Adventure Begins Today

I’m now into week two of my adventure through Eastern and Southern Africa and, despite having been to South Africa and Namibia back in 2017, there are a surprising number of things I’d completely forgotten. Apparently safari amnesia is a real thing. So, if you’re heading off on your own adventure, here are a few things future you will thank you for remembering…

1. Accept that you’re going to become part human, part dust.

Every day you’ll create the perfect blend of suncream, insect repellent and African dust. By lunchtime you’ll look beautifully bronzed and be wondering why you ever paid for fake tan. Don’t get too excited though – it all washes straight off in the shower.

2. Sitting down can be surprisingly exhausting.

You might think spending hours in a safari vehicle sounds fairly relaxing. It isn’t. Between dodging potholes on the roads and bouncing across the tracks in search of wildlife, your core gets a workout you definitely didn’t ask for. Your body is constantly trying to keep you upright while your hands attempt to hold a camera steady enough to take a photo that isn’t just a blurry giraffe. It’s basically Pilates with elephants.

3. Zoom out occasionally.

Yes, everyone wants the close up of the lion. But don’t spend the whole game drive looking through a zoom lens. Some of my favourite photos haven’t been of the animals at all. They’ve been of the endless plains, the dramatic skies and the landscapes that make you feel wonderfully small. The wildlife is incredible. The places they call home are just as unforgettable.

4. Your sports bra deserves a holiday too.

If you own one, wear it. Trust me. The wildlife might be wild, but so is the suspension.

5. Forget the lie ins.

Safaris run on wildlife time, not holiday time. That means very early mornings, early breakfasts and surprisingly early nights. Would I normally choose to get up before sunrise? Absolutely not. Would I happily do it every day if it meant watching a rhino wander past while I eat breakfast or seeing lions while most of the world is still asleep? Every single time.

6. Never underestimate the power of snacks.

Breakfast might happen at dawn. Lunch might be much later than you’re used to. Your stomach won’t care that you’re waiting because there’s a leopard in a tree (I saw what I think was a spot but it could have been my imagination by this point). Pack the snacks. Future hungry you will be very grateful.

7. Layers are your best friend.

One minute you’re wrapped in a fleece wondering if you should have packed gloves. Twenty minutes later you’re bouncing across the savannah in full sunshine wondering whether it’s possible to melt. The temperature changes almost as quickly as the scenery. Dress accordingly.

8. The next wow moment could be seconds away.

That’s probably my favourite thing about safari. One minute you’re quietly driving through what feels like empty grassland. The next, an elephant steps out of the bushes. Or 3 lions appears sat on a mound. Or a giraffe casually wanders across the track as if this is the most normal thing in the world. Safari has a wonderful way of reminding you that the best moments are often the ones you never saw coming. And maybe that’s true of life as well.