Slow safaris: time well spent in wild places

A safari with Africa Born doesn’t have to be an action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled adventure with all the toys. Increasingly, we’re seeing that for many of you, it’s a chance to slow right down - to trade busy schedules and screen time for space, stillness and a deeper connection with the wild and one another.

Our privately guided-safaris to exclusive, tucked-away destinations are ideal for those looking to settle into the natural rhythm of life in the bush, disconnect from the noise and enjoy unhurried moments with those we love. Whether it’s a couples getaway or a trip designed to rediscover family time - away from screens and tech - we have a brilliant collection of itineraries rooted in nature, local culture, bush walking and wellness that encourage you to slow down.

Deeper cultural moments

Authentic cultural encounters are very much our beat. A safari isn’t just about the landscapes and wildlife, it also offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in Africa’s diverse cultural tapestry. We love to offer guests a glimpse of local life and some of our favourite bespoke itineraries include: watching the unique ritual of the Samburu Singing Wells or spending time with the Pokot, a proud, pastoral people in Northern Kenya. Visits to lively local markets and traditional kijijis (villages) offer a window into the rhythms of everyday life and the warmth of local communities: the stuff of great memories.

Africa Born’s top picks for complete cultural immersion:

• Kalepo Camp, Mathews Mountains, Kenya - an extraordinary tented camp in remote Northern Kenya; a gateway into the heart of Samburu culture. Their Singing Wells experience is like no other: watch Samburu herdsman gather their livestock at the nearby sacred wells, singing ancient rhythmic melodies that are unique to each family and designed to encourage their cattle to drink. Visiting kids are also encouraged to throw themselves into local life: dancing, fire-lighting and trying their hand at warrior games, throwing spears with the Samburu.‍
• Hunt and gather with the Hadza, southern Serengeti, Northern Tanzania - a rare immersion with the Hadza, one of Africa’s last remaining hunter‑gatherers in the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve: a vast, wild corner of the Serengeti. Hadza guides share traditional tracking, foraging and hunting skills, revealing an intimate knowledge of the land, plants and wildlife that few ever witness. Walk with them across acacia plains and baobab forests as they read the spoor of small game and uncover edible roots and berries.
• ‍Visiting the Pokot of Northern Kenya - venture into Kenya’s wild northern frontier to meet a proud, pastoral people whose way of life is deeply tied to the land. Here ancient customs, intricate beadwork, and vibrant ceremonies are woven into daily life for the semi-nomadic Pokot, famed for their cattle-centric culture. Sharing laughter and a cup of Kenyan chai, this is a rare glimpse into a way of life largely untouched by time.
• A tapestry of culture in Ethiopia - for a true off-grid adventure, exploring cultures that very few encounter it has to be Ethiopia. Home to over 80 distinct ethnic groups - each with their own language, traditions and way of life - Ethiopia offers a living mosaic of customs that have endured for centuries; a crossroads of human culture and heritage. Spend time with the Mursi tribe - best known for their iconic lip plates - drinking traditional coffee and local brews in their homes, or catch a glimpse of a Dassanech tribe Dimi ceremony - a coming-of-age ritual involving blessings for the elders, music, dance and communal feasting.

• A tapestry of culture in Ethiopia - for a true off-grid adventure, exploring cultures that very few encounter it has to be Ethiopia. Home to over 80 distinct ethnic groups - each with their own langage, traditions and way of life - Ethiopia offers a living mosaic of customs that have endured for centuries; a crossroads of human culture and heritage. Spend time with the Mursi tribe - best known for their iconic lip plates - drinking traditional coffee and local brews in their homes, or catch a glimpse of a Dassanech tribe Dimi ceremony - a coming-of-age ritual involving blessings for the elders, music, dance and communal feasting.

Reclaiming family time

A family safari offers an opportunity to spend meaningful time together, strip away the distractions of everyday life and really enjoy one another’s company. If you have little ones, it’s a chance to spend time playing with them, to get lost in their world of imagination and wonder. Perhaps you’re travelling with teenagers, in which case being in the bush is the opportune moment to coax them away from screens and devices, get active and maybe even learn a new skill along the way. 

