Going on safari is like participating in the world’s coolest scavenger hunt. You drive around seeking out animals that are so unique to Africa, and then get to watch in awe as the animals do what they do out in nature. Have you ever heard a lion roar in the darkness? I don’t even have anything else in my lifetime of experiences that I can compare it to.
There are SO many different safari experiences. If you google “safari” you’ll get thousands of camps ranging from bring-your-own-tent to mega luxury offerings. We decided to stay at Garonga. There are three options here: Garonga Safari Camp, the larger family-oriented Little Garonga, and a private MCH Luxury site. Since we didn’t have the kids with us on this trip, we stayed at the regular safari camp. I will mention though, all kids ages 6-16 are free at Little Garonga.
The Safari Schedule
There are two game drives every day. You’re woken up bright and early before the sunrise to start your adventure. Dress in layers! It’s chilly in the morning, but you’ll likely want to shed a layer by the time your drive is over. I love scarves as layering options. The vehicles are comfortable, which is good, because you spend a lot of time driving around. You’re accompanied by two guides: one is the driver and the other sits up in front of the vehicle to spot tracks and find your viewing pleasures. About an hour into your morning drive you stop for some coffee and light breakfast items while you take in the views. After your first game drive of the day, you head back to the lodge for actual breakfast. Did I mention that they feed you a lot? You will certainly never be hungry.
The afternoons are at your leisure around camp. Since you’re up early, this is a great time for a catnap. There’s also a pool with views over the local watering hole. We watched a spunky warthog visit the watering hole every day. The rooms are situated privately with great views too, so you can relax in the hammock and see what animals come your way.
There’s a second game drive in the evening that extends into the darkness. It’s both exhilarating and a little creepy to be driving around in the dark with flashlights. It’s tradition to have a nightly “sundowner” stop on the evening drives for a light snack and some champagne. These were lovely moments where you could chat with other guests and guides while enjoying a few beverages and the sunset over the African plains.
The night drives are also a great opportunity to see some amazing stars.
Once you get back to base camp, it’s time for dinner. You’re in for a real treat! There are appetizers, main courses, desserts, and bottles of wine. Garonga is all-inclusive, and they certainly don’t mind pouring the drinks! Once per week, they do a big “boma” dinner that is incredible. You’re invited to stay at the main lodge after dinner to chat around a roaring fire or you can head back to your room and get ready for the next day’s adventure.
The Animals
We spent about a week on safari and saw everything that was on our list. All the big cats – lions, leopard, cheetah. The big boys – elephants, giraffe, zebra, rhino, hippos. And lots of other unexpected guests – warthogs, fun birds, hyena, springbok, gazelle, antelope, duiker. You can get really close to the animals, and they really don’t seem to mind your presence. Seeing these animals in person never gets old! You’ll be just as thrilled on day 6 as you were on day 1.
The Extras
Garonga offers a few special experiences that are included in your stay. The first is a sleep out. About 20-minutes outside of the main camp is a little platform with a four-post bed covered in mosquito netting. Want to sleep out under the stars? It’s a little intimidating looking at first. You’re just hanging out on a raised platform in the middle of Africa with nothing but a walkie-talkie. Thankfully, they supply you with a cooler full of wine, beer, and Amarula for some liquid courage! If you haven’t heard of Amarula, it’s really good. It tastes like Bailey’s but is made from the local fruit of the marula tree. Surprisingly, we didn’t see a lot of animals during our sleep out. We did make some friends with local bats though, which were a lot of fun to watch.
You are also invited to try a bush bath. The website describes it as “a free standing, open-air safari bath tucked away privately within the main camp grounds and overlooking the bush landscape.” It sounds SO romantic. Sitting in a bubble bath looking at the stars and sipping champagne. In reality, this one was a little awkward. You have a robe and flip-flops, but you’re really stripping down in an environment where you just witnessed a leopard take down an antelope. My advice is do it…when else will you get that opportunity? But also don’t expect it to be the stuff of romance movies. There are no photos of this experience for obvious reasons…
The Unknown Ahead 
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