A day in the life: On Safari

You know how you may think you’re a night owl. Turns out that all you were missing were elephants and lions to get up for. I would not consider myself an early riser, but those 5am wake up calls in the Bush had me as motivated as any fitness influencer who chooses to do this without the call of the wild.

As you stumble into the darkness, all you feel is excitement. Well, and a little chill too. Often greeted with coffee and even pastries, not that I have much of an appetite at that time, you may also be lucky enough to be at one of the camps who pops a little hot water bottle on your seat in the jeep to keep you warm until the sun comes up.

It’s then out in pursuit of the wildlife. The dawn mist adds to the drama, ensuring you feel very much as if you are in a film. Now, it should also be pointed out that safaris can be moving, dramatic and also funny. A lot of time is spent playing the I spy game, but often resulting in exchanges along the lines of “Lion, 1 o’clock” “I can’t see it” “Oh no, it’s just a rock’. It is quite amazing how animals such as zebras, that you are sure must stand out a mile, in fact blend seamlessly into the landscape. Clearly the zebras are somewhat relieved about this.

So whilst the survival of animals depends on this camouflage, it does mean you will spend some of your time straining your eyes in a way you haven’t done since your last visit to the optician.

Any sighting is wonderful, but particular highlights have to be the cubs and baby elephants. Cheetahs are my favourite animal. They have beautiful faces and live such a precarious existence meaning they lose many of their cubs. Solitary like leopards, but not as strong, there is something very moving about being around them.

If I had to choose an animal that I would come back as, it would be a female (the males are thrown out of the herd when they hit puberty) elephant however. Part of the herd and very well protected as a baby, they seemed to have the best deal given that most of the animals were also very wary of them. Oh and the fact that they eat 12 -18 hours a day and sleep the rest, also doesn’t sound bad.

The morning drive is interrupted by morning coffee and cakes before you continue on, usually by now stripping off the fleece and ponchos of the early morning as the day heats up quickly after sunrise.

After a few more rounds of ‘Is it a lion or a rock’, it’s then back to the camp or lodge for, you’ve guessed it, more food.

It can feel somewhat like you’re being fattened up for the passing predators, but in fact, the animals see the vehicles as part of the environment and don’t react to them provided of course that you don’t get too close to the babies.

After a nap, swim or perhaps time to edit your photos, it’s then a spot of afternoon tea before heading out once again for your afternoon game drive. After getting RSI from your camera button it’s then time for sundowners as game drives end at sunset with some snacks and your favourite tipple.

It’s then back to the camp for a three course meal, before doing as the lions do and collapsing in a heap to sleep off all that eating, ready to start again tomorrow.