Known as the animal that symbolises Tanzania for its grace, as well as its long neck and towering height—which represent vision and the ability to see both past and present—the giraffe moved slowly across the road seemingly oblivious to the tortoise it had accidentally knocked over. The tortoise lay upside down, struggling to right itself prompting us to stop our vehicle and wait to ensure the giraffe’s safe passage.
In the wild, animals always have the right of way. Yet the tortoise was still unable to get back on its feet. I decided to step out of the vehicle, carefully lifting it from underneath—because picking a tortoise up by its shell is painful to them—and gently placed it on the grass so it could continue its journey. I felt proud to have done the right thing and to have acted responsibly.
Not far away, perched on an acacia tree—possibly the scented thorn (Acacia nilotica)—was a small terrestrial dove. Its emerald wing spots glistened as the sunlight caught them: the beautiful Emerald-spotted Wood Dove. This delicate bird, named for its striking patches of green, is often recognised by its soft, distinctive call—an essential sound of the bush.
The dove has long symbolised peace, love and harmony, and always reminds me of the story of Noah in the Bible. During the forty days of rain, Noah first sent out a raven, which returned to the Ark. He then sent a dove, which also came back. On a second attempt, the dove returned carrying an olive branch—proof of life on land and the promise of a new beginning. In the Genesis flood narrative, Noah is chosen by God to survive the devastating deluge and ensure the continuation of both humans and animals (Genesis 7).
The night before, at the lodge where we stayed in Seronera, I sat sipping coffee on the veranda when I was delighted by some unusual visitors. Small creatures such as rats, elephant shrews, owls and bushbabies appeared, and to my amazement, a porcupine too—the first I had ever seen. Its slow, cautious movements and armoured appearance made it especially fascinating. We stayed perfectly still as it approached. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot shoot their quills, though their tails are designed to flick them upon contact. Each quill—of which a porcupine may have as many as 30,000—is barbed and serves as a powerful defensive weapon.
Later, on a clear afternoon, I enjoyed sightings of a Red-fronted Tinkerbird, a Chinspot Batis and a Southern Black Tit, while a giraffe lifted its head from a waterhole, droplets sliding gracefully down its long muzzle.
