Världens djur - Tant Anna i vår herres hage

Writer: Anna Nilsson Spets

There are many animals in our Lord's garden, according to Wikipedia 8.7 million species but even that is not certain. I love them all, except some bacteria kind.

Table of contents

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

When I was a schoolgirl, you had to write in your friends' My friendsYou know that little book that was so important to write down your data in. The last question was: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

My so-called friends wrote nurse, film star or model, I wrote Jacques Cousteau.

No, I never became an underwater explorer, I can't even dive because in deep water I hear the theme tune from the Shark film and I'm screwed. I like to snorkel often and if I have the company of a dolphin or turtle, it's a bonus. So I am not a landlubber.

The love of animals has always been there, the pets have been endless; fish, hamsters, rats, snakes, cats, miniature pigs, many dogs, horses for hire, ducks, rabbits and chickens.

Now I only have two dogs; Sally and Lara.

Travelling to see animals

The trips I make usually focus on some animal I want to see, but sometimes it doesn't turn out as planned, animals show up when they want, not when and where I want. Normal animal behaviour.

The journey to Mozambique to see dugongWell, the pigeon appeared so quickly that I didn't even have time to get the camera out. Two seconds of happiness and a few thousand bucks poorer.

Playful dolphins and lots of turtles gave some comfort anyway.

The trip to Tromsø to see whales was also cancelled as it was a month too early. Not a fin or fountain visible, it rained constantly and the pennies ran away with the rainwater.

If I were to rank my three favourite trips for wildlife, it would be easy.

1. Madagascar

Few countries have such a huge diversity and number of endemic species as this island. Lemurs, sifakas and various other exciting primates.

Chameleons; lots of them, in all their shapes and colours.

Frogs and reptiles, some with warning colours, others so camouflaged you can barely see them.

Whales, who doesn't want to see a humpback whale while sitting on the veranda... Sea viewing is restricted, it's important to me, no hunting for me.

Travelling to Madagascar requires a lot of time, the roads are terrible.

2. Costa Rica

It's like stepping into the Jungle Book, fantastic moist green forests, sloths scurrying through the branches, the chorus of howler monkeys in the morning.

Hummingbirds flying from flower to flower. It's green, cosy and... EXPENSIVE.

3. Uganda

A mega-positive experience, although the gorilla trek almost killed me, hours of panting in damp, hilly and muddy terrain. Not for a heavy smoker like me. It was worth the effort. Once in a lifetime.

A walking stick, rubber boots and clothes in natural colours are a must.

Many different species, the trees are full of activity.

Bird life in Uganda is extremely rich, the unusual spoonbill was spotted in the greenery on Lake Victoria.

The beautifully shimmering blue turacos, the crowned crane with its magnificent tassel, funny toucans and spotted helmeted guinea fowl. All with their own signatures, the animal kingdom is amazing.

And the occasional cuddly toy.

More countries with undisturbed fauna

My top three are followed by a number of other places with outstanding fauna.

Animals that you dreamed of seeing when you sat in biology lessons looking at cardboard posters. My biology teacher was passionate about her calling and led me into the world of flora and fauna.

Anyone who likes monkeys should of course go to Borneo, preferably before the palm plantations have taken over completely and the animals are gone. Yes, I have been there and travelled by riverboat along the Kinabatang River, seen orangutans and (copulating) nose monkeys and also lost every single photo from there.

Galapagos, the dream came true almost 20 years ago, I had the honour to meet Lonesome George, the last in his line of tortoises. George can be seen in stuffed form now.

The islands are full of endemic species, a goldmine.

A good beginner animal journey is of course Tanzania, the chances of seeing the big five are high.

The question is whether it is always done ethically, the jeeps with tourists communicate with each other where the animals are and everyone goes there.

Animals are plentiful, everything you can imagine. Tourists in full Indiana Jones safari gear are also on display, which is almost as much fun as watching the animals.

Ethical ... yes it is important to me. On Mafia island, Tanzania, there was the chance to see whale sharks, the poor whale shark was met by a boat full of Asians who threw themselves into the water without being able to swim. My skipper was ordered by me to turn round. I paid, I decided.

Endemic fruit bats in their hundreds take a break on Mafia island.

I Djibouti it was a whole different kind of whale shark watching, just the way I like it, not one person more than me, my guide and the boat owner.

Swimming with three whale sharks was one of my favourite experiences, the feeling of a fin caressing your (fat) belly.

Porcupines and green monkeys in Djibouti.

Shy jackals in Lac Abbé, one of the most inaccessible places on earth.

Viewing and photographing animals is like playing the lottery, you need a decent pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens and ... eons of patience.

And no, you don't need to be equipped and dressed like the worst explorer.

Respectful distancing and minimum interaction is the golden rule, otherwise it can have fatal consequences for both animals and humans.

So, what I want to see is more dugongs and manatees, more monkeys, armadillos. My list is as long as from here to the North Pole, maybe you can ride there....

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Anna Nilsson Spets

60+ year old lady with a lifelong love for Africa. Emigrated to Flanders in Belgium and works with plants on a daily basis. Writes, takes photos and tries to inspire others to budget travel on their own. Blogs on "Anna's mix" about travelling, work, plants, writing and much more.