There are few travel experiences quite like a safari, which allows you to take a break from everyday busyness. You’re up before dawn each day and the world surrounding you is quiet. You spend your evenings under the stars with no light pollution, a campfire, and stories as your entertainment. Breakfast in the bush or a sundowner next to a gorge are the sorts of special touches that elevate the experience.
There’s also no such thing as a cookie cutter wildlife experience on safari. My most memorable experience was gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. When gorilla trekking, you have a single hour to watch your gorilla group and see them interact. We were watching a toddler-sized gorilla rambunctiously playing with a grade schooler-sized gorilla and suddenly, the mother gorilla gently pushed me aside to put a stop to the shenanigans. It was exactly what I would have done with my own children, and I'll cherish the memory forever.
Another unique experience was in Masai Mara, Kenya while staying at Cottars 1920s Safari Camp. I went running with a young man that worked there: me in my running shoes and my guide in his sandals recycled from tires. We passed 3 km (1.86 mi) through the bush, a safari vehicle following closely behind, spotting zebra and impala in the tall grass.
Even my most recent safari at Old Drift Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe had exhilarating moments. At dusk, we were heading back to the lodge when we encountered a pride of lions stalking young water buffalo. Suddenly, a herd of elephants arrived on the scene, and it was complete mayhem with animals running everywhere and three large elephants mere feet from our vehicle.
Safaris create memories that stick with you. For the most intimate wildlife experiences, I recommend a private game lodge or tented camp experience, where the vehicles are small and take no more than five to seven guests. There are also many countries that offer more than wildlife viewing such as South Africa, where you can enjoy world-class food and wine, or Tanzania, where you can easily add on a fabulous beach stay in Zanzibar. But no matter how you go on safari, you’ll never forget it.
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Carolyn Weppler has tracked gorillas in Rwanda, been proposed to in Paris (she accepted, naturally!), and travelled to 70 countries, counting Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Russia, Sri Lanka and even Afghanistan among her travel memories. Originally from Hong Kong, Carolyn lived in the UK before settling in Canada. A self-professed ‘foodie’ traveller, her favourite destinations are Nepal, Peru, Uganda, and anywhere else where she can roam local markets and experience new flavours.