Wilderness Brings Wellness to the World’s Wildest Places
Tracking gorillas in Rwanda, exploring Botswana’s Okavango Delta by water, and soaring over the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon—come along as three Condé Nast Traveler editors take you on their transformative journeys to Africa.
The concept of disconnecting to reconnect is deeply human. It is an elemental impulse, a quiet rebellion, an act of optimism. You’re throwing a wish out to the universe, wagering that by stepping away from the glow of ever-present screens, the relentless demands of work, and the constant motion of daily life, that you’ll find the clarity to connect not only with yourself, but, ultimately, with the wider world. Perhaps you’re fortunate enough to be able to occasionally slip free from the burdens of the everyday—if only for a quick run, a five-minute meditation, or a weekly yoga class. These mini-respites are restorative, at least in the moment. But sometimes life calls for a grander intervention: An African safari is just that.
Wilderness, the world’s leading conservation and hospitality company, which operates more than 60 camps across eight African countries, is devoted to immersing guests in Africa as it’s intended, through wide-open spaces, untamed wildlife, and authentic local culture. For more than 40 years, their expert guides have led discerning travelers into the heart of Africa’s most remote and unspoiled destinations for truly extraordinary experiences. While on a safari with Wilderness, the everyday world—and all of the stress that comes with it—recedes into the far, far distance. Whether following a pride of majestic lions, taking a meditative sunrise bush walk, or soaring high above the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon, travelers are able to be present in a way that is all too uncommon in modern life. Science has long spoken of nature’s ability to restore the mind and body. But here, that truth is no longer theoretical—it’s visceral. You feel it in a deep exhale under an acacia tree, in the steady beat of the bush around you, and in the quiet joy of reconnection: to nature, to meaning, to self. The feeling of well-being is tangible, and incontrovertible.
Earlier this year, three Condé Nast Traveler editors experienced Africa at its most magical, thanks to unforgettable and transformative journeys with Wilderness. Global Digital Director Arati Menon discovered the lush beauty of Wilderness Bisate Reserve in Rwanda; UK Editor Noo Saro-Wiwa ventured to Wilderness Usawa Serengeti in Tanzania; and Associate Editor Hannah Towey explored Wilderness Vumbura Plains in Botswana, before heading to Cape Town.
Along the way, each editor found something deeper: a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover a sense of stillness and wellness that’s all too rare in modern life. Follow along as they take you on their life-changing journeys.