A is for Albie, and aardvark too, He’s unable to find one except in a zoo! He’s also an artist, and almost a genius his photos are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!

B is for beauty which is clearly held in people and nature and mountains and veldt.

C is for cheetah and crocodile grim. The former runs fast and the latter can swim.

D is for Africa’s beautiful dawn, heralding joy as a new day is born.

E is for elephant – what else could it be. They have right of way in the Bush you’ll agree.

F is for Freda, a mother and spy, who watches poor Albie with many a sigh. His manners she worries are not up to scratch, but actually better you’d find hard to match. G is for giraffe, a rhyme hard to find. They are graceful and gentle, elegant and kind.

H is for hyrax whose ancient par-ent, was an ancestor of our large tusked elephant. Also the hyena, an ugly old thing but cheeky, mischievous and thinks he is king. I is for insects of which there are loads I hate them as much as I dislike the toads.

J is for Jackie, an aunt by adoption, to avoid her bad jokes there isn’t an option. Her skills with a camera get better and better by following Albie’s advice to the letter. K is the K in Laikipia spelling, reminding me where my friend Peter is dwelling.

L is for leopard and lion and others. All can climb trees and will fight with their brothers.

M is for Mia whose generous cuddles makes leave-taking tears form enormous deep puddles. She sleeps where she sits and gets up like a lark and is as precious as that damned elusive aardvark. N is for nightjar who sleeps on the road, but Albie can’t catch one despite what we’re told.

O is for ostrich, a bird with long legs. Both male and female sit on the eggs.

P is for Petla who just like her Dad is good with a camera and jokes that are bad. In English or Afrikaans, either will pass and the command of both languages impresses her class. Q is a question – will I come again. The chances are nil hence this final refrain.

R is for rivers- in Africa lots – they yield opportunities for good photo shots.

S is for snakes with which Albie’s obsessed. They give Freda nightmares and disturb her rest.

T is for tortoise, slow it would appear – but they can win races never you fear.

U is unusual creatures you find, like white tailed bush babies and things of that kind.

V is for vultures, they clean up the Bush but not without many a shove and a push.

W is for wild dog and waterholes rare. Both photogenic but cannot compare.

X for the kisses that everyone sends to show all the world that we have become friends.

Y is for yellow billed stork – the poor “fella” has to go round with a nose that is “yeller”.

Z is for zebra to complete the list. Each one of these alphabet things will be missed.

But I’ve had forty years to enjoy the above. Now I leave them in peace with a slice of my love.

Jaqueline Strong

Chat to an expert to start planning your trip

Get in touch and one of our luxury travel experts will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream tailor-made holiday.

Serena Winn-Darley
Aisha Gross
Caroline Maber

Related articles

What to Expect on a Horseback Riding Safari

READ MORE +

What to Expect on a Walking Safari

READ MORE +

A Guide to Mobile Safaris

READ MORE +