*As seen in The Logbook
If you are going to plan a bespoke adventure experience into the heart of the African continent, why would you not do so with one of the world’s most luxurious and praised mobile tented safari expedition producers? After all, if you have an adventure, have a grand one.
THE GRANDEST ADVENTURE
In the spirit of the first African explorers and pioneering traders who journeyed into the continent’s great unknown to discover rich landscapes, this is completely authentic. Hayward’s Grand Safari offers VIPs, executives and heritage family groups an exclusive 5-star luxury safari into the wildest and most remote regions to be found across the continent. Completely authentic. Completely wondrous.
As adventure extraordinaire Peter Hayward explains, “It is much like the elaborate safaris of the past where every conceivable luxury was carried across Africa’s vast savanna plains, mountain plateaus and deep, lush valleys.”
In this fashion each bespoke Hayward’s mobile safari camp guarantees guests total event exclusivity and superior comfort deep in the wild. Revel in the luxury of your personal 5-star tented safari home on a bespoke expedition to your destination of choice, where only the finest detail is delivered, whether you are visiting for executive business, incentive travel or a grand family group event.
Rated as the only 5-star mobile safari in Africa, hosts Peter Hayward and Celia du Preez, have been lauded by leading multinational blue-chip companies, royal contingents, presidents and renown celebrities alike for their award-winning brand launches, internationally acclaimed celebrations, weddings and superior conferences. Ensuring Hayward’s remains the epitome of authentic, luxury business and leisure lifestyles in an untamed wilderness.
“Our guests discover the magic, mystery and beauty of Africa’s pristine nature in Big 5 territory,” Peter says, “And are transported to an era of exploration, adventure and unequalled expedition-style comfort.”
EXCLUSIVE WILDLIFE ACCESS
With headquarters based on a 2,500-acre private game reserve north east of Pretoria in the all new Dinokeng region of the Gauteng Province in South Africa, Hayward’s have been creating once-in-a-lifetime mobile safari memories for global clients for well over 20 years.
Since it’s all about seeing the Big 5, Hayward’s offer a choice of expeditions into the very best wildlife and big game reserves to match the client’s itinerary and travel logistics budget. Ensuring they get the very finest safari experience at the heart of the proverbial kill. What is available:
Safari Sanctuary: The Hayward’s Safari Sanctuary is a high-tech working environment set within an authentic 5-star safari environment just one hours’ drive from Sandton, Johannesburg or OR Tambo International Airport. It serves as the perfect brainstorm setting for executives who don’t want to waste logistical time and budgets travelling too far from the city centre, while simultaneously delivering a Big 5 wildlife experience to match that of the renowned Kruger National Park.
Kruger Luxury: Hayward’s Safaris has the privilege of being the first private safari outfitter to be given access to host private groups of between 40 and 200 adventurers into the Kruger National Park. Guest’s 5-star private luxury tented camps are prepared in the most select and untouched parts of this 19,485 km² park. Experience wide open skies and vast stretches of untouched natural reserve where exploring guarantees private sightings of the Big 5 without another person in sight.
iSimangaliso Wetlands Park: A World Heritage Site and Big Six destination in the northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal, this wetlands wonderland offers all the excitement of the Big 5 with an abundance of hippo and crocodile, together with the addition of a complete marine experience from sea to teeming freshwater lagoon. Tropical in temperature and abundant with wildlife of every kind, guests can dive with the dolphins and whales in the morning and enjoy rhino sightings at the waterhole with a fresh sundowner the same afternoon.
Cradle of Mankind Heritage Safari: Rich in the culture of our human origins, the Cradle of Mankind is another World Heritage Site which offers explorers fascinating discoveries of our past. Join scientists and archaeologists deep in research as they discover secrets from down the centuries at Maropeng.
