Top 7 Things To Do While In Camp On Safari

By Britta Foulis – Content Marketing Manager

When one dreams of a safari in East Africa, visions of lion hunting zebra, action-packed game drives, and the sounds and smells of being surrounded by nature come to mind. There are so many aspects of a safari that are easy to think of, however, there are other activities which await you once you join us in camp.

We know you’re looking forward to heading out in the early mornings in search of that spectacular sighting and that you cannot wait to experience an African safari and everything that comes with it. There is something about taking things slowly here in Africa – you may have already heard the phrase “African time” – and we can promise you it’s a great thing! Appreciating the moment and taking your time to soak up the experience is something we fully believe in.

Here are a few of our favorite activities that can be enjoyed during those times when you have a few hours to kill in camp before heading out into the bush in search of more adventure.

A Sip & A Dip

It can get pretty hot in Africa, especially during the middle of the day – most of the wildlife will be hidden in shady thickets and trying to cool down as much as possible so why don’t you do the same?

We have some of the most amazing pools in Africa to help you cool down. Roho ya Selous boasts a huge pool, which is even popular with the resident elephants!

Sayari Camp‘s rock pool is perfect for a refreshing dip and Jabali Ridge‘s infinity pool has views that will rival any setting – there is truly nothing better than sipping on a refreshing drink and going for a dip in the pool on a hot day in Africa.

Relaxation Retreat

Safari days can end up being quite long and tiring – there is so much to see and do, and exciting moments can be draining to even the most energetic of people! This is exactly why our Asilia Spa’s are such a wonderful way to unwind while on safari.

All of our wellness offerings are specially developed to enhance the well-being of both your body and mind, including massages and treatments, that are based on the natural healing methods of local traditions.

We have Asilia Spa’s at three of our properties – Jabali Ridge; Matemwe; as well as Sayari Camp. You can read more about our spa offerings here.

Explore “The Nest”

If you’re joining us for a trip to Rubondo Island, then you have almost certainly heard about our Chimpanzee Habituation Project – it has been such a success so far and something we are incredibly proud of – now, we have introduced “The Nest” which is a dedicated room whereby one can find out more about these interesting and often misunderstood, creatures which we are so lucky to have on the island.

The Nest certainly adds to the richness of the experience – before heading out on a trek to find the chimpanzees, you’ll be introduced to the island through a discussion fromProfessor Shaibu from TANAPA. He will walk you through where the chimps were last seen and provide some interesting background information to what it is you’ll be doing and seeing out on a trek.

Have a look at this video to get a feeling for what a chimpanzee trek is all about.

Get Decked Out

There are often times when you don’t even have to leave camp in order to see the wildlife of the area – at many of our camps, wildlife roam freely in the areas and, especially at night, wildlife does venture closer to camp.

Instead of heading out on a morning or afternoon game drive, you could spend a few hours enjoying breakfast or lunch on the deck of either Encounter Mara or Oliver’s Camp – they provide the perfect positioning to view wildlife whilst allowing you to relax and enjoy the moment from the comfort of the deck.

Encounter Mara’s deck overlooks a waterhole – zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and more visit the waterhole each and every day so there is always something to see! Oliver’s Camp has a deck which overlooks the plains of Tarangire – huge herds of elephant stroll past throughout the day and hundreds of other wildlife can be seen from the deck. We definitely recommend taking the time to sit back, relax, and let the wildlife come to you!

Keeping The Kids Happy

It can be tricky keeping the kids entertained – even if you’re on safari! This is exactly why we’ve created a range of fun activities for children to take part in while at the camp. Supervised by our wonderful guides, these activities touch on traditional African games and customs whilst providing hours of fun for the kids, too.

Activities include learning to shoot a bow and arrow; learning how to make a fire in the bush; spear-throwing and learning how to make a catapult; baking and cooking in the kitchen with our chefs; learning how to track different animal spoors; as well as star-gazing in the evenings. Our team loves a good game of football in the afternoons as well, so if your kids are football-lovers there will surely be a match or two to play!

The Wild, Wild, Gym

Going to the gym will never be the same again after trying it in the wild! We’ve introduced something a little out of the ordinary at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp.

If you’re craving a workout, why not join us on for an hour-long class and enjoy some functional fitness out in the bush – the classes include strength, endurance, mobility, agility, and flexibility training but will always be scaled to your fitness level and ability.

Take It All In

Sometimes, the best thing to do is just sit back and enjoy the moment.

A safari can end up being fast-paced and exhilarating, and while this isn’t a bad thing it doesn’t mean you can’t be afforded the luxury of taking a moment to yourself andrelaxing in comfort. All of our rooms are private, which means that having a nap on your day bed in the afternoon or reading a book on your tent’s deck to pass the time isn’t such a bad idea!

We love those moments when it is just yourself and the bush, nothing else to distract or take away – we recommend taking the time to spend an hour or two alone on safari and take a moment to think about every little thing that has made this trip so special to you so far.