A safari in Africa can change your life.
So declares Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of ultra-luxe African safari specialist Roar Africa during a chat with MailOnline Travel about the world of safaris and the bespoke ‘beyond first class’ holidays her company offers.
She reveals her favourite ‘seven-star’ luxury lodge in Africa, the best safari country on the continent for solo female travellers, what it’s like on Roar Africa’s private jet safaris that cost up to $185,000/£145,000 and how a safari can change someone’s world view.
Regarding this last point, Zimbabwean Deborah explains: ‘To me going on safari is a homecoming, [returning to] the cradle of humanity.
‘When our guests leave the continent, they say the most profound things, such as “you have changed my life” and “I see the world differently now”. You don’t say that when you come back from Italy or Paris.
‘You don’t have that heart-cracking, melting connection. All that, Africa gives you. I think [an African safari] is probably the most expensive trip you’ll ever take. But it’s the most priceless experience.
‘Africa’s pristine wild spaces and wildlife have the power to drop you back into your body, re-awakening dormant senses and renewing one’s appreciation for what really matters in this journey called life.’
Deborah, who’s based in New York, stresses that safaris change the animal kingdom, too.
She says: ‘Responsible, sustainable travel to Africa is imperative for the future of the continent and the wildlife. As born and bred Africans, we know what it takes to protect endangered wildlife. Responsible tourism minimises the negative impacts of travel on the environment, wildlife and local communities, but also generates the critical income and awareness these national parks need to protect the wildlife.’
We’re sold. But where’s the best place to stay? In one of Deborah’s favourite lodges, of course.
Her favourite luxury lodge is Xigera (pronounced with a ‘K’, not an ‘X’) in Botswana, which she describes as ‘a masterpiece’.
She explains: ‘Xigera lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta exceeds all expectations. It’s insane. A masterpiece.
‘It’s a homage to the continent, designed by the legendary architect Anton De Kock and filled with phenomenal African art. There is a very special energy here, elevated by the people, the world-class amenities, the incredible food and every luxury imaginable. Even the wildlife wants to move in.
‘It’s seven-star, in my opinion.’
Deborah is also a huge fan of Singita Pamushana in Zimbabwe, which ‘feels like coming home’ and offers guests an enticing topography of ‘enormous boulders, ancient baobabs and gold and orange msasa trees’.
Segera Retreat in Kenya also makes the podium, with Deborah describing it as a ‘spectacular example of effective conservation and collaboration with local people in service of protecting the wild’.
Deborah also has advice on which countries different types of travellers should pick.
She reveals: ‘Best for families and children is South Africa, which has incredible private villa options like Tswalu Tarkuni and Cheetah Plains, which appeal to all generations.
‘Namibia and Zimbabwe are best for pure unbridled adventure, because they’re rougher and more isolated and you’re not going to necessarily get the amenities that you would in South Africa or Botswana, while Rwanda is exceptionally safe for solo female travellers.’
Several luxury safari companies can set up trips to these destinations and lodges – why choose Roar Africa? What sets it apart from the competition?
Deborah says: ‘This is an important question for me, because we’re not selling a destination, we’re selling my home, right? And I think that’s probably the biggest difference, because when someone’s coming to somewhere that you’re from, you provide a totally different experience than, say, a travel agent.
‘I’m sure if I was coming to London you’d give me so many different, cool, interesting places versus what a travel agent in New York might offer.
‘My family has been on the African continent since 1688. Africa is in my DNA. It’s 300 years of Africanness that’s coming to our guests.
‘How else are we different? I think we are really geared for those people who just don’t have time to get it wrong. Everyone’s suffering from what I call nature deficit disorder. We all need that tree, that flower, that path, that space, that freedom, that beauty – particularly heads of companies and families.
‘I’ve vetted everything so that anyone who travels with us doesn’t get to a place where they’re like “I wish we were there”, or, “Those guests told me about that, why didn’t we go there?” There’s no time to get it wrong with the heavy lift of travel today, and the congestion and the grind and the unreliable airports and airlines.
‘It’s really hard. And I feel like our job is to quieten the noise, to still the guest so that they can really go into that space, that silence, that beauty, that freedom.
‘Nobody feels anything anymore. We’re so numbed and our focus is so stolen. What I’m trying to give people is that essence of transformation of what Africa can really do for you. But you have got to still all the normal hassle of travel. That’s how we approach it.’
The deep-pocketed can experience Roar Africa’s powers of organisation at their most eye-opening by booking a place on one of its three private jet safaris – The Greatest Safari on Earth ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City & Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000).
There are just 10 places available on each, with guests flown on the Emirates Executive Private Jet – a customised Airbus A319 – to some of the most spellbinding locations in Africa.
Deborah says: ‘On the “Greatest Safari on Earth” the guests experience Africa’s four most iconic destinations in 12 days – The Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and mountain gorillas in Rwanda. It is the only beyond-first-class private jet experience in the world.’
Are the (inevitably rich) guests blasé about it all – or thrilled?
Firmly the latter.
Deborah reveals: ‘None of our guests are ever blasé. Everybody’s high the minute they walk on. They’re like, “Okay, I’m never travelling any other way. This is ridiculous.”
‘They’re just floating around Africa. So they get very bubbly and very excited and very emotional, because they can’t believe that this is how they’re getting to experience it. There isn’t another trip in the world like this one right now. I’ve done it seven times and I’m going every single time I can, because it’s so amazing.’
Roar Africa offers three specialist trips aboard the Emirates Executive Private Jet: The Greatest Safari on Earth ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City & Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000).
For more visit www.roarafrica.com and www.instagram.com/roarafrica.
