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Discover Your Ultimate Safari Experience

Whether you're adventuring with friends, or planning your honeymoon, going on safari is a deeply tailored experience. That’s where ROAR Africa comes in.

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A Bull Elephant in Moremi, Botswana. Courtesy of ROAR AFRICA.

Since its founding, ROAR Africa, the acclaimed luxury safari agency founded by Deborah Calmeyer, has mastered the art of curating exceptional African adventures while maintaining a devoted commitment to conversation, meaningful connections, and changing perceptions. Whether you're exploring on your own, adventuring with friends, or planning your honeymoon, the journey of safari is a deeply tailored experience. In our exclusive conversation, Calmeyer shares her expert recommendations, her favorite culinary must-tries, and the awe-inspiring thrills awaiting travelers throughout this magnificent continent.

New York and Cape Town based Deborah Calmeyer is the founder and CEO of the esteemed travel company ROAR AFRICA. Courtesy of ROAR Africa.

SQ: What are some activities or experiences you would recommend for the following groups:

Couples / Honeymoon: Africa is full of the most romantic settings on Earth. Waking up to blood red sun rises and ending the day with the blush of pink and orange while sipping a drink and watching a herd of elephants is mesmerizing and magical, Botswana would be my answer. 

Family / Large Groups: South Africa & Kenya. There are many private villa options that appeal to all generations, and the country itself is incredibly welcoming to children with a wide array of safe amazing experiences to keep children active and engaged. 

Friends / Girls Trip: Cape Town, for a perfect blend of culture, natural beauty, fabulous food and wine, beaches and mountains. The energy in the city is strong: hiking, shopping, art galleries, walking food tours to wine and gin tasting, dining at countless wonderful restaurants, and sipping craft cocktails amidst the buzz of Cape Town nightlife.

Solo Travelers: Anywhere on the continent. Rwanda is exceptionally safe for solo female travelers. Interestingly, the country is a bastion of women’s empowerment with 61% female representation in parliament.

Courtesy of ROAR Africa.

Zimbabwe 

SQ: What is a typical food in Zimbabwe that first time visitors have to try?

DC: Sadza and nyama are  Zimbabwe’s quintessential traditional meal, deeply rooted in the country’s culinary and cultural heritage. It can be cooked alone or with peanut butter, one of the most-used products in the region. It's usually accompanied by beef stew and covo (a type of vegetable that resembles chard, and is cooked with onion, garlic, and peanut butter).

SQ: What cultural experiences will guests be a part of while in Zimbabwe?

DC: On the first evening in Zimbabwe, guests are serenaded by a traditional marimba band in the traditional boma area at Matetsi, creating an authentic introduction to the country's musical heritage.

The Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana. Courtesy of Xigeria.

Botswana

SQ: What are some experiences guests can take advantage of during their stay at the Xigeria Safari Lodge in Botswana?  

DC: Helicopter flights with the doors off are an unreal highlight, as witnessing the geographical expanse of the Delta is an absolute must to understand the phenomenon.

SQ: Can you talk a bit about the dining program at the lodge?

DC: At the heart of Xigera is The Boma, their centerpiece of al fresco dining where you can savor the vibrant flavors of Africa from Cape Malay to a potjiekos, a South African dish of meat and vegetables cooked in a cast-iron pot called a potjie

The Angama Mara hot air balloon experience in Kenya. Courtesy of ROAR Africa.

Kenya

SQ: Many say that Kenya is the original birthplace of safari vacations, do you agree?

DC: In many ways, Kenya not only defined the safari aesthetic but also pioneered the concept of conservation-led tourism, where exclusivity and authenticity go hand in hand. So, while the essence of safari belongs to Africa as a whole, it could be said that Kenya set the standard—one that continues to captivate and inspire today.

SQ: At Angama Mara, what are some one-of-a-kind experiences that guests can be a part of?

DC: The experiences at Angama are extraordinary. From a bird’s eye view of the migration from a hot-air balloon at dawn, to farm-to-table lunches overlooking the teeming plains.

Wildlife gorillas playing in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Courtesy of ROAR Africa.

Rwanda

SQ: What can guests expect when visiting the Rwanda Volcanoes National Park?

DC: Rwanda is totally unique in that its volcanic mountain range is one of just three places on the planet. To meet the gaze of our closest primate cousins, who share 98% of our DNA in the peaceful surroundings of an ancient rainforest changes your life. 

SQ: What is your favorite wellness experience at the Singita Kwitonda Lodge?

DC: Just being at the lodge feels incredibly healing. Sitting on 178-acres of breathtaking land right on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, encircled by the magnificent volcanoes, it’s a place of exceptional natural beauty. 


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