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IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
7 reasons to experience a South African safari for a roaring winter adventure
A herd of elephants spotted during a safari game drive in South Africa. Image: Unsplash As the chill of winter envelops Mzansi, it heralds the start of a much-anticipated safari season. From the sun-kissed shores of Cape Town to the sprawling savannas of Limpopo, South Africa offers a spectacular array of safari getaways that promise not just adventure but also a connection with nature like no other. The peak of the safari season typically runs from May to October, when animals gather at water sources and the sparse vegetation allows for clearer, more intimate animal sightings. With areas like the Kruger, Pilanesberg, Hluhluwe, Madikwe, and Welgevonden coming alive, here are compelling reasons to embrace the magic of a safari this winter. See the Big Five without the fuss There's an exquisite thrill that comes from tracking the legendary Big Five in their wild habitat. With tranquil game drives and no bustling crowds to compete with, your experience is amplified. Picture yourself surrounded by vast, untamed landscapes, accompanied solely by your skilled guide, as you navigate the bush in search of elephants, lions, rhinos, and more. This intimate setting ensures that each sighting becomes a treasured memory rather than a rushed photo opportunity. Stargaze like never before In the heart of the African wilderness, the night sky transforms into a celestial canvas, free from the clutches of urban light pollution. Marvel at the breathtaking constellations that stretch far above you, as nature presents an awe-inspiring show. Here, in the serenity of the bush, the stars feel closer, inviting you to ponder the universe while wrapped in the tranquillity that surrounds you. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Escape the hustle and bustle For many, city life can feel overwhelming, a whirlpool of noise and endless schedules. A safari offers the perfect escape from this chaos. Nestled within the tranquillity of game reserves and parks, you will discover a new sense of peace. Here, time slows down, and you become enveloped by panoramic views, the gentle hum of the bush, and luxurious comforts that invite you to unwind and disconnect from your daily life. Birdwatching adventures For avian enthusiasts and casual explorers alike, a birdwatching safari is a unique way to delve into the wonders of the natural world. South Africa is home to an array of endemic, migratory, and endangered bird species, making it an ideal destination for birdwatching. Professional guides, often knowledgeable ornithologists, enhance the encounter by sharing their expertise, offering insights into bird behaviour and ongoing conservation efforts, transforming an ordinary trip into a scientific journey. Diverse landscapes await South Africa's rich tapestry of ecosystems is on full display as you traverse areas like the vast savannas of the Kruger National Park and the lush coastal forests of KwaZulu-Natal. Each landscape is a vibrant habitat teeming with life, showcasing the stunning biodiversity that defines this corner of the world. As you navigate through these varied terrains, you'll gain a greater appreciation for the delicate balance that sustains wildlife.
News24
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News24
5 bucket list thrills in 2 days: Kayaking to paragliding, my Shot'left provincial escape
South African Tourism wants South Africans to travel more within the country and have the campaign ''It's your country, enjoy it'. A trip between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape has the potential to help a keen traveller tick a lot of boxes. While there are obvious must-see places in all the provinces, there are less popular spots that are definitely worth exploring. Since TikTok exploded, many South Africans have had a front-row seat to how people from other countries are enamoured with South Africa. Every second video shows us travellers from the global community blown away by everything from our sunsets to our waterfalls and mountains. Many of us know that South Africa is a beautiful country. We know about the Big Five at Kruger National Park, the unparalleled Durban beaches, and the magic of Table Mountain in Cape Town. Some of us are more nuanced in our inter-provincial tourism and will speak of the magic of the Northern Cape dark skies, the vibrancy of Soweto, or the all-you-get buffet of experiences in North West's Sun City. However, some gems remain hidden - known and enjoyed by the locals of that particular village or small town. Through their local campaign, 