The Healing Power of Spending Time in the African Wilderness
Delving into the health benefits of re-establishing our connection with the natural world, particularly through wildlife experiences, rekindles a fundamental, evolutionary link. From the outset, humans have flourished within nature, adapting within Africa’s varied terrains. This cradle of humanity, teeming with diverse life forms, serves as an exceptional setting to explore how nature influences our health.
John Muir, a Scottish-American naturalist and environmental philosophy pioneer, once remarked, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks,” succinctly encapsulating the restorative power of the wilderness. Empirical evidence underscores such wisdom, illustrating that engagement with natural surroundings can markedly improve mental well-being. For instance, a 2019 study by Bratman and colleagues in “Science Advances” indicates that time spent in nature settings can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, highlighting the mental health advantages of close encounters with nature and its inhabitants.
Re-immersing in African nature is akin to a journey into our own depths, a quest to unearth our most profound sentiments and reflections, forged over millennia of evolution. Venturing across the plains, beside tumultuous waters, or under the vast, starry skies allows us to follow in our forebears’ footsteps, seeking solace, insight, and renewal.
E.O. Wilson’s biophilia hypothesis proposes a built-in human tendency to seek connections with nature. This bond, deeply ingrained in our genetic makeup, originated in the African vistas where our species first emerged. Re-engaging with these environments, amid the wildlife and pristine wilderness, not only alleviates contemporary stresses but also revives our sense of inclusion in the grand circle of life.
Subsequent research, like the 2021 study by Gascon and team in “Scientific Reports” titled “Associations between green/blue spaces and mental health across 18 countries,” emphasizes the global advantages of natural surroundings. This extensive study accentuates how being near green and blue spaces fosters mental health, diminishes mental distress, and reduces reliance on medications for depression and anxiety, showcasing the significance of a nature connection for mental health improvement.
Africa’s timeless landscapes and varied ecosystems present a distinct perspective to witness this ancient bond. Places such as the Serengeti, The Nile, and the Maasai Mara are not merely natural marvels but sanctuaries for the spirit. Particularly when you leave behind the confines of a vehicle and tread on foot, immersing yourself in the company of wildlife rather than observing them from the isolation of a noisy 4×4 safari vehicle.
More than just physical health benefits, rekindling our relationship with nature feeds the soul. This age-old fellowship, transcending physical health, harmonizes us with the cadences of the natural realm, fostering deep tranquility and a feeling of unity with the cosmos. It represents a spiritual pilgrimage to humanity’s roots, where every element, creature, and breeze speaks to our essence, reaffirming our intrinsic role in the fabric of existence.
The invitation to immerse in nature transcends a mere escape from modernity; to sever ties with technology is to reforge our connection with ourselves. It acknowledges our position within the natural hierarchy, echoing John Muir’s realization that our health is intricately linked with that of the natural world. In striving to protect Earth’s biodiversity, we also protect the havens that enrich our souls. Within the African wilderness, amid the vestiges of our earliest recollections, lies a route to deep-seated health, beckoning us to reencounter the symmetry between humans and the planet.
