Less stress, more joy: How I re-found calm in Africa, on a unique wellbeing safari

I don’t normally get emotional at the end of a vacation but saying goodbye after seven days immersed in a new and immersive Sense Safari in South Africa found me in floods of tears. The trip – part of Flash Pack’s exclusive wellbeing collection designed to help guests slow down and reconnect – was unlike anything I’d experienced before. It was profound and emotional in ways I never expected.

As visual editor for Flash Pack, I was invited onto the pilot version of the adventure, set within a luxury wilderness retreat near the Greater Kruger National Park. A sweet gig yes – but first and foremost, I approached it as a work project, in my capacity as a photographer. So, I wasn’t prepared for how powerful the experience would be. Right from the outset, it took my breath away. 

The sense of awe began with the environment itself. Our safari retreat was set within 940 hectares of private reserve on the banks of the Olifants River, and our group had the entire place to ourselves. The effect was extraordinary: a peaceful, intimate setting that enabled really moving encounters with the surrounding nature and wildlife.

It was profound and emotional in ways I never expected

Simply arriving there, fresh from an 18-hour flight, was surreal. One minute I was navigating airport security, the next I found myself in the bush, miles away from anywhere and with nothing but the occasional grunt of a hippo for company. 

The staff gave a warm welcome in the form of a hand-washing ritual using salts from the local river. Immediately, I felt a sense of connection, and my shoulders started to drop. It was like my body had been given permission to enter a new, more peaceful state.

On most Flash Pack trips, there’s a point at the beginning where everyone goes round and introduces themselves. And there’s sometimes a bit of awkward energy because everyone is strangers at that point, rushing to fill the silence. This time, however, something unexpected happened.

As our group of 14 solo travelers gathered on the deck by the river for our welcome meeting, a herd of elephants emerged right in front of us. They were grazing on a tree that had come down in a recent flood. The sun was going down, so it was a true golden hour and – as if by agreement – our group held a beautiful silence between us. We were all transfixed by the sight unfolding before our eyes: the natural world at its most calming and majestic.

We were there for a similar reason: to unwind in the wild

That shared moment was really bonding, and it set the tone for the whole trip. We were all there for a similar reason: to escape the pressures of everyday life and unwind in the wild. 

The adventure may have been slower than a typical Flash Pack trip, but it was challenging in its own right. Many people there hadn’t tried activities like meditation or traditional dancing before – it was all new to them (and me). Everyone was going through the same comfort-stretching journey. It was like we made an unspoken commitment to be in the experience together, shaking off stress and releasing ourselves to the wild, natural landscape.

Joosje Heringa, our Pack Leader, was key to this transition; a highlight of the stay for us all. She was such a calm person, who was able to take on the role of friend, storyteller and the facilitator behind a series of unique wellbeing activities. 

Sunrise meditation became a highlight of the trip for me

For example, every morning just before light, we gathered by the river for sunrise meditation. Joosje led each session, encouraging us to set different intentions as we tuned into the sounds and sights of the bush. I’ve never had much success with meditation before but there was something so special about sharing that ritual together, with 12 other people around and the morning light just emerging above the riverbed.

I hadn’t anticipated the effect that nature would have. Hearing monkeys in the trees, and birds flying by, was really grounding. As an introduction to meditation, the setting was unbeatable. It became a highlight of my day, to the point where I didn’t even have to set my alarm – I naturally woke up at 5am, excited for the session.

Amazingly, I found I was able to continue that focus once I was back home, too. Naturally, it’s very different meditating in a London apartment versus in the heart of the African bush. But, by using natural sound to center myself, I’ve been able to rest my mind and tune out distractions. That alone has been so educational.

Our evenings at the reserve were spectacular, too. Whether we were gathering for drinks around the campfire or admiring the night sky, this was our time to get together, reflect and learn more about each other. One habit that worked really well is that we were invited to put our phones into a box before dinner. Around 80% of our group chose to do so, and it became a natural part of our daily routine – something we all looked forward to. 

