Having been to Africa countless times, Luxury Travel Advisor Jean Campbell will dazzle you with adventurous tales from Gorilla Trekking to Lion Pride Sightings. Yet, she notes it is the tiny moments that often are the trip highlights and what you remember most.
Safari, by definition, is a journey or an expedition. We often think of it as the physical act of “going” to a place, to another part of the world. It’s also likely that the word conjures up images of lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, gorillas, and more.
These creatures are magnificent. We are beyond fortunate to share this planet with them and other wonderful creatures. Africa offers opportunities found nowhere else in the world, where we can still view these animals in their natural surroundings.
Many people say that going to Africa is the trip of a lifetime, but most then return again and again. Maybe returning to this beautiful continent, and its warm and welcoming people, as well as the animals, birds and creatures that capture our hearts and imagination, is also a chance to revisit and recapture ourselves.
At night by the campfire, step away from the noise of humanity. Listen to the sounds of the wild. When you hear a lion roar in the distance for the first time, you will be mesmerized. It is an incredible feeling to have that shared experience in nature.
No matter where you are in Africa, you will have an opportunity to sleep under the stars. Your night could be spent in a tented camp, in a treehouse, or simply on a bed with nothing but a mosquito net truly gazing at the night sky.
No matter how you sleep, the experience is exhilarating. It will make you feel like a kid again with feelings of excitement and wonder about the sounds you hear. A sleepout is a perfect way to be one with nature. The joy you’ll feel is so different than your ordinary day.
At every turn, you will notice genuine kindness. It’s the African way. Your picnic lunch will have each item delicately wrapped with a bow made from string. You could be treated to an elaborate setup of a savory meal in the bush.
A chef might hear you ask for marmalade and quickly fetch some freshly made jam from their own home. The tiny extra touches are subtle but clever and attentive. You will be more thoughtful and kinder to others when you return home.
