CLASSIC “OLD DAGGA BOY”

“Did you know that crocodiles sing Frank Sinatra songs?” Gary Clarke grinned as we floated along in a small boat on the Zambezi River. I looked to the far bank to see several crocs sleeping with their mouths wide open, as white birds fluttered down onto the crocs’ backs, dangerously close to the gaping jaws. “Egrets…I’ve had a few…too many to mention…” Gary crooned the Sinatra classic. I groaned. He chuckled. It was classic Gary Clarke.
And CLASSIC is what to me best defines this extraordinary man. 
I’ve had the rare privilege of being on safari with Gary in Zambia. We shared our passion for wild animals, sleeping in tents, standing in awe of the mile-wide Victoria Falls. We never tired of the magic of safari no matter how many times we’d seen Africa’s wonders. 
Gary’s encyclopedic knowledge of animal life never ceased to amaze me on safari: from every little known detail of the sex life of the dung beetle to the “drinking habits” of the Cape Buffalo—a species, by the way, Gary was nicknamed after in the local language: Old DAGGA BOY. This is why I always made sure that I shoved a “Tusker baridi” (cold beer)into Gary’s hand. It was “Behavior Enhancement” because I knew it would loosen his tongue to share some of his great stories around the campfire, of his truly big life in Africa. The African staff always knew when Gary was in camp: laughter would boom out across the bush.  Fellow safarists would continue “to fortify” the Old Dagga Boy through the night. Doggone that was fun! One of the most important parts of a safari. Gary IS Safari. A StoryTeller Extraordinaire
When Gary’s there at the campfire, the laughs never end. But Gary makes fun of only one thing: himself.  I have never once heard him say an unkind word about any one. Never.
And that brings me to the character of this gentleman, and gentle man. I’ve met some fascinating people in Africa over the past 40 years. To me though, very few have the combined qualities of what makes Gary tick: generosity to a fault, kindness, a great listener, sense of humor, decency, and a passion for life few can match. A Classic Indeed.

From his old Safari Rafiki

Dick Houston
President
Elefence International
Dhoustonelefence@yahoo.com