The “Five” Alive, redefining the Big Five!
We’re all familiar with the classic safari phrase, the “Big Five,” which refers to Africa’s most iconic and formidable animals. There’s also talk of the “Northern Five,” those elusive creatures unique to the northern regions, and of course, the “Little Five”my personal favorite being the rhino beetle. But after years spent immersed in the wild, I’ve come to believe that the truly essential “five” are the Five Alive our senses. The African wilderness has a remarkable way of reconnecting us to our senses, allowing us to rediscover ourselves and truly “feel” the vibrancy of life all around us. The saying “you caught the Africa bug” perfectly captures how the continent awakens your senses sometimes it doesn’t quite make sense, but it’s an experience that absolutely happens!
As a child, my mom always said you can “smell” the rain in Africa and it’s true. There’s nothing more invigorating; it’s as if the earth itself comes alive. Mikey always reminds us that indeed this “smell” activates an innate human sense that when raindrops hit dry soil, they release a distinctive scent into the air through geosmin molecules. We’re naturally sensitive to this smell, which scientists believe may be an evolutionary adaptation and once helped our ancestors find water.
And then there’s “sight”an experience that is truly awe-inspiring. Imagine lying on the Star Beds at Sasaab, or anywhere deep in the wilderness, far from any light pollution. The equatorial constellations shine in full glory, turning the night sky into a living tapestry. Fireflies drift by, flickering like nature’s own fireworks, while above you stretches an endless expanse that has guided explorers and tribes for centuries long before GPS existed. The sheer magnitude of the stars becomes undeniable when you’re sleeping beneath them, protected only by a net and the crisp, open air. It’s a feeling of wonder and connection that you simply can’t find anywhere else.
“Touch ”oh, there is so much to experience. You feel it best when on foot or on horseback, even on a camel, truly immersed in the landscape. You might get “touched” by the “wait-a-bit” thorn, or, as you follow animal tracks, you glide your fingers through the dust to gauge how fresh the prints are. Encountering an elephant or buffalo up close, realizing just how massive and impressive these creatures truly are. In those moments, you find yourself drifting closer to your guides Mikey, Sessen, and the Scouts as your adrenaline starts to pump, heightening every sensation.
When you stop and the car turns off in the middle of nowhere, your guide chirps up, “Breakfast time!” They pull a table from below your feet, a stove slide out carefully curated from the car and your bush breakfast becomes a true culinary delight. Then, the “taste” kicks in: I have never seen so much bacon eaten as that cooked off the back of the car. Pancakes scurry to hungry mouths, dripping in syrup, and it all just tastes better in the midst of the infused African bush!
At the end of the day, as you settle into bed whether in a tent or surrounded by the breathtaking wilderness the “sound” of the bush truly comes alive. The night transforms into a wild orchestra: the whoop of hyenas, the roar of lions over a fresh kill, the crackle of the campfire accompanied by stories shared under the stars, and, at dawn, a vibrant chorus as the birds greet the new day. Every note feels intimate and authentic. In these moments, you’re not just hearing sounds you're experiencing the living, breathing circle of life.