'It's your country, enjoy it,' Shot'left is on a mission to encourage a feeling of ownership and pride in such places, not only from the people who have known about them all their lives but also from the rest of the nation and then the world. Born and bred in Limpopo, I've become an unofficial plug for the many places we offer in my province. From Tzaneen to Bela Bela, Limpopo is the go-to place for bush getaways, with some of the most breathtaking resorts and good weather, and nobody produces better avocados or mangos (I'm ready to fight for this one). However, I recently became a student when - through a Shot'left media trip - we touched down in the small George Airport. The town of George lies half-way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on South Africa's ever-popular Garden Route. The Garden Route, gorgeous as it is, unintentionally promotes the misinterpretation that George is a 'drive-through' town. I recently learned that couldn't be further from the truth. We arrived in George on the first flight in and, because of the partnership between Shot'left and Ford, made our way to a Ford garage to collect a Ford Wildtrak X, two Ford Tremors, a Ford Everest and a Ford Tourneo - which would be our rides for the two days of the trip. Because of George's strategic placement, we would spend a day in the Western Cape and then head to the Eastern Cape in a few hours. In George, the small town charmed us as we discovered why it has more to offer than a 'town you pass through.' We headed to Garden Route National Park, where one of my bucket list items would be ticked off. After a brief talk on safety and fitting our life jackets, we were off on a kayak at the Ebb and Flow Rest camp, each equipped with a double-bladed paddle. The calm water made the experience much more fun, allowing us to enjoy the park's serenity. Once we got into the swing of things, we could go as far as our upper body strength would allow. Straight after, we were on our way to a local gem, the PiliPili Beach Bar. This bar offered everything from mouth-watering fish dishes to pizzas and ribs, all with a cool vibe to match. While eating, with the beach a few steps away, you watch people 'fall out of the sky' every few minutes with parachutes. That signalled our second location, where I would tick off the second item on my bucket list: paragliding. While there are a couple of options where you can paraglide, we ended up at Cloud 9 in Sedgefield. Paragliding is super cool, mainly because it doesn't even require you to be an adrenalin junkie. Most of what you do in that activity is run for takeoff. After that, you sit as the instructor controls the parachute for five minutes, and y'all glide in the sky until you land. I would do it again! That was all the adventure we could fit into the available hours for day one. We watched the sunset from the beach, wine and non-alcoholic champagne glasses in hand, and retired to the Kamma Kai Beach Villa. We enjoyed a braai for dinner in this four-star homely place, complete with a whiskey masterclass courtesy of Gift Makoti and Glenfiddich. After a few hours of shut-eye, we were ready to soak up what we could of George before crossing the invisible line into Gqeberha. We started the day with a traditional South African breakfast and, like the locals, made our way to the Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market. It wasn't long until we were driving out to Plettenberg Bay. Almost two hours later, we were at the Bloukrans River Bridge, where I could tick off not one but three items on my bucket list: bungee jumping, sky walking and zipline. The Bloukrans River Bridge is Africa's highest bridge, and if you take the plunge from there, you will have conquered a 216m high bungy jump. I didn't jump (I know, I know... honestly, I just wasn't keen on losing my breakfast, but I'll take my L), but I did skywalk and zipline, which was just as fun without the whole facing life and death thing. Everyone else in my group who did the jump said there's nothing like it, and they all highly recommend doing it at least once in one's lifetime. All that activity left us hungry, so the next stop was Cattle Baron restaurant inside Tsitsikamma National Park, at least according to the itinerary. In reality, we drove to Tsitsikamma and ordered food, but instead of sitting down, we opted to do what we thought would be a short walk to Storms River mouth. As it turned out, it was a hike. Not only was I not dressed for a hike, but I had a wig and makeup on and wore cutesy Puma sneakers (the uncomfortable kind) because I thought it was a cute little walk. Boy, was I wrong! Jonga, I was huffing and puffing like a big bad wolf just 10 minutes into it. There