Home / Africa Blog / Hakuna Matata

Hakuna Matata

To do a safari in Africa, more than being an unique and unforgettable experience, is also to relieve childhood, and to watch “Lion King” in real life.

There is no better music for someone doing a safari than “The lion sleeps tonight”. When the first chords are heard, everyone gets ready to sing!

African Savannah

To do a safari is to understand that Simba, that little lion that so tragically lost his father, means Lion in swahili, and Rafiki means friend. Also Hakuna Matata, “such a wonderful phrase”, really means “no worries”.

Lion King in Africa

Here in Africa that is really the motto. We bring with us thousands of problems from our privileged lives, and we see here “hakuna matata”. Here things move at a different pace. In Africa, the pace is living in the moment, regarding the landscape and marvel at mother Nature.

In Africa

To do a safari is to spot a group of warthogs and here our guide say: “Look at the pumbas!” and everyone marvels at the sight of those peculiar animals. The thought that comes to my head is Pumba eating insects he found under a rock. And then, realizing that our guide never saw “The Lion King”, but already knows the names of the characters just from hearing the tourists mention them during the safaris.

Hakuna Matata

To see all the animals in the Savannah, in the wild, makes us realize that Nature is really perfect. There is plenty for everyone, from the smallest herbivores to the largest carnivores. That makes us understand even better why we need to take care of our planet. Here, I had the opportunity to meet tribes that still live almost as they did before the Europeans arrived, to turn their world upside down! And, although the conditions these people live in are way worse than ours, if we compare to the standards of developed countries, they are happy, welcoming, and they smile and wave to strangers.

Best East African Safaris:

  • Tour Length 57 days
    Group Size Max 28 - 30
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Cape Town
    Countries Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
    Overview This comprehensive overland tour includes all of Africa’s blockbusters and then some. Explore Namibia’s giant sand dunes, mingle with the San Bushmen in the blazing Kalahari Desert, drift along the Okavango in a mokoro and trek with gorillas deep in Uganda’s misty mountains. The best part is surely witnessing the circle of life in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Bursting with highlights, this tour is sure to show you the magical beauty of Africa!

    Price from

    R160,895

    View Tour Check Availability

    Nairobi to Cape Town Overland Camping (57 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    21 Oct 2023 → 16 Dec 2023

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    18 Nov 2023 → 13 Jan 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    16 Dec 2023 → 10 Feb 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    13 Jan 2024 → 09 Mar 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    10 Feb 2024 → 06 Apr 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    09 Mar 2024 → 04 May 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    23 Mar 2024 → 18 May 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    06 Apr 2024 → 01 Jun 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    20 Apr 2024 → 15 Jun 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    04 May 2024 → 29 Jun 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    18 May 2024 → 13 Jul 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    01 Jun 2024 → 27 Jul 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    15 Jun 2024 → 10 Aug 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    29 Jun 2024 → 24 Aug 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    13 Jul 2024 → 07 Sep 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    27 Jul 2024 → 21 Sep 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    10 Aug 2024 → 05 Oct 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    24 Aug 2024 → 19 Oct 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    07 Sep 2024 → 02 Nov 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    21 Sep 2024 → 16 Nov 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    05 Oct 2054 → 30 Nov 2054

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    19 Oct 2024 → 14 Dec 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    01 Nov 2024 → 27 Dec 2024

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    16 Nov 2024 → 11 Jan 2025

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    30 Nov 2024 → 25 Jan 2025

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    14 Dec 2024 → 08 Feb 2025

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
    28 Dec 2024 → 22 Feb 2025

    From

    R160895
    Check Availability
  • Tour Length 20 days
    Group Size Max 20
    Starts & Ends Starts: Victoria Falls Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya
    Overview Three weeks, five countries, one adventure. This rugged overland tour is your ticket to Africa’s most spectacular highlights. Feeling the heart-pounding thunder of Victoria Falls, the greatness of Lake Malawi, and the suspense of a nocturnal safari in the Serengeti, are all part of the itinerary. Top it off with three days of horizontal me-time on the paradise beaches of Zanzibar and now you’re really living.

    Price from

    R52,700

    View Tour Check Availability

    Victoria Falls to Nairobi Tour (Comfort) (20 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    06 Oct 2023 → 25 Oct 2023

    From

    R62000
    Check Availability
    27 Oct 2023 → 15 Nov 2023

    From

    R62000
    Check Availability
    17 Nov 2023 → 06 Dec 2023

    From

    R62000
    Check Availability
    08 Dec 2023 → 27 Dec 2023

    From

    R62000
    Check Availability
    29 Dec 2023 → 17 Jan 2024

    From

    R62000
    Check Availability
    12 Jan 2024 → 02 Feb 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    26 Jan 2024 → 16 Feb 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    09 Feb 2024 → 01 Mar 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    23 Feb 2024 → 15 Mar 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    08 Mar 2024 → 29 Mar 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    22 Mar 2024 → 12 Apr 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    05 Apr 2024 → 26 Apr 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    19 Apr 2024 → 10 May 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    03 May 2024 → 24 May 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    17 May 2024 → 07 Jun 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    31 May 2024 → 21 Jun 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    14 Jun 2024 → 05 Jul 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    28 Jun 2024 → 19 Jul 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    12 Jul 2024 → 02 Aug 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    26 Jul 2024 → 16 Aug 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    09 Aug 2024 → 30 Aug 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    23 Aug 2024 → 13 Sep 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    06 Sep 2024 → 27 Sep 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    20 Sep 2024 → 11 Oct 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    04 Oct 2024 → 25 Oct 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    18 Oct 2024 → 08 Nov 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    01 Nov 2024 → 22 Nov 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    15 Nov 2024 → 06 Dec 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    29 Nov 2024 → 20 Dec 2024

