Let's get one thing straight. Safaris are not only for shiny Gen Zs or upwardly mobile Millennials - or twenty-somethings with suspiciously clean trainers and an Instagram strategy. They are not reserved for families with small children who want to tick off the Big Five before lunch. And they are definitely not something you should write off just because your knees make a noise when you stand up or you have developed that impressive ability to fall asleep within twenty seconds of sitting down. If anything, that is all the more reason to go...

Senior travel is one of the great underrated joys of the safari world. If you're a member of The Wrinklies Club, the Silver Set, the people who have lived a bit and own the face to prove it, then we know you often have the richest, funniest and most rewarding experiences in the bush. And yes, we are calling you wrinkly with affection. You have earned every line, laugh crease and expression mark. Consider it a badge of honour. Also consider it a passport to some of the best travel on the planet.

The first truth is simple. By the time you oldies-but-goodies arrive on safari, you know what matters. You're not here to race around the reserve like caffeinated meerkats. You're not glued to your phones. You're not waiting for a perfect shot to impress someone you barely like. Invariably you're here for the actual experience... Great guiding, thoughtful hospitality, a calm pace and the sort of wildlife moments that sit with you long after you have gone home. It's travel for grown ups, in the very best way.

Safari camps genuinely light up when senior guests arrive, and for good reason. You bring depth. You bring stories. You bring a lifetime of perspective that makes every campfire chat feel richer. Guides love you because your questions come from curiosity, not rush. Hosts love you because you appreciate good food, good conversation and good company. And the staff love you because a safari with senior guests often becomes a real exchange of experiences, ideas and humour, not just a series of sightings.

Age also brings a quiet superpower. Perspective. Senior travellers do not fret when a lioness melts into tall grass. You do not feel cheated if a leopard decides it is having a private day or glare at the sky when the weather shifts its mood. You understand that nature is not a staged performance and that its best moments are often the unplanned ones. Simply being here, in a wild place, is the privilege. Everything else is an unexpected gift.

Now let us talk practicality, because many of you seniors hesitate unnecessarily. Safaris are far less physically demanding than most imagine. Modern camps and lodges are thoughtfully designed to be comfortable and accessible. Vehicles are easy to get in and out of. Walks can be gentle or entirely optional. Staff are wonderfully attentive and often anticipate needs before you voice them. And if mobility is a concern, many properties are more than happy to adjust your stay so that you can enjoy every essential element without feeling pushed into anything.

Health worries often feel like another barrier, yet with a little preparation they rarely are. Travel clinics will advise on any necessary vaccinations. Most camps have trained first aiders and well practised emergency protocols. Dietary needs are easily accommodated. As long as you communicate with your planner, everything important can be arranged long before you arrive. Age alone is not a reason to step back from adventure. If anything, it is a brilliant reason to embrace it.

One lovely, often overlooked advantage is time. You senior travellers do not rush. You savour and opt for longer, richer itineraries instead of racing across half a continent. You slip into the rhythm of the bush more naturally because you're not juggling deadlines or digital noise. You know how to be present. And nothing enhances a safari more than that.

There is also something profoundly life affirming about seeing wildlife when you have the years behind you to appreciate its meaning. Watching an elephant move across a floodplain, or hearing lions calling in the dark, strikes a deeper chord. The bush does not just entertain you. It reminds you of what matters, what endures and what no longer needs your energy. It recentres you in the most extraordinary way.

If you are a senior traveller wondering whether your moment has passed, it has not. The bush is not concerned with your age. It is interested in your curiosity, your sense of wonder and your willingness to show up. Safaris are for every stage of life, and in many ways they suit those with experience and perspective better than anyone.

So let the seasoned travellers rise. May you take your seats on the vehicle, coffee in hand and eyes bright. Show the rest of us how to travel with humour, patience and genuine appreciation. Because here is the truth: you seniors do not slow a safari down. You lift it.

Text: Sharon Gilbert-Rivett