Serengeti, Tanzania: The Great Migration

There’s nothing quite like the Serengeti at just before sunrise. Before the golden light spreads across the savannah, you feel the world awakening around you. The air is thick with anticipation, and then, in the distance, you hear it—a low, rhythmic rumble that grows louder as the horizon comes alive with movement as dawn breaks through the haze. Thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move in unison, like a living river, across the plains.

The constant movement of columns of wildebeest, joined by a host of companions, follow an age-old route in search of grazing and water. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animals journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year. Along the way, high drama is always present, as thousands of animals are taken by predators and thousands more are born, replenishing the numbers and sustaining the circle of life. Predators like lions and hyenas are constantly hunting for babies, and thousands and thousands of calves are born within a couple weeks of each other – a feast for the eyes of true wildlife enthusiasts.

The migration is not without risk: crossing rivers means facing about 3,000 crocodiles, patiently waiting for a kill. Not to mention the famous Serengeti lion population: by far the largest in Africa. Despite the abundance of hoofed meat in this area, life is not easy for these big cats in this unforgiving landscape. As you watch these animals move, you realize how intricately their lives are intertwined—each one playing a role in the delicate balance of this ecosystem. The predators are never far behind, with lions and hyenas hidden in the grass, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Conservation is critical here. Without protected migration routes and anti-poaching efforts, this breathtaking event could one day cease to exist. The Serengeti Conservation Project is on the front lines, ensuring that future generations can continue to witness this natural wonder.

How to Experience It: For the best view of the migration, visit between June and October. Choose an operator like Thomson Safaris, which actively supports conservation initiatives, ensuring that your journey contributes to preserving this unique ecosystem.

What I Learned: From the wildebeest, I learned the importance of perseverance. They remind us that sometimes, survival is about movement—trusting the path, even when we don’t know what’s waiting for us on the other side.

Mirissa, Sri Lanka: The Gentle Giants of the Sea

Imagine drifting on the calm waters off Sri Lanka’s coast, the sun glinting on the horizon, when suddenly, a massive shadow appears beneath the surface. A blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, emerges, sending a misty spout of water into the air. For a moment, time seems to stand still as you watch this gentle giant glide through the water with an elegance that seems impossible for a creature of its size.

Seeing a blue whale up close is humbling. Their sheer size is overwhelming, but it’s their grace that stays with you. Despite being the biggest animal to ever live, they move with a calmness that feels almost meditative. Yet these majestic creatures face immense threats from ship collisions and noise pollution. There are also many unethical whale watching tours (including in Mirissa). These companies overcrowd the whales and chase them relentlessly with no regard for their wellbeing. No matter where you are in the world it’s important to make sure any animal encounters are completely ethical. The Oceanswell Sri Lanka Blue Whale Project works tirelessly to protect these animals, advocating for safer shipping lanes and reducing human impact on their migratory routes.

How to Experience It: The best time to spot blue whales is between November and April. Choose a responsible operator like Raja & the Whales, which adheres to ethical whale-watching practices, ensuring the whales are observed without disturbing their natural behaviors.

What I Learned: The blue whale taught me that power doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s quiet and steady, moving through life with purpose and grace. They are a reminder that even the biggest beings can move gently through the world.

🙂

Ranthambhore National Park, India:
A Lesson from the Bengal Tiger

The day began early, just as the sun started to cast its first light over the edges of Ranthambhore National Park’s rugged landscape. Ranthambhore began as a powerful medieval kingdom, with its grand and “impregnable” fort at the center, controlling important trade routes to the rich Malwa plateau. In the 15th century, the Mughal emperor Akbar conquered Ranthambhore, and over time, the kingdom was abandoned. As the years passed, the fort and its surroundings fell into ruin, gradually reclaimed by the forest.

By the 1980s, the land was transformed into a protected tiger reserve under Project Tiger. Villages within the park were relocated, and slowly, the tigers began to return, turning Ranthambhore into one of India’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries..

Ranthambhore is now a place where the ancient meets the wild. Once the hunting grounds of Maharajas, the park is now a sanctuary for these endangered tigers. As we rumbled through the park in our jeep, ruins of old fortresses hidden among thick forests came into view, lakes shimmered in the early light, and rocky cliffs seemed to watch over the wildlife below.

