Here is an approximate guide to what to expect on a typical day while on safari in Southern Africa

05h00 Wake Up! Wake Up! … it’s an early start. [Winter is likely a bit later]

05h30 Meet your ranger and tracker for early morning tea and coffee before heading out on safari, typically on open 4X4 safari vehicles. The best game viewing is to be found first thing in the morning and the anticipation is half the excitement! You could meet a herd of elephants at a drinking hole, observe a herd of shy impala or get up close with a pride of lions…it’s all up to chance!

09h30 Safari vehicles start returning from the game drives and you can enjoy a sumptuous and well-earned breakfast!

11:00 Depending on the season and the rules of the reserve/park, many lodges offer a safari walk with an armed guide and tracker. This gives you a chance to concentrate on the smaller wonders of nature such as insects and birds. The guide/tracker will tell you fascinating stories of the bushveld as well as the traditional or cultural medicinal properties of trees and plants.

After your walk you will have a chance to relax and unwind or enjoy a swim to cool down.

13h00 A delicious lunch is served. After lunch there is more time to relax and soak up the beauty of your surrounds. Some lodges operate on a brunch and high tea schedule with no lunch.

16h00 As the African sun begins to ease away and shadows start to form across the bushveld, guests and rangers meet for afternoon tea before the evening Game Drive.

16:30 Safari Time! You will head out on your second Game Drive for the day with a majestic African sunset as the backdrop. Nocturnal animals begin to stir, diurnal animals are heading for their 'safe' areas. Your ranger will be driving the vehicle and the tracker is up front looking out for tracks and spotting the animals.

18h00 As the sun sets the ranger may pick a good spot for a sundowner where you will pause to watch the sunset and enjoy some cocktails and refreshments. A real safari tradition!

18h30 As it starts to get dark, the tracker and guide use a powerful spotlight to catch sight of the animals. The animals eyes reflect in the spot light and the ranger and tracker will concentrate on finding the nocturnal animals such as leopards and lions. National Park rules vary and night drives are not always allowed.

19h30 The timing of dinner is determined by the activities on safari! If there are things happening, like lions hunting – your dinner will wait. You may have a chance to freshen up before dinner but quite often you go straight to dinner after game drive.

20h00 At most lodges, there are a number of places to enjoy dinner; around a fire, on a deck or in a dining room. Smaller camps often make use of a 'captain's table' where everyone sits at one big table - very social and a nice place to meet other travelers. A camp manager or ranger is most often at dinner with guests sharing stories and making plans for the following day! For safety reasons, you will be walked back to your room by the night watchman or ranger.