Southern Africa Safari Day

Wake up depending on the season between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m., when serious about game viewing or photography it is important to get out early as the animals are most active and the lighting is at its best.

Arrive at the central lounge half an hour after the wake up for coffee, tea, juice and a small breakfast of a roll, toast, cereal, fruit, etc.

Have a morning activity. Typically the night before your guide or camp manager will discuss your plans for the next day. Usually this is a game drive but in some areas it might be a walk or mokoro ride, etc. The morning activity will typically last 3 to 4 hours depending on what is being seen. Usually in the middle there will be a stop for tea, coffee, and a snack as well as a bush bathroom break. Of course ask any other time you need a bathroom stop. The guide will find a safe location so you can get out of the vehicle and stretch during tea.

Upon return wash up and then have a large brunch. At some camps they do a breakfast and then later a lunch while many camps simply have the large brunch which makes sense if it is already around 10:30 or 11 a.m.

Siesta time. From the completion of your meal until meeting for afternoon tea you have down time to take a nap, read, sit in the lounge or by the pool, etc. Some camps have nice photo hides or overlooks of waterholes where you can relax and watch for animals. Typically this time of day the animal activity is low so it is a good time to relax.

Depending on season typically tea will be sometime around 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. You will have the beverage of your choice and typically a heavy snack like a quiche as well as crackers, cheese, etc, somewhat hardy to hold you for a late dinner.

Afternoon activity will depart about a half an hour after tea begins. This will again be a 3 to 4 hour activity. If a game drive there will typically be a stop shortly before sunset for a ‘sundowner’ drink. You will be able to get out of the vehicle, enjoy your favorite beverage and a light snack while savoring the magical African sunset. The drive back to camp will be a night drive with a spotlight to search for animals. This night drive is usually just 45 minutes to an hour. We recommend requesting a proper night drive to go out for a couple hours after dinner at least once during your stay. If you are in a National Park or Game Reserve where you have to be back by sundown everything shifts a little earlier to land you in camp at dusk. In such places afternoon drives usually start earlier as well to last the same amount of time.

Following your activity there is time to go to your tent/chalet to freshen up or you may choose to just stay and enjoy a drink at the bar or around the fire. Dinner is usually about half an hour to forty-five minutes after everyone has arrived back in camp. This tends to be around 8 p.m.

Dinner is often quite a social affair and people tend to linger at the table recapping their favorite sightings and getting to know one another, often guests from other countries. Some will then head for the bed and others choose to have a night cap. You will typically be in bed sometime between 10 and 11 p.m. In most camps after dark it is required that a staff member escorts you for safety, thus you will be walked to your tent/chalet when you are ready.

Transfers between camps are done in the middle of the day so you don’t miss any activities or meals when changing locations. In remote areas this is usually done by bush plane, in some areas it may involve a game drive transfer that ends at your new camp.