was absolutely nothing cute. However, I forgot the struggle when we finally reached the suspension bridge. The Storms River Suspension Bridge, also known as the Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge, is a well-known landmark in Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa. This suspension bridge, which crosses the Storms River and is only accessible by foot, provides breathtaking vistas and an unforgettable encounter. The bridge is a component of Storms River Mouth, a famous tourist destination in the park. After we got our photos and videos, I huffed and puffed back - complaining every two minutes - but also appreciating God's creativity courtesy of the stunning views. The views to, at and from the suspension bridge are worth the hype, and they are quite literally breathtaking. Needless to say, I was ready to call it a day after the walk turned hick, but Tsitsikamma and its hidden gems wouldn't let me. I am certain not many people know that there is a cute, straight-out-of-America, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley-inspired food joint called Marilyn's 60's Diner (if y'all knew and kept quiet, y'all aren't good people, she...). That's where we went for a very late lunch. It has the most Instagrammable milkshakes I have seen, and some of the burgers are made famous in American movies. It was truly hard not to love. We then check in at Tsitsikamma Village Inn. The three-star hotel gives us a vineyard feel, like the Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate or some of the boutique hotels in the Western Cape. We didn't call it a night until we had a potjiekos dinner and 'nightcap' at a homely restaurant called Tsitsikhaya Lodge Restaurant & Venue. In the morning, after breakfast and check-out, Tsitsikamma, which I've nicknamed the gift that keeps on giving, had one last adventure to offer: a Segway Tour. During the tour, I learned about the close-knit community of Tsitsikamma and where the name comes from. Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word meaning 'abundance of water' due to the high rainfall experienced in this area, which sustains the lush natural vegetation and is home to various animal and bird life. As we drove out of the 'place of many waters,' I held on to all the treasures I had discovered and was excited at the thought of what else Tsitsikamma had hidden that I needed to return to discover. At the Port Elizabeth International Airport, we bid farewell to Eastern Cape. I had left Joburg in the AMs on a Friday and went on to experience two provinces over two days, which gifted me with a serene kayaking, ethereal paragliding, adrenalin-pumping bungee-jumping (almost), ziplining, sky walking, mountain hiking to the Suspension Bridge at Storms River mouth, one of the biggest farmer's market, an American diner and so much more. I would do this Shot'left over and over again.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
1.4 million Canadians missed credit payments in the first quarter of 2025: Equifax Canada
There are troubling new numbers that show more Canadians are missing payments on their mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. A new report from Equifax Canada blames economic uncertainty, rising unemployment and the high cost of food and housing. Young consumers missing payments According to Equifax's Consumer Trends and Insights, 1.4 million consumers missed a credit payment in the first quarter of this year. That's an increase of 146,000 from last year. 'It's younger consumers and lower income consumers where we are seeing missed payments really rising,' said Rebecca Oakes, Vice President of Advanced Analytics at Equifax Canada. More consumers are also having trouble paying their car loans, especially younger people. The report found that missed auto loan payments with consumers 35 and under increased 30 per cent over the year before. 'It's not a great situation that we are in right now,' said Oakes. Canadians are also under mortgage stress, and many are searching for ways to lower their payments. Equifax found that 28 per cent of homeowners switched lenders after shopping around for better interest rates, with 46 per cent moving between the 'Big Five' banks, reflecting the intense competition among major lenders. 'On the mortgage side, we have seen missed payments, especially in Ontario. [They] are so much higher than they were just 12, 24 and 36 months ago,' said Oakes. Home prices outpacing disposable income Home ownership also remains out of reach for many people. A new report from Desjardins found that while over the past 25 years home prices have risen 320 per cent, the average disposable income only increased 110 percent. Credit counselling services say anyone who is missing payments should seek help before their situation gets worse. 