Adventure Travel Time: South Africa Safari - 3

A Typical Day on Safari - to be used as a guide only…

05h00:     Wake up -  it’s an early start.

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.

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

11h00:     Depending on the season and the rules of the reserve, many lodges offer a Safari Walk with an armed tracker. This gives you a chance to concentrate on the smaller wonders of the Park / Reserve such as insects and birds, as well as getting to know a little more about the traditional cultural and 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:     Lunch is served. After lunch, there is more time to relax and soak up the splendour of your surroundings.

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.

16h30:     You will head out on your second Game Drive for the day with a majestic African sunset as the backdrop. The animals become more active again and the nocturnal animals get ready for their hunting. 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 will 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 (please note that some lodges do not include the costs of your sundowner beverages)

18h30:     As it starts to get dark, the tracker and guide may use a powerful spotlight to catch sight of the animals. The animals’ eyes reflect in the spotlight and the ranger and tracker will concentrate on finding the nocturnal animals such as Leopards and sunset hunters such as Lions.

19h30:     The timing of dinner is determined by the activities on safari, if there are things happening and lions hunting – your dinner will wait.  There is a chance to freshen up before dinner.

20h00:     At most lodges, there are a number of places to enjoy dinner at the lodge and, depending on the weather,  the camp manager will select the perfect venue. Your ranger usually joins you for dinner.  The more luxurious lodges offer you the choice of having dinner in your room. And finally, you get to retire to your room for some peaceful sleep before the next exciting day.

Times can vary from lodge to lodge, as well as winter and summer times.
This should be used as a guide only