After having lived in the bush in Africa for over 9 months, and having been on hundreds of safaris, there was one thing I had left to do, and was more determined than ever to do it. I had not yet properly seen a cheetah in the wild (not counting the pair introduced in Marataba while I studied there). My research had indicated I would need to travel to a different part of the bush than where I was residing. I had a couple of weeks on a leave from my placement at Lion Sands Game Reserve, and this put Cheetah sightings within my grasp. You see, Cheetah won’t roam just anywhere. They need a certain landscape and environment to successfully hunt and be able to use their advantage of speed. Because of the lack of open plains where I was, I was going to have to go where I think I would be if I were a cheetah. It was the only way I was ever going to find one.
In life we often set goals and have intentions which we need to investigate, prepare for, research, then execute. If we don’t prepare properly, our efforts are often in vain. And even with all our ducks in a row, we sometimes are left empty handed. This is life. But the outcome must never diminish the value of the process. On this journey I learned a lot of things. This is what my search for cheetah taught me.
We all have goals, dreams, and achievements we strive for. There always needs to be that something that keeps us growing and trying. That unreachable thing we long for to keep us motivated and keep us passionate. For me, that thing was experiencing and photographing Cheetah. It is a beautiful, unique, illusive, vulnerable animal, and underestimated at times. It was the one thing that really burned a fire in my belly to strive for. And in fact, every time I visit Africa now, I go with only one goal in mind – to find Cheetah and light that fire again.
On my search for Cheetah I was forced on the road less travelled, because Cheetah like a terrain different than everything else. In life choices we sometimes need to do this. Against the grain, or despite the advise of others, we listen to our inner voice and take a chance. We do things the hard way because sometimes this is the best way for us. At times these paths led me around mountains, over the bumpiest of roads, through flat lands and grassy plains, and hours of seeing nothing. At times I felt like I was wasting my days by searching for this ghost of a predator. I could have been searching and finding so many other things, so I often found myself resenting my need to find the infamous Cheetah. In those moments it is easy to get down on ourselves for our decisions having had no validation. We doubt what we have done, and why we are doing it. We let other peoples opinions start to creep in when they said it was a bad decision or the wrong thing for us to do. Maybe they said you are wasting your time, and in this moment you start to wonder if they are right. This is when we need to dig deep and remember what is driving us. We must not lose focus. We must have faith and hold our course.
I was driving the main tar road getting near my camp for the night. I had spent over 10 hours looking at grass and trees feeling completely defeated. I had about an hour to spare, so when I seen a 10 km loop off the main road, I knew I could afford to detour a little. I never waste a minute in Africa. It was my final day before having to depart to return back to my home at the Reserve. It was Fathers Day, and the radio was playing sad songs dedicated to dear old dad. So, now I was not only missing cheetah, but now I was also missing my family! As I drove I remember I was acknowledging in my own mind just how much sacrifice I made to be in Africa for that year. I gave up my job, relationships, and life as I knew it. I think it is important to be aware of your investment into an endeavour. This creates value and harvests a sense of pride, courage, and accomplishment, even when you don’t find what you were looking for. It is more about gratitude. I once read a book that discussed wanting things, and how if all you ever say is ‘you want’, you will simply get that – more wanting. But when you are thankful for the opportunity to discover something, experience it, or acquire it, it will come to you. It was only in that moment that the Universe shared her gifts with me.
I looked ahead and there he was. A beautiful male cheetah lay across the road blocking my path. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I sat in awe as this cat shared my gaze. He rolled over on his back to have a little scratch, have a stretch, and eventually made his way into the long grass, ever so relaxed.
As he raised himself up and starting heading into a field, I started my car to move closer. The tune ‘Fight Song’ was streaming across the airways. A song which now represents to me clearly all the lessons in this sighting every time I hear it. It was my validation that I was not wrong. Not by a long shot.
Before he disappeared into the sunset, he turned to look back at me. For a moment we shared something indescribable and so very special.
What I learnt was we don’t always get what we want in the moment that we want it. I spent days driving around mountains, getting off the main road, and taking the beaten path with no other cars in sight. In these moments I sometimes wondered if I was wasting my time. Yet, I persist every time. It is when we are truly ready, the Universe aligns with us. Sometimes it is through travelling on the rocky roads, and taking the wrong turns or hitting dead ends, and maybe having a breakdown, that is part of the essential journey to our ultimate destination. Only then do we have the level of appreciation and gratitude to truly embrace the moments. We tend to undervalue that which comes too easily.
When I go to Africa I do not go to see Leopards, Elephants, the Big 5, or anything else. I go to see Cheetah. If I went to see everything, I would never see cheetah. Instead, on my way to finding that Cheetah, I will see leopards, elephants, the Big 5, and everything else. And without fail, Cheetah have been my last and best sighting on my final day of all the safari visits I have made since my stay there. Always reaching out for that near unattainable thing is the drive and the passion coming to the surface. We all need to be challenged. We need to stay aware. We need to be in harmony and balance with Mother Nature and the Universe. I honestly believe, because I have proven it time and again, that intention and energy pave the way on our journey. When we do not listen to our inner voice, or gut feeling, is when we travel in circles and never get to where we are going, or find what we are looking for. Because I am in tune with that inner voice, I always enjoy the journey because I know what is waiting for me. I just need to find it.
So, what is your Cheetah?