'If you're missing payments, you may be cutting costs to pay for things and you're missing out on things that are necessities,' said Mason Cox, with the Credit Counselling Society. 'You may be getting collection calls, legal notices, and you're not really sure who to turn to.' Missing any type of payment can affect your credit rating and score, which can cause higher interest rates and reluctancy from lenders in the future. One bright spot in the Equifax report says that credit card spending has dropped to a three-year low. As more people face financial pressures, it's believed some are trying to keep tighter control over their finances to avoid running up credit card bills.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Forbes
The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises
South Africa cruise with Azamara Cruises. E dging the sun-kissed shores of South Africa on a sumptuous voyage—where dwarfing mountains meet pristine beaches and rolling vineyards—is both a rebirthing and beguiling journey, even for the most seasoned of cruisers. Here, you'll sit at the epicenter of South Africa's most sought-after wildlife—from Africa's 'Big Five' to the endangered African penguin—but without the lofty planning usually needed to see these majestic creatures up close and personal, exploring lesser-visited game reserves far from the swathes of selfie-snapping tourists. Azamara Quest If you're looking for a way to explore South Africa more in-depth, among a group of well-traveled guests, with more time in ports (and even overnight stays), without compromising on luxury—Azamara is the cruise line for you. Destination immersion goes far beyond its well-curated excursions—from breath-taking safaris to sensory-tickling tastings at world-famous vineyards—with its renowned 'AzAmazing Evenings' (held once per voyage) offering an intimate slice of local culture. Imagine attending a glittering Xhosa Cultural Concert at the Feather Market Center in Port Elizabeth, where you'll gawp at Xhosa Warriors, Nguni stick-fighting, and graceful Grass Maidens as you hear the pulsating beat of the djembe drums and songs of the marimba players—and you're thinking in the right direction. Onboard, personal service is at the heart of the boutique cruise line—and you'll be surprised by just how quickly the crew will learn your name and remember your favorite aperitif—serving it to you, before you even order. You won't find any kids clubs or teen hangouts—but as the teens creep into their mid-20s, it becomes the perfect multi-gen holiday as millennials and their grandparents share a life-changing experience—exploring and immersing deeply into South African culture, together—and sharing a cosmopolitan or two up on deck at night. Azamara Quest Carrying just over 700 passengers, Azamara Quest is a chic, boutique cruise ship—serving as your home while exploring the sparkling shores of South Africa. Small enough to access lesser-known ports around the world, you won't find skydiving simulators, robot bartenders, or 10-story waterslides. Instead, you'll immerse yourself into a relaxed, floating country club—think cozy library lounges, boutique shops, sexy cocktail bars, expert-led talks, and a large crowd-gathering pool guarded by twin whirlpools, where mixologists waltz from behind the Pool Grill with platters of champagne. Here, you'll also join the famous once-a-cruise 'White Night'—a celebration under the stars, where you'll sit at white-clothed tables, all dressed in white, as the crew parade around with flags of the world, chefs prepare global cuisine, and traditional dancers step aboard for a blood-pumping performance. Wellness junkies will adore the Azamara Spa—complete with its private Sanctum Terrace with a bubbling salt water bath and powerful massage jets. Here, you can opt for Elemis volcanic stone and seaweed massages, BIOTEC 'Firm-a-Lift' facials, manicures, teeth whitening, and even acupuncture. But if you want to stay active during your voyage, join group classes like al fresco yoga, pilates, cycling, and core workouts—or make use of the ocean-view Fitness Center, with personal trainers and a dedicated Body Sculpt Boot Camp. You'll find 352 staterooms onboard Quest, from Interior Staterooms to World Owner's Suites—while its Ocean Suites are rich and jazzy, set across 734 square feet, boasting a sweeping wraparound balcony with twin sun loungers and al fresco furniture. Club Ocean Suite Spill into your spacious suite, and you'll find a cozy nook with a comfy sofa and armchairs (with a bottle of champagne waiting on your arrival) and a little dining table—perfect for