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The lions, elephants and rhinos that roam the Namibian landscape had an unexpected visitor when 15-year-old Hugo made his wild wish.
Hugo, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenus leukemia, has always been fascinated with world travel, foreign cultures, and especially wild animals. He asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hudson Valley to quench his thirst for adventure with a safari in Namibia, a country near the southern tip of Africa.
Getting to Namibia required a 20-hour trip, but once he arrived, Hugo saw the most breathtaking and wild landscapes imaginable, from the Skeleton Coast, rich with African wildlife, to the Namib Desert, home to the world’s most magnificent sand dunes. Wildland Adventures, a company specializing in “worldwide explorations for active and inquisitive travelers” hosted Hugo on his Namibian trek.
Hugo and his dad discovered firsthand what it felt like to summit the giant mountains of sand. After their arrival, the pair hiked what’s believed to be the world’s tallest dune – dubbed “Big Daddy” by the locals – rising 1,200 feet above the desert floor. They also learned that going down a dune was a lot faster than going up, sandboarding at thrilling speeds.
Hugo got to see Africa’s wildlife up close in his safari jeep.
But for Hugo, nothing compared to the thrill of seeing all the African animals he’d grown up reading about. He and his family jumped in a jeep and visited the natural habitats of giraffes, rhinos, antelope and two different species of elephants. The adventure continued after sundown as they made camp in tents in the bush.
“A lion slept outside our tent one night,” Hugo excitedly recalled. “It woke us up by calling to its family.”
For Hugo, the highlight of the trip came when he got to “hang out” at a cheetah preserve. He smiled recalling how he got to feed one of the cheetahs there. “It began to really like me and felt comfortable around me. It would come up and rub up against me and purr. I think I bonded with that cheetah.”
Hugo hated to leave this amazing country, with the dramatic scenery and wildlife that had begun to feel like home. But when he returned to home to the United States, he had a camera full of photos and 10 days’ worth of stories to share with friends and family.
Hugo’s favorite part of the wish was visiting the cheetah preserve. He made friends with the big cats, who purred and let him pet them.
“I met a lot of nice and fun people including locals…the Namibians are some of the most friendly people I have ever met in my travels,” Hugo said.
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Go Hugo! The world is yours! I'm cheering for you! WOW!!! An African safari, doing what you love best. I'm inspired!
- Pete 05/27/2007 10:40 -
Wow......how wonderful that Make-A-Wish was able to fulfill such a FANTASTIC dream for Hugo! What an adventure!
- Sylvia 05/11/2007 23:03 -
WOW! What a great wish! It is so good that Hugo and his family could have a break from the rigors of his healthcare and illness. It's not easy for any child or family to go through such a thing, and I say this from experience. The best thing any family can do is stay very optimistic and stick together, because it's a long hard road to recovery and you all have to travel it together. Good Luck Hugo & Family! I am glad you all had a good time!
- Stacy 05/10/2007 12:04 -
You are my inspiration! My 12 year old daughter has AML. I am glad you got your wish. Kelly has a cat too, but not as big as the one you are petting in the picture.
- Joyce Bushey 07/20/2007 18:32 -
Hello, Hugo and family. I hope you're still doing well. My 18 year old son was diagnosed with ALL just two months before his 18th birthday. Your trip to Africa looked exciting and something you will remember forever. Good Luck to you.
- Ann 08/08/2008 14:19 -
I have learned many things in my life, but in CCD yesterday night I learned about a boy named Braedon Tenneson. He is a boy with cancer who will, sadly, die soon. He has come to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and his wish was to fly over a volcano. That made me cry when I heard it. He is only 5 years old. My name is Brianna and I am 9 years old.
- Brianna 01/16/2009 14:12
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