What Our Safari Taught Us About Electricity

When you think “safari,” electricity probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.

But, while journeying through South Africa’s incredible wild landscapes with Condor Tours & Travel, our groups discovered more than just the Big Five. Thanks to our expert local guides, we learned about the region’s remarkable flora and fauna. We also learned some fascinating, lesser-known histories of South Africa. And one of the most surprising? South Africa’s pioneering role in the history of electricity.

Did you know the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric streetlights was in South Africa? In 1882, the diamond-rich city of Kimberley switched on its first electric lights, which was just two years after Thomas Edison’s first power station lit up parts of New York. The new electric lights were a powerful and flashy sign of modern development, fitting for a city already famous for the dazzling wealth of diamonds buried underground.

And yet, what makes this fact even more interesting is the contrast: many rural communities across South Africa didn’t receive electricity until the 1980s or 1990s. So, while one city was lit up in the 19th century, others waited over a hundred years. It’s a powerful reminder that progress isn’t always evenly distributed. History is full of nuance, even in the most unexpected places.

That’s the thing about travel: you think you’re going for one reason, like spotting a leopard at dawn or sipping sundowners by the waterhole, but the experiences stay with you because of what you uncover along the way. Our guides weren’t just trackers and storytellers. They were historians, educators, and cultural translators.

That’s what makes a trip with Condor Tours & Travel so memorable. You come home with more than photos; you come home with perspective.

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Want to experience it for yourself?

 Join our next South Africa Safari group, happening November 3–10, 2025.

Starting at $1,890 per person, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure blends iconic wildlife encounters with immersive learning and cultural connection.

We’d love to have you with us. Check it out here!