The sounds of the jungle surround you—the hum of insects, the distant call of peacocks, and the occasional rustling in the bushes. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem, dotted with incredible architecture. The air was heavy with humidity, carrying the earthy scent of damp leaves and wild grasses. Our jeep bounced along the dirt track, our eyes scanning the terrain, knowing full well that spotting a tiger was not guaranteed.

We stopped near a watering hole, a known favorite spot for wildlife. Deer grazed nearby, and langur monkeys swung lazily from the trees, their dark eyes watching us with mild curiosity.

At first, our guide pointed out a shadow shifting between the trees. Slowly and silently, the tiger emerged from the underbrush, her amber eyes fixed on the water ahead. Every muscle in her body rippled with controlled power, her stripes blending seamlessly with the dappled shadows around her. She moved with the grace of a creature that knows she is the queen of this land—each step deliberate, each movement precise. It was as if the forest itself bowed to her presence.

For several moments, we were completely transfixed. The tiger padded softly to the edge of the water, her reflection shimmering in the surface as she bent to drink. Time seemed to slow down. Here was a creature perfectly at home in her environment—powerful yet patient, fierce yet calm.

When she finally finished, she lifted her head, her gaze sweeping the area as if to remind us that this was her domain. And just like that, she disappeared into the shadows again, leaving us with the weight of that unforgettable moment. As our drive through the park continued we did see a few more of these beautiful cats, strolling along on the road or lazily enjoying the shade from the ruins of the fort.

The work being done by Tiger Watch is crucial to ensuring that moments like this can still happen. With anti-poaching efforts and local community involvement, they are fighting to protect the small remaining population of wild Bengal tigers. Without these efforts, these tigers could face extinction in just a few decades.

How to Experience It: The best time for tiger sightings is between October and April, when the dry season forces animals to gather at waterholes. Book a jeep safari with Ranthambore Nature Guides, who know the territory and the tigers’ movements intimately. Their expertise increases your chances of a sighting, though there’s always an element of mystery in the wild.

What I Learned: From the tiger, I learned that true power comes from self-assurance. She moves with a confidence that shows she belongs, without needing to prove it. The tiger reminds us that in life, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is walk with calm certainty—knowing when to act, but never doubting your strength.

Komodo National Park, Indonesia:
Eye to Eye with the Komodo Dragon

When visiting Bali, I had the opportunity to take a side trip to Komodo.  This is the land of the Komodo dragon—a creature that seems plucked from a time when the world was wilder, more untamed. I went to Komodo National Park, a protected area that includes Komodo Island, Rinca Island and Padar Island. This UNESCO World Heritage site was established to protect the dragons and their unique ecosystem. Tourists typically visit Komodo Island and Rinca Island to see the dragons, as both offer guided treks with park rangers who help ensure the safety of both visitors and the dragons.  Female Komodo dragons lay between 15 to 30 eggs each year. Once these eggs hatch, the tiny, vulnerable babies waste no time. They scramble up the nearest palm tree, desperate to escape their first threat: their own mother and other adult dragons, who wouldn’t hesitate to devour them. Safe in the branches, each young dragon claims its own tree and lives a solitary life for the next three to five years. During this time, they feed on caterpillars, bees, and eventually small lizards, all while growing stronger and waiting for the day they can survive on the ground.

By the time these juvenile dragons descend from the trees, they’re already quite formidable—about 6.5 feet long and weighing around 55 pounds. Still, they aren’t considered adults until they’re eight or nine years old. Females live up to about 30, while males can reach ages of 50 to 60. As fully grown adults, Komodo dragons become the largest lizards on earth, stretching up to 10 feet (3 meters) and weighing as much as 200 pounds (90 kilos). Their sheer size is a result of something called “island gigantism,” a process where species on isolated islands evolve to become larger due to a lack of natural predators.

Ironically, their greatest threat—besides humans—is other dragons. This fierce cannibalistic behavior helps regulate their population, ensuring the island doesn’t become overrun. With no other animals daring to challenge them, it’s this harsh reality that allows Komodo dragons to reign supreme on the five Indonesian islands they call home.

Interestingly, there are about three male dragons for every female, as our guide explained to us. The temperature determines the sex of the hatchlings—warmer temperatures result in more females, while cooler conditions produce more males. “Hot chicks and cold dudes,” he joked. With global warming on the rise, the temperature shifts could alter the gender balance and the dragon population, though no one knows exactly how this will play out.

