There is a brilliant quote by Richard Mullin; “The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to”.
I could not agree with this quote more! Although there are many perks of my amazing job- one of my favourite things is being transferred into camps/lodges with guests who have never been to Africa before. This delight is especially real when guests land in Maun (Botswana) and we board a small plane together and fly over the most insanely beautiful wild wetland – then we touch down on a runway (after its been cleared of elephants or other game by the friendliest wonderful ground crew / awaiting camp staff) … then you either take a vehicle and/or boat ride into camp – all the while seeing the most amazing game and absorbing the ridiculously beautiful landscape! It really is just mind blowing! I SO enjoy just watching the guest’s faces and seeing their reactions to the incredible sights- it literally leaves me kind of “emotional”… and yet also has me smiling like a crazy person all the way into camp (and for days as I hear the guests accounts of their incredible safari adventures)!
I’ve been going to Botswana since I was literally a small kid (yes- lucky me!), and to this day I am still mesmerised, inspired and excited by the beauty and wilderness every single trip! Although I seldomly get to go on a drive or see beyond the camps or lodges I work in – as I’m busy installing kitchens, training cooks and styling food in safari lodges- I still get to wake up in the wild. Breath that fresh air. Hear the roars of lions and the cackles of hyenas as I try sleep at night…and no matter how many times I visit the the Okavango Delta, Hwange, or the wilds of Mana Pools (or many other spectacular wild places) …. the joy never fades and I still feel like I have so much to look forward to. To now be “in the business” of helping my clients and their teams get delicious and delightful food onto their tables IN these gorgeous wild places…it’s more than a pleasure – it feels like a dream to be part of something that makes memories like this!
If you need this Food-Obsessed-African-Safari-Lovers help in your hospitality business – email Tamara)
Here are a few more of my favourite safari quotes:
“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy”
– Ernest Hemingway
“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne – bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive”
– Karen Blixen
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