A New Book from an Old Client

Words and Photos by Richard Lynn. Presented by Guided Safaris®

“We are back. Some of our fondest memories in our book are from the birthday trip you arranged for us. Guided Safaris delivered everything they said they would. No wonder you team so well with places like Mombo and Singita. It was a great trip the entire way. The wildlife sightings and experiences were incredible in Mombo. However, we did have our single greatest wildlife experience of all time while we were at Singita – Wow and horrific at the same time. Thanks for putting the pieces of the trip together for us. Hopefully, we will have you do it again for us in the near future. All the best!”

– Richard & Amy Lynn, pictured together at Mombo Camp, Botswana.

The Sarcastic Lens: A unique safari photography book

Introduction by Sophia Hyet, CEO – Guided Safaris®

When one is so passionate about animals, a candidly shared moment from a travel encounter quickly becomes a personal issue that one finds mutual empathy with amongst likeminded souls. That is the beauty of venturing out on safari and staying in these small and intimate camps, sharing a vehicle and guide to explore the bush and campside stories swapped till late hours around a bonfire. Back home, boots and duffels are wiped clean of the ancient red dust of Africa and photography is largely what evokes rich memories of favorite episodes recounted again to friends. It’s really what we all, whether on a maiden safari voyage or those for whom Africa is now second home, hope for when setting out on safari: Cameras are invested in, batteries and chargers packed in great anticipation of the photography ahead, for this is what will log the tale of our journey. The Lynns have a proud kitchen wall bulletined with photographs of ‘Welcome to’ signs from all 50 US States. A simple joy of travel; to document and share with others.

When Richard and Amy Lynn returned last summer from their latest African adventure we received a special email of thanks in our inbox. It began with a simple “We are back” and “Job well done” going on to recount their “Single greatest wildlife experience of all time”. They had a front-row Land Rover seat when the sad events recounting the last moments of Lady Ravenscourt were shed at Singita Game Reserves in South Africa. This resident alpha female leopard, one of Africa’s great legends and a constant subject for enthralled rangers and travelers in their magnificent records and photographs brought home, met her fateful maternal stand off against a dominant male on that wintery encounter. The email followed through with photos and a tale of sympathy torn from a very personal account. A morning that started with the mother and cub frolicking in the sunlight to the sudden entry of a third leopard on the scene. In their words, “Wow and horrific at the same time”. We pasted a leaf from their journal into our blog and received an outpour of empathy from travelers who had spent time with this beloved leopard and her photogenic posing to the delight of safari guests the world over. Their tale was witnessed as though in person by each traveler dropping in with Guided Safaris that afternoon.

Documenting journeys from the ’80s to today’s frantic air travel world, the Lynns meet and relay their odds and familiars with a salt-of-the-earth charm. The photography in The Sarcastic Lens is realistic and the beautiful subjects wow you to reach for your camera and set off to far-off lands. The animal encounters come packed with characterful anecdotes. It is an enjoyable and purely inspirational read, one that you probably will not do all at once. Like spinning a globe and shifting a trail down the table of continents, flip over to destinations that appeal on that particular day or mood, the book spread open before you, as it is before me now, finding yourself joining in conversations and chuckles that pick up from one chapter and region to the next. An inspiring companion to count down the days with, till you venture out on your own far-flung adventure.