June 4

David Ryan’s Favourite African Safari Experience

By David Ryan on
June 4, 2020

As the CEO and Founder of Rhino Africa, my life’s work has been dedicated to creating life-changing journeys to Africa, for Rhino Africa’s guests from around the world. Firm in my belief that travel has the ability to change the world; the game-changing force that uplifts communities and protects our endangered wildlife. Tourism enriches all our lives, and promises the best opportunity for community upliftment, through the creation of stable and sustainable employment opportunities in rural African areas. 

David Ryan, CEO & founder of Rhino Africa, on a photo safari
David Ryan, CEO & Founder of Rhino Africa

Every day I am reminded what a privilege it is to be African. As I bring my young family up here, I am constantly in awe of how blessed we are to have Africa’s people, wildlife, and landscapes as our everyday mentor, inspiration, and guide. There is simply no end to the kindness, beauty, and talent found on this continent, and it is this passion that lights our fire and drives our vision of creating a lasting impact on this continent we all call home.

David’s perfect Travel Itinerary

Guests often ask me, “given a choice – do you prefer bush or beach?” As someone that always prefers to dine from the buffet of life, my usual retort is, “Why choose one when you can have the best of both?!”.

The truth is I really couldn’t choose! Africa’s wildlife and landscapes are as equally alluring as the azure blue water of the Indian Ocean Islands. Choosing the ultimate “bush and beach” combination on the other hand is easy; Botswana’s Okavango Delta and one of the Seychelles’ many private islands.

David Ryan recommends a visit to the Seychelles
Seychelles: Combine the Okavango Delta with this island paradise

A combination originally designed as the ultimate Royal Honeymoon; I think William and Kate make for a fair testimonial! The low volume, high value tourism proposition of Botswana and the Seychelles now make it the perfect “social distancing” holiday, quite ironic really! 

What makes the Okavango special?

The Okavango Delta is the largest inland Delta in the world. It’s made up of an intricate network of channels & lagoons, and with over 150,000 islands it is one of Africa’s vast unspoiled and pristine wilderness areas teeming with wildlife. It is simply breathtaking and should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Aerial view of the Okavango Delta in Botswana
Special moment: The seasonal floods return to the Okavango Delta

There is no shortage of comfort and style in the many Camps and Lodges dotted around this 15,000 square kilometer wilderness, but it is the experience that will leave you truly changed. Reminisce fireside about your day’s game viewing by mokoro (dugout canoe), boat or land rover. Wake to the loud grumbling of an elephant’s tummy and lie silent and still in your luxury tent while it grazes only a stone’s throw away. Experience sunsets unlike any other, as the sun dips on another day that will undoubtedly leave you forever changed.

Elephant in Okavango Delta floods
Experience the wild heart of Africa in the Okavango Delta

There are so many reasons to visit the Okavango Delta, but here a few of mine:

  • Enjoy a mokoro safari – a traditional dugout canoe
  • Sip the Delta waters – the largest water filter in the world!
  • Pit your skills, wit and rod against a Delta tiger fish
  • Listen to an elephant feeding next to your tent
  • Watch out for a pels fishing owl – at the top of every birders list!
  • Get face to face with Jabu the Elephant at Stanley’s Camp
  • Go on an evening safari to photograph crocodiles, aardvark and pangolin if you are really lucky
  • 550 species of birds in the Delta
  • The Okavango Delta is the wildlife capital of Africa

 

The Seychelles – exclusive Island Royalty

Situated in the western waters of the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa, the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the deep blue sea. The islands are home to white sand beaches and tropical forest while the iridescent waters are filled with pristine coral reefs, tropical fish and an array of marine life. Tell me your bags are not already packed.   

David Ryan diving around the Seychelles
David exploring the underwater wonders in the Seychelles

Towering palms frame rustic retreats which open up onto this unspoiled getaway – it not only feels like paradise – it really is! If discovering untouched beaches, exploring private coves for snorkelling and swimming, going scuba diving among a kaleidoscope of coral reefs and tropical fish, taking a stroll through traditional markets, or hop aboard a sailing boat is your idea of the perfect holiday, then the Seychelles is the perfect destination for you. Here you don’t just choose a hotel, you choose an island! 

One of David Ryan's favourite African Safari Experience: Seychelles
Who wouldn’t love to relax on this beach?

Again there are so many reasons to visit the Seychelles, but here a few of mine:

  • Silky sand and crystal clear waters
  • Palm-fringed beaches and colourful coral reefs
  • Sumptuous seafood and cocktails
  • 115 breathtaking islands
  • Dive amongst colourful tropical fish and corals
  • Perfect all-year round with 365 days of sunshine!

I like to think of life as an “AND” not and “OR” and if you are going to combine two of Africa’s bucket list destinations, Botswana and Seychelles are the ultimate combination!

Why travel with Rhino Africa?

With a World Wide Web offering a multitude of different companies offering travel to Africa what makes Rhino Africa so special? As a specialist tour operator we take pride in treating you exactly as we would if you were friends or family. We love developing down to earth, honest relationships. Booking with Rhino Africa makes you a guest not a client, it’s ‘your holiday’ not your ‘file’, and your name rather than your reservation number!

Botswana Moremi Okovango Delta group people airport group of rhino consultants
Book your dream African Safari Experience with us now

We’re passionate about this continent, its wildlife, its people and its huge potential and we take pride in being experts in African Travel. Between us we’ve travelled, worked, enjoyed and experienced most of the wonders in Africa. We tailor-make your itinerary until we’ve created a holiday that suits your individual needs and requirements, focusing on the magnificent destinations that Africa has to offer, along with the fantastic hotels and lodges to be found in each.

Some people wait their whole lives to get the chance to visit Africa. We take care of the small things to make these life-long dreams a reality. Let’s start planning your African Holiday today!


Tags

Okavango Delta, Seychelles


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About the author 

David Ryan

David makes things happen! With a canny inability to sit still for a minute, it’s a miracle he actually sat down long enough to finish his degree in economics. David is a brave and pioneering entrepreneur with a true passion for Africa - especially Africa's wildlife. With his African Grey parrot by his side, there is more than a hint of the Dolittles about our intrepid leader. Before founding Rhino Africa David spent a number of years earning his stripes and cutting his teeth in the industry. David’s interests include photography and travel, and having travelled extensively through Africa most of the images on the Rhino Africa website hail from his well organised image library!

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