After many years of travelling throughout Africa and curating journeys for her clients, Liesl has collected more than just favourite lodges and destinations. She knows the experiences that are worth making time for, the places that continue to surprise her, and the small details that can completely change the way a trip unfolds. In this post she shares some of her favourite African experiences, the destinations she’d return to in a heartbeat, and the travel advice she finds herself giving time and again. Whether you’re planning your first safari or your fifth, there’s plenty of inspiration to borrow.
Q: The one experience you’d recommend to every first-time-to-Africa traveller?
A: Everyone always says that their trip is a once in a lifetime, and although this is true for some, most first time travellers don’t realise who rich and rewarding the experience is going to be. Travelling to Africa is like nothing you have done before and the only way you can get that connection again is by returning. Use Africa for what makes it unique, a safari is a must but don’t try to rush through your wish list. Be deliberate and immersive. And try to stay away from the social media and NEWS. That’s a real vacation to me.
Q: Your secret weapon. Something clients never ask for but always thank you for?
A: Including VIP assistance at the arrival and departure airports. Having someone helping you through your international arrival formalities and assisting you with your luggage, connecting you onto your transfer driver out helps the ease of arrival and takes away what could be a stressful start to any trip. Just knowing that there is someone waiting for you at the airport before you even get to your driver or guide is the type of service we like to give. Ensuring you are well looked after from the minute you arrive until the minute you leave.
Q: The place that surprised you most that you didn’t expect to love, but you do?
A: I took my kids to Gwe Gwe Beach Lodge in the Eastern Cape last year and I was just blown away by the location, the lodge and the people. We had so much fun exploring the terrain filled with some great adventure whether we were hiking, kayaking, jumping into waterfalls or body surfing. It was the perfect mix of keeping my sub adults dialled into what they had to offer there and beach. It was a lot less lying around doing nothing and more enjoying the adventure together. Anything to keep them off their phones if worth the price of gold!
Q: Best meal you’ve had on a trip / on safari ?
A: I am always so surprised when we are in the remotest of locations, where the camps or the lodges have very limited facilities and yet they come up with these wonderful, wholesome and tasty dishes. It makes me think that there are no excuses for the chefs who have everything they need and still put out sub-par food! I went to Okahirongo River Lodge in Namibia many years ago, it was hot as hell and their kitchen facilities at the time were very basic and yet they made the nicest meal with a serving on homemade ice cream that somehow stays top of mind.
Speaking of ice cream, if you have ever tasted the fynbos honey ice cream at Grootbos, then you will know what heaven on earth tastes like!
Q: If you could only take one trip this year, where and why?
A: I would love to explore more of Rwanda. I really love the gorilla trekking experience as something completely different to what is on offer in Africa and coming that close to a family of gorillas and one of those large silverbacks is breathtaking. Getting the opportunity to do more of that would be on top of my list. It has been a while since I was out there…
Q: Your wish list – any experiences you haven’t done yet but are dying to?
A: I am always a fan of the road less travelled; I need to get to the Selous in Tanzania and the Kafue in Zambia. I wouldn’t say no to some beach time in the Seychelles either!
Q: You’re a mom who takes her young adult (!) kids on real trips. What has been the most memorable family adventure?
A: I still think that their first safari was the most memorable. Watching your kids be mesmerised around wildlife in their natural habitat and the sheer delight on their faces when they see their storybook animals in real life was something that I will treasure forever. Ruby was turning 4 and our ranger made her an elephant dung cake, they wrapped fondant around the elephant dung and presented it to her as a cake. You can only imagine her face when she realised what she was cutting into and before she could get herself in a twist they quickly appeared with a chocolate cake which she shared with all the guests at the Ulusaba breakfast table. Gliding down the Okavango Delta in a mokoro while we were staying at the Feline Fields Vintage Camp was also truly special.
Q: You love going off-the-grid. What does digital detox actually feel like after day three?
A: I am a huge fan of digital detox whether its for me or travelling with my kids. I think we are so programmed to be attached to our devices and as someone entrenched in the travel industry, constantly checking emails no matter the time of day. I recently went on a trip with Alex Walker where he was showcasing his Serian lodges in Tanzania and Kenya and the focus here is truly immersive experiences and purposely have no wifi. Walking into a trip where you know you will not have wifi in camp helped me prepare for the whole adventure ahead of time. So its important to know that. However it didn’t even take me 3 days to enjoy the freedom that you get when you aren’t connected. Long discussions around the dinner table, focused downtime with a book, truly interesting conversation with your ranger and the staff. Never distracted from your emails or messages makes you feel like your time is truly yours. By day 3 I did feel like I had been away for a week. By day 7 I didn’t want my phone back! Its incredible to get the gift of a digital detox without knowing that you needed it. I promise you, you always need it!
Q: Tell us about the elephant orphanage in Botswana. Why does it hold such a special place?
A: Conservation is the cornerstone to all African safaris that we put together and there is nothing quite like experiencing that first hand. I had the opportunity to take some agents to Elephant Havens in Botswana as a surprise activity. Elephant Havens is an Elephant orphanage rescuing abandoned elephants around Botswana, you get to meet the handlers, interact with the elephants who all have such distinctive personalities. Walking with the juvenile elephants is an experience you will never forget and a project that deeply touches your heart. If you ever “bump” into Debra Stevens from Dallas Texas, who is the Co-Founder of Elephant Havens be sure to chat to her, one of the most passionate and inspiring people you will ever have the pleasure to meet.
Q: Helicopter into the Okavango: why is it just the best way to transfer in/out/about?
A: If you get the opportunity to fly around the Okavango Delta in a helicopter, take it. Its different to being in the bush planes because you are flying lower to the ground, the pilots are rangers in the air and constantly peppering you with sightings along the way. Sometimes they even backtrack to show you the rhino you missed. Because the helicopter is booked for you on a particular route you also don’t have to wait as long as you do with the schedule charter flights, especially when you have just arrived into Maun.
Get in touch with Liesl Matthews, Camille Rowe, Ilze Fox, Lise Kargaard for tailored safari travel advice. Alternatively, email us now at info@southerndestinations.com and we’ll put you in touch directly.
