‘Wilderness in waiting’ is a four-part weekly series, highlighting Africa’s proud wildlife heritage during the COVID pandemic.
The good news is that we’re starting to see movement in African countries opening up tourism again. In South Africa, various tourism bodies are working around the clock to ensure that we have the right protocols frameworks in places to safely welcome guests soon. Until that happens, several lodges have been harnessing the power of technology and other creative means to ensure we’re able to keep connected with the wild.
Londolozi and the Art of Storytelling
Before we even start looking at why some lodges have taken safari digital, it’s important to understand the psyche of safari: at the heart of this sensorial experience is storytelling. I knew my starting point would be Londolozi, a lodge whose ethos fully embraces storytelling. Amanda Ritchie (from Londolozi) told me a little more about this.
“The ancient art of storytelling is a way of sharing a nuanced combination of ancient wisdom and modern technology. Good stories are felt and experienced in the body – they are almost a set of code that stays with you.”
Indeed, those who have been on safari will testify that these kinds of stories are felt. Amanda continues, “Nature has a way of showing you how to weave truth and adventure together; it has to be authentic and truly lived. That’s what we do every day… hoping that in some small way we can inspire awakening to a shared humanity, animal kinship, and planet. This is a very long way of saying ‘it is like breathing for us.’”
It’s clear that the team has put considerable effort into ensuring that narrative-led legacy continues, despite current challenges. In addition to offering live safaris via social media, the Londolozi family has brought us some astoundingly unique projects.
“Over 38% of our guests are returning visitors. When the global pandemic hit the world and slowed everything down, we came together as a team and decided that we needed to put together a way for our online Londolozi family – and anyone who was feeling anxious or lost – to return to nature virtually through the practices of mindfulness, animal wisdom, and meditation. Londolozi has specialized in the Inward Safaris for many years. Spearheaded by Boyd Varty (a Londolozi tracker and life coach), we have run different retreats that combine wilderness emersion and inner tracking in a very unique way.”One unique retreat was Boyd’s 40 days and 40 nights spent in the wilderness. Although it’s now over, you can follow the journey starting here and glean from the daily episodes. You can sign up for their Inward Safari – a 7 Day Animal Wisdom Challenge, freely here.
“We wanted to generate a free gift that we could send out to the world to say that we, the immediate Londolozi family, were thinking of everyone and create some inner space for people to go on their own inward safari. Even if all they could do was close themselves in their office or bedrooms for 30 minutes to work through the day’s challenges.”
&BEYOND and Bringing Africa Home
Known for going above and beyond, luxury group &BEYOND knew that they wanted to do something for their loyal following. Valeri Mouton gave me some insight into what birthed their &BEYOND Connect. “The worldwide lockdown may have reduced the capacity for people to travel to distant places, but the one thing it cannot extinguish is their appetite for new and exotic experiences. To relieve the tedium of isolation and bring the beauty of the natural world to our guests, our teams looked at ways to virtually bring our destinations to life.”
Live safari feeds have already captured the hearts and screens of many around the globe. Through these virtual safaris, in partnership with the WILDearth organization, viewers have been enjoying their daily wildlife fix. These are made possible by a group of guides who have remained on the reserves to ensure the wildlife monitoring continues, as well as playing an important security function.
The team didn’t leave it at that Valeri notes: “We explored how we travel through our senses and captured curated recipes, music, books, documentaries and videos that bring travel to your armchair through our #andbeyondathome campaign.”
&BEYOND Connect offers virtual experiences, the ability to book a chat with a guide, a travel-inspired magazine, a podcast channel, a TV service…. and then my favourite – Bringing Africa Home. Here you can Taste, Hear, Watch and Read Africa (nearly) fully embracing the sensorial nature of safari.
People have found the content helpful in connecting them to the wild. “The overwhelming response to our interactive content has made us realise the possibility of virtual safaris to provide wildlife access to the world’s audience with a goal to educate and inspire them. It also provides us with a mechanism to fundraise for our community and conservation projects that need support at this time.”
The positive feedback for these projects is a testimony that even in this short period of wilderness in waiting, the significance of the African experience continues to be as powerful as ever.
Jared Ruttenberg is a freelance travel journalist who enjoys connecting people and experiences through word, image and social media. Read more at www.jaredincpt.com
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7 Comments
Part of me is surprised that 38% of the guests to Londolozi are returning visitors, part of me isn’t. I think that years ago a safari was seen as less accessible and more of a once off, once in a lifetime kind of experience. Now that travel is easier and we’re able to do more and get out more, it means you’re more likely to be able to repeat the trips you adored, providing you can afford it. My friend went on her first safari a few years ago with her husband. They loved it so much that they’ve been back I don’t know how many times, at least 5 already. They go and help out at an animal shelter while they’re there so I know it’s a very meaningful, life changing experience for both of them.
