A safari in Africa can change your life.
So declares Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of ultra-luxury African safari specialist Roar Africa during a chat with MailOnline Travel about the world of safaris and the bespoke ‘beyond first class’ holidays her company offers.
She reveals her favorite ‘seven-star’ luxury lodge in Africa, the continent’s best safari country for solo female travellers, what it’s like on Roar Africa’s private jet safaris costing up to $185,000/£145,000 and how a safari can change someone’s world view.
On this last point, the Zimbabwean Deborah explains: ‘For me, being on safari is a homecoming, (returning to) the cradle of humanity.
‘When our guests leave the continent, they say the most profound things, like “you 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 heartbreaking, melting connection. All this Africa gives you. I think (an African safari) is probably the most expensive trip you will ever take. But this is the most precious experience.
‘Africa’s unspoilt wild spaces and wildlife have the power to drop you back into your body, reawaken dormant senses and renew one’s appreciation for what really matters in this journey called life.’
Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of ultra-luxury African safari specialist Roar Africa, spoke to MailOnline Travel about the world of safaris and the bespoke ‘beyond first class’ holidays her company offers. She says: ‘Africa’s unspoilt wild spaces and wildlife have the power to renew one’s appreciation for what really matters in life’
Deborah, who is based in New York, emphasizes that safaris also change the animal kingdom.
She says: ‘Responsible, sustainable travel to Africa is essential for the future of the continent and wildlife. As born and bred Africans, we know what it takes to protect endangered wildlife. Responsible tourism reduces the negative impact 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 lodges, of course.
Her favorite luxury lodge is Xigera (pronounced with a ‘K’, not an ‘X’) in Botswana, which she describes as ‘a masterpiece’.
She explains: ‘Xigera lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta exceeds all expectations. It’s insane. A masterpiece.
‘It is a tribute to the continent, designed by the 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 facilities, the incredible food and every luxury imaginable. Even the wildlife wants to move in.
“It’s seven star in my opinion.”
Roar Africa offers incredible safaris with air transport on board the Emirates Executive Private Jet (above) – a custom Airbus A319
The Emirates Executive Private Jet features individual suites for each of the 10 guests on board
Roar Africa offers three specialist private jet journeys: The Greatest Safari on Earth ($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 alluring topography of ‘enormous rocks, ancient baobab trees and golden and orange msasa trees’.
Segera Retreat in Kenya also takes 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 has advice on which countries to choose for different types of travelers.
She reveals: ‘The best for families and children is South Africa, which has amazing private villa options such as Tswalu Tarkuni and Cheetah Plains, which appeal to all ages.
‘Namibia and Zimbabwe are the best for pure unbridled adventure because they’re rougher and more isolated and you’re not necessarily going to get the facilities you would in South Africa or Botswana, while Rwanda is exceptionally safe for female solo travellers.’
Various luxury safari companies can arrange trips to these destinations and lodges – why choose Roar Africa? What sets it apart from the competition?
Deborah says: ‘This is an important question for me because we’re not selling a destination, we’re selling my home, right? And I think that’s probably the biggest difference, because when someone comes to somewhere where you’re from, you offer a totally different experience than, say, a travel agent.
‘I’m sure if I came to London you’d give me so many different, cool, interesting places to go than what a travel agent in New York could offer.
Above is Deborah’s favorite luxury lodge in Africa – Xigera in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. She describes it as a ‘masterpiece’
“Even the wildlife wants to move in,” says Deborah van Xigera
‘My family has been on the African continent since 1688. Africa is in my DNA. It’s 300 years of being African coming to our guests.
‘How different are we different? I think we are really geared for those people who just don’t have time to get it wrong. Everyone suffers from what I call nature deficit disorder. We all need that tree, that flower, that road, that space, that freedom, that beauty – especially heads of companies and families.
“I’ve checked everything so that anyone traveling with us doesn’t end up in a place where they’re like, ‘I wish we were there’ or, ‘Those guests told me about it, why didn’t we go there’?” There is no time to get it wrong with the heavy lifting of travel today, and the congestion and the grind and the unreliable airports and airlines.
‘It’s really hard. And I feel that our job is to quiet the noise, to quiet the guest so they can really enter into that space, that stillness, that beauty, that freedom.
‘No one feels anything anymore. We are so numb and our focus is so stolen. What I try to give people is that essence of transformation of what Africa can really do for you. But you still have all the normal hassle of travel. That’s how we approach it.’
The deep-pocketed can experience Roar Africa’s organizational powers at their most obvious by booking a place on one of its three private jet safaris – The Greatest Safari on Earth ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City & Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000).
There are only 10 places available on each, with guests flown on the Emirates Executive Private Jet – a customized Airbus A319 – to some of the most enchanting locations in Africa.
Roar Africa is ‘geared for those people who just don’t have time to get it wrong’
Deborah says: ‘On the “Greatest Safari on Earth”, guests experience Africa’s four most iconic destinations in 12 days – the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and mountain gorillas in Rwanda. This is the only non-first class private jet experience in the world.’
Are the (inevitably rich) guests blasé about it all – or excited?
Firmly the latter.
Deborah reveals: ‘None of our guests are ever blasé. Everyone is high the minute they walk on. They’re like, “Okay, I never travel any other way. This is ridiculous.”
‘They just float around in Africa. So they get very bubbly and very excited and very emotional because they can’t believe that this is how they’re going to experience it. There is no other trip in the world like this right now. I’ve done it seven times and I go every time I can because it’s so great.’
Roar Africa offers three specialist journeys aboard the Emirates Executive Private Jet: The Greatest Safari on Earth ($165,000/£129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City & Safari ($175,000/£137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/£145,000).
For more visit www.roarafrica.com and www.instagram.com/roarafrica.
