A safari in Africa can change your life.
This is according to Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of a company specializing in luxury African safaris. Roar Africa during a chat with MailOnline Travel about the world of safaris and the ‘beyond first class’ personalized holidays his company offers.
She reveals her favorite ‘seven star’ luxury lodge in Africa, the continent’s best safari country for solo female travellers, what Roar Africa’s private jet safaris cost up to $185,000/£145,000 are like and how a safari can change someone’s life. vision of the world.
Regarding this last point, South African Deborah explains: ‘For me going on safari is a return home, (returning to) the cradle of humanity.
‘When our guests leave the continent, they say the most profound things, like “you’ve changed my life” and “I see the world differently now.” You don’t say that when you come back from Italy or Paris.
“You don’t have that gut-wrenching, gut-wrenching connection. Africa gives you all that. I think (an African safari) is probably the most expensive trip you’ll ever take. But it is the most valuable experience.
“Africa’s pristine wild spaces and wildlife have the power to bring you back into your body, reactivating dormant senses and renewing appreciation for what truly matters in this journey called life.”
Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of luxury African safari specialist Roar Africa, spoke to MailOnline Travel about the world of safaris and the ‘beyond first class’ bespoke holidays her company offers. She says: “Africa’s pristine wild spaces and wildlife have the power to renew appreciation for what truly matters in life.”
Deborah, who lives in New York, points out that safaris also change the animal kingdom.
She says: ‘Responsible and sustainable travel to Africa is imperative for the future of the continent and its wildlife. As born and raised Africans, we know what it takes to protect endangered wildlife. Responsible tourism minimizes the negative impacts of travel on the environment, wildlife and local communities, but also generates the critical revenue and awareness these national parks need to protect wildlife.’
We are sold. But where is the best place to stay? In one of Deborah’s favorite accommodations, of course.
Her favorite luxury accommodation is Xigera (pronounced with a ‘K’, not an ‘X’) in Botswana, which she describes as ‘a masterpiece’.
She explains: ‘The Xigera Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta exceeds all expectations. It’s crazy. A masterpiece.
‘It is a tribute to the continent, designed by legendary architect Anton De Kock and filled with phenomenal African art. There is a very special energy here, elevated by the people, the world-class amenities, the incredible food and every luxury imaginable. Even wildlife wants in.
“In my opinion, it’s a seven star.”
Roar Africa offers incredible safaris with flight transfers aboard Emirates’ private executive jet (above) – a customized Airbus A319
The Emirates Executive Private Jet has individual suites for each of the 10 guests on board.
Roar Africa offers three specialist private jet tours: The World’s Greatest Safari ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City and Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000)
Deborah is also a big fan of Singita Pamushana in Zimbabwe, which “feels like coming home” and offers guests an enticing topography of “huge boulders, ancient baobabs and golden and orange msasa trees.”
Segera Retreat in Kenya also makes the podium, with Deborah describing it as a “spectacular example of effective conservation and collaboration with local people in the service of protecting nature.”
Deborah also offers advice on which countries different types of travelers should choose.
She reveals: “Best for families and children is South Africa, which has amazing private villa options like Tswalu Tarkuni and Cheetah Plains, which appeal to all generations.
“Namibia and Zimbabwe are best for a pure, unbridled adventure, because they are harsher and more isolated and you won’t necessarily have the amenities you would in South Africa or Botswana, while Rwanda is exceptionally safe for solo female travelers.”
Several luxury safari companies can organize trips to these destinations and accommodations. Why choose Roar Africa? What differentiates you from the competition?
Deborah says: ‘This is an important question for me, because we’re not selling a destination, we’re selling my house, right? And I think that’s probably the biggest difference, because when someone comes to a place where you’re from, you give them a totally different experience than, say, a travel agent.
“I’m sure that if I came to London they would give me many different, cool and interesting places compared to what a travel agent in New York could offer me.”
Above is Deborah’s favorite luxury lodge in Africa: Xigera in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. She describes it as a “masterpiece.”
“Even wildlife wants to move,” says Deborah de Xigera
‘My family has been on the African continent since 1688. Africa is in my DNA. There are 300 years of Africanity that reach our guests.
‘How else are we different? I think we’re really prepared for those people who just don’t have time to make mistakes. Everyone suffers from what I call nature deficit disorder. We all need that tree, that flower, that path, that space, that freedom, that beauty, especially the heads of companies and families.
“I’ve vetted everything so that anyone who travels with us doesn’t end up in a place where they say, ‘I wish we were there,’ or ‘Those guests told me that, why didn’t we go there?'” There is no time to make a mistake with today’s heavy travel burden, congestion, routine and unreliable airports and airlines.
‘It’s really difficult. And I feel like our job is to silence the noise, to quiet the guest so they can really enter that space, that silence, that beauty, that freedom.
“No one feels anything anymore. We are so numb and our attention is so stolen. What I try to offer people is that transformative essence of what Africa can really do for you. But you have to avoid all the normal travel hassles. That’s how we approach it.”
Those with deep pockets can experience Roar Africa’s organizing powers at their most eye-opening by booking a spot on one of their three private jet safaris: The World’s Greatest Safari ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City and Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000).
There are just 10 spots available at each, and guests travel on Emirates’ executive private jet, a customized Airbus A319, to some of the most fascinating locations in Africa.
Roar Africa is “aimed at those people who simply don’t have time to make mistakes”
Deborah says: ‘On the “World’s Largest Safari”, guests experience Africa’s four most iconic destinations in 12 days: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and mountain gorillas. in Rwanda. “It is the only experience in the world on a private jet that goes beyond first class.”
Are the (inevitably rich) guests indifferent to all this or excited?
Firmly the latter.
Deborah reveals: ‘None of our guests are indifferent. Everyone gets high the moment they walk. They say, “Okay, I’ll never travel any other way. This is ridiculous.”
‘They’re just floating around Africa. Then they become very happy, very excited and very emotional, because they cannot believe that this is how they are going to experience it. There is no other trip like this in the world right now. I’ve done it seven times and I’m going to go every time I can, because it’s incredible.”
Roar Africa offers three specialist trips aboard Emirates’ executive private jet: the world’s largest safari ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City and Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000).
For more visit www.roarafrica.com and www.instagram.com/roarafrica.