Life on safari is undoubtedly unlike your current daily schedule, but you will quickly fall into a routine and feel right at home in the bush!
Wake up:
Rise and Shine!
It is 4:00 am and you probably feel like this guy, but it will be worth every lost wink of sleep to see the sun rise and the mist fading away to reveal wide-awake and active wildlife! Don’t worry, the lodge staff is not going to let you go out in the wild bleary-eyed. They’ll make sure that wake-up call is accompanied by a hot cup of tea or coffee and a small bite to eat.
The “small” snack that comes with your wake up call at Londolozi in Sabi Sand, South Africa
Within the hour, you’ll be off with your safari guide driving around the vast wilderness in search for the furry, feathered and scaled. What you see will depend greatly on where you are and when you are there, but we work with the best companies to connect you to the best guides, the most exclusive game reserves, and the widest variety of animals. The last thing you want to see is another Land Rover full of other tourists and we try to avoid this at all costs. After a few hours out in the bush, you’ll likely stop at a scenic outlook for coffee and a snack. Then, off you go for another hour of game viewing before heading back to camp for brunch.
First, Second, and Third Breakfast:
You will start to feel like a hobbit eating first, second, and third breakfasts daily! Once back at camp, you’ll be well fed and you will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your luxurious surroundings. Safari camps come in all shapes and styles and a luxury safari does not always mean the highest thread count or the best spa menu. But, for us, it should always translate to excellent service. Whether you are in a mobile tented camp with a bucket shower or a glass-enclosed treehouse with a private plunge pool, you should expect the highest level of hospitality and we will work together with you to select just the right combination of accommodations for your trip.
Siesta Time:
Take a dip in the pool at Kitchwa Tembo in Masai Mara, Kenya
Enjoy a siesta cruise with the hippos at Duma Tau in the Linyanti Reserve, Botswana
Afternoon tea kicks off the second half of the day’s adventure. You’ll be back out on a game drive with plenty of time to catch the best late-afternoon light; don’t forget to pack your camera!
Sundowners:
The sundowner is often the highlight of the day and gives you a great opportunity to socialize with your fellow travelers, enjoy a gin and tonic, and take in the scenery. This is also a great time to ask your guide any questions about the animals you’ve seen or want to see and strike up a conversation to learn more about your surroundings.
Sunset at Camp Jabulani at Kapama, South Africa
Sundowner Cocktails with Abercrombie & Kent at Lewa, Kenya
Now that the sun has set, you’ll be treated to some of the best stargazing in the world! If you are in South Africa, be sure to look for the Southern Cross. The last meal of the day is also time for the camp’s kitchen crew to shine. You’ll enjoy a gourmet meal made with the freshest local ingredients or you may be treated to a cookout under the stars in the camp’s bomba with live entertainment. You won’t believe how fast the days fly by or how tired you feel at the end of it all. But still, you can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow!
African Safaris are a truly unique experience and one that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Contact Jessica if you are ready to make your dream a reality!