I really admire the heart of Londolozi and what they want to create for people. To get away, to turn inward, to have a meaningful and deep experience. Thanks for sharing that &Beyond Connect link – I’d heard of the brand before from other posts here but I had no idea they did online and TV stuff. That’s a great idea, especially during lockdown. Absence will make the heart grow fonder I’m sure.
Thanks for the response Jess. I think you’re right that there’s something so spectacularly sensorial about a safari that people do want to return, and I applaud these companies who’ve gone out of their way to make sure their guests can stay connected. Enjoy the couch safari experiences!
I think I’m becoming a real safari addict. I had hoped to do another safari this year but so far it’s not happened. It’s great to read this piece just to keep my hopes alive. I’ll be on a plane as soon as I can.
Thanks James – encouraging to hear that. We look forward to welcoming you hopefully soon! Shout if you need any help when you do.
I think South Africa is going through a second wave, no? Such a shame for the people there. I’ve met lots of South African people online through my job, and they are usually some of the sweetest and most genuine people. If I ever get to Africa, that would be the first place I’d like to visit. The safari stuff to me is such another level of traveling. What an adventure to do that there.
I’m not surprised that over 38% of Londolozi’s guests are returning visitors.
There are things about Africa and safaris that get into your blood and your mind.
Throughout lockdown when I was really missing travel the one trip that I wanted to do most of all was a safari.
Confined within the four walls of my house, I craved for the the landscapes stretching to the horizon and the vast skies, thinking of the wildlife free to wander through the plains.
Thanks for reading Andrew and indeed yes a safari is a significant and deep experience! I think we’ve all struggled being confined, so hopefully, these ‘bringing safari home’ experiences will help you as they have many of us!
Londolozi and the Art of Storytelling
Before we even start looking at why some lodges have taken safari digital, it’s important to understand the psyche of safari: at the heart of this sensorial experience is storytelling. I knew my starting point would be Londolozi, a lodge whose ethos fully embraces storytelling. Amanda Ritchie (from Londolozi) told me a little more about this.
“The ancient art of storytelling is a way of sharing a nuanced combination of ancient wisdom and modern technology. Good stories are felt and experienced in the body – they are almost a set of code that stays with you.”
Indeed, those who have been on safari will testify that these kinds of stories are felt. Amanda continues, “Nature has a way of showing you how to weave truth and adventure together; it has to be authentic and truly lived. That’s what we do every day… hoping that in some small way we can inspire awakening to a shared humanity, animal kinship, and planet. This is a very long way of saying ‘it is like breathing for us.’”
It’s clear that the team has put considerable effort into ensuring that narrative-led legacy continues, despite current challenges. In addition to offering live safaris via social media, the Londolozi family has brought us some astoundingly unique projects.
Londolozi and the Art of Storytelling
Before we even start looking at why some lodges have taken safari digital, it’s important to understand the psyche of safari: at the heart of this sensorial experience is storytelling. I knew my starting point would be Londolozi, a lodge whose ethos fully embraces storytelling. Amanda Ritchie (from Londolozi) told me a little more about this.
“The ancient art of storytelling is a way of sharing a nuanced combination of ancient wisdom and modern technology. Good stories are felt and experienced in the body – they are almost a set of code that stays with you.”
Indeed, those who have been on safari will testify that these kinds of stories are felt. Amanda continues, “Nature has a way of showing you how to weave truth and adventure together; it has to be authentic and truly lived. That’s what we do every day… hoping that in some small way we can inspire awakening to a shared humanity, animal kinship, and planet. This is a very long way of saying ‘it is like breathing for us.’”
It’s clear that the team has put considerable effort into ensuring that narrative-led legacy continues, despite current challenges. In addition to offering live safaris via social media, the Londolozi family has brought us some astoundingly unique projects.
“Over 38% of our guests are returning visitors. When the global pandemic hit the world and slowed everything down, we came together as a team and decided that we needed to put together a way for our online Londolozi family – and anyone who was feeling anxious or lost – to return to nature virtually through the practices of mindfulness, animal wisdom, and meditation. Londolozi has specialized in the Inward Safaris for many years. Spearheaded by Boyd Varty (a Londolozi tracker and life coach), we have run different retreats that combine wilderness emersion and inner tracking in a very unique way.”One unique retreat was Boyd’s 40 days and 40 nights spent in the wilderness. Although it’s now over, you can follow the journey starting here and glean from the daily episodes. You can sign up for their Inward Safari – a 7 Day Animal Wisdom Challenge, freely here.