The Komodo dragon’s hunting method is a mix of patience and brutality. One bite can take down prey as large as a water buffalo. It’s not the force of their bite but rather the potent combination of venom and bacteria in their saliva that makes it lethal. Once bitten, an animal’s blood flow increases, helping to spread the deadly bacteria, leading to shock, sepsis, and eventually organ failure. The process can take days, and the dragon isn’t in any rush. It simply follows the injured animal, sensing the blood with its long, forked tongue, until the prey collapses. When that moment comes, other dragons often join in, quickly tearing the animal apart.

There’s no denying that Komodo dragons are fearsome creatures, even to humans. Our guide told us chilling tales, like that of a seven-year-old boy who was snatched from his porch and mauled by a dragon—a sobering reminder of the dangers that still exist in these islands. Hearing this, I felt a shiver of fear the first time I saw one up close, a strange mix of awe and primal fear tugging at me. It looked every bit like a relic from the prehistoric age, and I instinctively took a step back.

Thankfully, there are three conservation zones across the islands, and the majority of these dragons live far from daily human contact. Listed as a “Vulnerable” species, Komodo dragons are at risk of becoming endangered if their habitats aren’t protected. For now, they continue to roam their island home, powerful and untamed, just as they have for millions of years.

There’s something mesmerizing about the way Komodo dragons move. Every step is measured, their presence is heavy as they move low and slow across the ground. But don’t be fooled.  Despite their slow, deliberate movements when walking, Komodo dragons can run up to 12 miles per hour (20 km/h) in short bursts when chasing prey. This surprising speed helps them ambush their prey effectively, though they are primarily known for their stealth and patience. These are apex predators who hunt deer, wild boar, and other mammals, including other dragons.  They are survivors, perfectly adapted to their harsh environment. And yet, even these formidable creatures face threats from habitat destruction and illegal hunting. The Komodo Survival Program is dedicated to protecting them, working to ensure their habitat remains undisturbed by human development.

How to Experience It: The best time to visit Komodo National Park is from April to December. Join a guided tour with rangers from Komodo Island Tours, who know how to safely navigate the dragons’ territory while respecting their natural behaviors.

What I Learned: From the Komodo dragon, I learned that true strength lies in knowing when to act. They teach us that life requires both patience and swift, decisive action—sometimes, waiting for the right moment is as powerful as making your move.

Donsol, Philippines: Swimming with Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are giant spotted creatures that move gracefully through the water.  While in the Philippines I took a boat tour out into the depths for an opportunity to see them, and possibly even swim with them.  The water was warm as I slipped beneath the surface, my heart racing with anticipation and a bit of nervousness. Suddenly, there it was—a whale shark, its massive, spotted body cutting through the water with slow, steady grace. Despite its size, there was a gentleness in its movements, a calm assurance that left me feeling quite small.

To keep the habitat as undisturbed as possible, please remember:
Don’t touch the Whale Sharks

Don’t restrict the movement of the Whale Shark or impede its natural path

The recommended distance from the whale shark is 3 meters from the tail

No flash photography.

No scuba scooters, jet skis or any motorized underwater propulsion

A maximum of 6 snorkelers per Whale Shark

Only one boat per Whale Shark

Swimming alongside a whale shark is an experience like no other. These gentle giants glide through the water, filtering plankton as they go, completely unfazed by the humans watching in awe. But their peaceful existence is under threat from overfishing and habitat loss. Thankfully, the WWF Philippines works closely with local communities to protect these incredible creatures, promoting sustainable tourism and marine conservation.

How to Experience It: Whale shark season in Donsol runs from November to June, with peak sightings from February to May. Book with operators like Donsol EcoTourism, which prioritize the safety and conservation of the whale sharks, ensuring respectful encounters.

What I Learned: The whale shark taught me that even in a fast-moving world, there’s beauty in slowing down. Their gentle pace reminds us that life isn’t a race—and moving forward with intention and awareness can get us wherever we’re going with a bit less stress.

Each of these wild encounters has left an indelible mark on me, not just as a traveler but as a person. There’s something profoundly humbling about seeing animals in their natural environments, free from the constraints of human interference. They live with a sense of purpose and grace, each one playing a vital role in the ecosystems that sustain them. But these experiences are also a call to action. The wildlife we admire today is facing unprecedented threats, from habitat destruction to poaching. By supporting conservation efforts and choosing responsible travel, we have the power to protect these creatures and their homes. Organizations like the Serengeti Conservation Project, Sri Lanka Blue Whale Project, Tiger Watch, Komodo Survival Program, and WWF Philippines are leading the charge, but they need our help.

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