Barefoot is the new luxury
Heading out on gamedrive to find adventure around every corner. Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
"True luxury on safari isn’t found in fancy finishes, golden platters, or rose petals and towel swans on the goose-dawn-filled duvet covering the emperor-size, four-poster bed. "
There, we said it.
True safari luxury is found in experiencing your destination to the absolute fullest:
Waking up at 4am to the sun tickling your eyelids as it rises across nothing but the vast wilderness surrounding you.
Opening your mind to the possibility that you may bump into an elephant on your way to breakfast.
Setting off into the bush unknowing what you may find around the next corner in the dirt road or bend in the river.
It is found in the warming comfort of a hot chocolate prepared at your morning drink stop, and the refreshing drink at sundowners overlooking the river.
In the thrill of seeing your first lion in the wild.
The amazement of being surrounded by a herd of elephant, grazing peacefully as if you were never there.
The pure joy of watching baby baboons causing mischief amongst the troop.
Experiencing an authentic, immersive cultural interaction with ancient African tribes.
The freedom of walking barefoot through the soft, sandy riverbed as the first rainwater of the season slowly starts trickling down.
The ultimate euphoria that follows when you finally lay eyes on that leopard mom & cub after hours of tracking in the blistering sun.
The true sense of space you get when floating across the Serengeti Plains in a hot air balloon, with nothing but silent wonder enveloping you.
It is coming back from gamedrive, to a place and people that feel like home,
showering outdoors accompanied by endless views of nature and birdsong,
and afterwards gathering around the dinner table, sitting down to a scrumptious meal and recounting the day’s discoveries.
The belly-laughing around the campfire as you listen to your safari guides spill the beans on their most hilarious adventures.
Falling asleep to lions roaring, with a heart full of new experiences and friendships, an indelible smile on your face in anticipation of the next day’s safari adventures.
"True luxury cannot be photographed, staged, curated or crafted. It has to be felt."
When you’re ready to feel, let’s go!
Written by Evelyn Poole