In 2023, Bushtrails Namibia embarked on a journey that redefined what safari travel can be. In collaboration with Minds Eye Travel, we hosted our very first safari designed specifically for visually impaired travellers. This partnership was built on shared values, innovation, and a deep belief that Africa should be accessible to everyone.

Minds Eye Travel, founded by Sue Bramhall, specialises in creating meaningful travel experiences for people who experience the world beyond sight. Bushtrails Namibia, led by Jaco van der Westhuizen, focuses on bespoke safari experiences across Southern Africa. When these two passions came together, the result was something truly special.

A Safari Designed for the Senses

This first joint safari took place in May 2023 and spanned 13 days across Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Each visually impaired guest was paired with a dedicated Bushtrails guide, assigned specifically to support them throughout the journey. These personal guide relationships were central to the experience, ensuring safety, comfort, and genuine connection.

Rather than relying on sight alone, the safari was designed to engage all the senses. Guests experienced Africa through sound, touch, smell, and taste, from the distant call of lions at night to the feel of warm sand, flowing rivers, and ancient stone.

Intercom systems inside the safari vehicles allowed guides to give rich, real time descriptions of landscapes and wildlife. Audio guidebooks with recorded bird and animal calls brought each sighting to life, turning every game drive into a deeply immersive experience.

Touching, Hearing, and Feeling Africa

Some of the most powerful moments came from tactile encounters. A visit to a taxidermist allowed guests to feel the shapes, textures, horns, and fur of different animals, offering a hands on way to understand Africa’s wildlife. In Victoria Falls, travellers stood close enough to feel the spray of the waterfall and hear its thunderous roar.

The group also participated in an elephant encounter, where they touched and fed the animals, creating an unforgettable connection with one of Africa’s most iconic species.

Meaningful Cultural Connections

Beyond wildlife, the journey focused on people and culture. Guests visited a spa in Windhoek that trains visually impaired individuals as masseuses, creating a powerful moment of connection and empowerment. Cultural visits included time spent in a traditional Bushman village and a Kavango village, offering insight into local ways of life through storytelling, music, and shared experiences.

Markets and craft centres were explored through touch, with woodcarvings, handmade crafts, and textured artworks replacing the typical visual browsing experience.

Travelling Through Southern Africa

The safari route showcased some of Southern Africa’s most remarkable destinations. Starting in Windhoek, the journey continued through Etosha National Park, Bushmanland, and the Caprivi Strip, before crossing into Chobe National Park in Botswana and ending at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Travelling in two specially equipped, air conditioned safari Land Cruisers, guests enjoyed comfort while remaining close to nature. Staying inside national parks and private reserves allowed them to experience the sounds of Africa after dark, which became a highlight in itself.

The journey included Windhoek city experiences and craft markets, game drives in Etosha National Park, leopard tracking at Okonjima, Bushman cultural experiences, river activities along the Okavango and Chobe, sundowner and wildlife cruises, and time spent at Victoria Falls with local dining experiences.

A Milestone for Accessible Safari Travel

This first safari with Minds Eye Travel was more than just a trip. It was a milestone. It showed what is possible when travel is designed with intention, empathy, and creativity. For Bushtrails Namibia, it reaffirmed our belief that safari experiences should be inclusive, immersive, and deeply human.

We are proud to have been part of this journey and look forward to creating more accessible adventures that allow travellers to experience Africa in ways that go far beyond sight.