In the African savannah, one adapts to the rhythm of nature, the sunrise and sunset and learns to experience a typical day on retreat. Depending on the retreat or workshop that you will participate in with specific activities, the schedule described below will be adapted to the schedule and requirements of the retreat or workshop.
Lots of other species can be spotted early morning because this is when most animals are active, except for nocturnal animals.
Nocturnal animals and predators may still be visible and active in the early morning, busy chasing prey or, with a bit of luck, walking along a dirt road. You may be lucky to spot some lions or a leopard strolling
A staff member will come and knock gently at your door to invite you to share a quick coffee or tea and a few rusks (typical bush biscuits) with other participants while it is still dark.
These can last up to 3 hours or more. It may seem long but once out there and despite a bit of sleepiness, you will not notice the passing of time. There’s so much to discover out there, especially with all your senses on alert.
Who knows who you may bump into or cross the path of… A herd of elephants or zebras, a lazy male lion lying a few meters away, relaxing after a busy night defending his territory. You will get to track footprints, smaller animals, insects, birds and life beyond the big game. In winter, wearing extra layers of protection against the cold is wise – you can always take them off once the temperature starts rising.
You will marvel at how easily they get to see wildlife from a distance or distinguish a chameleon in a tree. You will also be surprised by the close encounter with certain species while on a game drive. You are safe as long as you do not move from the vehicle. Animals tend to see the vehicle and occupants as a big shape without distinguishing us as individuals.
Midday is usually a tranquil time: as the temperature rises, both humans and animals tend to save their energy avoiding the heat and looking for trees or cooler places. You may be offered alternative activities such as a short walk with you armed guide visiting a community project in a nearby village.
The occasion to look at the pictures you took, chat with others what you will have seen or heard. Breakfast can also be organized in the wild.
Or you may want to have a swim in the pool, read a book, wander around the lodge or simply go back to your room and enjoy a nice long nap while the battery of you camera is charging for your next adventure. Lunch, sometimes called high tea, is usually served at the main facilities around 2pm.
You will probably leave the lodge for your night drive around 3:30pm. Starting your drive in the late afternoon means you will be coming back by night and will enjoy part of the drive in the dark.
With a good local gin & tonic in hand, let yourself marvel at some the most amazing sunset you will ever see.
Being far away from any city and light pollution allows you to admire the Milky Way. Lift up your eyes and be awed by the millions of stars flickering above your head. The Southern Cross, the hunter, Venus and Jupiter. Big skies and big dreams.
Once back to the lodge from your late activity, you’ll have some time to freshen up (a warm shower or a long bath), then head towards the boma where the staff will have started a nice big fire.
Most lodges invite their guests to have dinner with their guide on a common table. As a participant in a retreat, you will stay in a private villa, lodge ot tented camp that will have been privatised for the event. A gin & tonic, local beer or nice glass of wine in hand, it’s time to catch up on the adventures of the day and make new friends.
A lodge may sometimes surprise you with a different setting at night: a private table on your room’s deck or a bush dinner in a breathtaking site not far from the lodge, surrounded by paraffin lanterns hanging in the trees.
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A très bientot !