Meet Sam and Shane, seasoned travellers with a passion for exploring the world and a lifelong love of wildlife. Always seeking authentic adventures, they travelled for the first time with KE on the Botswana Wildside Camping Safari. From wild camping to unforgettable encounters, we caught up with Shane and Sam to find out more about their once-in-a-lifetime experience.

All the below photos are taken by Sam and Shane.

“For us, it was how quickly we came to enjoy the simplicity of being out in the wild. Living with just the essentials made every day feel like an adventure, and even using the “bushy bushy” toilet (a freshly dug hole in the ground) became part of the fun! It was amazing how something that seemed so daunting at first soon felt completely natural and such an exciting part of our trip. In hindsight, we wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

“Listening to elephants calmly pulling and chewing reeds in the Chobe River was amazingly peaceful, while the fierce confrontation between a group of female lions was a powerful reminder that the wild can be both beautiful and brutal. Hearing the gentle “clip clop” of giraffes’ hooves as they strolled within 2 meters of our safari vehicle was a particular highlight. This memory will stay with us forever, reminding us how incredibly lucky we were to get so close to these fascinating animals.”

“Without a doubt, the early mornings and late afternoons. Early mornings were incredibly peaceful, with the bush just beginning to wake up and the chance to see predators still active before the heat of the day. Late afternoons were equally magical, as the light changed the landscape and animals became more active again. There was something special about watching the bush come to life at both ends of the day.”

“Our most memorable photograph was of a pack of African wild dogs that seemed to appear out of nowhere on a late afternoon game drive. As we watched, they began communicating with a lone dog on the opposite side of the water, calling back and forth in a fascinating display of teamwork and social behaviour. It was one of those unexpected wildlife encounters that lasted only a few minutes but felt incredibly special. Capturing it on camera means we’ll always have a reminder of just how magical our safari was.”

“Embrace every moment, expect the unexpected, and don’t worry if things don’t always go to plan - that’s all part of the adventure. Be patient and know that unforgettable safari moments happen when you least expect them. Make sure to put your cameras and phones down every now and then to simply soak it all in.”

“We have a wildlife obsession and so it’s only fitting that our bucket list adventures follow suit - and so Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is right at the top for us!”

Follow their journeys on Instagram at @samandshanetravels.

While Shane and Sam embraced the full safari experience, spending nights both at campsites and under the stars in the African wilderness isn't for everyone. 

If you prefer to experience the magic of safari without compromising on comfort, our Elephant Trail Luxury Lodge Safari is the perfect alternative. Journey through Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia on a fully supported adventure, where unforgettable wildlife encounters are paired with exceptional accommodation. 

After exhilarating days exploring some of the wildest and most iconic national parks on Earth, unwind in a handpicked collection of elegant lodges with pools (Nato lodge pictured) and luxury safari camps, all ideally located within or close to the region's spectacular wilderness.