🐘 Safaris! (2 of 4) | South Africa & Botswana | Lodge Highlight - Rockfig Safari Lodge

📷 Photo from a client’s safari

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

How would you pack for this 8 day trip…

Cocktails with hoteliers and industry colleagues in the speakeasy at the top of the Raffles hotel in Boston
A few days in Telluride, CO scaling a via ferrata, hiking, doing hotel site visits and eating in trendy restaurants
A weekend visiting your college daughter – fly fishing, hiking and dining out in a cute mountain town
Two days on the Hill in DC lobbying Congress on behalf of the American Society of Travel Advisors?

That was my challenge yesterday as I packed for my 6am flight this morning. Normally I try to squeeze into a carryon, but the variety of shoes I needed for this trip easily tipped me over to a checked bag.

After a fun evening catching up with travel partners from the Four Seasons, Auberge hotels, Raffles, Qatar Airlines and others, I had a restless night sleeping in an airport hotel before my 4:15a wake up.

I was pleasantly surprised with no line at TSA PreCheck and the healthy breakfast option (grain bowl with fresh avocado, peppers, kale and a hard boiled egg) on my first visit to the Chase Priority Pass lounge at gate B40 at Logan. Note: gate B40 is on the cusp of terminal C so it’s reachable from both terminals.

When I arrive in Colorado, I’ll be stopping at THE taco place my brother, Greg, says I must on my drive to Telluride. With taco names like Oooh Mommy, Brocstar, Yardcore, Hooker and more mainstream options like Ahi Tuna, I’m still undecided on what I’ll be ordering.

I’ll add it to my Instagram story later today and I’ll look forward to sharing more about my adventures with you next week!

Last week’s most popular article was The 13 Most Beautiful Places on Earth You’ve Never Heard Of. There are places on this list that are likely new to you. I was surprised by one, that I happened to pass by last weekend en route to mountain biking in Vermont.

This week’s inspirational articles include the best celebrity vacations of 2024, the most luxurious hotel bathrooms in the world, a peak US fall foliage map and 11 great girls trip destinations.

Also articles on NY, Bali, river rafting, Stockholm, the UK and new books to inspire your next travel adventure.

The informational articles include accessible adventures for travelers with disabilities, Greece restricts cruise visits to decrease crowds, 9 travel-focused upgrades coming to the iPhone and a $40 bag delivery service that lets you skip baggage claim (Have you tried it? If so, let me know).

Where to next for you?

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s Africa focus – South Africa + Botswana
Where to Next? Rockfig Safari Lodge
Articles to Inspire+Inform

SOUTH AFRICA + BOTSWANA

Do you want to…

see cheetahs sprinting across the plains chasing their pray?
spot the Big 5?
go in search of the often elusive wild dog?
indulge in world class cuisine and wine?
learn about history?
have contrasting experiences on land and water?
explore one of the world’s most exciting, cosmopolitan cities?
go on a hike with epic views?

If you answered yes to most or all of the above, South Africa and Botswana may be in your destiny for an African safari.

These countries offer the above and so much more!

You’ll experience immense opportunities to see wildlife in the southern African countries of Botswana and South Africa. These two countries can be visited together or on their own.

Botswana

Botswana has the unique benefit of offering both land and water based safaris. Enjoy serenely boating through the channels of the Okavango Delta on a guided mokoro in search of hippos, crocodiles and elephants or cast in a line for catch and release fishing.

Here you will find some of the most luxurious lodges in Africa, set in secluded locations away from any crowds, giving you a true sense of exclusivity and remoteness. Botswana’s government has intentionally designed the experience to have fewer lodges, mostly at the higher end, to maximize conservation and minimize impact on wildlife.

South Africa

In South Africa visit the world famous Kruger National Park, where you might encounter a rare white lion, quietly watch a leopard scale a tree with its most recent conquest while hyenas circle below eager to pounce on the tiniest droppings or dine in a dry riverbed under the stars.

If you’re someone who likes hands on experiences, consider partaking in wildlife conservation by assisting the veterinary team in rhino notching or a rhino de-horning. This is a very special experience that must be taken into consideration when planning your itinerary.

There are also various community based projects outside of the private reserves where you can truly learn from local villagers and make a small but meaningful difference in their lives. If you are traveling with sporty kids, a local friendly soccer game can be arranged with the right planning.

