African Encounters - Safaris Beyond Your Expectations

23/04/2025

This is elephant country - and your front row seat is reserved!

Nehimba Lodge, in a private concession in the remote northern reaches of Hwange National Park, draws in hundreds of elephants in the dry season - thirsty, dusty, magnificent 🐘🐘🐘🐘

Picture this: it’s September 2026 and you're joining me in Zimbabwe, relaxing on the deck of your luxury tent, a chilled drink in hand, as the late afternoon sun turns the bush to gold. Suddenly, a low rumble vibrates through the air. Then, the elephants arrive. Bulls with wide tusks, matriarchs leading their herds, playful calves splashing and slurping in the lodge’s waterhole - and even the swimming pool! It’s a mesmerising, up-close spectacle of raw, wild Africa.

My September 2026 safari to Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls & Zambia is already generating interest, and I’ll be taking just 6 guests! So if Nehimba’s elephants are calling your name, now’s the time to get in touch and secure your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

22/04/2025

We were canoeing on a tributary of the Zambezi River when this herd of elephants crossed the river in front of us - just another magic moment in Zambia. Come and join me in Zimbabwe & Zambia in September 2026! I'll be taking just 6 guests - get on the waitlist now!

19/04/2025

I'm excited to be launching my June 2026 safari to wild, remote northern Kenya very soon! It’s a truly special itinerary—and it’ll be released first to subscribers, with an exclusive pre-launch offer.

We’ll be staying in gorgeous, small and intimate luxury camps—so this one’s limited to just 8 adventurous Africa-lovers.

If you’ve been dreaming of something a little off the beaten track, now’s the time. Join the waitlist and be the first to know!
🐘🦏🦒🦓🦁🐾🐾🥰

https://bit.ly/4cL3sZw

16/04/2025

Five years ago, a tiny, determined elephant calf was rescued and brought to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a community-run sanctuary in remote northern Kenya. After surviving a fall into a well and a life-threatening hyena attack that left him without most of his trunk, Long’uro has become a symbol of quiet courage and hope. Today, he’s a thriving, happy (and still very cheeky!) part of the sanctuary family.
We visit Reteti on my Kenya safaris and at each visit it's a delight to see how Long'uro is growing and meeting his challenges with the help and care of the amazing Reteti keepers.
We include a 12 month adoption of one of these orphaned babies with every booking, and several of my guests are Long’uro's adopted parents, supporting his ongoing care and helping fund his daily milk bottles, medical support, and the gentle guidance of his devoted Samburu keepers.
The Sarara Foundation is currently running a fundraiser to celebrate Long’uro’s 5th Rescueversary. Every dollar you give supports the life-saving milk bottles, around-the-clock care, and the love Long’uro and his fellow orphans need to grow strong and wild again. No gift is too small. Truly – every single dollar counts. Please join me in supporting Long'uro on his long journey back to the wild!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JjkH5Se6K/

13/04/2025

I'm working on another fabulous Zimbabwe safari for next year. Who wants to join me watching 'elephant bush tv' here? Details will be available very soon - join the waitlist!

A very special feature of Nehimba Lodge in the dry season are the huge numbers of elephants who drink from the lodge swimming pool, located just meters away ...

10/04/2025

Photos are great, but they’ll never quite capture the magic of actually being on safari in Africa.
That heart-lifting moment when an elephant pauses to graze right in front of you. The earthy scent of wild sage brushing against your vehicle on a game drive. The warm breeze on your face as you watch giraffes move gracefully across the plains. It’s a feeling that can only be experienced in person.

Ready to come and experience the real thing?

08/04/2025

What an amazing sight as the Swakop River in Namibia, which has been dry for years, is now flowing after heavy rains in southern Africa. I've even seen photos of Deadvlei at Sossusvlei under water! I'm imaging all the flowers springing into life in the desert, as always happens after an event like this 😍
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1648ie3fTB/

07/04/2025

I'll be launching my 2026 escorted safaris very soon and my newsletter subscribers get to see them first with an exclusive early bird special! Want to be the first to know - join my mailing list 😉 🐘🦛🦏🦒🦓🐆🐾 https://bit.ly/446jl8w

31/03/2025

I’m up in Auckland catching up with some of my African partners. My brain is buzzing with lots of exciting new ideas - stay tuned!

26/03/2025

This is our camp in South Luangwa on my Zambia & Malawi safari in October 2026 - Africa at it's best. Details will be announced soon, but this camp has just 5 rooms so if you'd like to join me - get on the waitlist!

23/03/2025

Ocean Sole is always worth a visit when we’re in Nairobi! Love their gorgeous creations from recycled flip-flops, and the work they do on so many fronts.

21/03/2025

So good to see these wee ones doing well. Hoping we get to see them in Samburu in June!
Alto and her female twins, born in 2023, have been spotted by our team thriving in Samburu National Reserve! Elephant twins make up just 1% of births and survival in the wild is even tougher. It's truly wonderful to see these twin sisters doing so well. Bravo to superstar mum, Alto!

📸 James Mpapa/Save the Elephants

20/03/2025

Group travel often gets a bad rap - with images of large groups on bus tours, rigid schedules and lack of flexibility. We've all seen them trailing around Venice, Athens or Rome, following their tour leader with his/her flag or umbrella hoisted aloft...
But it doesn't have to be like that! I believe in options, not obligations. Want a quiet afternoon by the pool instead of a village visit? No problem. Prefer a morning nature walk instead of another game drive? We can arrange that.
With a well-designed small-group tour, the burden of planning, logistics and problem-solving is removed. Someone else takes care of everything – luggage, border crossings and flight connections – eliminating the anxiety around travel, especially in Africa!
What's your travel style - large group, small group, or totally independent?