Many of our visiting families opt for a multigenerational safari - grandparents, parents and grandchildren. These trips are genuinely life-affirming, we love seeing families of all ages having fun and making wonderful memories.

Africa Born’s top picks for reconnecting as a family:

• Our mobile camps - these authentic bush camps are tucked away in quiet private conservancies, away from the crowds yet and set-up exclusively for you. With such incredible wildlife literally at your doorstep, a world of (screen free) adventure awaits!

• Little Chem Chem, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania – this tranquil tented camp is the epitome of a slow safari, and the perfect spot to let the stresses of family life slip away. The unhurried pace, complete immersion in nature and incredible wildlife - from big Tuskers to extraordinary birdlife - make for a brilliant family safari. We love their fantastic programme of children’s activities from baking and beading to animal tracking and school visits.
• ‍Karisia Walking Safaris, Laikipia, Kenya - the ultimate on-foot expedition through the bush led by local Ndorobo trackers and supported by a small train of camels. While the pack camels carry your camp for the night, the riding camels can be saddled up to carry the kids. Following lunch in camp, afternoons are spent relaxing and reading, playing in nearby rivers, beading, making fires, tracking, playing football, even rock climbing, before a night under the stars. Karisia is the ideal choice for families who love walking.

• Alphonse, Seychelles - a remote and untouched marine wilderness; a tropical paradise for beach-loving families. Their beach villas, bungalows and retreats are ideal for multigen families, while their brilliant pool, movie theatre, sports facilities, conservation centre and mind-blowing array of activities will keep even the most active of families busy from dawn ‘til dusk. Snorkel with sailfish, swim with manta rays, head out on a blue safari to see dolphins, whales and turtles in their natural habitat, kayak, paddle board, surf, flyfish, walk, ride bikes, practice yoga or take farm-to-table cooking classes…the list goes on!

Wellbeing for body, mind and spirit

Wellbeing has become central to how many of us now choose to travel, favouring experiences that restore rather than rush. The concept of wellbeing has evolved beyond indulgence and escape, becoming something far more intentional; a mindset that increasingly guides the way we live and travel. A safari naturally lends itself to nourishing both body and mind: switching off, moving more, reconnecting with nature and those we love, and coming home feeling calmer, stronger and more present. Across the continent, Africa offers a growing number of wellbeing-led slow safari experiences tapping into regenerative farm-to-table eating, movement, breathwork, sound healing, creative / reading retreats, silent retreats, blue mind healing or experiences rooted to ancient ancestral wisdom.

Africa Born’s top picks for the ultimate wellbeing reset:

• Londolozi, Sabi Sands, South Africa - one of South Africa’s original private game reserves and a leader in wellness retreats. Londolozi’s Healing House is inspired by ancient African ways, offering wild yoga, sunrise nature meditation, Qigong breathwork, silent meditative game drives, full moon walks, wilderness soundbaths and incredible treatments: all delivered by world-leading experts, life coaches, wisdom keepers and shamans. If contrast therapy is your beat, you’ll love the Himalayan salt sauna and cold plunge, while those looking for more immersive healing should opt for the signature Healing House five-day retreat. 
• Singita Collection, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Rwanda - the golden thread running through Singita’s 10 lodges and 9 villas is a deep reverence for the wild and its restorative power. Singita has a unique perspective on wellbeing; one that restores ‘wholeness’ nurturing body, mind, and spirit, through connections with nature and one another. Think soulful treks with mountain gorillas, time with local artists and creative communities, bespoke yoga sessions, silent walking safaris and sunrise meditations listening to the bush come to life.

