Why Sundowners are important when on Safari

Wednesday, 31.Aug 2022

A sundowner is a ‘happy hour’ in the African bush, at sunset. Your game drive will be spiced up with a Sundowner to round off your afternoon game-drive experience.

Sunset is a great time to unwind while watching the wildlife in the distance. This is the time many people take to reflect on their safari day. This tradition, which is an essential part of most safaris, has its origins in the colonial era.

History of the Sundowner

Winston Churchill asserted, “…The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.”  And it’s true: the gin and tonic was in many ways the origin of the time-honoured African tradition of “the Sundowner.”

The sundowner tradition began in Africa during British colonialism. It grew out of necessity rather than pleasure. Quinine was discovered to be beneficial against malaria in South America around the beginning of the 18th century. Quinine was then distilled into medical tonic water, which was then blended with gin, sugar, and lime to make it more drinkable. To stave off the sickness, British soldiers drank this drink in the warm parts of South America. The popularity of gin and tonic grew in tandem with the British Empire’s expansion into Africa. The drink was taken for malaria prevention, much as it was in South America. People began to drink it in social contexts, resulting in the creation of the sundowner ritual. On an African safari nowadays, the sundowner is still a popular practice. However, it is now mostly for pleasure rather than medical purposes.

What can you expect on an African sunset? 

Typically, a variety of drinks and snacks are served against the breathtaking backdrop of an African sunset. Many camps have their own unique and exclusive African sundowner place to see this magical occasion. Guests areencouraged to simply sit back, relax, and soak in the ambience while listening to and watching the savanna’s wildlife during a sundowner. The majority of sundowner sites also provide fantastic photo opportunity.

Typically just before the sun sets, your safari guide will look for an area with a view for your sundowner. The standards sundowner is gin and tonic, although others like our local beers or wines. A sundowner set-up might be as simple as a table and chairs or as a blanket. Some people prefer to relax on pillows while gazing at the vibrant sky, while others prefer to simply stand, what more could you want than a refreshing drink, and a stunning sunset?

Essentially Kenyan and splendidly ‘safari’, the sundowner is a tradition that has endured. Founded during the days of the great game-hunting safaris of the 1920's, the sundowner marked the point at which, the day’s hunting over, a fire would be lit, camp-chairs laid out and elegant cocktails served by white-gloved waiters. The scene set, the highlights of the day could then be discussed as the hunting party watched the sun make its regal descent. Today, the hunting days are long gone, but The tradition of the sundowner lives on. 

On the equator, the sun begins its descent at roughly the same time all the year round – between five and six pm. For the perfect sundowner experience, therefore, you’ll set out with your guide in the late afternoon. This is the perfect time for a game drive: the heat has gone out of the sun, the air is fresh and the light is beginning to turn its trademark gold – it’s known as ‘magic light’ and is the ideal time for photography. This is also the optimum time to catch the wildlife as it emerges into the cool of the evening. Now is the time to see the hyenas on the prowl, the zebra in their dust baths, the hippo as they emerge from the river. Now is the moment when you might be lucky enough to encounter a family of cheetah. Or even to come across our local leopard and her beautiful cub. 
At our famous National Park we have an excellent selection of sundowner spots, each of which has its own particular charm – all of which are panoramic. Arriving at your destination, stools will be laid out, a safari bar will be whisked out of the back of your vehicle, delicious ‘bitings’ will be served, and you can settle down for the sun set. 
It’s quite a show. 
Sinking in a huge mango-pink ball, the sun drops slowly behind the grey-blue of the escarpment. The sky turns every shade of lilac-grey until all that is left is a soft pink glow punctuated by great shafts of silver. And on the horizon, the zebra stand out in soft silhouette. 

The sundowner offers

A selection of drinks, cocktails and delicious bites are usually served against the unforgettable backdrop of the African sunset. You can find a special African sundowner sport to experience this beautiful moment. During a sundowner, we advise guest to just sit back, relax and take in the atmosphere while they listen and watch the wildlife of the savanna. Most sundowner spots offer amazing opportunities for a photographic session.