What do open spaces mean to you... perhaps it means freedom. The freedom to express yourself, to be surrounded by fresh air, to go anywhere the wind takes you, and to be given the opportunity to free your mind of all the stresses of not being free. Perhaps it means an escape, a way to slow down and simplify, give yourself some time to unwind in an environment where you feel safe when we are surrounded by uncertainty.

We have recently experienced something very unique, a pandemic which has sent our society spinning off in a direction no one could have predicted, although there are books and movies produced years ago that were on the right track. Within a very short space of time, we transformed from a population of people, moving and living at their own free will, to a population that could no longer act like a population, no longer able to interact with other members of society, no more working, socialising or adventuring together.

Restricted to our homes, kept apart from each other and the outside world, it became impossible to pursue any travel plans that had been made. Bookings for trips to dream destinations were cancelled, the excitement felt just before journeying to a place which you have never visited before fell away, and just like that, any prospect for travelling in the near future dissipated. Some of these once-in-a-lifetime trips would be rescheduled for next year, but some plans would never be realised. It really made one realise that it doesn’t always help to wait or put it off until it suits you better, sometimes it just has to happen now so there can be no regrets, no over-thinking.

For many people, this time was probably a blessing in disguise, not for the economy, but for the family. Relationships that may have been neglected because of work were rekindled, as people were forced to spend time with their loved ones. Important moments between 9 and 5, those that would have been missed because they were during office hours, the first steps, first words, puppy’s first “sit”, a game of catch in the yard, cooking together, were now experienced by everyone. Moments that many may have taken for granted, could now be appreciated for how special they really are, how important it is to be present and share in the experiences.

Feeling trapped at home also gave a lot of people time to surf, not in the ocean, oh no! But on the web. Smartphones and computers, access to internet and social media made this time much easier. Making it possible to keep in contact with family and friends, sharing experiences and hope, opening our eyes to how everyone else was handling the struggles of confinement, realising that we were not alone. How many people tried new recipes that showed up on Instagram or Facebook that just looked so delicious and, I mean, we had the time now? I know I did, some worked out so great that I now have a few new recipes in my repertoire, and some not so much, but it was still fun to try. With all the cooking, and eating, of course a few internet searches would have involved some “At-home” exercise routines, ones you could do with little to no equipment because we weren’t allowed to buy non-essentials... We weren’t allowed to leave the house for non-essentials really. I would imagine that many of the rangers and guides from the array of game reserves and lodges appreciated the social media pages posting images of the animals they were used to seeing on a daily basis. Sabi Sabi continued to document and record the animals as they went on with their daily life, completely unaware of the turmoil being experienced by the humans around them. And as we start to reopen our lodges and the rangers, trackers and lodge staff begin to flow back into their work, we learn that not everything will change from this Pandemic. The significance of the moments we experience in this beautiful place will never change, this will never stop being an amazing place for people to come to, and we will never stop appreciating these natural wonders.

The ability of social media to share images of beautiful things and beautiful places to behold would stir your mind. Not being allowed to leave the house may have brought up a real desire to be anywhere but there. If I could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be. Where would I find the opposite of this lockdown, of the restrictions, of these four walls that slowly begin to close in... The great outdoors seems like the most obvious choice. Wide open spaces, no walls as far as the eye can see, fresh air and a new outlook on life. Open spaces that allow you to take a deep breath and feel the freedom you have been longing for all these months, to watch the sun set at the end of the day, surrounded by natures beauty. An escape from reality, an escape to observe a world untouched and unaffected, where nature goes on, and we are given the opportunity to see it.

Over the coming weeks, we will be reflecting on the journey of recent months and share our perception of the sensation towards the new normal and how our environment has always offered the very elements of life now being sought out. Now more than ever we need to reconnect with nature. There is no better place to connect with open spaces than in the heart of the African bush. Sabi Sabi is fortunate to be the custodians of an exclusive reserve within an open parks protected area. We are committed to sustainable tourism with a focus on experiences and showing how tourism is conservation. We are looking forward to welcoming all guests back again and ensuring that you are immersed in nature and can relax and rejuvenate in complete privacy and serenity.