“We wanted to generate a free gift that we could send out to the world to say that we, the immediate Londolozi family, were thinking of everyone and create some inner space for people to go on their own inward safari. Even if all they could do was close themselves in their office or bedrooms for 30 minutes to work through the day’s challenges.”
&BEYOND and Bringing Africa Home
Known for going above and beyond, luxury group &BEYOND knew that they wanted to do something for their loyal following. Valeri Mouton gave me some insight into what birthed their &BEYOND Connect. “The worldwide lockdown may have reduced the capacity for people to travel to distant places, but the one thing it cannot extinguish is their appetite for new and exotic experiences. To relieve the tedium of isolation and bring the beauty of the natural world to our guests, our teams looked at ways to virtually bring our destinations to life.”
Live safari feeds have already captured the hearts and screens of many around the globe. Through these virtual safaris, in partnership with the WILDearth organization, viewers have been enjoying their daily wildlife fix. These are made possible by a group of guides who have remained on the reserves to ensure the wildlife monitoring continues, as well as playing an important security function.
The team didn’t leave it at that Valeri notes: “We explored how we travel through our senses and captured curated recipes, music, books, documentaries and videos that bring travel to your armchair through our #andbeyondathome campaign.”
&BEYOND Connect offers virtual experiences, the ability to book a chat with a guide, a travel-inspired magazine, a podcast channel, a TV service…. and then my favourite – Bringing Africa Home. Here you can Taste, Hear, Watch and Read Africa (nearly) fully embracing the sensorial nature of safari.
People have found the content helpful in connecting them to the wild. “The overwhelming response to our interactive content has made us realise the possibility of virtual safaris to provide wildlife access to the world’s audience with a goal to educate and inspire them. It also provides us with a mechanism to fundraise for our community and conservation projects that need support at this time.”
The positive feedback for these projects is a testimony that even in this short period of wilderness in waiting, the significance of the African experience continues to be as powerful as ever.
Part of me is surprised that 38% of the guests to Londolozi are returning visitors, part of me isn’t. I think that years ago a safari was seen as less accessible and more of a once off, once in a lifetime kind of experience. Now that travel is easier and we’re able to do more and get out more, it means you’re more likely to be able to repeat the trips you adored, providing you can afford it. My friend went on her first safari a few years ago with her husband. They loved it so much that they’ve been back I don’t know how many times, at least 5 already. They go and help out at an animal shelter while they’re there so I know it’s a very meaningful, life changing experience for both of them.
I really admire the heart of Londolozi and what they want to create for people. To get away, to turn inward, to have a meaningful and deep experience. Thanks for sharing that &Beyond Connect link – I’d heard of the brand before from other posts here but I had no idea they did online and TV stuff. That’s a great idea, especially during lockdown. Absence will make the heart grow fonder I’m sure.
Thanks for the response Jess. I think you’re right that there’s something so spectacularly sensorial about a safari that people do want to return, and I applaud these companies who’ve gone out of their way to make sure their guests can stay connected. Enjoy the couch safari experiences!
I think I’m becoming a real safari addict. I had hoped to do another safari this year but so far it’s not happened. It’s great to read this piece just to keep my hopes alive. I’ll be on a plane as soon as I can.
Thanks James – encouraging to hear that. We look forward to welcoming you hopefully soon! Shout if you need any help when you do.
I think South Africa is going through a second wave, no? Such a shame for the people there. I’ve met lots of South African people online through my job, and they are usually some of the sweetest and most genuine people. If I ever get to Africa, that would be the first place I’d like to visit. The safari stuff to me is such another level of traveling. What an adventure to do that there.
I’m not surprised that over 38% of Londolozi’s guests are returning visitors.
There are things about Africa and safaris that get into your blood and your mind.
Throughout lockdown when I was really missing travel the one trip that I wanted to do most of all was a safari.
Confined within the four walls of my house, I craved for the the landscapes stretching to the horizon and the vast skies, thinking of the wildlife free to wander through the plains.
Thanks for reading Andrew and indeed yes a safari is a significant and deep experience! I think we’ve all struggled being confined, so hopefully, these ‘bringing safari home’ experiences will help you as they have many of us!