hosting intimate dinner parties. Plus, a fully-stocked minibar with soft drinks, tonics, and premium beers—as well as four complimentary liter bottles of spirits (of your choice) from Gordon's London Dry Gin to Johnnie Walker Red Label scotch whisky. A sliding door reveals a master bedroom with a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe, a writing desk, and a wingback queen-sized bed (adorned with nightly turndown treats) gazing out of a giant porthole as you sail by crimson sunrises and sunsets. Club Ocean Suite While its rich marble ensuite is virtually the size of a stateroom itself—with a deep soaking tub, a walk-in rainfall shower, and a nifty sliding door—cutting the bathroom in half—perfect for offering a private guest bathroom when hosting sunset soirees or champagne receptions. Staying in an Ocean Suite, you'll also be allocated your own personal butler. They'll serve you daily afternoon tea on your balcony as you snuggle up in fluffy Terry bathrobes—grazing on delicate finger sandwiches, decadent cakes, and fresh scones—and replenish your minibar with your favorite tipples. While 24-hour room service, shoe shine service, one free bag of laundry service per suite (every 7 days)—and complimentary wifi, specialty dining, and access to the Thalassotherapy pool and spa deck, complete a weighty list of suite-level perks. Azamara Butler Surf through seven restaurants, cafes, and lounges onboard Quest—starting your mornings at Windows Cafe, bright and elegant, known for its panoramic views and expansive buffet breakfast (plus an outdoor Sunset Bar at the back of Quest) serving global cuisine—while sometimes highlighting ingredients from your sailing's ports of call. Or, simply opt for a butler-served breakfast on your sun-kissed balcony, for the more discreet traveler. At night, Forbes readers will want to make the most of Aqualina and Prime C—two specialty restaurants onboard Quest. While the cuisine is certainly nothing subpar in Quest's main restaurant, Discoveries, choosing the specialty route makes for a more serene, intimate atmosphere. It is offered complimentary all voyage long for suite guests—feasting on gourmet Italian delights in Aqualina and some of the finest steaks at sea at Prime C. Afterward, you can head to Cabaret Lounge, a cabaret-style theater serving up musical revues, comedians, and classical solo performers—or catch a live band and nightly disco in The Living Room (also housing the Card Room for bridge lovers) and retire to The Drawing Room for a whiskey or two as a pianist tickles the ivories. The Cellars-Hohenort Embarking in Cape Town, a cosmopolitan city on the southwestern tip of South Africa—where gliding cable cars climb to the top of Table Mountain, and ferries sail for Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held until 1982)—you can opt for a sumptuous pre-stay at the Cellars-Hohenort. Nestled in Constantia Valley, known as 'Cape Town's Vineyard' for its rolling vineyards and world-class wineries, the Cellars-Hohenort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World—with its roster of exclusive, intimate, ultra-lavish properties. Boasting just 51 elegant rooms and suites, an award-winning nine-acre garden, two swimming pools, a spa, a salon, and a full-size tennis court—it makes for the perfect pre-cruise escape, far away from Cape Town's busy thoroughfare—while offering complimentary shuttles to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Constantia Village, and the V&A Waterfront; the best of both worlds. Liz McGrath Villa Set across two floors, its two-bedroom Liz McGrath Villa is oozing country charm and elegance, hand-crafted for VIP guests—think cozy fireplaces, plump cushions and luxurious drapes, Bonnievale wines, Molten Brown products, deep soaking tubs and rainfall showers, a large private courtyard, and a dedicated concierge and personal shopper. Saunter along to its snug spa where you can indulge in a myriad of treatments from skin peels to body scrubs, milk and mud wraps, manicures and pedicures, hot stone massages, and even a CBD-infused full-body massage ($75 for 60 minutes) for the ultimate level of slumber. Then, dine at The Conservatory, grazing on West Coast oysters, South Atlantic tuna tartare, and traditional Cape Malay bobotie—complete with sweet pumpkin tart or its famous Liz McGrath Chocolate Plate. Port Elizabeth, South Africa Sailing onto Port Elizabeth, a major port city on Algoa Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape, you can wander across its pristine golden sand beaches, such as King's Beach—named after King George VI, who frequented here with the Queen Mother, and a young Elizabeth and Margaret, during their Royal Visit of 1947. Or, take a short 10-minute shuttle to Nelson Mandela Bay, where you'll hop on a speedy 20-passenger catamaran My China and set your sights on St Croix Island—home of the endangered African penguin—bouncing across the glittering waves as you're surrounded by soaring Cape gannets, scalloped hammerhead sharks, lazy sunbathing seals, and leaping bottlenose dolphins ($409 per person with Azamara). Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa Sailing onto Richards Bay, one of South Africa's largest harbors, you can explore this bustling port town, watching surfers riding the rolling waves at the North Pier—or spotting luxury yachts nudging old fishing trawlers at Richards Bay Harbour. Take a 90-minute coach transfer, passing forests of towering Eucalyptus trees and tiny rustic villages, and you'll reach Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Dating back to 1895, it's the oldest proclaimed reserve in South Africa (tied with the nearby St. Lucia Reserve) and the only park under formal conservation in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal province. Here, you'll hop onto canopied safari jeeps and journey across its impressive 96,000 hectares home to Africa's Big Five—prowling lions, herds of elephants, cheeky leopards, grunting buffalos, and munching rhinos—stopping for a myriad of photo-snapping opportunities along its dusty tracks and a sundowner on the savannah as you toast your gin and tonic to a blazing sunset ($299 per person with Azamara). Mossel Bay, South Africa Stopping in Durban, you'll journey onto Mossel Bay on South Africa's southern coast—with a history of Stone Age hunter-gatherers and early European colonization. Explore its Cape St. Blaize Cave, once home to shellfish hunters thousands of years ago, before meandering up a zigzag path to its clifftop Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse. Or, you can join a cheese and wine tour at Reed Valley Wine Estate. Established in 1826, it is one of the oldest estates in Mossel Bay, enjoying a Mediterranean climate—ideal for its wine production. You'll sample a range of wines from the estate's Eden Valley Wines to its Zandvliets—paired with fine cheeses ($229 per person with Azamara). Cape Town, South Africa Back in sapphire-skied Cape Town, the 'Mother City' of South Africa, you'll enjoy one final overnight stay on your voyage—visiting its crowning jewels like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (home to over 8,500 indigenous plant species), sampling fine Stellenbosch wines, or befriending the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. But if you're seeking a bit more thrill, hop on a helicopter flight (approx 1.5 hours) soaring above Cape Town along the Atlantic route as you hear the blades thundering in your ears, absorbing the sights of the towering Twelve Apostles and the wreck of Llandundo—before passing over the majestic Seal Island and tracing the curves of Chapman's Peak Highway (forged by Italian prisoners in World War II). You'll then glide over the lagoons of Noordhoek Beach and through Sun Valley, passing the lush Constantia Valley—with a grand finale hovering above the mighty Table Mountain—no better climax to your mighty South African adventure ($499 per person with Azamara). Join Azamara's 15-night 'Africa Cruise' from $4,075 per person—including complimentary room service, beer, wine and spirits; signature AzAmazing Evenings, and all tips & gratuities. For more information, visit
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Travel + Leisure
24-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I've Been on Dozens of African Safaris, and This Is the Best Way to See the Wildlife—and No It's Not on a Game Drive
If there was a loyalty program for safaris, I'd have million-miler status. I can recite the safety speech verbatim (keep all body parts inside the Land Cruiser if you want to keep all body parts), tell the difference between male and female giraffes (ladies have furrier ossicones, or horns), and set up a stunning sundowner (pink tonic water is the secret to picture-perfect gin and tonics). I've flown in helicopters over elephant herds in Botswana, navigated hippo-infested waters by wooden canoe in Zambia, and watched kudu graze from the comfort of my private plunge pool at a five-star camp near Kruger National Park. But if you ask me about my favorite way to see the Big Five, you may be surprised. It involves padded shorts, PBJs paired with Fanta, and climbing into ice baths as cold as the African sun is hot. Enjoying the sunset with Botswana cycling safari with Natural Selection. 'How risky is this?' I asked the first time I went on a cycling safari. Kyle MacIntyre, our Natural Selection safari guide who was raised in rural Botswana, handed me a helmet and smiled. 