Sun Destinations

Going on safari in winter in South Africa and Botswana means crisp, clear skies, wrapped up in blankets telling stories under the stars, the vast thick river of the Milky Way above.

Is there anything more ingrained within our bones than sitting beside a flickering fire and sharing stories?
An act as old as man, storytelling is in an ancient pastime that reminds us so beautifully of our shared humanity.
It is part of what makes us humans so compelling and interesting. The ability to tell stories, to remember, and sadly, to sometimes forget. The ability to imagine and to dream, to hope and to wish. They give us meaning, can act as messengers of truths, and remind us that life was never meant to be taken too seriously.

Before we learnt to write, we had words. Stories have for lifetimes been shared through the oral tradition of storytelling. Sitting in front of a warm crackling fire and connecting with the other souls around us. What more inspiration does one need than nature and our imagination? The perfect canvas for cosmic chaos and magic.

The Ash of Our Ancestors

Sitting beneath the guiding light of stars, people of the past, our ancestors, wondered what the bright lights above them were. As the great fiery red orb in the sky disappeared each day, suddenly they would, like magic, begin to slowly turn on. Some brighter, some lighter. They found in time they could make a tiny orb of their own, passed down to them through the hands of their elders. A magic shared that kept them warm on cold and clear nights.
A magic that cooked their food and boiled their water. The stars let them know when animals would move and migrate. It signalled the changing of seasons. It was within this shared circle of warmth that stories began.
Gazing into its ever-moving depths, as sparks flew skywards, the fire created a trail much like the stars shining bright above them. As above, so below. The stars were, like a path of ash trailing high above, the ancestors and Gods themselves. The Milky Way- the river of stars above them- was the ash of our ancestors. They served as a reminder in the darkest of hours, that they were always above, watching down, keeping them warm, and guiding them home.

The Upside Down Tree

There was a time when the baobab was the biggest, most beautiful and boldly brilliant tree. Or so he liked to boast to everybody. He would make fun of the palms with their spindly long trunks when secretly he loved their wide leaves that created the most beautiful, dappled shade and swishing sound in the wind.
Baobab would pretend he did not like the smell of the frangipani even though he was intoxicated by its sweet scent. He would tell cedar that his bark looked flaky even though he used it for its many medicinal uses. The last straw was when he pretended to the marula tree that his fruit was sour even though he would pick them all up while marula slept and gobble them up so that he could get drunk on the fermented cream of the fruits. The Gods became furious. They decided that baobab needed to be taught a lesson. They turned baobab upside down so that his roots became his branches and his big head was buried deep in the sand. 

The beautiful thing is that baobab learnt his lesson. He decided to let his roots grow deep. Baobab became what he imagined but now without the arrogance.

This wisdom allowed baobab to grow very, very old. The fruit he bears is incredibly nutritious and he is the meeting point in many a village. He now, humbly, shares his wisdom with all.

The Sacred Sound of Rain

Pangolin is considered to be a mystical creature. He is seen to be a gift from the Gods. If a drop of pangolins blood spills on the earth then devastation and natural disaster will follow.
Pangolins rare appearance is an omen of change, blessing, and of rain. It is said that the sound of thunder originates from the shaking of pangolin’s scales.
If a pangolin is found, it must never be harmed. Instead, it is taken with great reverence to the local chief or spiritual leader. When the pangolin is present, a ritual is held that involves many offerings, songs and dance.
Pangolin is seen to act as a link between people and the spirit world. The pangolin is not displayed or made part of a public spectacle—it’s handled with deep respect and secrecy. Never harmed, they are returned to the wild.

As the world’s most trafficked animal, it has never been more important to protect and conserve these remarkable creatures. If you have not watched the Netflix documentary on Pangolins called Kuru’s journey (directed by My Octopus Teacher Pippa Erhlich) then this is your sign to do so. Get involved and read more about protecting pangolins here 

The Daily Mail (is written in the sand)

Stories are not for just for around the campfire. Every moment on safari is the story of nature unfolding. Coming across tracks and following them to uncover the movements of animals in the night. Seeking them out as they seek shade to shelter from the heat of the day.

Seeing upturned earth and wondering who was there and what were they digging for? Listening to the calls of birds or impala and deciding if it’s a real threat or not. Going on a game drive is in itself a game. A game of Cluedo where we try and work out who has been where and what did they do. In a moment a lion might appear from the dry grass where it’s pelt is perfectly camouflaged. Blink and you might miss it. Move too quickly and it might appear the moment after you leave. It’s part luck of the draw and part knowledge of the bush. 

As the grass begins to dry and the landscape begins to brown, there are two constellations that appear together for a while in time. Scorpius slowly begins to creep it’s way up the horizon and soon dominates the winter sky. While Orion begins to fall from sight. Edward, one of our fantastic guides at Chacma Bush Camp stopped and shared this beautiful rendition of a story of star-crossed lovers in the African winter night sky.

Star-crossed lovers

Antares is the bright ruby red star seen in the Southern Hemisphere at night. She is said to be Gaia, the Goddess of nature and is the heart of the Scorpio constellation. It is said that long ago, Antares/Gaia fell in love with Orion. Charmed by him, she falls madly in love, only to find out later that Orion is a hunter and claims he can kill any beast upon Earth. Horrified she banishes him to the night sky and places herself across the heavens on the opposite end of the Earth. It is only now in the Southern skies winter where for a brief moment they share the sky. Forever out of reach, she is the one creature he will never be able to catch. 

Safaris provide the perfect opportunity to awaken and stimulate the imagination. Let it run as free as a wildebeest on migration. Going on safari can awaken a sense of awe and wonder with our natural world. Encountering creatures, great and small. Some of our lodges are child friendly such as Chacma, Africa on Foot and Umkumbe Safari Lodge (5+) 

While others prefer that children are a little older before joining in on all the fun.
Safaris are truly fun for the entire family. The perfect fusion of adventure, learning, and relaxation. Disconnecting from our busy modern lives and tuning into the pristine surrounding wilderness. It is something that remains awe-inspiring no matter how old you are or how many safaris you have been on. Enquire which lodge perfectly suits you and your safari needs with our knowledgeable reservations team here.