered by colonists. Now much of it falls victim to the selfish appetites of its own leaders. Good guys and bad guys can no longer be distinguished by colour, black or white. But assigning blame is the role of the press and the prosecutors. The key to salvation is engagement. Want to help? Don’t know how? Whether it is for Africa or your local charity, Taking IT Global’s Guide to Action can help your in your own journey.
The first step of a journey is always the most difficult. The ability to give, says activist Kimberly King, must derive from a sense of sufficiency in yourself. It is a tall order for a gender in which insufficiency is a theme – never smart enough, thin enough, beautiful enough? – and in a society in which prosperity has bred a sense of scarcity – More is not enough. We need McMansions, multiple cars, pedigreed children and pets, labels, adventure travel. When climbing the 7 Summits is the mid life challenge, then how can ensuring an empty bowl is full once a day create the rush of well being?
King says that to know how you can help you must begin by accepting your own sufficiency and finding the confidence to give something of yourself – start with some soul, then connect with your heart, your time, your money.
And for the «How to», there is no resource finer than Taking It Global’s Guide to Action.
http://www.takingitglobal.org/action/guide. Founder Jennifer Coreiro and her team share the how to’s of how to change the world.
Some excerpts to whet your appetite:
Reflect and Get Inspired
- Who or what inspires you to take action? Sources of inspiration can give you great ideas and help you find the strength to turn your vision into reality.
- Ask what would you like to change or improve about yourself? Your family? Your work? Your community? The world?
- What inspires you. Do you have a hero? Someone you respect or represents something important to you. Meet inspiring people Helping in the community or in changing the world, inspires others, creates opportunities, jobs, business, education.
- Find your passion. How? Brainstorm. Is it: health & wellness? The environment? Arts and media? Women? Culture and identity? Education? Technology ad innovation?...
- Learn. What interests you? What are the challenges? What resources are available to you? What websites can help? [Hint: Taking it Global, [blush – Girlphyte?]
- Involve others. They will give you ideas, access to knowledge and experience and help in gaining support for your project. Create a map of your networks. Track contacts.
- Get Moving.
- Plan.
- Stay Positive and focused.
- Monitor, evaluate
- READ MORE…. http://www.takingitglobal.org/
Help for victims and orphans of HIV. Hope for victims of famine, tribal conflict, political instability, loss. The list of options is long, the need is great. Take it up.
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