Extraordinary First Time Safari Experiences
You never forget your first time.
After reading about the exciting "extraordinary first time experience" developments at Phinda this week, talk in the Knighton Reeve offices turned to our own first time safari experiences. Whilst we are all in agreement that we have been very fortunate to have witnessed some incredible sightings over the years, we got all nostalgic thinking about some of our own “wow” moments, and those of our family members too. Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of wives, husbands and children as they saw their own “firsts” can be just as rewarding.
The Pangolin: One of the most elusive creatures on the planet
Katherine’s first ever Pangolin sighting came after many years of working in lodges right across Africa, so it certainly wasn’t for want of trying. But these are super shy, very gentle creatures and are notoriously hard to spot, even for expert guides. In this case though, the sighting came courtesy of another guest who was experiencing their very own first night game drive.
First time safari goers can quickly become experts at “spotting” logs and rocks in their excitement at trying to see something in the bush, but on a night drive the thrill of seeing an animals eyes reflect in the darkness takes it to another level. This particular guest had been asking “what’s that?” every few seconds as they drove back to the lodge, and after stopping for several dozen impala most of the vehicle had tuned out…thankfully the guide hadn’t, and the first time safari goers' inquisitiveness paid off as one spot turned out to be one of the most elusive creatures on the planet!
Stalking Lions by Night Vision Camera
My own first experience of night vision cameras was just as thrilling – I’d been travelling around Kenya in the supposed low season, but it was certainly high on experiences. I’d never seen night vision cameras anywhere before this trip, but I still struggle now to properly describe the increase in tension on the vehicle as we sat in complete darkness, senses heightened and “watching” lions stalking prey on the infra-red screens.
The sounds of the bush really come alive in the stillness of the night, and knowing the pride was right beside the vehicle and being able to see-them-without-seeing-them was right up there in my own safari highlights reel.
We all love the Wild Dogs
Knighton Reeve Directors, Liz and David had an on-going rivalry with regards to Wild Dog for a long time. Liz loves these animals, but hadn’t managed to see any for almost 20 years despite countless trips all over Africa. David however seemed to spot them everywhere he went – including on one site inspection!
Eventually, Liz decided to just relax and enjoy whatever the game drives brought instead of scouring the horizon for a flash of painted tail…and lo and behold, the next day was rewarded with two dogs trotting up the path towards the vehicle. We think she appreciated this sighting even more than the first time around!
The Great Migration - Sheer Spectacle
The first trip I saw wild dogs on we viewed a pack of over 20, then the next morning I saw them playing under the boardwalk in camp. Katherine’s first Aardvark broke all the rules for a nocturnal, reclusive animal and was spotted bang in the middle of the day. You just really never know what is waiting for you in the bush and is why we all hate to ever miss a game drive – we would be too jealous of missing out on the camp fire sundowner stories if we had a lay in and missed something spectacular.
Even when you think you are prepared, you should prepare only for being surprised. Katherine remembers being so excited to see her first wildebeest river crossing, steeling herself for the potential drama and brutality that could play out, and then bursting into tears at the sheer majesty of the spectacle. We are sure she isn’t the first to cry at the Mara River at this particular panorama.
"Real elephants Daddy!"
Thankfully we have been able to pass this mind-set onto our families too. Katherine’s husband was just 10 minutes into his first ever game drive when they were rewarded with a leopard sitting in a tree – the holy grail for many photographers. My wife Emma hadn’t even started her first official game drive when we detoured on the transfer vehicle en-route from the airstrip to where leopards had been spotted that morning, and were treated to a mother and cub curled up in the shade by the riverbank.
We’ve decided these two were spoilt rotten, but there was just as much excitement (if not more) when I took my youngsters on their first safari – imagine the glee of a 2 year old seeing “real elephants Daddy!” standing just paces away; or the face of a 4 year old girl, obsessed with giraffe, watching open-mouthed as her favourite animals grazed gracefully nearby.
First time experiences in Africa - again and again and again...
When it comes to safari, we all concur your first time is definitely special. But the beauty is that you just never know what “firsts” the next game drive will bring. Animals you have seen many times over will behave in entirely new ways. I’d never seen a warthog try to protect a struggling buffalo calf from a hyena before, and neither had my ranger with 20 years’ experience.
The stories of the bush are ever changing, and a safari gives you a privileged peek into the daily life and death struggles going on all around. It is an honour we never take for granted, and we hope our guests go away with this same mentality. I’ll finish with the words of my wife, as we flew home from her first ever trip to this magical continent many years ago:
“Please don’t let that be the last time we ever go to Africa”
It wasn’t, and the firsts keep on coming.
For more inspiration:
A low season safari in Kenya with WOW!
For Expert Advice & Inspirational Safaris
Call us on 01904 866 033 or email: africa@knightonreeve.co.uk to plan your extradordinary experience to Africa and the Indian Ocean.