BEHIND THE FRAME: DAZZLING ZEBRA
11 November 2024
MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS: SO MUCH MORE THAN A PHOTO SAFARI
12 November 2024BEHIND THE FRAME: DAZZLING ZEBRA
11 November 2024MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS: SO MUCH MORE THAN A PHOTO SAFARI
12 November 2024MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
GUEST BLOG
MORE THAN JUST A PHOTO SAFARI
When I think about Wild Eye trips, the first thing that pops into my mind isn’t photography.
The photography aspect is, of course, important to me – it’s a core component of why I’m travelling to these locations and I’ve grown as a photographer thanks to the incredible guides I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from. However, the most memorable aspect of every single Wild Eye trip I’ve been on is the people I’ve established strong, lasting friendships with. Every group I’ve been with has been diverse in ages, nationalities, and personalities but the collective threads of loving exploring the world and photography ties us all together. In my experience, knowing this moment is fleeting in time and that you have a limited window of time to enjoy with like-minded people fast-tracks those friendships in a way you don’t get in your day-to-day life.
I don’t think it’s a secret or a surprise to anyone that making new friends as an adult is a challenge. We’re all busy with so many commitments, it feels almost like a miracle when you connect with others and develop friendships while you’re going through your everyday life. To be able to create connections with people from around the world is a blessing and I truly believe those experiences are far and away the most valuable take-away from Wild Eye trips.
I’ve been lucky enough to have met many people through different Wild Eye trips that I’ve kept in contact with for years, bonded through these brief periods in our life when we were to experience these phenomenal adventures together. Sure, I have some images I’m proud of from every trip I’ve been on but when I think back to my time in Madikwe, it’s the “Daily Rhino” quip with Silke or taking ridiculous dancing photos with Mo that pops into my head. In Uganda, it’s laughing with Jane about our insane journey into Entebbe or the elation on everyone’s faces when we reached a gorilla troop at the top of a mountain. In the Kalahari, it’s the inside jokes (Photo Inception and B Comms Tracker will never be forgotten) developed during the quiet moments and the joy etched on everyone’s faces after a long day of tracking paid off with an amazing sighting. And in the Mara, I was fortunate enough to spend the week in a vehicle with Camilla, who became a close friend almost instantaneously. The entire time we were in the Mara was filled with laughter and joy and even though we had some epic sightings, the best thing taken out of that trip is that friendship (sorry Camilla, you’re stuck with me now) along with getting to know a group of absolutely amazing people in camp.
That’s the beauty of a Wild Eye trip and I cannot wait for the adventures that await me on my 2025 trips.
Tori Peterson
Wild Eye Guest
TRIP REPORT: NORTHERN SERENGETI SAFARI 2023
Find out about how our 2023 iteration of the our Northern Serengeti Scheduled Safari went. While enjoying some of ther stunning images and footage that came from the trip.