Marcia returns for her next travel diary with Gurus Magazine, marking a milestone in her series exploring the world’s most enchanting destinations—now shifting her focus to her lifelong passion for Africa.
Marcia invites readers on a deeply personal journey through nearly four decades of safari adventures, from the breathtaking dunes of Namibia to the vibrant wilderness of the Maasai Mara. Highlighting her upcoming documentary series, INTO THE WILD with MK, her storytelling seamlessly weaves together luxury travel, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and a profound commitment to global conservation. Join Marcia as she shares the stories, the people, and the pristine landscapes that have permanently captured her heart.
My Love Affair with African Safaris
by Marcia Kimpton
I would like to thank Gurus Magazine for allowing me to share one of the greatest passions of my life: African safaris. If this article runs a little longer than expected, it’s because there is simply so much, I want to share. Africa has captured my heart for nearly four decades, and every journey has left me with unforgettable memories, deeper connections, and a profound appreciation for conservation.
I have been fortunate enough to travel to Africa more than fifteen times since my first safari in 1986. Today, I am living a dream by filming a documentary series, INTO THE WILD with MK, which takes viewers across South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda, and beyond. The series highlights not only the extraordinary beauty of these destinations but also the people and organizations working tirelessly to protect wildlife, preserve natural habitats, and support indigenous communities.
The photographs accompanying this article were taken during my most recent journey to Namibia in August 2025, in the breathtaking dunes of Sossusvlei. I traveled alongside my dear friend and filmmaker Desiree Kahikopo and photographer Chantal Spieard from Amsterdam, both of whom share my passion for storytelling and conservation.
My love affair with Africa began in 1986 when I traveled to Madagascar to see lemurs before continuing to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where I stayed at the legendary Little Governors’ Camp (now closed, unfortunately). Something shifted inside me on that trip. A door opened, and there was no turning back. Africa had become part of my soul.
Over the years, safari became woven into the fabric of my life. In 1989, I honeymooned in Okavango, Delta at the iconic Mombo Camp, surrounded by some of the most pristine wilderness on Earth. In 2002, I introduced my daughter to the magic of Africa during a trip to Kruger National Park, where we stayed at Londolozi in South Africa. Watching her experience wildlife through fresh eyes remains one of my most cherished memories.
Our adventures continued in 2014 when we returned together to the Maasai Mara. In 2021, I traveled back to South Africa to film An American Abroad in Pafuri, the northernmost section of Kruger National Park. After filming, I explored several extraordinary properties, including Singita Sweni and Singita Boulders, before traveling to Tanzania to stay at Singita Sasakwa Lodge and Singita Sabora Tented Camp in the Grumeti Reserve. The experience was so meaningful that I returned to Grumeti with my daughter in 2022.
My filming journeys have also taken me to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where I had the privilege of observing mountain gorillas, one of the most moving wildlife encounters imaginable. I stayed at Bwindi Lodge before traveling to Kibale Forest, where Jane Goodall conducted groundbreaking research on chimpanzees. There, I stayed at Kyaninga Lodge and immersed myself in the remarkable world of primates.
In 2023, I returned once again to Pafuri, Kruger National Park, a place that has become deeply special to me. Then, in 2024, I traveled to Zimbabwe’s Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve and stayed at Singita Pamushana. There, I witnessed an astonishing ninety-eight rhinos thriving under one of Africa’s most successful conservation programs. During the same trip, I brought my daughter to Rwanda, where we trekked to see gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and stayed at the beautiful, community-focused Sabyinyo Lodge.
In 2025, my travels brought me to Namibia’s Timbila Nature Reserve through the Naankuse conservation program. The experience reinforced something I have learned time and again: conservation succeeds when local communities are empowered to participate in protecting the wildlife and landscapes around them.
As I write this in June 2026, I am preparing to film some of the most inspiring conservation leaders working in Africa today. Among them is Marlice van Vuuren, co-founder of Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary in Namibia, whom many consider the Jane Goodall of Namibia. I will also be meeting the Woods family, founders of Collection in the Wild in the Maasai Mara, and interviewing author Mandy Retzlaff, owners of Mozambique Horse Safari, who have brought international attention to conservation and sustainable tourism. These remarkable women are helping reshape the future of wildlife conservation while creating opportunities for indigenous communities, and it is an honor to share their stories.
One of my greatest hopes for INTO THE WILD with MK is to inspire those who may never have considered visiting Africa. Whether because of cost, fear, or the distance involved, many people hesitate to make the journey. I want them to experience the wonder of Africa through the series and discover that it is one of the most welcoming, peaceful, and transformative places on Earth. There is a unique sense of calm on safari that is difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it yourself.
Of course, safari is also the most unpredictable film set I have ever worked on.
One person who profoundly influenced my safari experience is Devon Meyers, whom I met while filming An American Abroad in Pafuri. I was searching for a guide who was not only exceptional in the bush but also natural on camera. What I found was someone brilliant, deeply knowledgeable, and remarkably calm under pressure.
Devon’s expertise spans walking safaris, tracking, birds, primates, predators, and the complex ecosystems that connect them all. He is well known throughout South Africa for several extraordinary encounters in the wild, including surviving close encounters with elephants and buffalo and helping protect my own film crew during an unexpected elephant approach. More importantly, he possesses the rare ability to make guests feel completely safe while deepening their understanding of the natural world.
After filming with Devon across South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, I knew safari would never be the same without him. Today, I book many of my journeys through his company because I trust his commitment to conservation, education, and authentic safari experiences. Contact him via email at devon@wanderingsofafrica.com.
One of the most important things travelers should understand is that responsible safari tourism directly contributes to conservation. A portion of the money spent on safari supports local communities, protects wildlife habitat, funds anti-poaching efforts, and creates economic incentives for preserving wild spaces. At a time when many species face increasing pressure, responsible tourism plays a meaningful role in securing their future.
Conservation has become deeply personal to me. Over the years, I have donated more than $10,000 to grassroots conservation initiatives, including expeditions led by Carla Geyser through Blue Sky Society, which focuses on conservation-first safaris and meaningful wildlife protection efforts.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the greatest conservation visionaries I have encountered in Africa: Luke Bailes, founder of Singita. Long before conservation-focused luxury travel became popular, Luke understood that exceptional safari experiences could coexist with meaningful environmental stewardship.
Singita’s properties are undeniably beautiful, but what impresses me most is their commitment to purpose. The organization hires locally, invests heavily in conservation, supports artists and farmers, strengthens surrounding communities, and reinvests revenue back into protecting wildlife and the land itself. Their model demonstrates that tourism can be both luxurious and responsible.
After nearly forty years of traveling across Africa, I can say with certainty that safari is about far more than seeing animals. It is about connection—to nature, to people, to cultures, and ultimately to ourselves. Every journey has taught me something new, and every return feels like coming home.
Africa changed my life. My hope is that through these stories, it might inspire yours as well.
If you’re curious where to begin, here are trusted options at different levels:
