Sheltered beneath a canopy of majestic Acacia Tortillis in a remote and secluded corner of Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, Swala Camp, remains, and always will, one of the most memorable places I have stayed in my lifetime.

Swala Camp is located within Tarangire National Park borders. The park is an easy 115 km’s from Arusha on excellent roads and the camp itself is another 67 km’s into the park. This section of the park is exceptionally private with no other camps around.

I shall never forget my arrival there. I was greeted by the camp manager Seija, a delightful lady from Sweden who left the urban world to find adventure and joy with her husband Simon in Africa. I was offered a hot towel to wash away the dust from my face and hands, then ushered to my tent nearby.

The tent was fully self-contained, with a flushing toilet and hot water shower (although the guys who work at the camp must get up really early to fire the water heater so you can enjoy a shower at 0530 hours)! It was explained to me that there is a pad lock and attached key on the screen enclosure. A padlock, I thought, why would that be necessary? And why is the key there? Well, it seems, the monkeys who live in the area, like very much to explore the tents to find food and other things that monkeys would like to have. So, the padlock is necessary to keep them out. Apparently the monkeys have figured out how to use the zipper to open the enclosure but they have not mastered using the key to open the padlock!!!

My son and I explored the area around the camp and soon found wildlife everywhere. One of my favorite photographs was made there.

After what can only be described as the finest meal I have ever enjoyed in my lifetime, my son and I were escorted to our tent in the darkness by a young Maasai warrior. I remember asking him what the Maasai believed. He responded after a time by saying, “The Maasai believe in the tree.” I asked again, what do you mean? He responded: “When an elder Maasai dies, his body is placed beneath a tree. A cow is slaughtered and placed next to the elder. Soon the Elder, the cow, and the tree are one.” I was stunned by his answer, for it reminded me of Plato’s concept of Gaia. The earth as one living thing.

That night my son was awakened by what he first thought were my snores. As it turns out, it wasn’t me that disturbed his sleep, it was a Cape Buffalo, just outside our tent, that was snoring away!

And, at 0500 hours, when I was brought a pot of coffee, I sat on the small porch of my tent, and listened to the sounds of Africa. Somewhere in the distance I heard the cry of a Leopard.

And I realized then just how fortunate I am, to have gone to this wonderful place with my son and to have memories that will remain with me forever.