It was just a matter of time. Here in this African National Park, one moment we were watching a cheetah stealthily making its way toward a herd of deer, perfectly blending into the tall yellow grass. The next, it vanished entirely as it crouched beneath the bushes, hidden from its prey. If I hadn’t kept my eyes glued to the subtle flick of its tail and my camera lens sharply focused, I’m certain I would have missed it.

What was even more captivating was witnessing the herd of gazelles switch from leisurely grazing to being acutely aware of their predator. It was as if a switch had flipped. The lead buck quickly urged the others to move away from their grazing spot, positioning himself toward the now-hidden cheetah. His ears flicked, adjusting to every sound, signaling to the herd about the imminent danger.

Sitting in my safari jeep, a good hundred meters away from this unfolding drama, I was in complete awe. But I wasn’t the only one; around ten other safari jeeps packed with equally eager tourists surrounded us, all hoping to witness something extraordinary. Unlike us, however, they wanted a front-row view. My uncle, our tour guide and a devoted animal enthusiast, chose to keep a respectful distance to avoid disrupting the natural hunting process.

For as long as I can remember, the lyrics to Toto’s "Africa" — “sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti” — would conjure images of a massive snow-capped mountain, overlooking vast open spaces reminiscent of the Pride Lands from "The Lion King." I was thrilled to find that my vision of Mt. Kilimanjaro matched reality, though I had underestimated its vastness. Encompassing the landscape, Mt. Kili was a sight to behold. Growing up in Sri Lanka, I had never seen such expansive land. Stretching from its foothills far into the distance to its snowy peak, I couldn’t help but relish the feeling of finally experiencing a lifelong dream.

Amboseli National Park is located in southern Kenya, bordering Tanzania. This African game-park is roughly three hours from Nairobi. We arrived mid-afternoon, just in time for a drive into the park. I didn’t expect to be greeted by herds of zebras and giraffes just five minutes after entering. Safe to say, my first impressions of the park were impeccable.

I’ve heard many safari goers say their primary goal in visiting an African game reserve is to see the big cats. While that would have been a treat, spending three days driving through the park taught me three valuable lessons:

1. Every Sighting is a Gift

   Once you’re through those gates, you’re in the Animal Kingdom, which owes you nothing. Every animal you see is a privilege. I learned to appreciate the hours spent sitting in a parked jeep, watching herds of elephants interact with one another. The matriarch leading the herd, young mothers keeping a gentle eye on the babies, and even the adolescent males having playful standoffs with their trunks raised at each other. It was like watching a 100-member family on a road trip, the care, protection, and security the herd provided to each other were just like a human family — if anything, it was even more fascinating.

   
   

2. Who You’re With Matters

   The essence of time can’t quite be captured once inside the park. This was one of the many advantages of taking our own vehicle. We weren’t rushed like those who came with safari companies. We had the chance to drive at our leisure throughout the entire day, soaking in everything Amboseli had to offer. I was with people who not only loved animals but also appreciated the flora and fauna. Being able to marvel at the shapes of savannah trees, the changing landscapes, and the different types of grass near water bodies was a joy. More than anything, the patience required to witness something magnificent made the experience memorable. The local Maasai tribe roamed the park's outskirts with their herds of cattle. Dressed in their traditional red robes and jewelry, carrying spears but wearing warm smiles, they looked like something out of the magazines we grew up reading.

   
   

3. It’s a Universal Thing

   I used to think that safari jeeps speeding down dusty park roads was just a Sri Lankan thing. That was until I saw countless jeeps leaving a trail of brown dust behind them here in Africa, too. If you’re still curious about whether I got to watch the hunt I mentioned at the beginning, I’m sorry to say the line of jeeps getting up close made the leopard wary and also alerted the deer. The constant interruptions disrupted the natural hunting process, leaving the cheetah and us disappointed. The only ones who were probably happy about it were the gazelle.

The entire experience helped me realize the importance of being mindful. Being aware of your surroundings and appreciating what nature offers from a distance that doesn’t interrupt or hinder the experience is crucial. Be present to enjoy the simple, profound moments these experiences provide. Treasure each of them and last but definitely not least don't forget your camera!.