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    13 Dec 2024 → 03 Jan 2025

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
    27 Dec 2024 → 17 Jan 2025

    From

    R80750
    Check Availability
  • Tour Length 13 days
    Group Size Max 16
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Dar es Salaam
    Countries Kenya, Tanzania
    Overview With showpiece attractions by the likes of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro, East Africa is story-book Africa. This whirlwind adventure sees you living out your wildest dreams with open-top game drives through vast plains and eye-opening Masaai village tours. After getting your fill of wildlife and local living, dust off your boots and soak up the African sun on the powdery-white beaches of Zanzibar. Now this is a dream come true.
    • Price Beat Guaranteed
    • 10% early bird discount (6 months or more)

    Price from

    R32,887

    View Tour Check Availability

    13 Day East Africa Game Parks and Zanzibar Safari

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    08 Oct 2023 → 20 Oct 2023

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    22 Oct 2023 → 03 Nov 2023

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    05 Nov 2023 → 17 Nov 2023

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    19 Nov 2023 → 01 Dec 2023

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    03 Dec 2023 → 15 Dec 2023

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    17 Dec 2023 → 29 Dec 2023

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    31 Dec 2023 → 12 Jan 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    14 Jan 2024 → 26 Jan 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    28 Jan 2024 → 09 Feb 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    11 Feb 2024 → 23 Feb 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    25 Feb 2024 → 08 Mar 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    10 Mar 2024 → 22 Mar 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    24 Mar 2024 → 05 Apr 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    07 Apr 2024 → 19 Apr 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    21 Apr 2024 → 03 May 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    05 May 2024 → 17 May 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    19 May 2024 → 31 May 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    02 Jun 2024 → 14 Jun 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    16 Jun 2024 → 28 Jun 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    30 Jun 2024 → 12 Jul 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    14 Jul 2024 → 26 Jul 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    28 Jul 2024 → 09 Aug 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    11 Aug 2024 → 23 Aug 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    25 Aug 2024 → 06 Sep 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    08 Sep 2024 → 20 Sep 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    22 Sep 2024 → 04 Oct 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    06 Oct 2024 → 18 Oct 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    20 Oct 2024 → 01 Nov 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    03 Nov 2024 → 15 Nov 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    17 Nov 2024 → 29 Nov 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    01 Dec 2024 → 13 Dec 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    15 Dec 2024 → 27 Dec 2024

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability
    29 Dec 2024 → 10 Jan 2025

    From

    R38690
    Check Availability

And all this, makes me think on what really matters. Makes me think that the priorities are all wrong in Europe and the developed world. We are all like sheep running from one place to the next, only thinking about the problems that are coming. We are living above the capacity of our Planet, and we know it is making the Planet sick. We continue to blindly walk on a path that is often meaningless, working jobs that we don’t love, and forgetting to seize the moment.

We need to learn to say “Hakuna Matata”!

We need to look more around us and less to ourselves

We need to search, within ourselves, what we want to do. What we want to leave in this world.

We need to stop watching the clocks and our bank accounts.

That is why I love travelling so much. Because I love what I find around me and I see other cultures. Because all that makes time stand still. And makes me question, makes me think.

So, you, that are reading this, stop a little bit and think how lucky you are.

“Hakuna Matata!”.

Visit João and Margarida’s blog – Nomad Plot – to read all about their worldwide travels or visit their Facebook Nomad Plot page and Instagram Account to follow their journey.

About João and Margarida

We’re a young, dynamic, adventurous couple, full of dreams! Traveling the world was always in the back of our minds, and we decided to start now. With this trip around the world, we want to raise awareness about the exponential rise of the waste that ends up in the world’s oceans.
on September 24, 2019
Filed under  Africa Blog • Destinations • Only in Africa • Travel Articles 
African Overland Tours Experts
  • First-hand experience
  • Advice and guidance
  • We're passionate travelers

Enquire Now

FEATURED POSTS

Top 5 Backpackers in Cape Town

Top 5 Backpackers in Cape Town

Updated in 2023 In such a big city like Cape Town finding a place to stay is not that hard, but finding a great place to stay when you have a tight budget might be a bit harder. And for exactly that...

How to get Cheap Flights with Google Flights Hack

How to get Cheap Flights with Google Flights Hack

We have been using this hack for a while now and testing out if it can truly save money and the answer is definitely YES. To use Google Flights effectively and take advantage of its features, you...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Article