Seb and I had just finished several intense weeks in Africa, wrapping up something truly special — our very first Whole-Food Plant-Based, SOS-Free trips in partnership with the National Health Association. We led two full tours through Cape Town and Botswana, plus a Cape Town add-on, and by the time the last guest headed to the airport, we were completely spent.
Normally, that’s when you stop. You rest and breathe.
Instead, we kept going.
From Cape Town, we headed straight into an 11-day scouting journey through Greater Kruger. One simple question guided us the entire way: could a Greater Kruger vegan safari truly reflect the values of World Vegan Travel?
Leaving Cape Town, Entering the Bush
Our final morning in Cape Town was emotional. Saying goodbye at Welgelegen Boutique Hotel felt less like checking out and more like leaving friends. The care and warmth we experienced there stayed with us all the way to the airport.
After a short flight, we landed in Skukuza, and everything shifted. The air felt dry and earthy, and the pace slowed almost immediately.
Within hours, we were out on our first game drive. Lions lay sleeping in the late-afternoon heat, heavy and golden in the grass. We returned just as the light faded, and that’s when they woke.
Hearing a lion roar from only a few meters away is not just something you hear — it’s something you feel. It vibrates through your chest and reminds you how small you are in the best possible way.
As one moment quietly reminded us.
“The bush has a way of stripping everything back to what really matters.”– Brighde Reed
Scouting With a Vegan Lens
From the very beginning, this trip wasn’t about ticking off animal sightings. Rather, it was about how places feel.
We paid close attention to the food, the rooms, and the details most travelers never notice. Some lodges were beautiful but still carried reminders of hunting history. Others tried hard with vegan food, yet made it feel like an exception rather than a welcome.
However, there were places that surprised us. Thoughtful vegan meals appeared without explanation. Staff understood our needs without reminders. In those moments, it became clear how important true vegan hospitality is — especially for travelers who want to relax fully and feel at home.
Slowing Down and Going Deeper
As we moved through different parts of Greater Kruger, the rhythm changed.
Some places encouraged stillness instead of schedules. Long meals replaced rushed ones. Quiet moments in nature replaced constant movement.
Because of this, we were reminded that safari doesn’t always have to be about chasing wildlife. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments come from listening — to the river, to the birds, and to yourself.
When It Finally Felt Right
There were moments — actually several — when everything clicked.
We found lodges where vegan food was thoughtful, rooms felt comfortable and aligned, and small details signaled genuine care. Out on safari, we sat quietly with elephants at a waterhole and watched leopards move through the fading light.
For the first time on the trip, we didn’t feel like we were asking to be accommodated. We were simply welcome.
Conservation That Stays With You
Toward the end of the journey, the focus shifted even deeper.
We spent time learning about compassionate conservation efforts, including meeting the Black Mambas — South Africa’s first all-female, unarmed anti-poaching unit. Listening to their stories made it clear that conservation is not only about wildlife.
It is also about people protecting what they love, often quietly and with great courage.
Finding Our Yes in Greater Kruger
Greater Kruger does not need to be Botswana. Instead, it offers something more intimate and layered. This scouting trip showed us that a Greater Kruger vegan safari can exist without compromise, where wildlife, food, ethics, and comfort come together naturally.
The Greater Kruger vegan safari is now open for bookings, with departures planned for 2027.
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