With both my grandpa and my dad in the travel business, I’ve been traveling the world since before Toto released their incomparable hit Africa in 1982. Knowing travel is in my blood, people always ask, “What’s next on your bucket list?” For the last 20 years the answer has been easy—an African Safari! I checked that box this past November, and it lived up to EVERY expectation.
Cape Town
We explored this jewel at the southernmost tip of the African continent by air, by land, by sea…and by Harley. A cable car ride up majestic Table Mountain afforded forever views of this picturesque city. We explored the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, packed with outstanding restaurants and shopping, then retreated to our luxurious suite at the One & Only Resort. One night we enjoyed a terrific dinner at Gold Restaurant with an interactive drumming experience and delicious tasting menu of dishes from around Africa. We’ll never forget hopping on a Harley Davidson for a sightseeing ride, visiting the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, and touring the Cape of Good Hope where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Eager to stare death in the face, we ventured out to Gansbaa, made famous by Shark Week, for a Great White cage diving experience. I guess it wasn’t our time to die since the sharks didn’t show. Perhaps that was fate’s way of making sure we survived to go on safari.
The Bush
Bucket list time! My chance to experience an African safari had finally come. We arrived at Kings Camp on the Timbavati Game Preserve and immediately began our first game drive. We hit it out of the park on the first pitch when we came across a pride of lions in action. Now this safari wasn’t a tent-and-can-of-beans kind of safari. It combined the luxury of a first-class resort with the chance to encounter animals in their natural habitat. The food and service were impeccable. Each day began with an early morning game drive, a delectable late breakfast, then some downtime to enjoy the pool and deck overlooking the watering hole where animals gather to drink. Later each afternoon, we would head out again on a game drive. We saw too many giraffe and zebra to count, spotted an albino baby elephant, and watched wild dogs and hyena fight over a kill. The thrill of it all exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth the 20-year wait!
Victoria Falls
And just when we thought this trip couldn’t be any more incredible, we traveled to Zambia to see the largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls. Twice as wide and twice as deep as Niagra Falls, the entire 5,500 ft. width of the Zambezi River tumbles over a stunning 350 ft. cliff. Our resort, the Royal Livingstone Hotel, is set within walking distance to the falls, the perfect launching pad for our adventures. We hiked to the edge of the falls, explored the Zambian countryside by elephant back, lounged poolside as monkeys and zebras roamed the grounds, enjoyed a relaxing massage riverside as hippos serenaded us in the distance, set sail on a stunning sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, and took an exhilarating swim in the Devil’s Pool at the edge of the falls.
Great. Whenever I think of this trip, those Toto lyrics get stuck in my head. Gonna take some time to do the things we never had. Ooo-ooo. You can say that again! There were so many incredible firsts on this trip for me. Some say an African safari is a once in a lifetime experience. I sure hope not. It is a bucket list box I can’t wait to check again!
