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As soon as you land in South Africa, you know you are in a different place. The smell of the bush is around you even at the airport. It is invigorating and special to say the least and you know right away that this is bound to be an adventure you will never forget.

Even though I have been to Africa many times, always, and I mean always, there is something new to experience; every game drive is a unique event; the hotels, lodges and camps are full with new people from different places all adding their own splash to an already colorful landscape.

This time was certainly different as I had my wife Linda and 4 of my children with me. I had always come home and spoken about the wonderful experiences I had – now it was their turn to experience it first hand. Their expectations were HIGH from my stories.

After clearing customs we all took off for the Westcliff Hotel (An Orient-Express hotel in Johannesburg). Arriving from New York on South African Airways means you really need to stay in ‘Jo-burg’ for the night and a stay at The Westcliff certainly makes for a pleasant start to the journey.  We had an excellent meal full of excitement about our forthcoming Botswana safari. I shared my past experiences in the bush, with my kids asking me to repeat my past experiences, and then asking “will we see that too Dad?”

We took Orient-Express’ charter flight from Lanseria Airport (smaller airport in Jo-burg) and flew to Maun, cleared Customs and then went right to Eagle Island Camp. The tented chalets have recently been refurbished and this time, the water level at the camp was at a record high – which made a startling contrast to when I was there a few years earlier. We settled into our tents, the kids loved them! After a hearty afternoon tea, we grabbed our cameras, binoculars (My crew persuaded me to buy them on the plane coming over, and they really are a must-have for a safari) and off we went with our guide in our 4-wheel-drive. Straight away outside the camp was a pack of wild dogs. After explaining the differences between our own pet dogs, they understood how ferocious they could be, and also how special it is to see them, as they are listed as an endangered species. From there we went off in search of more wandering game.

Life in the tented safari camp is quite similar at each place. You are awoken at around 6am, with a pot of tea or coffee and biscuit (cookie) at your tent flap. You make your way to the main area where more coffee, tea, orange juice and some pastries are served before meeting with your guide (who you are with the entire stay at each camp). You then head off on the morning game drive. You return at around 9.30am and at 10am have a beautiful brunch in a delightful setting. Usually there are animals slowly moving about the camp surrounds to people-watch. (At the aptly named Savute Elephant Camp, another Orient-Express camp, elephants are everywhere!) After brunch you take a short walk (with your guide) to search for animal tracks and learn more about the flora and fauna, or, take a nap, or where available sit by the pool with a good book.

Afternoon tea is served at 3.30pm before departing on an afternoon game drive which brings you back at about 7.30pm, in time for dinner at 8pm. Of course times change slightly from camp to camp and season to season, but this is what it is all about.

On my family trip, we stayed at Eagle Island, Khwai River and Savute camps. All are managed by Orient-Express and we had 2 nights in each with short small plane flights in between. They certainly do a superb job at these camps and all offer incredible safari experiences.

Wilderness Safaris have many camps in Botswana, and some very famous ones such as Mombo (often said to be the best for game viewing), Kings Pool, Jao and the newly renovated Vumbura.

The camps range in size from 4 tents to 16 tents so each is small and intimate. In some cases if you have a large family, or a few couples together, it is worth staying at the smaller camps and take it as exclusive use – your very own camp! One of the more popular choices our clients make is to take private vehicle charters, which means it is just you in the vehicle, or your group with your own guide. In my case, on this trip there were 6 of us, so we had our own vehicle anyway. Usually they limit to 6 people, or in some camps up to 8 in a 4WD vehicle.

Talks round the campfire at night are a highlight of the day, as you all share stories of what you encountered on your game drives. If you take your family along, they will be told very specifically that they cannot walk around the camp at night alone (there are no fences out there). I recall when my 2 daughters were being escorted back to their tent one night – right there on the path outside their tent was a large female hippo. The guide shone the light, so Lorianna told me, and she just walked away. Lianda and Lorianna still tell that story over and over, as to how close they were to the hippo. And on land, they are BIG.

You may or may not see a “kill” in the wild, it is rare to see, but it happens, and it is natural and is part of the life cycle in the bush. We did see the results of one, just 2 minutes after it went down.  My children at first were sad, but as we sat and watched and had it explained by our driver/guide “Killer” they understood it all and had a different respect for the animals and the “food chain”.