Kalahari Desert Adventure: In the deepest desert landscapes at the junction of three Transfrontier Parks between South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique where there is no other infrastructure in sight, guests can immerse themselves in the magnificent beauty of the dunes by day and the spectacular nights skies at the campfire by night. A rare habitat of vast stillness and tranquillity, each safari guest will find the greatest luxury of all – time. Time to oneself, time to connect, and where time slows down. Safari activities focus on the cultural survival skills of the San people and their ancient history.
Okavango Delta: Fly over the veins of sparkling water laid out below you and into nature’s opulent green belt of estuaries at the northern most reaches of desert-dry Namibia. In this sparkling jewel set within a desert, guests safari on water among its islands, through its channels and fertile, forested regions. Rich and fascinating, this safari ensures a big game experience up close and personal from the safety of your game vehicle or motorized boat.
Authenticity counts for a lot, and these safaris would not be real if guests did not get to experience the wildside that Africa is so well known for. Or as Peter puts it, “It’s our privilege that while we are serving you chilled Moet and oysters on ice in camp, we are also letting you know of lioness on the hunt or that a large herd of elephant are passing so close you can hear their stomachs rumbling.”
PIONEERS OF ECO-TRAVEL LUXURY
As custodians of Africa’s natural wealth, the conservation ethic of ‘leave no trace behind’ is first and foremost on every Hayward’s luxury mobile tented camp. Each big group safari camp is a bespoke chartered event into the area of choice and run as a client’s own exclusive private 5-star hotel. Fully equipped to their personal requirements and managed accordingly by dedicated and trained safari staff.
Voted ‘World’s Best Glamping Operator’ by the World Travel Awards and 2019’s Best Mobile Safari Experience in Africa by the Safari Awards, Hayward’s is dedicated to preserving wildlife and promoting ethical travel to support the reserves which protect and maintain Africa’s rich cultural and wildlife heritage.
“Our client’s enjoyment is always at the forefront of our minds,” Peter says, “But we are all responsible for protecting these lands for future generations to be able to enjoy and share.”
ACCOMMODATION
There are two styles of safari accommodation available, namely Classic Hemingway Expedition Tents and Presidential Suites which represent full turn-of-the century ambiance.
All accommodation tents include crisp cream cotton bed linen, bedside tables, gas lighting in both the private bathroom and bedroom, hot water bottles in cold weather and chocolates on the pillows at turn-down each evening. Enclosed verandas with chairs allow a private area inside of the tent, in-room luggage racks, and en-suite shower and toilet room are lavishly decorated with copper basins, mirrors, the finest organic soaps and body lotions, fresh towels daily, a flush portable chemical toilet and hot showers.
CUISINE
Each themed dining experience is carefully curated to the client’s preference, the season and the budget, offering a variety of tastes and specialties of the region that is being visited. While not ignoring the value of some home comforts such as full English breakfasts, scrumptious al fresco picnic luncheons at the watering hole, wine and whiskey tastings, and five and eight course pan-African themed dinners.
“Our superb team of chefs are supported by silver service trained waiters, guides and hostesses to ensure service levels are beyond exemplary,” Peter says.
Guests also have a choice of full-staging entertainment to genteel repasts in the Gentlemen’s Cigar Lounge or a fully-serviced conference, as well as luxury spa treatments.
“And guests will be happy to know that should they ever return to the site of their Grand Safari experience,” Peter assures, “All that will be found is perhaps some bent grass and footprints to show that you were there.”
SHEER SAFARI PRIVILEGE
“We call it a Grand Safari because those privileged enough to experience it are never the same again,” says Peter who has never missed a bespoke safari since Hayward’s inception over twenty years ago, “It’s a multi-dimensional encounter when you’re in pristine wilderness areas. The dichotomy of world class luxury and issues surrounding bio and cultural diversity and the lessons that can be learned here, not only opens doors for richer engagement, they create memories and extend an invitation to reach further and deeper into one’s own life. It profoundly changes people’s mindset forever.”
PRICE: Get in touch to discuss.
WEBSITE: www.haywardsafaris.com
CONTACT TELEPHONE: +27 12 808 0442
EMAIL: info@haywardsafaris.com
