African Safari - My Big Dream

I have wanted to go on an African Safari for a long time now. I have planned it a few times - to go for a milestone year in my life. Sadly it just hasn't seemed to work out yet because of finances. But it's still a giant item to check off on my bucket list.

There's something appealing about seeing these incredible animals out in the wild in their own habitat. Plus seeing them wandering around with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background has to be a life changing experience. At least I would hope so.

My current timeline for accomplishing this ultimate trip is in 2017. That will be a significant birthday marker for me, and it gives me three years to save up. If possible, I also want to ride an elephant while in Africa.

As I've mentioned this big dream of mine to people, many have had the same response for me.

 

 And it really ticks me off.

 

"Just go to the zoo. The animals are all there and you'll save yourself a lot of money."

 

 

I'm not riding an elephant at the zoo. It's NOT the same thing. Just like seeing these animals in the zoo is NOT the same thing as seeing them in the wild. Riding in a windowless jeep through the plains while watching these animals grazing and running all around you doesn't compare to seeing them cramped in cages. Are you really going to tell me that's the same thing? If so, you're an idiot in my book and we can't be friends.

 

In looking at different places, that are tourist friendly, I came across this Big 5 marathon package deal. You spend a few days traveling out through this animal reserve doing the safari thing and bush walks, and then one of those days you run a marathon.

Running through this wild animal reserve.

 

There are no barriers between you and the animals. It's all wide open spaces. It does look like they have a few patrols spaced out through the course with heavy duty ammo to keep you from getting eaten. If these live animals are not a good motivation to run then what is?

In the end you just have to run faster than the person behind you. Survival of the fittest.

 I know it's kind of a sick, weird, insane type of extreme event that has a ridiculous appeal to me, but I'm sure I'm not alone. The idea of running with (not from) these exotic animals in their natural African setting sounds kind of amazing.