A quintessential experience on a luxury safari in Africa is enjoying sundowners—cocktails, wine, beer or other drinks accompanied by light snacks—after a day of thrilling wildlife viewing.

At the end of an evening game drive, the safari guide stops the vehicle at a scenic location, sets up a small bar and serves drinks to the guests, who sip and reflect on the day’s amazing wildlife sightings while the sun slips below the horizon.

The drink most frequently associated with sundowners is the gin and tonic (G&T), a reminder of the days when the British Empire spread across many parts of Africa.

While the origins of the iconic cocktail are debatable, by the 19th century, British travelers, soldiers and explorers in tropical regions were encouraged to drink tonic mixed with quinine powder, an extract from the bark of the cinchona tree that helps prevent and treat malaria. 

The addition of gin, sugar and lime tempered the bitterness of the quinine, increasing the drink’s appeal and leading to the evolution of the gin and tonic from an antimalarial necessity to the fashionable drink of choice at social gatherings, even for Brits living even outside malarial zones (it should be noted that tonic water today contains far less quinine).

One of our favorite recent sundowner experiences was in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We enjoyed cocktails and snacks in the water during golden hour and watched the reflections of the sunset in the winding waterways while learning about the area’s culture and history.

Artisans of Leisure works closely with safari lodges and camps to customize sundowners for our travelers to include favorite beverages and dietary requirements. 

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a luxury Africa safari featuring top luxury safari lodges and experiences in favorite destinations such as Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Rwanda.