In the world of ultra-luxury travel, few names command as much respect as Deborah Calmeyer, the visionary CEO and founder of ROAR AFRICA, a trailblazing experiential travel company that specialises in bespoke, high-end safaris. With a remarkable ability to curate extraordinary journeys through some of the most iconic destinations on the African continent, Calmeyer has redefined the very essence of luxury travel. We sat down with Calmeyer to delve into her personal favourite experiences, from rejuvenating luxury spa safaris to the exhilarating thrill of active adventures.
For travellers seeking a luxury wellness safari, which lodges or resorts in Africa offer the best spa experiences immersed in nature? Any hidden gems that most people overlook?
Sterrekopje, a healing farm at the foot of the Franschhoek mountains in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, is the closest place to Eden I have ever seen. Owned by two pioneering female partners in business and in life, every detail is carefully considered, from regenerative agriculture to the most ancient need we all have—to rest. Imagine walking through expanses of swaying purple flowers with glassy waters to one side and thatched Cape Dutch-style structures to the other. Rich-in-texture rooms, books begging to be read, dappled Appaloosa horses and airy patios encourage you to sit among the olive trees and savour the quiet rhythms of rest.
See also: Sterrekopje Farm Is A Nurturing Wellness Retreat In South Africa’s Franschhoek Region
Sustainability is at the heart of ROAR Africa’s ethos. Can you name a few properties or destinations that are setting the gold standard for conservation-led tourism?
How and with whom one travels with to Africa really matters; there are so many people and so much wildlife depending on the income and awareness generated by thoughtful, sustainable travel. When you travel with ROAR AFRICA, you will become a custodian of the wild, directly helping to solve some of our planet’s most critical social, economic and environmental problems. I truly believe that a responsible safari not only takes one on a transformative journey that grants a deeper understanding of self, but it also protects and supports local communities and wildlife.
In terms of properties setting the gold standard, I would have to mention Segera in Kenya, a 50,000-acre idyll that I consider my second home. This rewilded oasis—soon to be the home of our world’s largest rhino sanctuary—is a profound example of commitment, effective conservation and authentic collaboration with local people in service of protecting the wild.
Tswalu, the largest private game reserve in South Africa, is a vast amber wilderness that’s home to an abundance of cheetahs, meerkats, pangolins, black rhinos and majestic black manedlions. Once farmland—gradually rehabilitated by Tswalu’s owners, the Oppenheimer family—it is now a place of abundance, serving as a triumphant example of what can be achieved over time, with passion, commitment and cooperation. Guests always leave with a newfound respect for the delicate balance of our planet and a sense of responsibility to its preservation.
For first-time safari-goers looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation, what would be your ideal one-week itinerary?
South Africa, home to much of the ROAR AFRICA team, is often described as “the world in one country” and words will never do justice to the sheer geographical, cultural and experiential diversity it offers. I would spend time in Cape Town for an infusion of culture, art, cuisine and soul-stirring natural beauty—soaring over Table Mountain in a heli, paddling with the penguins of Boulders Beach, taking cooking classes in Bo-Kaap—as well as in the emerald-green private estates of the Winelands to taste exceptional wines and view the exquisite art collections at places like Delaire Graff and the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. Then, it’s time to explore the wild beauty of the bush. Wake up with meerkat families in the Kalahari and track rare black-maned lions in Tswalu, or meet the conservationists saving South Africa’s rhino in the Sabi Sands alongside exceptional game viewing.
See also: Transformative Equine Retreats at NIHI Sumba
Which African destinations do you think are underrated for luxury and active travel, and why should people start paying attention to them?
Zimbabwe. It’s part of my makeup and the landscape really speaks to me—the rich red soils, the msasa trees and the warmth of the people. Specifically, I would choose Mana Pools for its astonishing diversity, remarkable wildlife and intimate walking safaris—it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake. For luxury, Singita Pamushana in the Malilangwe Reserve is exquisite in every way—the topography of ancient baobabs and burnished soil, the design, the views, the excitement.
Rwanda is also an extraordinary country. The gorilla trekking experience is one of the most profound wildlife experiences on earth, but the city of Kigali is also one of the safest and most fascinating African cities to explore: diverse multi-cultural food, art galleries and fashion. Interestingly, the country is also a bastion of women’s empowerment with 61% female representation in parliament, a model to the rest of the world.
What’s the most transformative experience you’ve had on safari?
Africa is the cradle of our humanity and for many people, a safari is a homecoming. The continent’s pristine wild spaces and wildlife have the power to drop you back into your body, re-awakening dormant senses and renewing one’s appreciation for what really matters in this journey called life.
In 2023, we carved a new frontier for conscious travel with our Into the Wild journey with David Whyte. Having a philosopher, poet and writer of this level put words to the human experience in the wild, in a way that has never been seen or done before, was an incredibly special and life-changing experience. The itinerary was meticulously created to meet our guests’ every need, from wellbeing guidance and stillness to bodywork, deep breathwork, sound and reflection. There is no wellbeing safari or travel experience in the world that comes close to this.
See also: The Peninsula London: A Luxurious Five-Star Hotel in Belgravia
How do you think luxury travel can empower women in Africa?
I have always believed that as women, hospitality is in our DNA. But this doesn’t mean that opportunities for women in the safari industry should be limited to back-of-house roles. ROAR AFRICA has an 85% female, all-African team, which is a new model for the African luxury sector. The guiding principle of our conservation work is: “If African women rise, wildlife will thrive,” and we are proving this to be true.
I created and launched our inaugural Women’s Empowerment Retreat in 2019, which now runs annually and has proven to be the biggest change agent for women in the industry. Lodges are finally hiring women in leadership roles as general managers, rangers, trackers, pilots, and even anti-poachers (Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe have all-female anti-poaching units). Many women are finding new career paths that don’t end in the kitchen or housekeeping because we’re showing not only them, but also the men in the industry, that all roles can be fulfilled by women.
Packing for an African adventure can be tricky—what are three things you always bring that travellers might not think of?
Noise-cancelling headphones: I don’t travel anywhere without mine!
A shawl: for many things: wrapping up on the plane; or in the evening around the fire; adding a touch of glamour for a dinner; or as an extra layer on a game drive.
High-factor sunscreen: A high-factor sunscreen is essential when you’re on game drives and spending a lot of time outdoors. Coola sunscreens are transparent, easy to reapply and great for sensitive skin too.
For travellers who want to engage more deeply with local communities while on safari, what are some of the best ways to do so respectfully and meaningfully?
Just by travelling to Africa, people make a positive impact. For most of the countries we work in, at least 10% of their GDP is made up by tourism. We also educate guests on topics that are of interest to them. There’s incredible work being done in South Africa by the Tracker Academy and the Girls College of Tourism, whereby local people are trained in skills that are innate to them, like tracking. In Rwanda, there is an incredible women’s empowerment project on the fringes of Volcanoes National Park that works to provide housing and vocational training for young mothers and their children. We took a family there last year and it made a profound, life-changing impact on them all, especially their two young sons.
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