Jul 14, 2026 – 5.00amMbamba’s tents unzip like carmine bee-eaters taking flight. From the outside, sashed khaki drapes reveal flashes of colour along their hems. It’s only when I climb the steps to the lounge-and-dining pavilion that I behold the surprise within. The undersides of those drapes are saturated vermillion; above me, the canopies are dyed the same electrifying hue. Persian rugs and velveteen furnishings dip deeper into the colour spectrum.The carmine bee-eater, which I spied on the drive from the airstrip at the start of my Bench Africa safari, is a pocket-sized version of this spectacle. Its muddy pink wings expand to reveal a striking carmine breast and flash of aqua on the lower abdomen.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Catherine MarshallTravel writerCatherine Marshall has worked as a journalist for more than three decades and has received awards for her travel writing and reportage in Australia and abroad. She specialises in emerging destinations, conservation and immersive travel.Fetching latest articles