A Walk in Serengeti

Series: A Walk in Serengeti — adapted from my Korean-language e-Book published in South Korea The Warmth of Walking Together The morning sun slowly pushed away the mist that lingered over the plains. From a distance, an elephant family appeared, moving steadily across the grassland. Their footsteps were heavy, yet gentle — pressing the earth, creating a path that felt both new and ancient. There was no urgency in their movement. When a calf lagged behind, the herd slowed. When the sun grew strong, the adults shifted to offer shade. It was not just a walk. It was a rhythm — slow, deliberate, and deeply connected. An elephant family crossing the Serengeti plains in the early morning light Elephant families are built around care. At the center walks the matriarch, surrounded by calves and younger members. The herd does not rush, yet it never truly stops. Their pace is not about speed — it is about agreement . Even when danger appears, they pause, check on one another, and move agai...

How Lionesses Shape the Future of the Pride In the Serengeti, lions are often introduced as powerful hunters and symbols of dominance. Yet behind that image lies a quieter, less visible story — one shaped almost entirely by lionesses. These photographs capture a moment that speaks volumes about lion life: a group of lionesses and their cubs, without a single adult male in sight . This is not unusual. In fact, it is the foundation of how lions survive. Two lionesses stand alert as several cubs follow behind, moving cautiously across the dry riverbed Lionesses are the true backbone of a pride. They give birth, nurse, hunt, and protect the cubs together. When cubs are young, mothers often move them frequently — especially near waterholes — to reduce the risk of predators such as hyenas or wandering male lions. In this scene, the cubs walk closely behind the adults, learning not only where to go, but how to move, when to pause, and when to stay low . Lion cubs gather near their mothers,...

Not a Cactus, but a Survivor At first glance, this strange tree looks like a giant cactus rising from the plains of the Serengeti. Its thick, upright branches reach toward the sky, as if frozen in a silent gesture of resilience. Many visitors assume it is a cactus — but it is not. What you are looking at is the Candelabra Tree ( Euphorbia candelabrum ) , one of the most distinctive plants found in the East African savanna. A candelabra tree standing tall against the wide Serengeti sky, its form resembling a giant cactus. Despite its cactus-like appearance, the candelabra tree belongs to the Euphorbia family , a group of succulent plants native to Africa. True cacti evolved in the Americas, while Euphorbia species developed similar shapes independently — a fascinating example of convergent evolution , where different plants adapt in similar ways to survive dry environments. Multiple candelabra trees growing among acacias, blending into the rugged landscape of the savanna. In the Sereng...

Closing the Big Five Series — A Story Without a Photograph This is the final chapter of my Big Five series. Over the past months, I have shared my own photographs and memories of lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards—animals I met countless times during my journeys across the Serengeti. But today’s story is different. The black rhino, the last member of the Big Five, is the one animal I have never been able to photograph . Not because I didn’t try, but because the rhino has almost vanished from the places I normally travel. Even local guides in Seronera told me that rhinos no longer roam the central plains. They survive only in highly protected corners of the park, far from where most visitors pass. So instead of sharing a photo, I want to share a reality. This final chapter is not about what I saw through my camera, but about what we may no longer see at all. It is a reminder that the Big Five is more than a safari checklist—it is a story of survival, loss, and hope. And th...

Scenes from the Savannah There is a silent ruler of the Serengeti—one who does not roar like a lion nor thunder across the plains like an elephant. Instead, it moves through shadows, branches, and the unseen corners of the savannah. The leopard, the most elusive of the Big Five, reveals itself only when it chooses to… and often only for a moment. During my many journeys through the Serengeti, I have encountered lions dozens of times, elephants in impressive herds, and buffaloes almost daily. But a leopard? That’s always a rare gift—unexpected, unpredictable, and unforgettable. A Resting Ghost on the Branches A master of camouflage—this leopard drapes itself across the acacia branch, half-asleep yet fully aware of every sound around it This first sighting appeared almost by accident. At a glance, the tree looked empty—a tangle of twisting limbs and rough bark. Only after carefully scanning the branches did the truth reveal itself: a long tail hanging lazily, spotted legs stretched i...