By Meredith Fenn

Travel evokes all five senses, and it is these sensory details we attach to the memories that stick with us for life. Here are a few highlights I experienced in southern Africa.

As I flew via helicopter over an influx of water filling the arid riverbeds of the Okavango Delta, I watched in awe as the Kalahari Desert turned into wetlands divided solely by hippo highways. This moment was encapsulated by two words: wild sage. This herbaceous scent perfumed the breeze that greeted me as I arrived at my tented camp. It will forever be engrained in my memory.

I heard the sound of my mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, grazing lily pads, the wind rustling whimsical papyrus along riverbeds, and a chorus of frogs that appeared the moment the sun disappeared. 

Spotting an elusive leopard was at the top of my list, so I was thrilled to not only see one but enjoyed numerous sightings. This allowed me to gain insight into their behavior. Watching one lazing full-bellied in a tree after a recent kill, on the prowl for their next meal at dusk, and observing two cubs being taught by mum how to eat a kudu that she tucked high in a jackal berry tree—was undoubtedly the pinnacle of my safari.

My itinerary provided the opportunity to taste everything from award-winning gastronomy to local cuisine such as seswaa, dikgobe, and chili-laced peanuts and chickpeas. The Cape Winelands stood out thanks to tailored wine pairings complemented by gooseberries and assorted cheeses.

What touched me the most during my time in southern Africa was the genuine warmth and connection I felt from each place and person I met. 

People’s individual taste is driven by their senses and what speaks to them—let TS awaken your senses on a bespoke trip to Africa.