“A Little Shimmy on Arrival?”
A Guide to Enjoying Welcoming Performances on Safari
To dance or not to dance?
The teams at African Bush Camps lodges and camps across
Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have a few tips for travelers
While the African bush is full of surprises and unknown discoveries, a joyous welcome from singing and dancing staff is something every traveler can expect when arriving at African Bush Camps (ABC). With 17 camps and lodges spread across Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, these heartfelt performances are both a celebration of regional culture and an expression of warm hospitality.
Welcomes from guides, chefs, housekeepers, wait staff, and camp managers are more than just ceremony—they’re an unforgettable introduction to the safari experience.
Wondering how to respond? Relax and follow your instincts—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this spirited tradition.
How Should Guests Respond to the
Safari Welcome Ceremony?
“Any way they’d like,” says Faith, a Camp Manager for ABC in Zambia. “Our guests usually join in when they feel the beat and the energy, but there is no pressure from us.”
Selebogo, a Host for ABC in Botswana, agrees: “Many guests eagerly join in, while others observe. We gently invite them off their vehicles, and we can usually judge their intentions by their body language.”
Taffy at Nyamatusi Camp in Zimbabwe adds: “Participation is completely optional—we invite warmly, but we never pressure anyone to join.”
The Purpose Behind the Performances
“We see them as gestures of respect, joy, and celebration that honor our visitors and showcase our talent,” says Hellen, Camp Manager in Zambia. “They preserve our culture and foster unity among ourselves as well as with our guests.”
Emanuel, Assistant Manager at Somalisa Camp in Zimbabwe, adds: “It’s an icebreaker that sets the tone for the ABC experience. It introduces an element of excitement and gives guests a taste of our culture and warmth.”
What Do Welcoming Performances Mean to the
African Bush Camps Teams?
“We love it!” says Faith. “The singing and dancing embody ABC’s commitment to authentic African hospitality. These performances are more than rituals—they symbolize unity, joy, tradition, and a shared purpose among guests and team members to appreciate and protect what is around us.”
What Should Future Safari Guests Keep in Mind?
“We’re here to excite and delight in the same way we carry out our roles during their stay,” says Selebogo in Botswana. “We eagerly await every arrival, and the moment is our way of showing guests how important they are to us.”
The Importance of This Safari Tradition
“It’s significant to us as a team,” says Hellen in Zambia. “We see singing and dancing as storytelling and fundamental human expression.”
Faith agrees: “Absolutely. The performances we do are planned-yet-spontaneous, enabling our team to connect, share, and express identity—reinforcing unity and belonging through joyful expression.”
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For further background information and images, please visit: African Bush Camps
