According to Wikipedia, “African Time (or Africa Time) is a colloquial term used to describe a perceived cultural tendency, in most parts of Africa, toward a more relaxed attitude to time. This is sometimes used in a pejorative sense, about tardiness . . . also . . . the more leisurely, relaxed and less rigorously scheduled lifestyle . . .”, etc. Well, it could never be more apparent than on safari – in the best way imaginable.
We had the renewed pleasure of this privilege recently, invited by Dave’s brother Mike and his lovely wife Lisa to Welgevonden Private Game Reserve.
Some time was spent loitering on the porch, watching zebra and other wildlife at the nearby waterhole.
Zebra at a waterhole - Welgevonden Game Reserve, SA
But cheetah were the star attraction of this particular trip. These elusive cats treated us to no less than three spectacular sightings in as many days. This was the first, perfectly positioned at golden hour:
Cheetah soaking up the sunset - Welgevonden Game Reserve, SA
. . . and another, captured beautifully by Dave not far from the lodge:
Cheetah silhouette - Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa
In between, we lazed around some more and were spoilt beyond words with mouth-watering food.
Safari sundowner snacks - Welgevonden Game Reserve, SA
Oh, and of course, we drank sundowners 
Sundowner on safari - Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, SA
The game drives didn’t disappoint, as you can see from another of Dave’s masterful shots:
Waterbuck ram - Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa
Part of the magic was in the delicious interludes, like this one for coffee and freshly baked muffins,
Drinks stop at a dam - Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa
while magnificent game viewing waited around the corner.
African Elephant - Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa
Then it was back to the verandah for more relaxation, if we could possibly contain it -
Vista from a verandah - Welgevonden Game Reserve, SA
as we breathed in another African sunset,
African sunset - Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, SA
before hearing the murmur of luxury calling.
Private Suite - Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa
We’re happily home again, with Africa Time humming in our bones, just the way we love it.
If you’ve never experienced this, our wish is that you will, at least vicariously, as it’s simply too special not to share. So in that spirit, you’re welcome to browse my Facebook album, featuring more wildlife photography, here: Welgevonden – April 2012
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Naomi,
Mmmmm….from the wildlife shots to the food to views – what an amazing collection of photos! And – what an experience…Africa time. My mind is transporting me there right now…and I’m feeling an extra sense of “all is right” as I settle in….
Thank you, Lance! It’s always so wonderful to hear from you and to read your lovely perspective from across the world
Warmest wishes to you and yours! Naomi
Gorgeous pictures and a classic, breathtaking Naomi post! Loved this!
Thank you, Kate! I so appreciate your appreciation
MWAH!
“African Time” sounds suspiciously like our “Island Time.” Ya, mon!
Loved the photos!
LOL…love that “Ya, mon!”, thanks Nancy! I must put some island time on my bucket list
Oh, Naomi…I enjoy being on safari with you. Many thanks for these photos. Since meeting you, I’ve suspected there’s another category – Estment Time. Or is it Estment Living?
I cannot believe either of you ever feel you are working.
Ah, thank you, Amy – for such a lovely comment and sentiment! It would be so wonderful to have the pleasure of another safari together one day
Big hug and kiss from us both, XO
Loved your photos Naomi! My son is sitting here looking at them with me and we’d so like to visit you one day!
Thank you, Tammy! It would be wonderful to see you all here in SA, so please keep us posted!
Absolutely stunning!
Thank you, Tok!
Hi Naomi
Thanks for sharing… looks like you had a fabulous time. *Huggs* Mands
Stunning photos, looks like my kind of week-end… *Smile* I really need a trip to the bush soon.
Thanks Mands, lovely to hear from you! Always good to keep a bush trip on the menu…we’re almost ready for our next one too & hope yours comes around soon
XO
I have never been to Africa and I think a lot of people are excited to go there and experience these things.. Anyway, thank you for your photos here..
Thank you for your lovely comment, Karylle – much appreciated! I’m sure you would love it if you have the opportunity to visit one day
I agree with Lance. What an amazing set of photos! And what is in a sundowner?
Thanks, Tammy
Ah…but you are in for a treat when you come to Africa! Sundowners are drinks at sunset, typically savoured during the course of an evening game drive (while stopped at some breath-taking spot where wildlife and bushveld can be viewed all around you), involving a selection of snacks and most often alcohol, although that’s not mandatory 
. If not on a game drive, sundowners are just as enjoyable outside on a porch, mountainside or beautiful beach, basically anywhere that you can kick back, drink in hand, and lazily watch the sun set.
Here’s a link to a previous post with a photo of sundowners on a Landrover bonnet (complete with table cloth, cashew nuts, chips (crisps) and “droë wors” (Afrikaans for “dried sausage” which is sort of similar to “biltong” – our practically staple dried meat): http://www.naomisnotes.com/more-madikwe-magic/
… and another post which shows our game ranger friends laughing over sundowners while sitting on a Landrover (we usually get off and stretch our legs, keeping fairly close to the vehicle, while keeping an eye out for wild animals). This post also shows a mug of Amarula hot chocolate; our favourite for drinks stops on early morning game drives, including a tot of the popular “Spirit of Africa” cream liqueur and muffins/biscuits/rusks (another firm South African favourite, i.e.”hard, dry biscuit or a twice-baked bread”, fabulous for dunking in hot drinks): http://www.naomisnotes.com/a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/
Perhaps I should stop now, before you get the impression we’re all a bunch of alcoholics
Sundowners on safari are simply something that everyone should experience for themselves!
It sounds wonderful and the pictures are stunning. Thank you for posting them, Naomi.
“Africa time” – I love it. Reminds me of “bukara” in Arabic, meaning later – My grandmother used to say to so many thinga – “bukara, bukara” … In my maturity, I think she was right. Attend to the poetry of life first.
And, of course, our friends to the south in Mexico are fond of “manana” – tomorrow. It’s soon enough. Something to be said for these very civilized attititudes. No stress.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Jamie, and agreed about these civilized attitudes
I’ve not hear of “bukara” before – what a wonderful word! Having learnt some Spanish in the past, I am familiar with “manana” – love that word too 
Here’s to a super relaxed day!