Savouring Sunsets

Much like dessert at the end of a delicious meal, sunsets are the perfect conclusion to a day filled with adventures. And often, they are our most poignant take-home memories.

Words: JANINA DOWNEY

When the sun begins its descent, painting the sky in hues of crimson, gold and indigo, Africa's magic reaches its zenith. In this moment, everything seems to stand still and a hush falls over the land, as if nature itself pauses to pay homage to the beauty unfolding before it. Giraffes graze lazily in the distance, their silhouettes painted against a canvas of burnt orange and fiery red. Lions, the kings of the savannah, rouse from their slumber, their amber eyes gleaming in the fading light.

In the background, you hear the faint chirping of birds, accompanied by the gentle hum of insects. The occasional rustle in the underbrush hints at nocturnal species beginning to stir. A masterpiece takes form as the sun showers the landscape with a burst of colours.

In most instances, this marks the end of the day’s game-drive adventures, but it doesn’t mean you’re heading back to camp. Instead, it's the perfect time for a sundowner unlike any other. Your guide, attuned to the rhythms of the wilderness, knows just the spot to witness the sunset's grand finale.

Sundowners in the ‘land of giants’ at Somalisa Camp, Zimbabwe

Luxury takes on a whole new meaning at Somalisa Camp in Zimbabwe. With its huge open grasslands and deep teak and acacia woodland, Hwange National Park is a region that transports travellers through the raw and diverse beauty of Africa. Here, you enter the ‘land of giants,’ where elephants gather to quench their thirst as the sun dips below the horizon.

With approximately 40,000 elephants roaming its expanse, Hwange is renowned for its impressive pachyderm population, providing visitors with unparalleled opportunities to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. It's a remarkable moment when the Big Five grace your presence and nature itself takes centre stage.

Overlooking the expansive water plain, guests are invited to join a quintessential safari experience: enjoying a sundowner while the elephants go about their evening rituals, their movements unhurried and unhindered by the presence of humans. It’s a rare privilege to witness these mammoth creatures in their natural habitat, free to roam and thrive without constraint.

Traditional boma night at Wilderness Mombo Camp, Botswana

The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its game viewing, offers some of the most biodiverse landscapes in Africa. Its lush vegetation and abundant water sources sustain a thriving ecosystem where wildlife flourishes.

In this region of Botswana, the elegant Wilderness Mombo promises remarkable wildlife spotting including healthy populations of predators.

Nestled within its very own concession in the expansive Moremi Game Reserve, spanning 15,000 square kilometres, this luxury safari lodge places guests at the heart of the action. In this amazing landscape, you'll find the world's largest remaining elephant population, along with freely roaming lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and hundreds of species of birds.

After exhilarating game drives through the Delta's untamed wilderness, often culminating in unforgettable wildlife sightings, guests are treated to a traditional boma night. This fireside gathering is steeped in cultural heritage and holds profound historical significance throughout Africa. While enjoying music and dance performances, fellow camp guests exchange tales of the day’s adventures.

Sunset cruises on the Zambezi River

The Zambezi, translating to 'Great River' in Tonga, truly embodies its name. Flowing across six countries in Southern Africa, it is the fourth-longest river on the continent.

From its source in Zambia's northwest corner, where it trickles out of the ground as a modest spring, to its thunderous plunge over Victoria Falls, the Zambezi's journey is one of awe-inspiring diversity. Along its banks, lush forests, expansive floodplains and rugged gorges create a unique combination of ecosystems teeming with life.

Embark on a sunset cruise and drift along its waters, keeping watch for hippos, elephants, crocodiles and vast flocks of birds. Once the sun starts to set, you might spot eagles in the sky above, or gracefully swooping down towards the river on a mission to get food.