The Serengeti ecosystem is a geographical region in Africa, spanning the Mara and Arusha Regions of Tanzania. The protected area within the region includes 11,583 square miles of land, including the Serengeti National Park and several game reserves. There are nearly 90 species of mammals living in the park, which borders Kenya to the North.
Riding in a Land Cruiser on a safari in the Serengeti were six nature lovers, plus driver Abu Lapsuga. One of the passengers sported a top-of-the-line digital camera slung around his neck. It was Jimmy Wilson, a nature lover and prize-winning photographer.
Shortly after 30 minutes into the tour, the group encountered a herd of elephants grazing not more than a hundred feet away. Driver Abu stopped for photo ops for his tourists. Noticing the group was a male elephant, with tusks that seemed to reach the sky. The gargantuan beast was angered by the intrusion of humans and suddenly charged the Cruiser at full gallop.
Without hesitating, Jimmy jumped out of the Cruiser and started walking calmly toward the charging pachyderm with outstretched arms. The huge beast was startled by this gesture, as were Abu and the other tourists. Just a few feet away from Jimmy, the elephant came to a sudden halt, creating a cloud of dust that nearly covered Jimmy from head to toe. Then, with a gesture of friendship, the elephant wrapped its trunk around Jimmy and pulled him close.
Everyone was flabbergasted. When the tourists came back to reality, cameras were clicking away at a dizzying pace, capturing the event of a lifetime. Abu was upset with Jimmy’s recklessness, breaking a safety rule of touring, but remained silent because of the incredible outcome. The other tourists praised Jimmy for averting what was destined to become a disastrous event.
Onward they journeyed, looking for more wildlife. It didn’t take long to spot a pride of lions, 17 of them, prancing along the shoulder, looking for a shadowy spot to take their afternoon nap. There was a mixture of males, females, and four cubs sticking close to their moms.
Abu pulled alongside the felines for more photo ops for his tourists. Jimmy sat in a left seat, which was right next to the pride. Cameras were busy again. Suddenly, without any warning, a male lion, with a beautiful thick black mane, reached in to grab one of the tourists. Abu quickly reached for his rifle, but it wasn’t necessary. Jimmy reached out to take hold of the lion’s paw.
Then everything came to a halt, the Cruiser and the lions. Jimmy jumped out and started stroking the cat’s beautiful mane. In return, the cat rose up on its hind legs and wrapped its paws around Jimmy’s neck, hugging him tightly. It was love at first sight. The cubs, in a show of affection, pranced around Jimmy’s feet. By now the tourists were ready for another spectacle, and they were photographing another amazing episode.
When the tourists returned to the home base, Abu and the tourists thanked Jimmy for his bravery. They all agreed to meet again next year for another safari, and Abu would be their guide. It would become an annual event, and the group would be looking for more of Jimmy Wilson’s magic.
