I’m the CEO of a travel agency that arranges African private jet safaris costing £145,000 – this is the best luxury lodge, the safest country in Africa for solo female travellers… and how a safari can change your LIFE
A safari in Africa can change your life.
So says Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of the ultra-luxury African safari specialist Shout 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 best safari country on the continent 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 life. worldview.
On this last point, South African Deborah explains: ‘For me, going on safari is a coming home, [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. Africa gives you all that. I think [an African safari] is probably the most expensive trip you will ever take. But it is the most priceless experience.
“Africa’s pristine wilderness and wildlife have the power to drop you back into your body, reawaken dormant senses and renew your appreciation for what really matters on 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 pristine wilderness and wildlife have the power to renew one’s appreciation for what really matters in life’
Deborah, who lives in New York, emphasizes that safaris also change the animal kingdom.
She says: ‘Responsible and sustainable travel to Africa is absolutely essential for the future of the continent and its wildlife. As born and bred 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 crucial revenue and awareness these national parks need to protect nature.”
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 the Okavango Delta in Botswana exceeds all expectations. It’s insane. 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, enhanced by the people, the world-class amenities, the incredible food and every luxury imaginable. Even the wild animals want to move in.
“It’s seven stars in my opinion.”
Roar Africa offers incredible safaris with flight transfers aboard the Emirates Executive Private Jet (above) – a custom-built 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 trips: 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)
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 gold and orange msasa trees’.
Segera Retreat in Kenya is also on stage, with Deborah describing it as a ‘spectacular example of effective conservation and collaboration with local people in the service of wildlife protection’.
Deborah also has advice on which countries different types of travelers should choose.
She reveals: ‘The best for families and children is South Africa, which has incredible private villa options such as Tswalu Tarkuni and Cheetah Plains, which appeal to all generations.
‘Namibia and Zimbabwe are the best for pure, unbridled adventure as they are rougher, more isolated and you don’t necessarily get the amenities you would get in South Africa or Botswana, while Rwanda is exceptionally safe for solo female travellers.’
Several luxury safari companies can organize 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 are not selling a destination, we are selling my house, right? And I think that’s probably the biggest difference, because when someone comes to somewhere where you’re from, you provide a completely different experience than, say, a travel agent.
‘I’m sure if I came to London you would give me so many different, cool, interesting places, compared to what a travel agency in New York could offer.
Above you see Deborah’s favorite luxury lodge in Africa: Xigera in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. She describes it as a ‘masterpiece’
“Even the wild animals want to move in,” says Deborah from Xigera
‘My family has lived on the African continent since 1688. Africa is in my DNA. It is 300 years of Africanness coming to our guests.
‘How are we different? I think we really cater to those people who just don’t have time to do it wrong. 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 traveling with us doesn’t come to a place where they say, ‘I wish we were there,’ or, ‘Those guys told me about that, why didn’t we go there?’ ?” There’s no time to be wrong with the hustle and bustle of travel today, and the congestion and the grind and the unreliable airports and airlines.
‘It’s really difficult. And I feel like our job is to quiet the noise, quiet the guest, so they can really enter that space, that silence, that beauty, that freedom.
‘Nobody feels anything anymore. We are so numb and our focus is so stolen. What I try to give people is the essence of transformation of what Africa can really do for you. But you have to satisfy all the normal hassles of traveling. That’s how we approach it.’
Those with deep pockets can experience Roar Africa’s organizational power at its most eye-opening by booking a place on one of 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).
With just 10 seats available, guests will be flown on the Emirates Executive Private Jet – a custom-built Airbus A319 – to some of the most enchanting locations in Africa.
Roar Africa is ‘targeted at people who just don’t have the time to do it wrong’
Deborah says: ‘During the ‘Greatest Safari on Earth’, guests will experience Africa’s four most iconic destinations in twelve days: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and mountain gorillas in Rwanda. It is the only private jet experience in the world that goes beyond first class.”
Are the (inevitably rich) guests blasé about it – or enthusiastic?
Strong that last one.
Deborah reveals: ‘None of our guests are ever blasé. Everyone is high as soon as they walk further. They say, “Okay, I never travel any other way. This is ridiculous.”
‘They’re just floating around in Africa. So they get very excited and very excited and very emotional because they can’t believe that this is the way they’re going to experience it. There is currently no other trip in the world like it. I’ve done it seven times and I go every time I can because it’s so amazing.’
Roar Africa offers three specialist journeys on board 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 visits www.roarafrica.com And www.instagram.com/roarafrica.
