African safari - More than just The Big Five
Article By: Alex Roldan
When you book your African Safari, your mind races, it’s full of excitement and the romantic notions that you’ve seen on TV, films and in the wonderful photos and articles published in magazines and newspapers.
Wistfully, you will imagine the African bush and the impressive wildlife it beholds. What it will be like to see your first giraffe walking gracefully through the savannah, the piercing stare of a lion as it looks almost right in to your soul or the humbling feeling of how small you are when you come close to an elephant. Yes, all these are magnificent and what you expect to see, but, safari is more than just this. It’s about taking your time, relaxing in to your surroundings and allowing yourself to become immersed in the natural world around you.
Your Field Guide or Ranger will be more than enthused to show you the little things which are just as an important part of the ecosystem as the larger animals. If you have questions about anything you see, smell or hear, then ask. Watch your Guide become more and more animated as they share their passion and knowledge of the bush with you; pointing out all manner of wonders that the African wilderness keeps hidden away until you spend the time to look closely enough.
As you observe and listen, you will begin to build a bigger picture of how everything fits together. How each plant and animal species has a relationship for survival with the other and why every single one of them is as important as the next.
Testimonials
Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly
...read moreOur experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!
Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.
Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!
Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%
...read moreRecommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.
We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see
...read moreWe’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone
What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.
From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.
Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.
Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.
From the humble and hard-working Dung Beetle, to the squawky Red-billed Oxpeckers, the myriad of graceful antelope, the fierce and illusive leopards and even the vitally important, vilified vultures without whom the world would be a much smellier and bacteria filled place.
So, come to Africa with an open mind and open eyes to everything around you. As you relax, soak up the truly remarkable natural world which surrounds you. The Big Five are waiting for you to discover them. But also remember to pay attention the smaller species they too can have a big story to tell.
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.”
* John Hemingway
Article By: ALEX ROLDAN
"Alex has a number of years' marketing and social media experience. He made the decision to leave the corporate world a few years ago to study and qualify as a Field Guide, to enable him to pursue a life-long ambition and change his career path to one where by he can be actively involved with eco-tourism and wildlife conservation and educating people about the importance of the natural world. He has experience of living, travelling and working in South Africa and enjoys getting back to Africa and the bush as much as possible. He has a huge passion for nature and wildlife photography and his camera is never far from his side."
Experience The Sabi Sands Game Reserve
HOW TO BOOK WITH SABI SANDS LODGES RESERVATIONS
Describe your ideal safari experience, dates & budget
Our travel experts will find you the perfect safari lodge / tour
Confirm your reservation and start packing your bags