This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar’s 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen.

How can you have the best experience on a safari? Seeing might not be as crucial as you think. Travel with AFAR contributing writer, Ryan Knighton, who lost his sight years ago, as he tastes, feels, smells and hears his way through the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe. 

A Sensory Connection with Zimbabwe’s Natural Ecosystem

In this episode, discover:

What it’s like to go on safari in Zimbabwe

How to plan your best safari trip—beyond sightseeing

How a luxury safari can deepen your travel experience. 

You Can Do Better Than A Lion Photo On Your Next Safari

Don’t miss these transformative travel moments:

[2:44] A tight grip and a close call with an elephant

[5:11] A leafy tasting near Singita’s Pashamusa Lodge

[8:52] Ryan follows his nose and meets a kindred rhino

[9:57] The unforgettable sounds of survival

Resources

• Explore the 20 Best African Safari Camps

• Read the full story that Ryan wrote for Afar magazine.

• Follow Ryan on X.

• Check out Ryan's other work.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.