Solo Safari in South Africa
I am, unabashedly, a huge animal lover. If I won the lottery, I would open an animal sanctuary where animals of all kinds could live in peace and comfort. So, it's no surprise that safari was on the very tip top of my travel bucket list. I have been on a sabbatical from work the last few months and felt as if I would not have made the most of the time off if I didn't finally take the safari trip to Africa. So I booked a solo trip since no one close to me could steal two weeks away from work. I travel solo all the time after having a travel heavy job. In many ways, I relish it. Despite wanting my boyfriend Patrick to be able to experience safari with me, I set out for a journey of discovery and am so happy I did.
Going on safari exceeded my expectations and was a dream come true. And I know it's cliche, but for me, it was a life-changing experience. I could feel my grade school textbooks coming to life as I rode along on twice-daily safaris. One can really sense how the whole natural ecosystem works. Seeing (rare) animals in their natural habitats humbled me, in a good way. Every animal is simply trying to survive while procreating and living as peaceful an existence as possible. One animal's predator is another's prey. Some can coexist while others are mortal enemies. Did I enjoy seeing a pack of hyenas eat a baby buffalo? Or a pack of wild dogs hunt impalas? No. But it was fascinating to witness how it all works, on their time and in their world. Nature thrives when left alone, without human intervention.
I saw the "Big 5" (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and cape buffalo) multiple times, but was also absolutely amazed by how nature created the crazy black and white stripes of the zebra; the long curved necks of the giraffe; the short hind legs of the hyena; the silent movements of the massive elephant; the grace of the impala; the sheer beauty of the leopard. And what is remarkable is how each blends into the surroundings. A HUGE bull elephant, for example, would be right beside me and I'd neither hear nor see it. Even after 12 game drives, I never grew tired of seeing a giraffe, zebra or elephant. They are simply stunning to see.
I chose to go on safari in two private reserves (Sabi Sands and Timbavati) that border, without fences, the Kruger National Park. I recommend a private un-fenced game reserve for two reasons:
Without fences into Kruger or outlining the game reserve, animals can come and go as they please. This makes it easier to see more animals but also makes their habitats as natural as possible.
Within Kruger, guides must stay on the established roads. In the private reserves, guides can go off road through the thick bush and thus get a bit closer (but not too close!) to the animals, making for better viewing. I would never have had the incredible up close views of lions, leopards or rhinos otherwise.
Now, back to traveling solo and how the experience was for me. It was wonderful. But I realize I am comfortable traveling all over the world alone and others might not be. Here is why I would not shy away from a solo safari:
On safari, you are kept so busy that you never have a chance to be lonely.
Safari is fulfilling to people in different ways. For me, it fulfilled two of my great passions in life - animals and photography - simultaneously. The time just flew by! Figure out why you really want to go on safari and then focus heavily on that while there.
The small lodges at which I stayed easily created an intimacy amongst guests. You spend a lot of time with others on safari from your lodge between 2 game drives a day and all the meals. I was fortunate to make new friends with great people I met at each lodge.
The lodges, guides and trackers are careful to remind you that we are in these creatures' homes and thus must be reverent to their existence. While I love photography and was excited to capture these images, I did remember to put the camera down and just take it all in. And I am so glad I did.
Africa, out in the wild, with those endless skies and beautiful creatures......a perfect place for soul searching, even when you don't know you need it.
