Seventeen-year-old Nqobile Mabhena said I inspired him. I assure you, young man, you – and your friends – have inspired me so, so much more.
A true story.
A staredown with a six-ton elephant. A grandmother who lives in a thatched-roof hut. Hyenas in the mist, and lion cubs in golden light. And a group of teenagers on the leading edge of a culture changing for the better. Our eight days in Africa had all of this and more.
ON AFRICA – IS IT REALLY JUST A ‘ONCE IN A LIFETIME’ DESTINATION?
Ron and Colleen and their new elephant friend
What is it about Africa? Why do millions of people, including my wife, place it squarely on the “bucket list?” Maybe it’s sewn into our DNA, a salmon-like drive to see the headwaters before we die. The urge to plant our feet in the dusty footprints of our hominid ancestors. Or, in my case, maybe it was when my wife Colleen said, “You’re coming with me. End of discussion.”
CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE, WILD SPACES AND BIO-DIVERSITY
The reasons to conserve are significant and many and the need is urgent. How to do this is varied and can feel complex. It’s important that we not let this overwhelm us as every one of us can contribute in meaningful ways.
The first step is to educate ourselves.
In going on an African safari with a responsible operator, you will gain insights into the importance of healthy eco-systems. Besides learning, you will be contributing to conservation through your park and conservation fees and supporting those who are working directly on these issues.
Before your trip, it’s helpful to get some perspective. Here are a few suggestions to get started.
River crossing of wildebeest during the Great Migration
As the world is experiencing unusual times, nature continues to unfold and carry through its natural rhythms – the Great Migration is one of these wonderful occurrences that people flock to see!
It is around this time of year August/September when travelers hope to catch a river crossing of the Great Migration as hordes of wildebeest and zebras make their way across. Many of us who have dreamt of coming to Africa have watched documentaries about this event which has inspired travel to see if firsthand. What we don’t realize is that a lot of these documentaries, the film crew had access to private or incredibly remote places to witness these crossings. They (film crews) also tend to spend many weeks in the same area to get this amazing footage.
Decides to travel to Africa for the first time. What a better way to enjoy the occasion?!
Rebecca and Ben
We chose to travel to Kenya based on the ease of airline routing and ability to use miles for our flights. Flying from NYC to Nairobi was very easy. Despite our flight restrictions, we don’t think our trip could have turned out any better !
HONEYMOONERS RETURN TO AFRICA 22 YEARS LATER WITH FAMILY
Bowles Family with their Safari Guides in Hwange
A little over 22 years
ago, we exchanged vows and boarded a flight for a honeymoon in southern Africa.
We had chosen a 12 day participatory camping Safari in Botswana followed by a
few days in Cape Town and South Africa’s Western Cape province. An
all-inclusive beach resort or cruise ship was and is not our style. Our friends
thought we were nuts, but as the wheels left the ground following our trip, we,
without hesitation, agreed that we just HAD to come back.
Well,
life carries on and we started a family. A safari with 3 young girls seemed
daunting, so we hoarded and saved frequent flyer miles for that eventual return
we knew we would make one day, this time with the kids once they were old
enough to appreciate it. That time came in the summer of 2018. With our oldest
graduating high school in 2019, we felt we should pull the trigger before they
began to drift off, as kids tend to do.
I
just finished my second trip organized by Global Sojourns (GS), this time
with my oldest son, and I can’t get enough of the kind of trips GS plans!
As
a photographer (amateur but incredibly passionate), being away from
the crowds and immersing myself into the beauty nature has to offer
are important elements to a successful and soul filling trip. GS has
mastered the balance between the comfortable, the adventurous,
the exclusive experience and the gorgeous ‘must-see’ viewpoints.
Landscapes, wild animals, flowers, skies etc. have been offered unimpeded.
Since as long as I can remember, I have always had a deep
desire to go to Africa, to experience the unique culture, geography and varied wildlife,
such a contrast from Canada.
Last summer Todd and I went on a trip to the Arctic (his bucket list) and during the trip I met Pricilla. I immediately connected with her on a personal level and was excited to hear about her volunteer organization in Africa and her travel company Global Sojourns (GS). By the end of our Arctic trip, she had offered to pull together a trip to Africa and within a few months of being home from the Arctic, Global Sojourns had created the most amazing African itinerary for us!
The Masai Mara in Kenya during the Great Migration is a matchless sensory experience. This this past August 2019 three generations of my family completed a 10 day trip to the preserved savannah wilderness. Nine of us traveled (76 to 13 years in age) my 3 children, 2 spouses, 3 grandchildren and me, grandpa who became known during the trip as “the General” perhaps because I had to sit in the front of the safari car, hopping in with the aid of my walking stick leading my undisciplined, bright and funny troops.
Safari Sundowner
Hands down there is unanimous family agreement that this was a trip of a lifetime. I couldn’t be happier and thank Pam and Priscilla of Global Sojourns for making it happen in their usual detailed style.
Now that your
safari plans have been set, the details begin to emerge and as you re-read your
itinerary and your eyes do a double take as they land on the phrase “Note:
luggage restrictions … “ and so it begins! THE most popular topic of
conversation.
Yes, there is
a high probability that if you are going on safari that you will be on a light
aircraft flight, which means there will be luggage restrictions! Trust us when
we say, we are not implementing these restrictions to torment you. Rather, these
are set for safety reasons and due to limited storage space on board the plane.
The restrictions vary between the different light aircraft companies as
the size of the plane does affect how small the luggage hold is.
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