What is a Sober Safari?

As more and more people discover the powerful benefits of alcohol-free living - more options for sober travel are becoming available (in addition to recovery travel options). The sober tourism industry is emerging as a growing trend and as a result, finally offering opportunities to a previously overlooked subset of travellers. With sobriety serving as the backbone, there is a built-in source of connection amongst this travel community that is rare to find in others.

Safari - the perfect option for a sober travel experience

A sensory experience like Safari which naturally incorporates a vast amount of incredible sensations, truly lends itself to the virtues of a sober lifestyle - where presence and embodied living are foundational. The sensory elements of a luxury safari go well beyond the discerning design and tantalising food of your lodge. Being in such an untouched area of natural wilderness which dates back millions of years, there are a plethora of sights, smells and sounds which exist in their purest form - that many people who grow up in our modern world don't ever get to engage with. Doing safari sober allows one to take full advantage of this all-encompassing experience and re-engage with the source of presence much more intensely - the five senses.

For those who have gone through the process of recovery and may be craving a bit of an adrenaline rush - a walking safari is a fantastic healthy alternative. Nothing will make you feel quite as alive as coming within five feet of a lion. (no need to bring your running shoes, but perhaps an extra pair of knickers;)

Why can't I just go on a regular Safari?

The challenge is that when you go on safari, there is always booze present. It's a big part of the safari (and S'African) culture, starting with Amarula in your coffee on the morning game drive - and that’s only 6am. Then there’s beers at lunch, G&T's on the afternoon drive, and of course wine tasting at dinner. Many lodges have wine cellars on-premises and all lodges have visibly fully-stocked bars.

That's why when Africovery partners with a lodge, we ensure all booze is removed for the duration of your stay, no other guests are there nudging you to have a drink with them, and you are fully loaded with your favourite premium alcohol-free drinks for all your meals and game drives. In addition, we will help you to plan sober-friendly activities that don't include boozing, and that align more with your values and preferences, including a variety of wellness options. Africovery also handpicks lodges in low-tourist density reserves, to ensure that our guests have the rare opportunity to practice wildlife yoga and bush meditations uninterrupted.

An Africovery safari is unlike any other. There is a depth of experience present that is often lacking when alcohol is offered. Africovery invites you to experience the joys of this travel experience, free from hangovers, and without the dependence on any substance to relax. Come as you are and let the consumption of the safari experience give you a natural high you will never forget.

“Why is it you can never hope to describe the emotion Africa creates? You are lifted. Out of whatever pit, unbound from whatever tie, released from whatever fear. You are lifted and you see it all from above”

— Francesca Marciano

There's something about Africa

As those who prioritise travelling will know, travel is not just a vacation - it's an investment in oneself like no other. It is precisely through new external places and experiences that we form new internal discoveries about our own lives that help us to expand in clarity, growth and a sense of renewal. Suddenly, parts of ourselves that lie dormant in our everyday lives awaken in response to the full sense of vitality that travelling grants the mind, body and soul.

We travel back home excited to share not just stories and pictures with our friends and family, but also the budding sense of self that we gained from stepping out of the everyday world of routines and responsibility. We get back and realise it was not just a trip, but a portal into new possibilities within ourselves. Perhaps upon returning, our loved ones notice a shift in attitude, we may suddenly seem lighter and unburdened from the heaviness that previously occupied us. It’s no accident - a trip to the wilderness gifts us the medicine we so badly need but won’t find in hours of Netflix, scrolling on our phones, or the busyness of our everyday lives.

In addition, many people in sobriety have developed a newfound appreciation for nature as part of their healing journey and spiritual re-connection to themselves and the universe. There is simply no better place than Safari to foster or enhance that (re)connection.

“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same. But how do you begin to describe its magic to someone who has never felt it? How can you explain the fascination of this vast, dusty continent, whose oldest roads are elephant paths? Could it be because Africa is the place of all our beginnings, the cradle of mankind, where our species first stood upright on the savannahs of long ago?”

— Brian Jackman

What are the Sober Safari options?

Our sober safari experiences range from glamping-style tented safaris to 5 Star luxury safaris - depending on your budget and taste. These all include gourmet meals according to a personalised menu, two daily safari drives with a private guide, and of course your favourite alcohol-free beverages.

For the really adventurous - a walking safari experience is bucket-list material. This is where you stay in the middle of the Savanna in an unfenced camp amongst your fellow animals, and embark on daily safari walks (with an armed guide). It’s an opportunity to go deeper into the wild, learn about the surrounding ecosystem, and come face to face with some incredible wildlife.

Who does Africovery cater to?

We try our best to segment our group trips into sober themes, i.e.; trips for people in recovery, or trips for people who choose sobriety as a lifestyle, as we found that although there is no major issue with mixing groups, there tends to be more relatability between travelers and that enhances the overall group experience. For our private trips we cater to:

People who choose sobriety as a lifestyle choice
People who are sober as a result of recovery (from any type of addiction)
Sober couples, families, sober friend groups
Sober Communities / Recovery communities
Sober retreat leaders
People who are sober curious
People who don’t drink due to religious reasons

If you’re not joining one of our group trips or retreats and decide to go the more exclusive route - we’ll help you curate an itinerary based on your group preferences and tastes, no matter whether it’s a family or a friend group. This experience will also allow you to spend more precious quality time with new or old sober friends, family, and foster more loving relationships. Because while there is WIFI on Safari, I don’t suspect you’ll be using much of it ;)

I invite you to come and taste the magic and splendour that is Africa.

Come and be, just as you are.