From hot water bottles to heated pools, from crackling radio communications to satellite internet – the safari remains, at its core, a journey into the wild heart of something extraordinary.
A Moment in Time: 1987 and 1989
When I entered the safari world in 1987, the global landscape was as wild and complex as the African wilderness itself:
- Nelson Mandela was still imprisoned on Robben Island
- Apartheid gripped South Africa with an iron fist
- The Cold War was in its final, tense chapters
- Ronald Reagan was the US President
- The Berlin Wall still divided Germany
- Personal computers were just emerging
- International communication meant landline phones and occasional telex messages. I remember when we got our first fax machine and sent the first fax over to Africa. It was unbelievable to me to imagine that I could write something on a piece of paper here and that someone in Africa couldn’t look at it seconds later.
My first major safari expedition in 1989 coincided with some of the most transformative global moments:
- The Berlin Wall was falling
- The first commercial Internet service provider was founded
- Tiananmen Square protests were reshaping global consciousness
- Negotiations for Mandela’s release were quietly underway
- The Soviet Union was on the brink of collapse
The Unvarnished Truth of African Wilderness
Listen, I’ve watched the safari world transform like a chameleon changes its colors. But here’s the real magic – the heart of Africa hasn’t changed. Not one bit.
In 1987, when I first stepped into this wild world, luxury was a hot water bottle and a canvas tent that sometimes leaked. Today, we’ve got lodges that could make a five-star hotel blush. Heated toilet seats? Check. Private plunge pools? Absolutely. Michelin-star chefs cooking in the middle of nowhere? You bet.
But here’s the secret sauce – and lean in close for this – we can do ALL of that, or we can strip it right back to basics. Want a safari that’s more about the earth beneath your feet and less about thread count? We’ve got you covered.
The Wildlife Whispers
After decades of tracking, watching, and falling in love with African wildlife, I can tell you this: no luxury amenity can compete with a leopard silently padding through golden grass at dawn. No heated bidet compares to watching a herd of elephants navigate an ancient migration route, their movements telling stories older than any human civilization.
The Lodge Connection
One of the most extraordinary privileges of four decades in this business? Relationships. Not just professional connections, but genuine friendships with lodge owners who are more like family. These aren’t just business partners – they’re custodians of their land, storytellers, conservation warriors. I can pick up a phone and call a lodge owner who might be a third-generation safari operator, and we’ll chat about everything from the latest elephant movement to their kids’ school projects. That’s not something you’ll find in a travel brochure.
Luxury is a Spectrum
Want five-star everything? We can do that. Dream of a mobile tent under the stars with nothing but a bedroll and the sounds of the African night? We’re absolutely your people.
The beauty of a safari isn’t in the thread count of your sheets. It’s in:
- The unexpected roar of a lion at midnight
- A tracker reading the landscape like it’s an open book
- The moment when a giraffe turns and looks directly into your soul
- Understanding the intricate dance of predator and prey
- Witnessing ecosystems that have remained unchanged for millennia
The Real Adventure
Modern travelers often get lost in the luxury. But a true safari? It’s about connection. Connection to land, to wildlife, to a way of life that’s both ancient and immediate.
Quirky Pro Tip: I once spent an entire night watching a hyena clan. No fancy lodge, no gourmet meal. Just me, the stars, and nature’s most misunderstood predators. Best. Night. Ever.
The Safari Matchmaker
Safari Insider’s Approach: My true craft isn’t about knowing every track in the bush—it’s about understanding people. Each client is a unique puzzle, and my job is to craft the perfect safari experience that fits them like a perfectly tailored suit. I don’t just ask where they want to go; I dive deep.
What makes them light up? Are they wildlife photographers seeking that perfect golden-hour shot? Family adventurers wanting to create once-in-a-lifetime memories? Bird watchers with a passion for rare species? Wine enthusiasts hoping to pair their safari with incredible local vintages? I spend hours—sometimes days—understanding their travel style, family dynamics, hidden passions, and unspoken desires. It’s part detective work, part psychology, and entirely about connection. My rolodex of relationships with lodge owners, private reserves, and local experts becomes my toolkit. I’m not just planning a trip; I’m choreographing an experience that will resonate deeply with each unique traveler.
A Note on Expertise
After nearly four decades, I can tell you this: anyone can book a trip. But creating a transformative journey? That takes decades of relationships, deep knowledge of every nuanced corner of African travel, and an almost intuitive ability to match travelers with their perfect safari experience.