Twenty five years before the famous explorer David Livingstone arrived in Africa, my Great, great grandfather, the 24 year old James Hayward, his wife Mary and one year old child William, set forth on the 7^th January 1820 aboard The Weymouth - destination, Algoa Bay, South Africa.

Accompanying James were his two younger brothers William and George. Unbeknown to them at the time, this adventure into uncharted territory was to play a founding role in the building of a new nation. As servicemen in the Royal Navy they had experienced southern Africa before and had felt her warmth and generosity of freedom.

True pioneers, James and his family endured a host of excessive hardships on arrival in the Cape’s Eastern Colonies. Vast wilderness areas teeming with great herds of buffalo, elephant and various other antelope species were followed by marauding packs of wild dogs, hyena and ever present lion. As settlers on barren land and windswept beaches the Hayward’s association with camps and tents was synonymous with this all-new adventurous lifestyle. To endure the elements one had to understand what it took to build the perfect safari camp, how to live in it and how to turn it into a “simulated British zone of comfort”.

This style of living was not as temporary as one would imagine as together with the frontier wars, hunting parties for meat and the vast distances one had to travel, camping was a way of life. In fact, Charles Joseph, our great ancestor and second son of James was born in a safari tent in 1824 en route to George Town! Embroiled in Frontier War’s against militant bands of Xhosa tribesmen whilst attempting to tame & cultivate the vast semi desert of the Great Karoo would be today “unthinkable” for any emigrant.  For the Hayward’s of Africa it represented freedom, a new start and better chance of survival than what Mother England could provide at that time.

After numerous battles for survival during the horror of the Frontier Wars, James took his family during the year of 1834 and moved into the Great Winterhoek Mountains of the Eastern Cape and so began the settling and beginning of the Hayward’s African heritage.

In 1849 Charles Joseph Hayward went on to farm in the district. By 1879 he owned over 45’000 acres (incorporating portion of the Great Winterhoek Mountains). His herds of Afrikaner cattle numbered no less than 7000 head. This mountainous region was also rich in endemic species - from black eagles to caracal, leopard, Cape hunting dog and ever present kudu antelope, made for difficult cattle farming but great hunting opportunities.

On one of his daily estate inspections he tracked a leopard that had taken its due share of bounty in the night to its lair and after a prolonged one on one battle he managed to kill the beast - but not without any personal infliction as the ferocious cat had scalped him in the process! Charles placed the scalp back on his head, put his veld hat over it and after retrieving his horse road back to the farmhouse where it was all stitched back in place!  He founded the farming town of Steytlerville and as a true pioneer was blessed with seven sons and seven daughters.

The wars of South Africa changed things considerably. In 1940, Felix Hayward (Peter’s father) bunked school in Graaf Reinet and enrolled in the army as a gunner in the artillery serving in the cold and treacherous Italian campaign against Hitler.  His and many others victorious “heroes” return to Africa was met with a luke warm reception and the rest of it is history.

Peter John William Hayward, oldest grandson of the clan, set about the safari business 1982 and by 1991 Peter was ready to create the all new Grand Safari concept – a mobile hotel of up to 240 beds – anywhere in Africa! Built in 1999, Hayward’s was created in recognition of the last 100 years of safaris in Africa. Complete with Gin Tents, Indaba Tents, Safari Salons, en suite bedroom tents and a Cigar Emporiums, Hayward’s is undoubtedly an unsurpassed authentic safari experience.

Today, Hayward’s Luxury Safari Camps carries forth the title of the world’s largest most luxurious mobile safari operation – completely South African, proudly world first.

Mobilised, with over 20 trucks, Hayward’s consists of over 400 tons of equipment and constitutes more than 38’000 items needed to ensure guests are comfortable, well fed and safe. In a 15 to 20 day safari event over 16’000 litres of diesel can be consumed. A typical Hayward’s grand safari would cater as many as 2800 meals run by the Hayward’s 4 man Chef team. Food itself in the middle of the wilderness takes huge confront. Imagine the logistics of serving 1728 fresh Bread Rolls, 216 assorted loaves of bread, 1000 Croissants & Danish Pastries, 3 tons of Fresh Fruit and Veg, 174 kg Chicken Fillet, 80 kg Oryx, 200 kg Beef Fillet, 100 kg Lamb Chops, 108 Racks of Lamb, 1500 Fresh Oysters, 110 kg Tiger Prawns, 70 kgs Mussels, 40 kgs Crayfish, 120kg Calamari well over 2000 eggs!  Over 30’000 liters of water is needed daily for ablutions! Beverages and drinking water? ….we won’t tell you as you won’t believe it anyway! (Hint – it is less than the shower consumption)

A Hayward’s grand safari runs with a crew of 40 dedicated individuals. Today, 180 years after the first Hayward’s landed on African soil, Hayward’s pace set a all new standard for mobile safari camps.

In true pioneering spirit, Hayward’s  follows the sun,
follows the vast herds and cultures of Africa,
but more importantly carries forth the spirit of freedom.
We offer you the opportunity to experience our magic.