Why the World Is Looking to Safari

In recent months, high-profile travellers have helped place safari more firmly in the global spotlight, from artist Dua Lipa sharing moments from her South African safari on social media, to Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn visiting Madikwe and describing her time as soul-restoring. Here at The Royal, we also had the pleasure of welcoming fitness personality and Peloton instructor Ally Love as part of her South African vacation with Lonely Planet Journeys.

Yet the appeal goes far beyond the famed.

For many international guests, South Africa has long been associated with Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Winelands and the Garden Route. Increasingly however, travellers are discovering that a bushveld escape adds something entirely different to the itinerary. It brings depth, contrast, and a connection to nature that often becomes the most unforgettable part of the journey.

Part of safari’s growing appeal lies in how dynamic it is. Yes, there are the game drives and extraordinary wildlife sightings (and oh, how extraordinary they are!), but there is also so much more: early morning coffee under open skies, fireside stories, exceptional food and wine, and warm hospitality from salt-of-the-earth people who bring every experience to life.

For first-time safari-goers especially, the surprise isn't only in what they see but how deeply they feel it. Most arrive hoping to see the Big Five yet leave speaking about the silence, the scale of the landscape, the knowledge of their guide, the emotion of watching animals move freely in the wild, and the unexpected peace of being so far removed from ordinary routine.

Perhaps this is why safari continues to resonate so strongly with modern travellers. In a world where so much can be staged or filtered, safari remains beautifully real. It asks you to slow down, to look closer and to listen more carefully. And once you've made that shift, it's easy to understand what Africa has always known: there is nothing quite like safari.