On our safari, we saw every animal with the exception of Cheetah, so the kids were ecstatic that they had sighted almost all the animals listed in their game book, given to them when they first arrived at Eagle Island. We watched a pride of 24 lions sleep, play, eat and run; 3 big males, 5 lionesses and 16 cubs. We were as close as 10 feet away at one stage!

Giraffe’s eating the tops of trees; hippos snorting in the water as we paddled by in our mekoros; herds of buffalo roaming and being stalked by lions; leopard climbing trees in search of their next meal. One new twist this last trip was seeing 3 lion cubs about 4 months old, climbing trees, which is very unusual.

In a lot of the camps now there are small spa facilities which make your stay even more enjoyable. I simply love just sitting on the deck of my tent, in a hammock watching the animals stroll by. I think it is important to visit at least 2, if not 3 camp sites in Botswana on a safari trip – it gives you a better perspective of the land. 2 nights at each is usually sufficient, and the flights between each open up the area so you can see where you are out there. The transfers are seamless with the better quality camp sites.

From Botswana it is an easy flight and drive to Victoria Falls. However we took our clan back to South Africa and to Sun City, just north of Jo-burg and stayed at The Palace of the Lost City. This property is unbelievable in many ways. Sol Kerzner created this in a hidden valley. Palatial is an understatement. A choice of hotels, restaurants and attractions made this a great end point for our trip. We were amongst the first to ride the new Zip Slide – which is the highest, fastest and longest of its kind anywhere. You can reach speeds of up to 90 mph, as you glide down the wire for almost 1.5 miles from a height of half a mile. We all did it in a tandem formation, my 2 daughters, then the 2 boys followed by Linda and myself. Hanging from this wire at that speed, certainly got the adrenalin going, even more than the bungee jump we had done previously in Queenstown, New Zealand.

There is also a small lion park where you can go into pens that have lions up to the age of 10 months and actually pet them and cuddle them. This was probably the highlight for my girls, who just loved them and wanted to bring a couple home with us. We left Sun City to fly home on this short safari experience.

Victoria Falls, which is right on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, has an array of different accommodations and experiences. From the majestic Victoria Falls Hotel (very colonial) or lodge style, Sussi and Chuma Lodge to the magnificent Royal Livingstone resort, there is an experience to suit every taste.

You have to see the Falls from as many lookouts as possible – they are extraordinary. Take a heli flight or light aircraft over them, or board a small boat down in the valley so you can admire this incredible natural wonder from below. Adrenalin junkies can take a leap off the tallest bungee tower in the world. Depending on when you arrive here, try to stay at least 24 hours, if not more. Ideally arrive in the morning and leave in the morning, 48 hours later.

The other areas that I will write about shortly will include Cape Town; you have to stay there at least 5 days to take it all in – an absolutely beautiful city and with unique surrounding areas and lodges – The Twelve Apostles, Bushman’s Kloof, the Stellenbosch wine area and the famed Garden Route along the southern coastline.

Also the Kruger National Park with Londolozi, Singita, Mala Mala, Royal Malewane and a place that I think is a well kept secret, Phinda are just as remarkable. Where else can you take a game drive in the morning, lie on the beach and dive at lunchtime and then take another game drive that night?

Watch for these and other stories of my travels in upcoming issues! 

In closing, I must say that to take your family to Africa is one of the most exciting travel experiences you may ever have. Whilst Africa and safaris can be expensive, the quality time you are able to spend with your family is simply priceless.

Suggested Itineraries including Southern Africa
 

Classic Southern Africa From $3320 Length 10 Days / 9 Nights Cities Cape Town, Livingstone, Botswana Details Itinerary & Information		Family Adventure From $2125 Length 10 Days / 9 Nights Cities Cape Town, Pilanesberg, Sun City Details Itinerary & Information
Orient Express Safari From $5850 Length 12 Days / 11 Nights Cities Johannesburg, Botswana, Cape Town Details Itinerary & Information		Memorable South Africa From $10115 Length 17 Days / 13 Nights Cities Cape Town, Bushmans Kloof, Rovos Rail, Sun City, Sabi Sands Details Itinerary & Information
Southern Africa Odyssey From $11745 Length 18 Days / 14 Nights Cities Livingstone, Pretoria, Blue Train, Cape Town, Sabi Sands, Phinda Details Itinerary & Information		Ultimate Southern Africa From $11800 Length 17 Days / 13 Nights Cities Cape Town, Sabi Sands, Johannesburg, Livingstone, Botswana Details Itinerary & Information