• Wild Hill, Maasai Mara, Kenya - perched high above the Mara plains, this idyllic safari sanctuary is part of Collection In The Wild, a portfolio guided by nature‑aligned living, conservation and cultural connection. At the heart of the lodge is the Wild Wellness Spa, one of Africa’s most exclusive wellness offerings. Treatments take an apothecary-inspired approach, with rituals and remedies drawn from local indigenous plants, while facilities include a wood‑fired sauna, cold plunge and a rooftop yoga deck offering panoramic views over one of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.

• An African dhow safari, Lamu, Kenya - gliding through the Indian Ocean off the coast Lamu on a traditional sailing dhow and sleeping on deck under the stars is utterly magical. Lamu’s hidden islands and remote beaches offer the ultimate restorative escape, while the gentle rhythm of the old town - one of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlements in the world - invites a slower way of being. Lamu is home to some exceptional practitioners and boutique wellbeing destinations such as Banana House and Kijani Hotel. Visit in November for the Lamu Yoga Festival: five days of mindful movement, breathwork, meditation and sound healing: the ultimate reset.

Celestial journeys

Stargazing enters a whole new dimension on safari, with growing trends around astrotourism and ‘noctourism’ inspiring a host of unique experiences at Africa’s finest camps and lodges. Africa’s night skies are legendary: vast, unpolluted and impossibly clear. For millennia, these stars have guided travellers, inspired ancient tales and shaped the rhythm of daily life. 

Experiencing this stunning celestial tapestry is a reminder of our shared ancestry: both our connection to the cosmos and to the extraordinary nature that surrounds us. Stargazing can be transformational - a deeply meditative experience offering perspective and a sense of gratitude, dissolving stress and tension. Even better, stargazing is perfect for families. Away from the daytime heat, and with equatorial skies darkening quickly after sunset, little ones don’t have to stay up late to enjoy the spectacle.

Africa Born’s top picks for celestial escapes:

• Habitas, Kalahari, Namibia -  for ultimate awe and wonder in 51,000 hectares of vast Kalahari desert wilderness it has to be Habitas. Their local guides are masters at reading the stories of the stars, and the desert’s dark skies offer an incredible window on the galaxies, constellations and shooting stars above. Beautiful tented rooms overlooking the plains, a refined yet rustic take on camp dining, superb wildlife and a wellness programme rooted in local indigenous culture make Habitas a top choice. 
• ‍&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namib Desert, Namibia - another stellar hideaway in Namibia’s desertscape, Sossusvlei sits within the Namib Sand Sea – the world’s oldest desert and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bordering Africa’s only International Dark Sky Reserve, it offers a front row seat to the southern skies and enjoys some of the clearest and darkest night skies on Earth. A visiting astronomer guides guests through the constellations at the state-of-the-art observatory, while skylights above each bed invite you to drift off beneath a canopy of stars. Sossusvlei represents the perfect blend of desert serenity and world-class stargazing.

• Xigera Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana - Xigera offers a safari rooted in soul, luxury, story and stillness, with exceptional stargazing woven into the experience. Deep in Moremi Game Reserve, its lookout deck is the perfect spot for keen astronomers, complete with firepit, comfy seating and a well-versed team of guides equipped with laser pens. Xigera’s standout arts programme adds another dimension: home to Africa’s largest private contemporary art collection in hospitality, this living gallery quietly uplifts the soul.

• Ol Donyo Star Beds, Chyulu Hills, Kenya - Ol Donyo is one of Kenya’s most exclusive safari lodges, set above the rolling plains of Mbirikani Ranch with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Adventure meets tranquility here in the Chyulus, offering guests time to unwind, connect with nature and contemplate the cosmos. The African night sky is an unforgettable part of the Ol Donyo experience: each suite features a rooftop ‘star bed’ where guests can drift off beneath the glittering canopy of stars, listening to the sounds of the bush at night and waking to the morning chorus of birdlife as the sun rises.

For those seeking a slow safari, our privately guided itineraries offer an unhurried, immersive journey through Africa. Crafted to reconnect you with the wild, ancient cultures, and one another, these experiences are both grounding and inspiring, and leave a lasting impression. If you’re interested, we’d love to tell you more.