We were very excited to hear from Casey and Kristen, who just returned from their honeymoon safari. They visited Cape Town, Timbavati Reserve (just outside of Kruger National Park), Victoria Falls, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana. “Words and pictures will never do the trip justice… just incredible,” they said. Below, they share their experiences and tips.
It’s difficult to narrow the trip down to just one experience, but a group of experiences may be more manageable. Cape Town was beautiful and clean and so accessible, but honestly, the game drives from the various camps were the most amazing part of our trip. Experiencing the wildlife in their natural, rugged environment was simply surreal. When you share a happy hour in the camp commons area with a fully-grown bull elephant a mere 20 feet away, munching on grass, it’s hard not to feel like you’re in another world.
The accommodations of the various camps – hands down. It was almost too comfortable in that we came to Africa not expecting the luxury accommodations and the service we experienced. Top-notch and depending on the camp, easily rivals four and five-star hotels worldwide.
Be flexible, be prepared to be on the go all the time. The guides are simply incredible – most from various local tribes and the most knowledgeable people you’ll encounter. Pick their brains – there’s virtually nothing they can’t answer when it comes to the continent, the wildlife, the ecosystem, the culture and the history. So pleasant to talk to and ride with during the game drives.
Who would you recommend this trip to?
Those who are willing to experience new cuisines, new adventures and activities and who aren’t afraid of long days and long nights – the lack of sleep was well worth it. And not to worry, nothing is mandatory so if you did need to catch up on some sleep, that’s easily arranged.