b'soul-stirring journeysleft. We watched this for over two hours. Eleven animals ate from this kill and the ground was left clean. The circle of life and death was on full display.In Tanzania, we followed that most amazing of spectacles, the migration ofwildebeest. These animals are keystone species affecting the circle of life and the ecosystem. A wildebeest river crossing is one of the most spectacular things to see. For us, what made the biggest difference was the experience of our guide and driver, because once a crossing starts one needs to rush to a point by the river, close enough to have a full view, without spooking the animals. We saw some vehicles that had been waiting Ngorongoro, Tanzania miss a crossing because of an inexperienced guide or just bad luck. Although coming into the camp it was made very clear to us that seeing a wildebeest crossing was not guaranteed at all, we were lucky enough to see five!On one of these crossings a huge croco-dile launched an attack. It grabbed the rump of an unlucky wildebeest and tried to drown it. The wildebeest pushed on to the waters edge, but fell back in. It pushed out again, and then to everyones surprise freed itself and made a trembling exit. The croc gave up. The wildebeest caught its breath and slowly walked up the bank where a crowd of tourists and guides erupted in applause.It is very rare to see a wildebeest survive such an attack. That day we saw a hero, and we found it emblematic to witness a survivor of the worst circumstances. We witnessed many other excitingNgorongoro, Tanzania moments during this custom trip: a stand-off between a pack of giraffes and five female ful not to burst the stomach or intestines,lions with a cub, and the spectacular sunrise which would send smell signals to bigger over Tanzanias Ngorongoro crater that was predators. After every few bites she raisedlike a modern art painting, are just a few her head looking out for competition.examples. Before long, two hyenas swooped in toEast Africa measured up to everything steal the impala. They were bigger and thewe had wanted in an epic trip, and gave cheetah was full, tired, and uninterested inus much to contemplate. It reinforced our a fight. Despite having done all the hunt- belief in the need to highlight the plight of ing, she ate only ten percent of her kill. TheAfrican animals which have been exploited hyenas quickly and forcefully tore into thefor too long. It was a life-changing expe-kill. A group of jackals gathered around torience. I continue to learn and affirm that catch smaller pieces that scattered. A largenature represents the primordial aesthetic eagle swooped in for a portion only to bevalues present in anything that has beauty. chased off by three massive vultures. AsTravel photographers Guillermo Ceniceros andMore than ever this trip was a reminder of we watched, we were startled to see a fastKristi Lind first traveled with Enchanting Travelsthe importance of being connected to the and decisive pair of lions run in like footballto India. They had a great experience, which ledlarger world, and to understand that our players stealing a ball. The hyenas posed nothem to plan this trip to East Africa.actions have a ripple effect on everything More about this journey atopposition and the lions claimed what wasguillermocenicerosunbound.com around us. 58 \x1a BE ENCHANTED'