When you're searching for the best safari in Africa, Serengeti National Park is the one that will pop up numerous times when searching online, reading guide books, speaking to people that have already experienced Safari before. The key is of course to ensure you are there during migration so that you get to see the big five and many more of the 500+ species. But the most important question for me was where do we stay. You want to make sure you're in the middle of all the action but also you don't compromise comfort and safety.

I take big pride in all the trips I've planned to date but as it was going my first time in Africa and there were several transfers involved between locations I decided to leave it in someone else's hands and took the decision to work with Audley travel based in the UK to help plan our entire trip. It was always on my bucket list to stay at the incredible Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the Serengeti with it's glamorous facilities, infinity pool overlooking the national park however I also wanted to disconnect from the daily hotel routine and fully embrace the wilderness and place myself outside my comfort zone in an unfenced camp site which is how we ended up in Dunia Camp.

Dunia Camp - Dunia meaning 'world' camp has been the most incredible experience that I will always carry with me wherever I go. It's my home away from home and will always be missed massively. But what makes it so unique to me is the fact that it's a camp entirely run by women which is so so empowering and very rare to come across in Africa. They do such an incredible job from their fantastic welcoming ceremony where they sing and dance and welcome you with such warmth and open arms to the glamorous camps that have everything you can hope for and more. You have your own bathroom in your tent with all the amenities, a reading sofa/desk area, a patio with a seating area basically in front of all the animals roaming. The friendly faces escort you to and from your tent once it's dark to dinner which is served on a long dining table underneath the stars.. The stars shining ever brighter than ever where you dine with fellow campers and socialise, listen to their stories during a delicious dinner prepared by their incredible chef served with South African wine. Of course not only just dinner but breakfast and lunch are also served on camp - even breakfast in bed if you like! The cost includes an unlimited open bar all day with all global spirits, hard liquor, and delicious African local wines.

BUSH TV

To answer one of your questions - why Dunia Camp, I would like to mention the afternoon Bush TV. Yes, literally you sit at the campsite in the middle of the national park and watch the animals pass by and this is what they call Bush TV. It's like watching National Geographic without the involvement of technology and electricity. It gets even better.. You get to watch the sunset in front of your own bare eyes and as soon as the sun is down that's when they light a big log fire and start serving drinks and canapes. Then the stars take over and you feel the heat rising not just from the log fire but also from the adrenaline that kicks in when you start hearing all types of sounds thinking 'which animal is that', 'how close are they'. Flashlights will be your best companion in the evenings and as soon as you hear the wildlife you take out your best buddy and boom - right in front of your eyes there are elephants, hyenas, zebra's, gazelles and many more depending on your luck. Their eyes glow so even if you don't use a flash light, bush TV in darkness will show you moving glowing eyes which is what gave me the adrenaline kick. Of course you are not alone. You feel completely safe and happy with the company of the lovely staff and fellow campers talking about their daytime game drive and their experiences which is always unique. You are once again reminded how small you are on this planet but that there is absolutely nothing to fear about. The nature and wildlife is to be respected and protected, and once you do, you get the biggest gift of enjoyment and self-fulfilment in return. Bush TV gets paused once it's time to be escorted to the dining table just by the log fire ready to sample the evening menu served underneath the stars. Enjoy!