Tag: special moments

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SOJOURNERS’ STORIES

WILDLIFE, CHANGING DIAPERS & EMPOWERED YOUTH

A Lifetime of Lessons in Eight Days

Burk Family ‘selfie’ with Sisonke Boys Club

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.

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SOJOURNERS’ STORIES

THE GREAT MIGRATION

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.

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SOJOURNERS’ STORIES

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.

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SOJOURNERS’ STORIES

A TRIP THROUGH MY EYES

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.

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SOJOURNERS’ STORIES

AFRICA – OUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME

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!

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SOJOURNERS’ STORIES

FAMILY TRAVEL – KENYA MEMORIES 2019

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.

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