If you are a golfer, take advantage of playing a course that is unlike any other one you’ve ever played – Leopard Creek Country Club. With antelope running over the fairways and overlooking the Crocodile River where elephants, hippos and crocs are playing in the water – you will need to try hard to keep your eye on your ball. If you want a really OTT (over the top) experience, we can fly you to the course via helicopter from your safari lodge. Even better – surprise your spouse with the experience!

As a bonus to your safari experience, this area of the African continent gives you the most direct access to:

Cape Town

World class dining, street art, cooking classes in Bo-Kaap, kayaking, picnicking and spotting penguins on the Cape Peninsula
Learning about Nelson Mandela’s life and his country’s experience with Apartheid during dinner with his former prison guard
Hiking up the iconic Table Mountain, followed by a well earned snack and an easy gondola ride down

The Winelands

Soar high above the vineyards blanketing the beautiful landscape by helicopter for a sky-based wine tasting touching down at the best wineries in Froenschook and Stellenbosch
Stay in luxurious country retreats dining on Michelin star worthy meals by candlelight
Go for beautiful hikes with no concern for predators hiding in the bush

Mozambique

Relax on the beach, go adrift in a dhow boat at sunset or in search of migrating humpback whales

What’s your preference?

Cosmopolitan city or the remote bush?
Hiking mountains or relaxing on the beach?
Spotting penguins or rhinos?
Searching for wildlife by boat or by land?
Spending sunset with a cocktail in hand while watching giraffes serenely walk by or a sipping a glass of local Pinotage from the rooftop of the Silo hotel overlooking Table Mountain?

You don’t actually have to pick one or the other.

You can have them ALL in South Africa and Botswana!

In addition to the countries of Botswana and South Africa, southern Africa also includes Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. We’ll tackle those in an upcoming edition.

📷 Photo from a client’s safari

Defining – Private Conservancy (or Reserve) vs National Park

Learning the difference between a private conservancy and a national park is helpful as you plan your safari adventure.

Why?

Because your choice has a direct impact on your experience.

National parks tend to:

not have a limit on the number of vehicles on an animal sighting
not allow off-roading
have strict hours for access
be a lot more crowded
have a large density of wildlife

Private conservancies tend to:

allow after dark game drives
limit visitors to only those staying in safari lodges on the conservancy
enable horseback riding, camel trekking, mountain biking and walking safaris
provide a more exclusive experience

There are no fences between national parks and private conservancies, so the wildlife roams freely.

As I love to plan your safari with contrasting experiences, expect to stay in at least one each of the above.

Anytime I talk about Africa I can’t help but reminisce about my own safaris and those of my clients. I’ll share some of my personal favorite videos and pictures from South Africa…

Fill out your Safari Inquiry

HERE

🌟 Our clients recently went on a multigenerational safari in South Africa and spent a few days at Rockfig Safari Lodge.

They raved about their guide, the food and their butler who by day two was anticipating their every need. “You really got the sense from everyone at the camp that it’s their passion to be there and a true pleasure to share it with us.”

Why is Rockfig Safari Lodge so special?

It’s beautiful! Nestled in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve the lodge is surrounded by diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, open plains and forests. Get ready to spot the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
With only a few suites, the lodge provides an intimate and exclusive safari experience. Each suite has an indoor and outdoor shower, private verandah, minibar and bath. Service is attentive and personalized throughout the entire stay.
Gourmet meals are prepared with fresh, local ingredients and served with a selection of fine wines. The kitchen is open and large, shared tables are inside and outside. Gather for food, games or conversation about your adventures.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Game drives are with guides and trackers that pride themselves on giving a safe but very close wildlife encounter. Every guest has a ‘window’ seat with just four guest per vehicle (you will be in open air vehicles with no real windows).
Explore Timbavati by foot on a bush walk learning about the animals and fauna. Get up close and learn about tracks, plants and smaller creatures that may be missed in a vehicle.
Take a swim in the pool and relax on the loungers after exploring. You might even find an elephant drinking out of the pool while you swim! In the evening, hang out in the boma under the stars by the fire with family and new friends.

‼️ Don’t miss…. a Timbavati Reserve night drive. These excursions provide a chance to see nocturnal animals such as owls, hyenas and leopards and nightfall offers a different perspective of the bush.