EXERCISE
A safari conjures up images of African animals and culture, but what about exercise? Some exercise can be incorporated into an itinerary, whether it's 1-2 hour nature walks, walking safaris, trekking to see mountain gorillas, or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. But a traditional safari typically includes very little exercise.
Because Ujuzi African Travel is always striving to meet travelers' interest and life goals, we have developed exercise safaris to meet the needs of people who want to maintain their physical fitness while on vacation not take a vacation from a healthy lifestyle! They want to come home after vacation and pick up where they left off with their exercise routine and avoid catching up.
Exercising actually will help improve strength during the course of your trip, which will increase your endurance for the physical nature of safari travel. Other added benefits include better posture in the jeeps, the bliss that comes from such a focused workout, engaging in exercises that allow you the feeling of having a massage at the end of the day, a better night's sleep, and the centering derived from exercise, which brings a heightened awareness of the wonders to be witnessed.
But one of the biggest benefits of an exercise safari is it helps participants avoid the modern conundrum of feeling like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. As Mona Melms, a pilates instructor explained, "You're in the middle of this amazing, indulgent vacation, but you come out still being very strong at the end of it." What could be more perfect? A mind-blowing vacation experience that builds your strength and makes you centered, just in time to resume your regular life.
"Adding Pilates exercise to a Safari is ideal for people who want to continue their exercise practice while on vacation. What a great way to start the day before your game drives. If you come with an open mind, you can leave with a new way of looking at the world."
-- Genevieve Schmitt, February 2011 Pilates safari participant
"My favorite part of my Pilates safari to Tanzania was seeing the animals interact. Those elephant moms and their babies the mom has that baby within trunk's reach at all times. We also had awesome guides. They were so informed, you could mention anything and they'd tell you more about it."
-- Anne Marie O'Connor, executive editor for Pilates Style magazine, September 2011 Pilates safari participant