BEWARE the SAFARI BUG: Why One Trip to Africa Is Never Enough
No, we’re not talking about a glitch in your browser—though we are talking about something that might crash your ability to concentrate at work…
This is about a different kind of bug. One that bites deep and lingers long after your plane touches down back home. It’s not a virus or a parasite. It’s something much more powerful — and far more addictive.
We call it the Safari Bug.
Striking black-and-white close-up of a zebra captured on safari in Botswana by Drew Sproule.
It Starts in Africa...
It usually begins somewhere out in the bush. Maybe it’s the moment you hear a lion roar in the darkness, or when an elephant walks so close you feel the ground tremble. Perhaps it’s the golden light that bathes the landscape at sunrise, or the ancient rhythm of the wild echoing in your chest.
And then—just like that—you’re infected.
You don’t know it at first. You might think you’ve simply had a wonderful trip. But the signs begin to surface soon after you’re home.
Classic Safari Bug Symptoms
Sudden daydreaming: You find yourself staring into the distance, lost in memories of open plains, dusty trails, and star-filled skies.
Restless nights: You replay thrilling wildlife encounters in your mind — the leopard in the tree, the charging buffalo, the baby giraffe wobbling to its feet.
An ache in your heart: It hits when you realise it may be years before you can return. A subtle melancholy. A longing. A wildness you can’t quite shake.
Sound familiar?
What is the Safari Bug?
It’s not a tropical disease. It’s not something you’ll find listed on WebMD. It’s emotional, psychological… even spiritual. It’s the feeling of falling in love — deeply and unexpectedly — with Africa.
Not just the wildlife, though that’s unforgettable. Not just the landscapes, though they’re otherworldly. It’s something bigger. It’s the people. The culture. The rhythm of life. The rawness. The realness. The ancient feeling of belonging.
After all, this is the cradle of humanity. In some deep, instinctive way, Africa feels like home.
Is There a Cure?
There’s no vaccine. No pill. No therapy quite like it.
There’s only one way to treat the Safari Bug — and that’s to go back.
Back to the wild calls at dawn.
Back to the smell of dust and acacia.
Back to the stories told around campfires.
Back to feeling alive.
So, if you’ve been, you know. If you haven’t—beware. Because once Africa touches your soul… there’s no going back.
Except, of course, to go back.
Don’t hesitate to reach out at with any questions about my Africa photo safaris, fine art prints or conversation advocacy
© 2025 Drew Sproule
