"There is simply no credible competitor in this category in Southern Africa," asserts one of Africa's SITE Crystal Award Winner Destination Management Companies. "The reason is simple, clear and powerful - in typical safari camps you take what they give you; with Hayward's you create your own camp down to the coffee beans you grind in the morning."

And you attain a level of astonishing mobile safari luxury in decadent colonial splendor, while never losing the appreciation that this is an authentic, wilderness tented camping experience and ambience.

Heightening the appeal for incentive groups are two truly unique facts:  This fabulous "White Mischief" silver-service safari camp can cater for up to 120 people in 60 luxury tents (40 with bathroom en-suite) and it can be set up at the location of your choice, including within the boundaries of at least four World Heritage Sites!

Accommodation tents are set up in "famous explorer named camps" of 10 each and they include proper beds, mattresses and white linen. Each "camp" enjoys exclusive 'turn of the century' style 24-hour private butler service.

The infamous "Gin Tent” is a masterpiece of white Indian cotton drapes, chandeliers, Persian rugs and other luxury fittings to create a sumptuous atmosphere for the eight-course served gourmet meals that rival and surpass most five-star kitchens. There are remote bush pubs, hammocks, tea stations with camp easy chairs, an extensive library of rare and leather-bound African safari books and, a great favorite, an “Executive Revitalisation Tent”, encompassing massage, aromatherapy and beauty clinic. There is even a conference tent for up to 120 guests.

From this core camp there are many enticing elements and activities that may be added, depending on location, desires and budget.

You may choose your own wines (normally from those approved and used by the QE II or Virgin 1st Class), your own cigars (with your own corporate branding) and your own menus. Save for breakfast, buffets are out! Meals are served by waiters in colonial attire and utensils are silver. Crystal cut-glass is also the order of the day from the bar.

Choosing a location is enticingly difficult as there are literally hundreds of options. Here's just a tantalising sample of locations and themes on offer:

• St Lucia Wetlands, Kwa-Zulu Natal:  
  A World Heritage Site, Lake St Lucia is the largest estuarine lake in Southern Africa and contains 800 hippo. A stunning site in close proximity to pristine beaches and the Big 5 safari at Hluluhwe.
   

• The Cradle of Man Skeerport:
  A World Heritage Site just 50 minutes north of Johannesburg where groups experience a "live" paleontology digging site, a treasure trove of early man fossils dating back millions of years.
   

• Old Explorers Trade Route:  
  Go through Big 5 territory in the Eastern Transvaal Lowveld, one of Africa's most romantic and adventurous regions. Epic tales of lost Paul Kruger gold and adventure recounted in novels by Rider Haggard, Bulpin and Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, set the scene for this magnificent turn of the century safari.
   

• The Diamond Desert River Exploration:  
  An adventurous, 3-5 day expedition in search of the lost diamond fields of the Kalahari and the hunt for the desert rhino.
   

• Expedition to The Lost City:  
  A Big 5 safari adventure into one of Africa's most beautiful game reserves, The Pilanesberg, a malaria free zone just 90 minutes drive from Johannesburg. From Hayward's the group would "discover" the Lost City of Sun City.

Depending on location and budget a rich smorgasbord of exclusive activities can be added to the camp experience. Among the dizzying array of choices:

• Long-bow archery

• Clay Pigeon Shooting

• Hot Air ballooning

• Open 4 x 4 safari drives

• Bush Walks

• Falconry

• Aromatherapy

• Micro lighting

• Fly fishing

• Deep sea fishing

• Snorkeling

• Quad Bikes

• Full staging such as “Ama-Opera”

• Full scale operatic productions

This is top-level, up market camping with a vast appeal to the incentive market, but budgets need to be healthy to optimise all the best options. For those with lesser budgets the whole operation can be scaled down using expedition tents.

Although 120 people are the maximum, smaller up market groups are also catered for and a group of 40, for example, could all luxuriate in en-suite twin tents.

Talking to founder Peter Hayward to create the right magic is an exhilarating experience. His family has been intimately involved in private game farming & safaris for (Great Winterhoek Mountains of the Eastern Cape) 120 years and his livewire creative mind conjures up special incentive themes that are truly unique and wondrous.