Where Do You Disconnect On Safari?

I was recently asked by Travel Africa magazine to write about a place in Africa where I feel a sense of peace, perspective and disconnection. It was an easy question to answer.

For me, that place is not a luxury lodge, a famous wildlife sighting or even a particular animal. It's a view.

Hidden away in Ruaha National Park is a shortcut between the Mwagusi River and the Great Ruaha River. If you travel along it, there comes a moment as you crest the hill and the entire Ruaha River Valley unfolds before you. Baobab trees dot the landscape, the river winds through the valley below, and beyond lie the hills of Idodi, Mapagoro and the vast wilderness of southern Tanzania.

Every time I pass there, I find myself taking a deep breath. Everything slows down and, for a moment, the noise of modern life falls away. It's difficult to explain, but I suspect many of you will know exactly what I mean. We all have places that make us feel grounded, present and connected to ourselves.

Of course, those moments aren't always tied to a landscape. Sometimes they happen much closer to the wildlife itself. Sitting quietly in a safari vehicle while a family of elephants passes nearby can have the same effect. Hearing the soft rumble of their communication, the swish of tails and even the sound of their skin brushing together as they walk is enough to make the rest of the world disappear.

The image is cheating a bit because it's from a balloon, but you get the idea. 

(Image by Paul Tickner).

It's worth remembering that these moments are often the real reason we travel. In a world full of social media, bucket lists and endless chatter of the Big Five, luxury lodges and must-see sightings, the most meaningful experiences are often the simplest ones.

So, I'd love to know: where do you go to disconnect on safari? Is it a spectacular view, a campfire under the stars, a sundowner with family, or perhaps a single unforgettable encounter with wildlife?

Whatever it is, those are the moments that stay with us long after we return home.

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