November 23, 2022by Sasha Ella

Sunrise to sunset under African skies

From the earliest stirrings at dawn, as the African bush comes alive, your senses will be on high alert. As you watch the sun rise over the horizon, listen to bird song, see the silhouettes of animals as they make their way down to the watering hole, smell the hoof –trodden earth, you’ll smile. It’s the start of another glorious day of adventure.

‘I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy’

[Ernest Hemingway]

Africa has so much to offer. Diverse landscapes: Rugged mountains, sparse vegetation, golden grasslands, parched deserts and indigenous forests along with abundant wildlife, a rich culture and fascinating history.

Travel has the ability to transform. This means whatever safari you choose – by vehicle, foot, bicycle or boat – the encounters will create lasting memories.

Where it began

One of the most successful conservation initiatives, with a 30-year legacy of rewilding the Eastern Cape in South Africa, is where you’ll find [Mantis Founders Lodge]. This first Mantis property is set on the highest point overlooking an immense wildlife reserve, with its unique biomes and abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora.

Your safari, inspired by the natural environment, includes the Big 5 (elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) well as smaller, lesser-known wildlife and ecology. Founders Lodge is both intimate – in terms of hospitality – and vast in terms of 4×4 guided game drives on 25 000ha of wilderness area. It’s the ideal way to view African wildlife in their natural habitat.

Morning game drives ensure countless sightings of diurnal (daytime) creatures, while the more elusive nocturnal animals are discovered during evening drives. The game viewing is extraordinary, not only on the guided outings but from the Lodge itself. Sit on your patio, having a coffee or sipping a sundowner, while watching rhino or cute warthogs with their tails held stiff as flagpoles as they run past. View a tower of giraffe, with their long eyelashes and equally long tongues nibbling on leaves around the acacia thorns … it’s wildlife on your doorstep!

Desert delights

The Kalahari Desert in Botswana offers a very different experience. The luxury mobile tented camp in Kwai-Kalahari allows you to explore the African bush as you would in a bygone era. The area is known for its large predator population, including lion, leopard and packs of African wild dog. You might be lucky enough to come across a pride of lion, tummies distended, having a post kill catnap.

The changing typography of the area, from open grass fields to riverine forests, makes for excellent bird watching and showcases the masterful design of nature’s ecosystem.

At the main Feline Fields Lodge, you continue to connect with nature. Hop onto a comfortable and sturdy fat bike and cycle through the Kalahari – a perfect way to get close enough to smell, touch and see the bush. A ‘cultural’ safari gives you the opportunity to spend time with the San – or Bushmen – the people of the Kalahari. Experience a taste of the life led by the original occupants of this part of Africa as you walk through the bush together, learning more about the edible and medicinal flora as well as their folklore.

Land of thousand hills

Rwanda has become a sought-after tourist destination and at the Mantis Akagera Game Lodge –you are spoilt for choice in terms of what to see and do. Safaris into the Akagera National Park take you along rolling highlands, savannah plains and swamp fringed lakes. And, despite being just 1,122 km², it is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including the Big 5. However, with its diversity of habitats the Park supports over 12 antelope species from the very small oribi to impala, topi and the Cape eland – the world’s largest antelope. Or wait patiently in the vehicle for zebras crossing. Marvel at the wonder of nature as they stand in a formation that helps camouflage against predators.

The Akagera National Park is also a significant ornithological site, boasting over 705 species of birds, including the Shoebill and Papyrus Gonolek. It is the only safe place to see the Red-collared Babbler with other unique species such as the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Blue-headed and purple-breasted sunbird to name a few.

River living

Zambezi Queen Collection by Mantis offers water-based safari experiences along the Chobe River. The area boasts the world’s biggest concentration of elephant and, when you venture by boat, you’ll get up close enough to watch the herds eat, drink and play. There are also buffalo, lion, crocodile, zebra and other animals that are drawn to the water to drink. And those boulders in the shallow water could actually be hippos wallowing with only their beady eyes and nostrils visible.

The birdwatching safari is ideal for twitchers. There are over 450 species around the Chobe and when the birding season starts in September and the first migrants arrive, the population is boosted by up to 20%. Make sure you have your binoculars at hand to catch a glimpse of plovers and lapwings, African skimmers, rock pratincoles, the African finfoot as well as cattle egrets, fish eagles, open-billed storks, lesser-striped swallows, the striking carmine bee-eater and the petite and colourful malachite kingfisher.

Other experiences include tiger fishing and cultural tours, meeting the elders of the Subiya tribe to gain a greater understanding of how the inhabitants of this 100-year old village live.

As the day draws to a close and the bush settles down for the night, the orange sun silhouettes the landscape before it dips over the horizon. Listen to the rustling of the nocturnal animals, smell the rain in the air as the stars fill the night sky. And smile, at memories of adventures unearthed on a wonderful African safari.