In the introduction to last week’s guest post about volunteer travel in Africa, I mentioned that a South African safari ranks at the top of our baby boomer travel memories. I’ll never forget toasting to a brilliant sunset in the bush with a glass of champagne or the thrill of watching a young lion cub taking a drink with mom at a watering hole. Are you considering a trip to Africa? In today’s guest post, Sandy Salle, the CEO at Hills of Africa, gives us five reasons to travel on an African safari.
While travelers of all ages are susceptible to the magic of Africa, baby boomers have a special appreciation for the continent’s unforgettable culture, wildlife and one-of-a-kind natural energy. The experience is so strong that boomers often consider it their trip of a lifetime.
No matter how discerning or particular your tastes, a trip to Africa can be built to meet your every need, match your personal comfort level and exceed your wildest expectations. Here are the top five reasons a trip to Africa is perfect for baby boomers:
1. Wine and Food
When seeking exceptional cuisine, most travelers think of Europe, but Africa boasts several first-rate wineries and delicious local fare. Visits to South African vineyards and wine safaris can be arranged to include vineyard visits as well as olive oil tastings and wine tasting tours by horseback. Not-to-be-missed vineyards include Stellekaya, known for its outstanding reds and run by Ntsiki Biyela, the first black female winemaker in the country.
Foodies will love exploring the local cuisine, which, contrary to popular belief, is not made from bizarre animals and unseemly parts. Imagine devouring delicious five-star African meals in beautiful settings, such as breakfast in the middle of the Serengeti near residential zebra and wildebeest. Lodge and camp chefs accommodate baby boomers’ dietary restrictions by offering more westernized food in addition to traditional African fare.
2. Comfortable Accommodations
From mobile tents to lavish five-star hotels, and luxurious chalets to romantic tree houses, there are a variety of options sure to satisfy a booomer’s personal comfort level. African safari campsites are often far from the traditional camping experience. With amenities and features such as heated water for morning showers, en-suite toilet facilities, extremely spacious interiors, luxurious bedding and sleeping conditions, plus lavish English breakfasts in the morning, you’ll quickly realize that safari tents are built for luxury, not mobility.
For those hesitant about camping in any capacity, luxury chalets are a good alternative, offering a viable option between five-star hotels and mobile safaris. Along with a permanent location, many luxury chalets incorporate elements of nature in their design, boasting nineteenth century safari décor and romance.
Conservative travelers will enjoy the comforts of home in one of Africa’s world-class hotels. For example, the Victoria Falls Hotel—a highly distinguished and hospitable retreat in Zimbabwe—is refurbished and equipped with contemporary facilities so that guests experience the luxury of nineteenth century décor and the convenience of modern amenities.
3. Personalized Pace
One of the benefits of creating a customized safari itinerary is that your vacation is matched to your physical activity level and interests. Leisurely travelers might enjoy a Zambezi river cruise in Zimbabwe, while active baby boomer travelers switch out the cruise for an exciting canoe trip down the river for safe wildlife encounters. Adventure-seeking boomers can partake in a half-day whitewater river rafting cruise at Victoria Falls or experience chimp trekking at Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania. Whether you came to Africa for the wildlife, culture, adventure, or all of the above, Africa has activities to match your unique tastes.
4. Romance
Perhaps it’s the breathtaking views, the intimacy of creating once-in-a-lifetime memories together, or the seclusion of being enclosed in a luxury tent amidst exotic wildlife—Africa is exceptionally romantic. In fact, a large part of my business is honeymoon safaris.
You don’t need to be a newlywed to experience Africa’s romance. It’s the perfect place to celebrate an anniversary, renew your vows or simply reignite the romance in your baby boomer relationship. For example, the Marlin Lodge in Mozambique lays a trail of rose petals up to side-by-side zinc tubs filled with warm bubble baths on a private deck as well as providing sunset bush dinners. Or, experience the romance of Africa in coastal areas, such as South Africa or Zanzibar, with a champagne picnic on the beach.
5. Wildlife
Africa’s wildlife is one of its most precious assets. From the endangered rhinos to the elusive leopards, a trip to Africa provides boomers with the opportunity to experience the world’s rarest creatures like never before. Night drives, for example, offer a completely new perspective as predators search for their prey in the dark. Hearing a hippo grunting in the dark or a lion growling at its prey is unlike anything you’ll witness at a zoo.
Animals are an integral part of the African landscape. Camps and lodges are designed to provide direct views of the wildlife; for example, Little Makalolo is known as one of the best game-viewing areas for its large waterhole that attracts a menagerie of wild animals. For added safety, armed guards are always on watch.
Whether tracking rhinos from inside a game-viewing vehicle, following a pack of hyenas on elephant-back or walking with the lions on a guided foot tour, baby boomer travelers will experience African wildlife on their own terms when they take a trip to Africa.
Sandy Salle, a native of Zimbabwe, was born and raised in Southern Africa. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Hills of Africa, a top provider of customized, luxury safari vacations. Currently based state-side in North Carolina, she resides with her husband and two small children. Sandy travels home to Africa several times a year and believes that the next best thing to living in Africa is sharing it with others.
Disclosure: This is not a paid or sponsored post. Sandy offered solid information about traveling on an African safari that we thought our baby boomer readers would enjoy.
