Trip Report

As part of our commitment to our guests, we are continually exploring new safari lodges and partners throughout Southern and Eastern Africa. We make it a priority to experience select properties in the field ourselves, alongside insights from trusted industry partners, to ensure they align with our standards in guiding, hospitality, conservation, and overall guest experience before we recommend them.

This marks the beginning of our “Behind the Safari: Lodge Review Series,” where we share first-hand impressions from the lodges we are considering for our carefully curated portfolio of trusted safari partners.

Our first review takes us into the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, where we recently visited RockFig Safari Lodge.

In February 2026, Swedish tour company, Ubuntu Resor, brought its third group to Southern Africa for a journey that blended powerful history, vibrant culture, and exceptional wildlife. Beginning in Johannesburg with a moving visit to Soweto, the adventure continued into Botswana’s wildlife-rich Tuli Game Reserve before returning to South Africa’s scenic Lowveld near Kruger National Park. Along the way, the group experienced rare wildlife encounters, meaningful conservation insights, and breathtaking landscapes including the Blyde River Canyon, concluding with unforgettable close encounters with elephants and rhino in the Greater Kruger region.

January tested us in every way. Unprecedented flooding in the Kruger Lowveld forced rapid changes to carefully planned safari logistics, from access routes to lodge stays. With calm, experience, and constant monitoring behind the scenes, we pivoted the itinerary, secured a new lodge, and adjusted travel plans seamlessly. While the landscape reshaped itself, our guests continued to enjoy an exceptional journey, proving that with the right team, even Africa’s wildest challenges can deliver a truly great safari.

Curious about life on a mobile safari? We journeyed through Botswana’s wildest regions with Chase Africa, moving camp every few nights and encountering incredible wildlife along the way. Read the full story for a glimpse into this unforgettable adventure.

Some journeys are more than just travel—they become a deep dive into history, culture, and the raw beauty of nature. Our recent hosted safari with a group of eager Swedish guests, co-hosted with Ubunu Resor, was exactly that: a journey filled with eye-opening experiences, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and a true taste of Africa’s heart and soul.