Lately I have been thinking of Africa. I have been fortunate to go there twice, first to Tanzania then to South Africa. In many ways, my heart is there, for my work is largely about the natural world, a world that is disappearing rapidly. Poverty, disease, over-population, unstable governments, lack of basic public services, all are affecting the continent. And, as the population grows, the once pristine areas of that continent are disappearing.

Tanzania is one of the few states in Africa where there is stability of government, yet the country suffers from many of the maladies that trouble the continent. I found its people to be friendly, industrious, and very much aware of what their country offers to the rest of the world. As the cradle of human kind, it is a precious place that each of us should work to preserve.

This is a video from shots I made in 2004 when my son John and I spent two incredible weeks there. I titled the video “The place that once was,” and I pray that someday I will visit there again, and that the place I found will still be there along with the friends I made while there.

We are grateful to Elvis Barnabas, our guide, who soon became our friend and for whom we have the highest admiration. He is, without doubt, the best guide in Tanzania. If you ever go there, contact me, I have his telephone number and email address. He is Tanzania!