For South African Les de Villiers, the moment of truth in life came on a hunting trip long ago, when he had a big antelope dead to rights.
“He was in my sights, my rifle trained on him,” recalls de Villiers. “Someone told me to shoot, that the antelope wouldn’t stand there forever. But I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Two days later I sold my three rifles, bought a camera, and that’s what I’ve been shooting with ever since.”
After a diplomatic career that involved negotiations with decision makers and heads of state in Africa, Europe and the U.S., de Villiers, 79, moved to New York in the late 1970s, then to New Canaan in 1980. He started a safari travel business, and has written several books on safaris, personally taking jaw-dropping pictures for the illustrations.
“As a now former hunter, I can attest that stalking wild animals with a camera is as exciting and infinitely more rewarding for both stalker and stalkee,” he says. “The latter stays around to be the subject for many more pictures, instead of ending up as a trophy on someone’s wall.”
De Villiers, who with wife Ruth has a son and daughter, goes on African safaris several times a year. When not traveling, he likes to be outdoors, and came up the idea of a backyard safari, to enjoy, observe and photograph the wonders of nature without having to leave home. He encourages kids and adults alike to try it.
“There are, of course, no lions or leopards, but observing the birds, the bees and a bevy of other interesting creatures going about their daily business can be quite rewarding,” he says. “Many of us in this bucolic part of America have feeders in our backyards to lure an array of brilliant birds.
“The activity in my backyard can be almost as exciting as traversing the wilds of Africa. In fact, I always caution my safari clients not to get so hung up on the idea of seeing the so-called Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros) that they miss out on the smaller creatures that play a vital role in the ecosystem.”
De Villiers, who has a doctorate in economic history, encourages backyard safari enthusiasts to take pictures of what they see. “Patience is important,” he advises. “Anyone can take portraits of animals, but the memorable pictures are usually the result of patient observation. The key is to wait until they do something interesting.
“On an African safari you need a good camera and special lens because you’re following animals from a distance,” he continues. “But at home that isn’t necessary. In this digital age you can take good pictures with cell phones and other mobile devices.”
New Canaan became home for the de Villiers in a roundabout way. They wanted a weekend retreat for getaways out of the city, and bought a property near Silvermine. Charmed with the area, they then bought a house in town. Ruth, a realtor, decorated it. The couple travels together on safari when Ruth can get away.
“She works and needs to make money so I can spend it,” jokes Les. “But seriously, we just love it here. It’s great that the town has always resisted the temptation to have high-rise buildings. New Canaan has a rural, village feel, with a center of town that’s so darned charming. And it’s been kept like that through the years. There are more mansions, but that’s not a minus, it’s a plus.”
De Villiers’ travel business started quite by accident. He’d written a book about safaris, and someone who wanted to put together a trip for six asked him to help. It grew from there, and he now specializes in high-end safaris.
“If you’re traveling a total of 18,000 miles back and forth to Africa, you don’t want a second-rate experience,” he says. “Our safaris start at $10,000, which includes everything but airfare back and forth to Africa. I don’t send anyone anywhere I haven’t been, to any place I haven’t inspected, for all things from the accommodations to the quality of wildlife.
“Everyone I send on safari comes back saying the same thing, that it was the trip of a lifetime.”
So where’s a great place to go?
“The best-kept secret in Tanzania is Katavi National Park,” he says. “Only about 500 people a year go there. There’s more animals per square mile than anywhere.”
Assuming you won’t be jetting there next week, there’s always your backyard to scope out. And, actually, many more locations locally.
“The New Canaan Nature Center is a most under-visited place,” he says. “You don’t have to have a backyard safari only in the backyard. It can be anywhere you might see an insect or bird or animal you’re not familiar with. Google it and whoa… it’s interesting. There’s a wealth of information on the internet. It’s not just about looking at creatures, but finding out what they’re about.
“Take it from a safari expert: there is much to see in your own backyard and neighborhood. Regardless of your interest — birds, mammals or insects — you will find them near your home.”
The backyard Big Five(s)
In Africa, the Big Five game animals are the lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros, so named because they are considered the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot.
For backyard safaris, wildlife expert Les de Villiers has compiled three Big Five categories. He recommends Googling the species to see what they look like, then trying to catch a glimpse of each.
The ‘Four-Legged’ Big Five: deer, red fox, raccoon, coyote and squirrel. The ‘Bird’ Big Five: woodpecker, northern cardinal, blue jay, robin and goldfinch. The ‘Small’ Big Five: mud wasp, garden spider, bumblebee, butterfly and firefly.
More info: theultimatesafari.com
New Canaan resident Les de Villiers, above, whose travel business packages expensive safari excursions, says locals can enjoy observing and photographing birds, bees and animals in their backyards, as well as parks and the New Canaan Nature Center.
