Beyond the Icons of African Wildlife

African wildlife is often thought about in terms of five iconic animals: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard.  Collectively known as the Big 5, their prominence stems from the days when hunters on foot considered them the most challenging and dangerous to encounter.

In our present-day world where the main claim of so many safaris seem to be that they offer the Big 5, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that these five animals alone capture the entire experience of an African adventure. Far from it!

The true magic of safari is far beyond any five animals. Picture this: a graceful giraffe browsing the flat thorny tops of acacia trees, a cheetah’s lightning-fast sprint across the savannah, the dazzling stripes of zebra, and painted dogs joyfully greeting each other after a hunt. These wonderful species, among countless others, all contribute to the incredible mosaic of wildlife that thrives in Africa.

Observation is listening with your eyes.” 

– Chris Richardson

The heart of the wilderness is not merely a showcase with just five awe-inspiring exhibits. It’s a theater of nature’s most intricate performances. Often, the most extraordinary moments remain hidden until we embrace the art of listening, patience and mindfulness. Our week-long experience is where the true magic of safari resides — in slowing down, observing, and becoming fully attuned to the vibrant symphony of life that plays out around us.

Awakening Your Senses

Here’s where the ‘other Big 5’ come in. They are the five senses that define our human experience: Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, and Touch. And we need time to allow these senses to be fully revived within us. On a Tasimba safari, where you’re immersed in a vast, pristine, private wilderness for a full week, this precious gift of time allows you to feel all of your senses coming alive.

In the wild, animals rely on all their senses for survival, constantly aware of their environment through keen sensual perception. Our expert Pro Guides will heighten your senses to mirror nature’s profound wisdom.

Imagine listening to the delicate rustling of the tall savannah grassland, the harsh barking alarm call of a baboon, and the contented low, deep rumble of an elephant.  Imagine tasting the purity of the wilderness air, feeling the textures of the diverse tree species, and inhaling the intoxicating scent of approaching rain. This is true sensual awareness.

A Journey of Transformation

Our journey transcends any ordinary safari. It’s a transformative experience that reconnects you with your primal instincts, reminding you of our human place within the intricate web of nature. As you sit silently in the heart of the ‘cathedral of the wilderness’, you’ll sense your own heartbeat intertwining with the rhythm of the land. The sheer wonder of safari is that it is an ever-changing world of countless sights and species that engraves itself forever in your heart and soul.

When you embark on a Tasimba safari, you’ll carry home not just photographs, but a reawakened sense of who you are and who you want to be. You’ll treasure the invaluable gift of the here and now, of mindfulness, of the profound patience that is the wilderness, and of an immersion into a world of senses, a dance with the wild, and an intimate connection with incredible African wildlife.

So, as you contemplate your next adventure, consider stepping off the beaten path by embracing a Tasimba safari. It’s an invitation to encounter not just five animals, but a symphony of senses and a newfound understanding of the intricate threads that weave the tapestry of human life.

Choose a unique experience, like Tasimba.  Join us, and let your senses come alive in a way you’ve never imagined.

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”

– John Burroughs c. 1880