Hoof And Claw

On safari in Botswana, JENNIFER BYRNE finds a joyous sense of freedom by becoming part of the herd.

- Jennifer Byrne

We’re cantering along on horseback, skirting thorn bushes and kicking up dust, when we come across a herd of grazing giraffes, all spots and eyelashes. They take off, and soon they’re running alongside us. Cantering with us. All six of them, pounding the ground with their plate-sized hooves, keeping pace with the horses. Why are they doing it? Who knows, but it’s glorious. Then we see the zebras.