Some people choose to go on holiday, while others take journeys that change something within them. Visiting Africa falls firmly in the latter. African travel specialists Warrick Davey and Chené Wales-Baillie of Kutwelo believe Africa connects you to something elemental, something we don’t often experience in this modern world. It’s wild, but also grounding, inviting you to slow down, listen, and feel part of something bigger than yourself.

Words & Photos Warrick Davey

The golden light across the plains, the warmth and kindness of the people, and the way Africa strips things back and reminds you of what matters.

Africa is vast, raw, and deeply moving. It is the kind of place that lingers in your heart long after you’ve arrived back home. And yet, it’s often misunderstood, seen as too far, too rugged, or too unpredictable. But those who go, and go well, return changed.

For New Zealanders who seek space, stillness, and connection, Africa offers something extraordinary. The wildlife is spectacular, the lodges beautiful and the exhilaration of being on safari is second to none. Yet there is a special magic to be found in the space in between. The golden light across the plains, the warmth and kindness of the people, and the way Africa strips things back and reminds you of what matters. It’s in these seemingly simple moments that Africa steals your heart. And the beauty is that it doesn’t ask much of you – only that you arrive with open eyes, a little curiosity, and a willingness to feel something big.

Over the years, my fiancé Chené and I have been fortunate to travel through some of Africa’s most iconic and remote landscapes. These aren’t just places we recommend; they’re places that have changed us and experiences that continue to shape how we travel, and how we see the world. Africa is part of us, and we hope it can become part of you too. If Africa is calling, then go. Go while it’s still wild. Go with open eyes and an open heart. You might arrive as a visitor, but you’ll leave as something more.

The Modern Safari

The modern safari is no longer just canvas tents and game drives. For today’s traveller, the real luxury lies in privacy, immersion, and meaning. Private conservancies where wildlife encounters unfold without the crowds, and owner-run camps where you’re welcomed by name and gather for stories around the fire. Safaris are now shaped around you, with thoughtfully tailored experiences that reflect your interests and offer rare, intimate perspectives of the wild.

The Magic of Kenya

Kenya is the beating heart of safari, and the Masai Mara offers everything you imagine when you think of Africa – the wide skies, the vast herds, the golden light, and some of the best predator action on the continent.

But the magic of Kenya lies in its variety. In the Chyulu Hills, ride horses across ancient lava flows and return to Great Plains Conservation’s Ol Donyo Lodge to sip wine in the underground hide as elephants drink just metres away from you. Climb into a helicopter and explore the remote north before landing atop Mount Kenya for a picnic and some rainbow trout fly fishing. Kenya offers a bold safari experience with heart, and a commitment to conservation that leads the continent forward.

Roaming with Cats

If you’re hoping to see big cats, few places compare to South Africa’s Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Wildlife encounters feel close and personal, almost as though you’ve stepped into a story that’s busy unfolding. At MalaMala, leopards move through the riverbeds with quiet grace, lions call through the night as they defend their territory, and your guide intimately knows the lives of the animals who roam it.

The lodges are exceptional, with fine wines, thoughtfully designed spaces, and warm, intuitive service. But what truly sets South Africa apart is its consistency. Every game drive holds the promise of something remarkable, and more often than not, it delivers.

Under the Stars

Botswana is safari in its purest form. In the Okavango Delta, floodplains stretch to the horizon, alive with birdlife, elephants, and predators. Game drives give way to mokoro trips through lily-covered channels or bush walks across palm-dotted islands. Camps like Selinda Explorers and Xigera Safari Lodge each offer their own kind of magic; from tented simplicity to bold, ultra-lux design. Further afield, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer immense silence and skies littered with stars. Fly in by helicopter and sleep under the Milky Way with nothing but bedrolls and firelight.

The Calving of the Great Migration

In the southern Serengeti of Tanzania, February brings our favourite season of all: the calving of the Great Migration. Thousands of baby wildebeest are born in just a few weeks, drawing predators and creating moments of raw, real drama. At Laba Laba Migration Camp, a luxury tented camp that moves with the herds, you’re immersed in it all. Days unfold at your pace, whether it’s game drives with a private guide or sunrise in a hot air balloon drifting above the Serengeti Plains, and there’s no spectacle like it.

 

 

Safaris are now shaped around you, with thoughtfully tailored experiences that reflect your interests and offer rare, intimate perspectives of the wild.

A Slower Pace

Take on a slower pace in the forests of Rwanda. Trekking through Volcanoes National Park, wrapped in mist and birdcall, to see mountain gorillas is humbling – a moment of stillness and deep connection. Locking eyes with a silverback is one of the most powerful experiences you can have. Afterward, Singita Kwitonda Lodge welcomes you with soft fires, forest views, and exceptional food and wine. Between treks, Rwanda offers quiet depth, with local pottery studios, a cycling trip through the Rwandan countryside, or a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund – a beacon of hope for conservation.

Unforgettable Zambia

Zambia has a quiet magic that sneaks up on you. It feels untouched, like Africa before the world discovered it. In South Luangwa, the birthplace of the walking safari, you can track animals on foot, learning to read the land by scent, sound, and subtle movement. Further south, the Lower Zambezi shimmers with golden light. Elephants graze on the banks, hippos call from the river, and fish eagles cry overhead. Classic Zambia’s Kutali Camp and Dulini Anabezi are some of our favourites, tucked deep within the park and offering a wilderness experience that is authentic and deeply immersive. Zambia is less known, but unforgettable. It offers exceptional value and depth, and always feels like a secret worth sharing.

Tourism & Conservation

Exploring with a purpose 

Many journeys are grounded in ethical practices too, with a focus on conservation, community, and the long-term care of the land and its wildlife. These are safaris that don’t just show you Africa; they invite you to be part of it. This kind of travel matters and it gives back. Conservation companies like Singita, andBeyond and Great Plains Conservation, are protecting ecosystems, funding schools and clinics, and creating jobs for local people. When you choose the right kind of safari, you’re helping to preserve this wilderness, not just see it.

Earlier this year, 70 rhino were relocated from South Africa to Rwanda in the hope of safeguarding one of Africa’s most threatened species, whose survival hangs in the balance. This was one of the most ambitious conservation missions in recent memory, and projects like this are made possible by travellers who choose wisely and travel with purpose.