Have you traveled to Africa? Leave a comment to share your experience. Alan and I hope to return one day.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much for featuring Hills of Africa Travel on My Itchy Travel Feet! We are greatly appreciative of this opportunity. I hope your readers can come away from this article with some great tips and advice for African travel and hopefully feel inspired to book a trip to Africa
Thanks again.
Best,
Sandy
Thanks for this article! I used to think African safaris were “roughing it” and had to be rugged and adventurous trips. I'm thrilled to hear about more luxurious offerings for creatures of comfort, like myself, who still want to experience the wildlife and magic of Africa.
Twitter: travelwonders
July 15, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Personally, I believe a chance to see African wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the most rewarding and uplifting travel experiences anywhere in the world. The excitement of looking out for a lone rhino, a herd of hippos splashing in the water, a large herd of antelope or a big cat stealthily lurking in the grasses can hardly be beaten.
Wow! This puts a whole different spin on my perceptions of Africa!
That's camping in style!! Great story and photo's.
Twitter: heathercowper
July 18, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I'm glad the wildlife made it onto the list as a reason for going on safari – I'm not so concerned about great food and wine or luxury accommodation – I can get these in many other places, but I'd also value connecting with the local people and like to make sure that they are benefiting from my tourism business.
My African safari in 2007 was one of the highlights of my life. I saw 4 of the “Big 5″, with the only exception being the black rhino. Our guide claimed that they were hiding because the winds had been too strong for days. Funny to think that an animal that weight several tons would be afraid of the wind. It's definitely something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. I'd love to do it all over again, in a different country.
Twitter: hikebiketravel
July 19, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I have been lucky enough to do three safaris – in Etosha National Park, Namibia, in the Okavango Delta area of Botswana and on the Serengeti in Tanzania. My favourite was in Namibia, partly because I was there in dry season and the animals would wander to the watering holes so not as much driving was required; it was a fascinating sight to watch the parade of animals over a number of hours. It was also the least expensive because we stayed at a lovely hotel arranged on our own.
I found the Serengeti experience to be the least interesting. I'm sure I'd feel differently if it was the time of the mass migration but I found the huge number of hours spent bouncing in a jeep tiresome. Think 6-8 hours of dusty driving per day – no thanks. We also stayed in a primitive tented camp which was fine except that you can't walk anywhere because the lions and hyenas go right through camp so started to feel a tad confined after a few days.
I loved seeing the big animals but I came to I love the bird watching even more – mostly because of the sheer diversity. Also loved the not so famous animals especially the warthogs.
Twitter: Nancydbrown
July 20, 2010 at 3:57 am
I have yet to travel to South Africa. It is on my bucket list.My daughter will be working at an orphanage in Zimbabwe this August. She is very excited about this adventure.
Ideally, I would like to do a safari on horseback. I've heard Bokpoort Holiday Farm in the Free State offers horse safaris. Any suggestions, Sandy?
Hi Nancy,
That is absolutely wonderful about your daughter! What a rewarding experience it will be for her!
In terms of horseback safaris there are a variety of excellent providers we work with to offer hour to half- or full-day guided scenic horse trails through the fynbos, olive groves, herb plantations and vineyards in the foothills and valleys beneath the Hawequa Mountains.
Horseback tours that go through the rolling vineyards of Cape Winelands are some of the most popular horseback safaris. I highly recommend those!
All I need is reason #5, and I'm desperate to go. I did a writing project about Kenya, and I have decided to go on safari there at some point. Just need to save a few more pennies.
Hikebiketravel – I really liked what you said about being interested in the ‘not so famous animals’ and birds. I have found, after years of working as a tour guide in Namibia that experienced travelers usually start being more broadly interested in every aspect of life in the African bush.
As someone working in Namibia I am really pleased that you liked it best.
Donna – I would agree that making people aware that there is the possibility of good food, wine and comfy accommodation is great, but I think there are many aspect of Africa that are more appealing. Of course, you mentioned wildlife, but what about the magnificent landscapes – from the Cape Mountains to the great rift valley, from the Namibian dunes to the deep forests of central Africa. What about the people. There is a massive diversity of ethnicity and ways of life that are so different from the lives of most travelers. And adventure – more and more the adventure operators are learning that it is not just the youngsters that want to sand-board or kayak down the Zambezi. For some there is the chance to contribute, weather in ‘voluntourism’ or connecting with a community or NGO, many people help make a difference on this continent. And nice weather (well, especially in southern Africa). In fact, I know of many who have told me that their African experience was, as you said at the start, an experience of their life time, even when the food was poor and the accommodation was rustic.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
August 14, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Thanks for commenting, Vernon. You give excellent reasons to return to
Africa. It is a vast continent offering many different types of travel
experiences. Obviously, one trip is not enough. We recently published
a guest post on volunteer travel in Africa by Bernie Pollack and
Danielle Nierenberg (BorderJumpers.com): http://myitchytravelfeet.com/2010/07/06/volunteer-travel-africa/
. Perhaps you will meet them as they make their way through Africa.
Hi,
Thanks for sharing these wonderful reason….It will surely direct the safari in Africa….Have a nice day…..
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