Returning to Kenya five years after filming Safari of my Life
Lessons for Life
I can’t believe it has been five years since we went to Kenya with Klaus to film “Safari of My Life.” I still think about it all the time, but never more than when I get bored with daily life. However, I do not necessarily miss the adventure of the trip; it is something else. Something more fundamental.
I don’t mean to dismiss the adventure. Making a film for the first time in a foreign place was incredible. We got to immerse ourselves in the real wilderness with all its sights, sounds, and smells for 30 days. We worked hard to get the best shots and capture the most elusive animals.
Despite his condition, Klaus always wanted more of a challenge. He could have easily stayed to rest at the camp more often. Most safari tourists only spend two to three hours in the bush before heading back for lunch and a quiet afternoon by the pool. Sometimes we wished we could do that too, instead of driving for miles over bumpy terrain and waiting up to six hours for a lion to stir from its 16-hour nap. But at least once John and Klaus found a setup, we would set up “camp” in that position and spend hours talking about life and occasionally taking turns to snooze for a bit. He did get rest.
The time I spent with Klaus taught me a big lesson. Klaus had many difficult paths to choose from, but he usually chose the hardest one. Even though it was tough, it was the one that made him feel at peace inside. Sometimes he had to work hard before getting the result he wanted. Eventually, he did get the rest he needed, but it wasn’t the most obvious or easiest way to get it.
Do it your way
I don’t mean to dismiss the adventure. Making a film for the first time in a foreign place was incredible. We got to immerse ourselves in the real wilderness with all its sights, sounds, and smells for 30 days. We worked hard to get the best shots and capture the most elusive animals.
Despite his condition, Klaus always wanted more of a challenge. He could have easily stayed to rest at the camp more often. Most safari tourists only spend two to three hours in the bush before heading back for lunch and a quiet afternoon by the pool. Sometimes we wished we could do that too, instead of driving for miles over bumpy terrain and waiting up to six hours for a lion to stir from its 16-hour nap. But at least once John and Klaus found a setup, we would set up “camp” in that position and spend hours talking about life and occasionally taking turns to snooze for a bit. He did get rest.
The time I spent with Klaus taught me a big lesson. Klaus had many difficult paths to choose from, but he usually chose the hardest one. Even though it was tough, it was the one that made him feel at peace inside. Sometimes he had to work hard before getting the result he wanted. Eventually, he did get the rest he needed, but it wasn’t the most obvious or easiest way to get it.
Spending time together
I learned the second lesson when I saw Klaus meet his family in Kenya. It was amazing to see him so happy with the people he loved. That’s when I realised that the most important thing is spending time with the people we care about. This trip was just a way to see that.
Talking to Klaus and John in those long waits is more memorable to me than seeing any animals or sunrises, although those were amazing. Celebrating good photos together is more memorable than the photos themselves. Keeping Klaus company during his chemotherapy after the trip is more memorable than the entire adventure of Kenya.
I value the time we got to spend together and the lessons I learned, even though it was brief.
Making it count
When I’m stuck in traffic these days, or working on a tedious project, I think back to spending time with a great role model. It reminds me that I have a choice in how I see things and to not always take the easy path. Though editing the film was tedious, the result was worth it.
I can safely say that everyone that knew Klaus appreciates time spent together with him. May his passing be a reminder to cherish every moment, not just during big events, happy times & grand adventures.
Going back
In less than a week, Sandra, the kids, and I will return to the Masai Mara in honour of Klaus’s memory. We are grateful for the opportunity to stay at Angama again, and to spend time together in this special place that Klaus loved so dearly.
We don’t yet know the exact outcome of our time in Kenya, but we promise to share our experiences with you.
Dean Paarman
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