'Cycling is a very natural and pure form of being in the bush,' he said, simultaneously dodging the question and assuring me. I took comfort in the rifle—capable of taking down a bull elephant, but never needed—mounted to his mountain bike. 'You can hear all the alarm calls from the birds, the snapping of twigs, and because most animals won't be by the busy roads, you have a better chance of seeing them by bike.' MacIntyre wasn't wrong. In the four days we spent cycling and camping together in the Kalahari Desert, I noticed the wildlife either eyed our two-wheeled endeavors with curiosity or indifference. They definitely didn't see us as food. Mountain biking Grumeti Reserve. My first cycling safari was so riveting, I now prefer game rides to game drives. On a game ride, you can't kick back the way you can on a drive. All five senses have to be firing at once. It's equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. And in the case of my most recent cycling safari this past October—the inaugural Wagora Bike Ride at Singita Explore—I made lifelong friends and pedaled for a purpose. Instead of just seeing the Big Five, we were saving them. 'Ready to ride?' asked Braya Masunga, operations manager at Singita Explore. Masunga, who greeted my cousin, Rosie, and me with welcome drinks and cool towels, won't tell you, but Singita Explore is the luxurious tented camp where Leonardo DiCaprio stays when he's in Tanzania. You won't find any paparazzi in these parts—just the continent's coolest anti-poaching unit. In fact, the five-day cycling safari we were about to embark on is named after Kitaboka Wagora, an anti-poaching scout who was murdered by a poacher in 2008. Proceeds from the Wagora Bike Ride are donated to the Grumeti Fund, a non-profit that employs nearly 100 anti-poaching scouts tasked with protecting wildlife in this 350,000-acre section of the Serengeti. Katie Jackson cycling by a hear of giraffes while in Tanzania. Like game drives, game rides start early. Fortunately, rising and shining in the bush is easy. Singita Explore's cooks have coffee brewing over the open fire and a carb-heavy spread waiting for us. With the help of a headlamp, the on-site bicycle mechanic, a Kenyan named Godfrey, makes sure our tires are adequately aired and ready for the day's 20 miles. The goal is to be cycling no later than sunrise. This is when it's coolest, and the animals are most active. Sporting matching cycling jerseys, our peloton is a motley crew. I'm an avid roadie who learned how to ride from my friend, the 17-time Tour de France legend, George Hincapie. Meanwhile, Rosie barely feels comfortable on a beach cruiser. Skyler Nuelle—the Grumeti Fund's head of partnerships and impact analysis—recently mountain biked up Mount Kilimanjaro in a four-day stage race, and Vicky Mkessa, programs coordinator for the Grumeti Fund, has never been on a bike before. We're escorted by a couple of safari guides who can track and tell us about the animals we'll see, and at least five armed anti-poaching scouts, most of whom don't speak English. We may not speak the same languages, but there's something about riding in a group—taking turns breaking the wind for each other—that bonds us in ways bumping around in a vehicle never would. In Botswana, we cycled on 'elephant highways'—well-trodden paths made by Africa's biggest five. But here in Tanzania, we're riding on a mix of dirt roads and single-track paths winding through the Grumeti Game Reserve, grasslands home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, buffalo, and the rare eastern black rhino. We see everything except leopards and cheetahs as we ride. My favorite sighting is a pair of lions we watch through binoculars at one of our rest stops. Most cycling safaris feature refreshment tables—covered with orange slices, PB&Js, and soda—approximately every eight miles. If you need to use the bathroom, you find a tree. I love working out and seeing wildlife at the same time. It makes me feel less guilty about indulging in the Instagram-worthy brunch waiting for us when we ride back into camp. But before diving into the buffet, we dunk ourselves in ice baths. After refueling, it's time for a nap and massage, followed by afternoon tea and a game drive. We return around dark and discuss the next morning's ride and route over a multicourse dinner fit for Mr. DiCaprio. Full bellies, sore legs, and happy hearts, we're all looking forward to tomorrow's 5 a.m. wake-up call. There's something about being on a bike that brings you back to childhood, and we can't wait to feel like kids again (especially if it means we get to watch "The Lion King" in real life).
