24 hours on The Greatest Safari on Earth

Having hosted The Greatest Safari on Earth aboard our Emirates Executive Private Jet multiple times, one might think that I’ve seen it all. In reality, the opposite is true. With each journey, my sense of wonder only deepens, and the joy I feel grows. Perhaps it’s Africa’s wild beauty, her pristine landscapes and the vast, open spaces teeming with life, the scents carried on the breeze, the golden light, that unmistakable, grounding sense of place…

But what truly sets this journey apart is the experience itself—the rhythm of the adventure, the seamless transitions from sky to land to water, the moments of exhilaration and reflection, the bonds formed in the midst of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. No two journeys are ever the same and that’s what makes it so extraordinary.

For a glimpse into what unfolds on this once-in-a-lifetime safari, join me for 24 unforgettable hours on The Greatest Safari on Earth…

10:00pm

From the sanctuary of our Bulgari hotel rooms, the excitement is palpable—a heady cocktail of wanderlust and exhilaration. In mere hours, we will board the Emirates Executive Private Jet—the world’s only ‘beyond first class’ jet, with 10 luxurious cabins, spa bathrooms, a dining area and an elegant lounge.

We are headed to four of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and Rwanda, on The Greatest Safari on Earth.

12:30am

We are on board. Chitter-chatter, laughter and giggles fill the air as we sip bubbles of vintage Dom Pérignon and savour caviar-laden blinis. The camaraderie of these life-changing journeys begins to weave its magic, and a strong bond emerges before we have even left the ground.

1:00am

Lift off. With Dubai’s glittering skyline fading behind us, we are in our private suites complete with crisp white linens, fluffy pillows and plump duvets. In eight hours, a new day will dawn with hot showers, bathrobes and breakfast as we descend into Zimbabwe.

7:00am

The horizon blushes pink. The doors open. Zimbabwe greets us with that crisp and invigorating yet smokey smell of African air. The airport is silent but welcoming, a testament to my team’s meticulous planning. No queues, no carousels—just a seamless transfer to our next mode of transport. Minutes later, four helicopters lift us “Bond-style” toward Mosi-oa-Tunya—Victoria Falls—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

8:00am

Tribal dancers sing and dance their joyous Zimbabwean welcome as we slip through a private entrance to the Falls and start to feel the first tendrils of mist and ROAR of the falls beside us. Vast experiences require vast explanations… luckily, we can’t talk. And then there it is, the inexpressible moment when I see our guests literally jaw-droppingly struck by the glory and visual force of 354 feet of water cascading at high speed over the cliffs.

“Returning to my homeland and sharing the wonderful spectacle of power that is Victoria Falls always ignites an intimate connection to my very depths. It’s a clarion call of exactly what Africa means to me: the source and the original force.”

9:00am

Drenched (literally) in awe, we follow the Zambezi River from 1000 feet above, scooping down to Matetsi River Lodge on the banks of the river in our helis. Elephants amble across the water and the odd boat-sized crocodile drifts by. Baboons dart from tree to tree barking their greetings and hippos snort from the river as if to welcome us. Matetsi will be our sanctuary and home for the next two days, replete with superb service and a humble African authenticity.

1:00pm

Dainty bushbucks sip cautiously at our pool as we lunch under the shade of the Jackalberry trees. In the afternoon, Lee and I are working on the remaining plans for the day when we hear a loud rumble…. We both instinctively know it’s the rumble of an elephant’s tummy. Alert, we scan the surroundings as we know it’s very close. Nothing. Tip toeing in the bathroom we see the swish of a tail. On hands and knees, we crawl to the window hoping it won’t see us… and there were are, side by side with just a pane of glass between us and the tummy of a giant mama elephant and her baby. We watch in silent awe squeezing one another’s hands with sheer delight at this up close and personal moment. What a privilege – what a life.

4:00pm

The Zambezi River beckons for a boat cruise, its mirror-like surface reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. It’s been a day of planes, helis, land rovers, so why not boats, too?

5:30pm

Sunset in Africa is sacred, no more so than on this mystical powerful river, the Zambezi. Fish eagles call overhead, piercing the sky with a clear reminder of just where we are. This moment, and in fact the entire day, equal parts meditation and sensory overload, etches itself into our souls as does the sommelier Joseph. A former Zimbabwean refugee who found himself on the streets of Johannesburg, he shares an incredible story of human resilience – his journey to becoming the top sommelier in Africa.

6:30pm

The game drive back to the lodge delivers more entertainment as we watch a pride of lions on the hunt. At the last minute, they are intercepted by a pack of hyenas. Excitement mounts, tails swish, a lioness stops in the head lights... We all leap in our seats. Then, mere metres from our noses, eight lionesses bring down a giraffe. The kerfuffle and noise is almost too much to bear… We are all silently rooting for the giraffe, but alas the power and might and hunger of these lionesses supersedes any escape.

7:30pm

Back at camp, darkness creeps over and we find ourselves around a glowing fire in the boma, a bowl of stars above… The marimbas play softly in the background, shifting us all into a unison of spiritual movement, a collective effervescence, as we begin to understand what is sacred to us. We ponder the contrasts we have witnessed, from deserts to waterfall, city to river, life to death… perspective… and why this might truly be The Greatest Safari on Earth.

9:00pm

We fall into bed in our cocoons of elegance and comfort. Sleep here comes easily, as though the land is inviting us to dream deeply and feel profoundly—a quiet testament to the unparalleled African magic.

The Greatest Safari on Earth takes off from August 10 – 22, 2025 and August 25 – September 6, 2025. Both journeys are limited to 10 guests each and cost $165,000 per person sharing. Please email welcome@roarafrica.com for more details and to book.

24 hours on The Greatest Safari on Earth

“Returning to my homeland and sharing the wonderful spectacle of power that is Victoria Falls always ignites an intimate connection to my very depths. It’s a clarion call of exactly what Africa means to me: the source and the original force.”

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