Adventure Awaits: Africa

A trip to Africa is on many people’s bucket list and it is a Number One destination.

This is an ideal place for a multi-generational family adventure when everyone feels it’s the trip of a lifetime.

It hardly seems fair that one country should have such lively culture, rich heritage, remarkable scenery and amazing adventure activities but – that’s South Africa.

From dynamic cities to traditional villages from treetop lodges to luxurious spas, there is certainly more than a single vacation’s worth of pleasure to be had in this country.

My husband Roy and I wanted to do something special for our wedding anniversary so we chose a South African safari. We flew on Emirates Air Line, which is the best and quickest route through Dubai. Never go through London, it adds a lot of time to the journey. Heathrow Airport is Number One in the world for stolen and lost luggage.

Packing was well planned, with only one duffle bag each, no suitcases allowed,  and you can't wear any bright colors so had to buy a couple of khaki slacks and shirts. It was cool in the mornings, we wore a warm parka and hat. Our morning drives started at 6:30 am.

You can go on a group safari, but we chose to have a custom planned itinerary to  remote lodges, on our own with a private car, driver and guide. We used “And Beyond.”

Emirates Airlines, and Jumeirah Hotels since we stopped in Dubai both ways to break the journey up.    

One of the top five reasons to visit South Africa is – a Big 5 Safari.

The African Leopard. The hardest to see on safari. It is nocturnal and well camouflaged.

The African Rhino. There are two species of rhino in Africa, the Black rhino and the White rhino. Rhinos are actually neither black nor white in color, they are all grey.

The African Lion. Point your binoculars up high, because all lions can climb trees, some rest up high more often than others in certain areas to avoid buffalo and tsetse flies.

The Cape Buffalo. Cape Buffalo are said to have killed more big game hunters than any other animal in Africa and are one of the most dangerous.

The African Elephant. Elephants are vegetarians and consume up to 375 pounds of vegetation each day.

There are over 50 luxury lodges and comfortable tented camps. We chose to stay in lodges in two locations, and flew by private plane between them. Our overnight in Johannesberg was at a lovely property out of town, Tintswalo at Waterfall.

We then flew to Ulusaba Airstrip and then  taken to Dulini Lodge in the Exeter Private Game Reserve located in the Sabi Sand Game reserve adjacent to the world renowned Kruger National Park. There are only 12 guests, staying in six very spacious stone cottages each with a private plunge pool and a shady deck overlooking a dry river bed which is frequented by leopards, giraffe, waterbuck and buffalo to name a few.

You have to be escorted to and from your bungalow to the main lodge for the dining room by an armed guard since there is always a chance of animals roaming in the area.

The meals were outstanding, especially the picnics when we were out each day.

After several days, with a  safari outing each day, we flew by private plane to Phinda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.  Phinda is often referred to as the Seven Worlds of Wonder because you see not only the big five, but also many rarer and less easily spotted species including the cheetah and the black rhino.  We had over 23,000 acres to explore each day. This entire trip was a bird watchers paradise.

Every trip should end with a few days  at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town.  A magnificent property with a view of Table Mountain.

Maureen Jones is President of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street in Los Altos.  Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure, with access to great value opportunities.