My habits changed. I cut my screen time by over two hours a day

It’s so easy to reach for your phone and start scrolling in that empty time before or after dinner, but instead we were able to be fully present. Not only was the food superb, but we often found ourselves talking long into the night. My screen time went down by about two and a half hours a day, which was a real eye-opener.

The absolute showstopper of the trip, however, was the wildlife – and for one simple reason: we had the reserve to ourselves. Because there were no other jeeps out on safari, the animal encounters we had were unrushed and profoundly intimate.

It was nothing like a Big Five checklist, where you’re forever chasing the next wildlife thrill. Instead, we could really take our time, led by our phenomenal safari guides Ian and Nklankla (or “Lucky”). I’ve never met two people with such vast knowledge – they were incredible teachers, and masters of the bush. On each game drive or safari walk we embarked on, they’d teach us how to use our senses to recognize different animals from their tracks, their scents and their dung.

Because we had so much time with the animals, the sightings were out of this world. It really felt like we were invited into their space, and – due to the private setting – they were comfortable getting close to us, letting us understand more about their behavior.

The animal encounters were so intimate, they took my breath away

At one point, a pair of young bull elephants emerged from the bush and put their trunks in the air to sniff us out. They were really inquisitive, and so close to our jeep that we could see details such as how long their eyelashes were. We spent around 45 minutes with them, during which many members of the group, including me, got quite emotional. It was so fascinating to see them communicate just yards away, with no-one else around. 

Another time we watched a lioness down on the riverbank at sunset as she attempted (and failed) to hunt an impala. She walked straight down the side of our vehicle. Seeing her transfixed on this impala and having a running commentary from the guide about what she was doing and thinking was so special. It was like being in a nature documentary.

In day-to-day life, we’re always chasing the next best thing. But being in the vast African wilderness put everything into perspective. It gave me a newfound appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of the animal world. 

It’s mind-blowing to reflect on things like an elephant’s human-like memory; or that an impala faces a near-death experience nearly every day of its life. I get stressed by the smallest things – often things that haven’t even happened yet. And here’s this creature that spends its days escaping predator after predator, and it physically shakes off the stress. Then it gets up the next day and moves on.

If I could visit every year for the rest of my life, I would

It was also a great experience for me as a photographer, because I was able to strike a balance between taking great images and being in the moment myself. Normally, I’m so focused on getting the right shot, I don’t take time to appreciate what’s in front of me. But the nature of our slow, connected safari expeditions meant there were plenty of moments where it felt intuitive to put my camera down and enjoy the experience. And my imagery actually got better over the trip, thanks to that space.

I swear there was some kind of magic in the lodge, its people and the setting. The entire trip was transformative. Back home, I’d been juggling various things, from a house move to friends’ weddings (they all happen at once!) and a fun yet demanding job.

After seven days in the reserve, I experienced a real shift in mindset. Our Pack Leader, Joosje, said that even my eyes had changed: they’d become more dream-like and restful. And people who know me have remarked that I’ve seemed more relaxed since. 

I learnt so much and I also opened up; hence my tears at the end. The last time I cried leaving somewhere was on the plane home from my first ever vacation to Italy, aged five. I’ve been to 44 countries since. It was a nice full-circle moment for me; a sign of how impactful the trip had been. 

I want to take that feeling of vulnerability forward with me. And equally, I’m determined to return to the lodge. I never normally return anywhere. I’m your typical go-go-go traveler, hopping from place to place and soaking up every new experience. But if I could visit this retreat every year for the rest of my life, I would. It’s the best, most enriching way to travel – an experience that changed me for the better and reframed how I see the world. 

Liam Baldock is visual editor for Flash Pack, and lives in London. He traveled on the first outing of Flash Pack’s Sense Safari to South Africa, part of the brand’s new wellbeing collection of slower, more mindful trips designed for the always-on generation.

Images: Liam Baldock and Flash Pack.