It’s tradition to celebrate the sunset while on safari in Africa, often with a gin and tonic in hand, known locally as a ‘sundowner.’ Over the course of his life, Shaun Stanley, Cape Town local and the founder of luxury tour operator Stanley Safaris, has enjoyed many memorable sundowner stops. While it’s difficult to choose, these are the ones that stand out most for celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime safari:
Lengishu House: Kenya
Lengishu House, set within Kenya’s Borana Conservancy, offers an unforgettable sundowner spot at the iconic Pride Rock, famed for inspiring Disney’s The Lion King. Just a short walk from the exclusive-use safari house, Pride Rock looks west across the Lewa Conservancy and the distant Matthews Mountain Range. As the afternoon game drive winds down, safari goers arrive to find a beautifully set table with snacks and drinks, ready for them to sit back and watch the sun sink beneath the African horizon. Shaun notes, “if you’re lucky, you may even spot endangered black rhino from this breathtaking vantage point.”
The Manta Resort: Tanzania
Anchored off the coast of Pemba Island, Tanzania, the Manta Resort’s Underwater Room is a 3-floor floating retreat. Accessible only by boat, the private hideaway welcomes a maximum of two guests, with meals delivered by boat and a fridge stocked with favorite drinks and snacks. As the day winds down, there’s no better place for a sundowner than the rooftop deck, where guests sip an African staple, a chilled gin and tonic while the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean. Shaun recalls, “when my guide dropped me off here, he said I should keep an eye out for dolphins that usually swim by around sunset. So, I got my G&T prepared, sat on the upper deck and watched as the sun dipped below the Indian Ocean, and without fail, there was a pod of dolphins swimming past.”
Jack’s Camp: Botswana
At Jack’s Camp in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans, guests are treated to one of the most special sundowner experiences in all of Africa. In the late afternoon, they ride quad bikes deep into the vast salt pans until there’s nothing in sight but white salt flats. As the sun begins to dip, each guest is handed their drink of choice and encouraged to wander a short distance away, to sit in complete silence with nothing but their thoughts and the spectacle of the sunset. No sounds, no distractions, just experiencing nature at its most raw. As night falls, the sky transforms into a canopy of stars, some of the clearest and brightest in the world thanks to there being zero light pollution in the area.
Chem Chem Lodge: Tanzania
At Chem Chem Lodge in Tanzania, sundowners are treated very seriously. Guests set out on foot with their Maasai guide, uncovering the hidden details of the African bush along the way. The walk gradually leads toward Lake Manyara, where a glowing bonfire and chairs await, positioned to face the shimmering lake and the escarpment beyond. An old Land Rover has been transformed into a mobile bar, serving up snacks and an array of Gin & Tonic creations. After the walk, this setup becomes the perfect stage to raise a glass to the African sunset, and an authentic safari.
