In The Name of Adventure

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: August 2023

Alastair and Laura Lamont

Laura and Alastair Lamont’s lives are an adventure, and the couple’s life’s work is to share adventures with others. Due to Alastair’s more than 15 years of experience working in and exploring such areas as Namibia, Tanzania, and throughout the South African bush, he founded Africa Awaits and he and his wife plan personalized custom safaris.

In fact, his background as an owner, manager, ranger, and guide associated with luxury accommodations in various African regions is what led the South African native to want to share Africa with others in the United States. He and Laura, a native Atlantan-turned-Highlander, met during her Peace Corps service in South Africa.

Laura shared what has been happening of late with Africa Awaits: “Alastair and I spent three weeks in South Africa and Kenya in March, exploring new properties and experiences that are truly fabulous. Plus, we are establishing an office in Cashiers (the building behind Bucks Coffee Café), which will allow us to display our collected historic and new African artifacts and safari souvenirs. And it will be a great place to host clients for meetings, wine tastings, etc. The office opened in late July.”

But the Lamonts do not just seek adventure for themselves and others. They provide adventure opportunities in the name of giving back.

For example, recently Africa Awaits donated a Safari Sundowner Experience as an auction item for two summer galas, one to benefit Cashiers Highlands Humane Society and the other to benefit Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The Safari Sundowner Experience is one that anyone can enjoy, without getting on a plane and going to Africa.

Laura describes it this way: “During an evening game drive on safari [in Africa], guests enjoy a leisurely stop for a ‘sundowner’ – an African happy hour where you sit back, cocktail in hand, and watch the sun slip below the horizon. Typically, there are lovely nibbles, a stunning vista, sounds of nature all around, and a humorous story or two told by the guiding team. So, Africa Awaits is creating this experience here on the Plateau. Up to four guests can join us in our vintage 1971 Land Rover as we explore some beautiful curvy roads and stop on a ridgeline to enjoy appetizers and cocktails as the sun sinks into our gorgeous mountain landscape. Amongst natural conversation, laughter, and a popping fire, the evening can be peppered with stories from our seasoned safari guide Alastair, with tales of animal encounters and conservation successes from his time in the African bush.”

For more information about enjoying a nearby – or far away – adventure, visit Africa Awaits at africaawaits.com.