No two days on safari are ever quite the same, and that’s exactly how it should be. Some guests like to greet the dawn and chase the morning light. Others sleep in and sip their coffee slowly. That’s the beauty of being out here: it’s your holiday, and you choose the rhythm of how you experience these remarkable places.
Choose to rise with the African sun or sleep in and let the day come to you.
If you’re an early bird, the day might begin just after 5:30, with a gentle wake-up call and the tea or coffee you ordered the night before at your door. Head over to the main area where more tea or coffee is waiting, and a light bite to eat, like some pancakes cooked over the fire. Then it’s time to set out into the cool air and join the rest of the Zambian bush as it begins to stir. This might mean a game drive, but you can also choose to explore the bush on foot with a walking safari, glide quietly along the water in a canoe, or take a boat ride to see the wildlife from a different perspective.
Morning safaris are full of possibility. Maybe you’ll catch a pride of lions on the move, or a leopard stretched across a branch. Or maybe you’ll just sit quietly, watching giraffes feed as the day begins. Somewhere along the way, your guide will find a quiet spot for a mid-morning break, more coffee (it was an early start after all), something freshly baked, and a view that’s all your own.
But not everyone is in a hurry, and that’s the beauty of it. If you would rather sleep in and start your day with a slow breakfast, watching zebras wander past, then that’s just as good. Safari is not about ticking boxes, it’s simply about being present. All of our camps are set in beautiful locations, and your coffee view will be equally beautiful, and you never know which animals might come to see you instead.
If you’ve been out on a morning game drive, you’ll return to camp mid-morning, though the exact time depends entirely on the day’s sightings and how the temperature is climbing. After a few hours out in the fresh air, brunch is always welcome, usually served buffet-style, with plenty of fresh salads, fruit, and something a little indulgent too. This might be the day that you have a special lunch in store, like a private lunch on the river with your feet in the water or a meal shared under the shade of the trees.
As the day heats up, the pace slows down.
Most animals find a shady patch and settle in, and we encourage guests to do the same. It’s a time for cooling dips in the pool, getting stuck into your book, and maybe a siesta with a gentle breeze. If you’ve been out all morning, it’s a chance to rest and let it all sink in. If you’ve stayed in, it might be the perfect moment for a massage or some yoga followed by an outside shower. This is also the perfect time to charge a camera or download your morning’s pictures, safari days tend to fill up your memory cards quite quickly.
The bush stirs softly as the light begins to turn golden once more.
Afternoons begin again around 3:30 with a little something sweet and a fresh cup of tea or coffee. Some head out on game drive with sundowners packed and cameras ready. This is also one of the best times to try your luck at tiger fishing in the Lower Zambezi. Others opt for a slower evening, maybe a gin and tonic in hand, watching the comings and goings around the river’s edge over a game of backgammon. By late afternoon, the light begins to change again, and with it, the energy of the bush. However you choose to spend them, Zambia’s late afternoons are pure gold.
The African sunset paints the sky before fading into a blanket of stars.
As the sun dips lower on your game drive, your guide will find a scenic spot to stop. There’s something special about a sundowner in the bush, the clink of ice, the quiet chatter, the African sky turning shades of orange and pink. Afterwards, you’ll continue on with the help of a spotlight, searching for those creatures that only come out after dark, maybe an owl, a porcupine, or the glint of a hyena’s eye.
Back in camp, there’s time for a drink at the bar or a quick freshen-up before dinner. For those seeking something extra special, spending the night under the stars in our sleepout experience offers a unique way to feel completely immersed in the wild. Wherever you are, around the table, stories are swapped, dessert is served, and the fire flickers nearby. Some nights end with laughter and a nightcap, others with the gentle sounds of the bush. And every now and then, a lion might roar in the distance to remind you just how far away the real world feels.
There’s no script here. Some guests go out twice a day, eager to see it all. Others spend hours watching a single animal, completely entranced. You can be as active or as peaceful as you like. This is your time, your adventure, your version of safari. We’re here to guide, to share, and to celebrate this wonderful part of the world in exactly the way that suits you.
So, what does a day on safari look like? Well, that’s entirely up to you.
FOLLOW THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
Discover the road less travelled
Our expertise in African travel and conservation dates back for many decades, you can expect equally pioneering travel guidance from our award-winning team. Time + Tide are custodians of some of the most remote corners of our planet and it is our privilege to guide you along the road less travelled.