Travel Blog 2025 – A Year in the Wild
As we step into 2026, Cameron and the Royal Ngala team want to thank our guests and followers for another remarkable year in the wild.
2025 delivered tranquil sunrises, intimate wildlife encounters, and the kind of laughter that only happens around a campfire after long days immersed in some of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes.
This is our travel journal from 2025, a relaxed, reflective look at the journeys that defined our luxury safari calendar, and the moments we were privileged to share with you.
February, Okavango Delta, Botswana (Atzaró Camp)
February welcomed us into the heart of the Okavango Delta, where waterlogged reeds, glassy channels, and the soft hum of life rose with the summer rains. Based at Atzaró Camp, we spent calm mornings gliding through the delta, observing its rhythm unfold at an unhurried pace.
Here, the iconic swamp lions moved with quiet, strategic power through the reeds. Crocodiles slipped beneath the surface, hippos grunted from shadowed pools, and a rich chorus of birdlife stitched the mornings together with bright, fleeting notes. This is the essence of a luxury safari in Botswana, intimate wildlife moments, pristine wilderness, and understated comfort that allows the wild to take centre stage.
March to April, Gauteng, South Africa (Photographic Hide)
Between March and April, a bold new chapter opened close to Johannesburg. Cameron and long-time partner Kevin completed a purpose-built photographic hide in a Big Five reserve, now open to the public.
Designed for photographers and birders seeking close, respectful encounters, the hide sits among savanna brush and riverine edges, perfectly positioned for immersive, slow-travel photography. Early light spilling across the grass, lions and elephants moving through frame, and birdsong carrying through the stillness, this experience bridges luxury travel with meaningful wildlife storytelling. It is a clear example of how conservation-led design can expand access without compromising the integrity of the land.
April, Rwanda (Bisate Lodge and Volcanoes National Park)
Rwanda remains one of our all-time favourite destinations, and April delivered yet another unforgettable experience. Staying at Bisate Lodge, on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, we trekked through misty forests to spend time with Marambo the silverback and the Muhoza family.
The hush of the forest, the quiet presence of the gorillas, and the sheer power of a silverback at close range are moments that stay with you long after you leave. This is premium safari travel at its most profound, deeply immersive, emotionally powerful, and rooted in conservation storytelling. If Rwanda is not already on your bucket list, it should be.
May, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe (Elephant Encounters)
May in Hwange revealed the park’s quiet strength. A small-group journey allowed for patient observation and deeply respectful encounters with elephants, calm matriarchs, playful calves, and the gentle rhythm of a herd moving through grass and dust.
These are the moments that define true luxury safaris, time, space, and expert guidance that knows when to step back and let the land speak for itself. Comfort comes not from excess, but from being exactly where you are meant to be.
July, Greater Kruger Region (EWT Collaboration)
July placed conservation firmly at the heart of our travels. Working alongside Kevin and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Cam joined a small team at an undisclosed outpost near the Greater Kruger region to assist with snare removal, protecting wildlife, including endangered African wild dogs.
Thick bush, open skies, thorny scrub, and the raw pulse of the landscape created an experience that felt honest and deeply alive. This is travel with purpose, where responsible tourism directly supports conservation and community partnerships, and every action leaves a positive footprint.
August, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana (Family Safari)
August brought a deeply rewarding family safari, hosting guests from the USA across Hwange, Mana Pools, Victoria Falls, and the Lower Okavango Delta.
From elephants gathering in Hwange to on-foot lion encounters in Mana Pools, and the misty drama of Victoria Falls, the journey was filled with curiosity, questions, shared learning, and moments of wonder. Luxury safaris for families offer something truly special, educational, immersive experiences that connect generations through the wild.
October, Pantanal, Brazil (Jaguar Expedition)
For the third consecutive year, Cam led a group of explorers into Brazil’s Pantanal, one of the planet’s greatest wildlife theatres. Flooded plains, mirrored reflections, vibrant birdlife, and capybaras formed a living studio for photography.
With over 30 jaguar sightings and 18 newly documented individuals, October reaffirmed the value of expert guiding and patience. Here, nature composes the scene, every ripple, shadow, and movement offering a new story to capture.
November, Madagascar (Wild Jungles and Rare Encounters)
November closed the year in Madagascar, a land defined by contrast and discovery. From the rugged southern landscapes to the tropical northeast coastline, each region revealed its own magic.
Encounters with the elusive aye-aye, red ruffed lemurs, and Madagascar’s remarkable endemic species reminded us why this island is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Combined with the warmth of local communities, Madagascar embodies the spirit of exploration, curiosity, respect, and deep connection to place.
Looking Ahead
2025 gifted us countless intimate wildlife moments, meaningful conservation work, and the joy of sharing these experiences with guests from around the world. We are grateful to our guides, camp teams, conservation partners, and to you, the readers and future travellers whose trust keeps us inspired.
In 2026, Royal Ngala will continue refining our luxury safari experiences, introducing new itineraries, expanding our photographic hide programme, and creating even more opportunities to experience and photograph the wild with care.
We look forward to sharing the journey with you.
Stay Wild.
Cam & Team