I’m going to Africa! That’s right, Africa. When the opportunity arose, I couldn’t turn it down. How often does the chance to see lions in the wild really come up after all? It’s a big continent, so where am I going? Well, South Africa and Tanzania to be exact. Two totally different countries, more than a day’s worth of travel away.
What many people forget about Africa is that it is an incredibly complex continent made up of many countries that often don’t have very much in common at all. We began the long haul over on an early morning in September. After first making the flight to Minneapolis, we flew to Amsterdam. Sadly there was no time for tulips, but we did enjoy a beautiful sunrise at the airport while waiting to board. After many hours of anticipation, we finally started our trip south on a direct flight to Cape Town.
Not surprising with its Dutch history, we learned that South Africa is a common destination for many Dutch travelers. I also don’t think it hurts that the time change is only an hour! For Americans, traveling almost anywhere in Africa is a bit more complicated. Many things contribute, but part of the challenge is the shear distance you have to travel to get there. Additionally, many Americans view Africa, and particularly safari, as the trip of a life time. Well, let me tell you, that is exactly what it is.
So after about a dozen movies, a few books, a countless number of airplane meals, and some delicious caramel waffle cookies, we arrived in Cape Town International Airport around 10 PM. The Cape Town airport is relatively small making it very easy to navigate. This was lucky for us since we felt more like zombies than humans after the trip. We quickly found our ride and it was only a short 25 minute drive to our guesthouse, granted that might be because driving around Cape Town at night felt like being on a race track.
The first thing I noticed in Cape Town was the air. Growing up in Southern California, I have always loved the feeling of coastal cities. Much of this is due to the moist, salty air that instantly makes my skin feel hydrated, but also because the relaxed vibe that comes with being by the sea. In this regard, Cape Town certainly did not disappoint. Despite the excitement of our arrival, after checking in and a quick shower, I was fast asleep between the fluffy sheets.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.