Discovering what sundowners are on a safari holiday has to be up there with some of life’s greatest moments.

While the dictionary defines a sundowner as ‘an alcoholic drink taken at sunset’ the words aren’t enough to convey the powerful emotions a G&T and a great view can instil as the sun turns the western sky orange and then dips all too quickly behind the horizon.

Whether you’re on the edge of an escarpment in Kenya ….

Lewa Wilderness

Cooling off in the river after a walking safari ….

The Bushcamp Company

…..on an Indian Ocean beach ….

Benguerra Island Lodge

……..or in a desert in Namibia, sunset is the time for few words and contemplation of the day that’s just gone and anticipation of the one to come.

Camp Sossus

Here are some other favourite sundowner spots from the Aardvark Safaris’ team:

Stunning Zambezi River setting at The River Club

Enjoying a drink with the wildlife at Marataba Explorers Camp

Sundowners on the Makgadikgadi pans at Jack’s Camp

Sundowner spot at the end of the day at Mombo Camp

Sundowners by the ocean at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge

Sundowner treats await at Kwandwe

A perfect way to end the day on Sindabezi Island

Toasting the sunset at Tanda Tula

A gorgeous sunset in the Etosha Heights private reserve

Perfect Serengeti wilderness Ubuntu Camp

Sundowners while cruising through the Okavango Delta from Tuludi Camp

If you fancy turning your back garden into a sundowner spot here are a couple of recipes to try:

Dawa – Much favoured in East Africa

1tsp brown sugar, 1 whole lime cut into quarters, 50ml vodka, 1tsp honey

Muddle the lime wedges with the brown sugar in a short glass, add the vodka and top with crushed ice.  Load up a spoon with the honey, place it in the drink and stir periodically.

Malawi Rock Shandy – non-alcoholic and very refreshing on a hot day

7fl oz ginger ale, 7fl oz lemon/lime soda, 1 dash of Angostura bitters

Pour equal parts of ginger ale and soda into a glass filled with ice.  Add a round of orange on top with a dash or two of bitters.

What next?
We would be delighted to help plan your perfect safari holiday, perhaps including some of these wonderful sundowner settings. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice.  Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.

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