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Vikki Jackson and Sian Loehrer seated on an open safari vehicle at Qwabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Limpopo bushveld, preparing for a guided Big Five game drive.
Vikki Jackson and Sian Loehrer enjoying a morning coffee and rusk break on safari in the South African bushveld at Qwabi Private Game Reserve
Two safari travel experts standing on a luxury South African lodge balcony overlooking the Big Five bushveld and mountain wilderness — symbolising women-led African safari experiences.
Sian Loehrer and Vikki Jackson enjoying sundowners on the deck at Babohi Safari Lodge in Qwabi Private Game Reserve, with views over the African bush.
Sian Loehrer and Vikki Jackson, founders of Marula Hill Travel, enjoying handcrafted gin cocktails inside the lounge at Babohi Safari Lodge in Qwabi Private Game Reserve.
Vikki Jackson, co-founder of Marula Hill Travel, reading a luxury travel book at Royal Malewane Waterside in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, South Africa.

We’re Sian Loehrer and Vikki Jackson, experienced safari travellers and the founders of Marula Hill Travel, an award winning boutique travel company based in South Africa. Sense Of Safari is where we share trusted guidance, destination reviews, and personal insights from years spent exploring the wild and wonderful places of Southern Africa.

If you’re dreaming of an authentic South African safari, our blog is your expert companion — packed with tips, honest lodge reviews, and first-hand stories from the bush. Whether you’re searching for Big Five encounters, luxury private game reserves, or the best places for a family, honeymoon or wellness safari, you’ll find it here.

We specialise in tailor-made safari itineraries across South Africa’s most iconic regions, including Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Madikwe, Thornybush, and Timbavati. Our mission? To help you travel deeper, with more meaning, style, and connection to the wild.

At Sense Of Safari, you’re not just reading another travel blog — you’re tapping into real expertise, trusted recommendations, and curated safari knowledge built through experience.

Deep Knowledge & Personal Experience:

We’ve spent years exploring South Africa’s most iconic reserves — not just as travel professionals, but as passionate safari travellers. From early morning coffee around the fire to close-up wildlife moments in the bush, our experiences are personal, lived, and deeply informed.

At Sense Of Safari, you’re not getting recycled travel content — you’re getting real, on-the-ground knowledge from people who know what makes a safari truly unforgettable. We’ve stayed at the lodges we write about, driven the dusty roads ourselves, and built trusted relationships with the guides, trackers, and hosts who bring each journey to life.

This deep, personal connection allows us to offer guidance you can trust — whether you’re seeking your first safari or your fifth. Every story, review, and itinerary tip we share is backed by insight, care, and a commitment to helping you experience the very best of wild South Africa.

Bespoke Itineraries Designed Around You:

At Marula Hill Travel, we believe no two safaris should ever be the same. That’s why every journey we create is 100% tailor-made — crafted around your interests, pace, travel style, and the kind of memories you want to make.

Whether it’s a romantic honeymoon in Sabi Sands, a multigenerational family trip through Madikwe, or a wellness escape in The Kruger National Park Game Reserve, your safari will be designed from the ground up by experts who’ve been there.

We work closely with South Africa’s top private game reserves, luxury safari lodges, and conservation partners to create seamless, meaningful experiences. From exclusive-use villas and private game vehicles to scenic bush flights and hands-on conservation experiences, every itinerary is personally curated.

With us, you’re not booking a safari package — you’re unlocking a custom-built experience backed by insider knowledge, trusted relationships, and a deep love for Africa’s wild places.

Two African elephants playfully interacting at the water’s edge at Royal Malewane in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
A couple overlooking the Blyde River Canyon in Limpopo, South Africa, one of the largest green canyons in the world.
Two children enjoying an outdoor bubble bath at Morukuru Farm House in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa.
Handcrafted Ndebele dolls and colourful beaded artwork on display at a South African market.
A family on safari enjoying a bush stop with their guide preparing drinks and snacks beside the game vehicle in a private South African reserve.
Guests on a mokoro safari with a guide, gliding through the wetlands while observing elephants and wildlife in the distance in the Okavango Delta,Botswana.

Local Insights From The Ground Up:

At Marula Hill Travel , we go beyond the brochures to bring you real, on-the-ground knowledge from South Africa’s most extraordinary safari regions.

Our insights are shaped by years spent travelling  and building trusted relationships with the people who live and breathe safari life — local guides, lodge managers, chefs, conservationists, and trackers. These voices and experiences are what make Sense Of Safari a reliable source for safari advice you can trust.

Looking for the best time to track wild dogs in Thornybush? Want to know which Sabi Sand lodge has the most spectacular sundowner views? Curious about hidden seasonal highlights or conservation-led lodges off the beaten path? We’ve got you covered.

Everything we share on Sense Of Safari is grounded in authentic experience and local connection — helping you plan your trip with confidence, context, and deeper understanding.

This is your guide to South Africa’s wild heart — informed by locals, curated by experts, and shaped by the real stories that make each safari unique.

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