I was married in August 2017 and while planning my honeymoon, Africa was at the top of my list and the perfect destination for the summer months. I researched a bit but wimped out – it seemed like a dream just a bit too out of reach. We ended up going on a mini-moon to Paris right after the wedding and two weeks in Thailand that December, and we were not disappointed!

A year later, Africa was still calling my name, and I decided to go for it! My ultimate bucket list trip was finally booked, for the following August. I had a full year of anticipation which was filled with excitement and nerves about what this experience was going to be like!

Here are the highlights!

Day 1 – Day 3: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

After 19 hours of travel from New York City to Victoria Falls, we arrived at The Victoria Falls Safari Club and to this amazing view!! My first african sunset was finally a reality. The scene of wildlife at the watering hole below our balcony was breathtaking. Different herds of animals from girafe to zebra and buffalo each came to take their turn to drink some water after trekking through the bush to arrive here. My eyes were glued to my binoculars as hungry crocs laid on the banks waiting for someone to make the wrong move.

Exploring the famous Victoria Falls by both land & helicopter was on the agenda for Day 2! Our private guide Fortune, whom I will never forget, shared such great history of Zimbabwe and the falls as he guided us through our day with stops along the way to meditate and appreciate the beauty around us.

Rapids from River Zambezi, the fourth largest river in Africa, forms the falls!

The next morning on Day 3 we crossed the border to Zambia to visit Livingstone Island and swim in Devil’s Pool – a natural pool at the edge of the waterfall. To get to this location {and snap the best pictures} we had to tread across the Zambezi river swimming with water up to our necks. After seeing hippos and crocodiles treading through this river the night before while on our dinner cruise, I was so nervous, but lived to blog about it!

Day 4 – Day 8: Safari in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Following our last wonderful breakfast in Victoria Falls we were off on a private charter plane into the middle of the African bush in Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe’s largest natural reserve! Goodbye WiFi for the next 8 nights on Safari! 

We landed on a dirt runway directly over a herd of elephants having a drink at the watering hole. We were greeted by our guide waiting for us in the coolest Safari Land Cruiser with cold Zambezi’s {local beer!} and learned so much right away about the elephants while viewing them in their natural habitat.

After an hour drive through the bush, we arrived at the safari camp of my dreams – Somalisa Camp, greeted with singing, dancing & so many smiles!

Every detail of this camp was perfection & full of little luxuries that made all the difference in our comfort while “glamping”. Our tent was beautiful and felt like a home away from home out in the wild. Details included a king size bed, copper deep soaking tub, a deck with a hammock for napping after our early morning game drives and a wood burning fireplace to ignite after the heat of the african sun slipped away.

We settled into a routine for the next 4 days:

5:30 am- wake up call with hot coffee/tea delivered to our tent

6:00 am- breakfast at base camp around the fire sharing stories of the day before 

6:30 am – morning game drive, the best time to spot wildlife before the midday heat spiked up to 90 degrees! 

1:00 pm- Lunch with a wonderful wine pairing followed by an afternoon siesta and high-tea 

4:00 pm – time for our afternoon game drive and a “sundowner” cocktail.

7:00 pm- family style dinner with the other 12 guests at camp!

Words can’t even begin to describe that magic of what is feels like to start up that engine, grab your bush baby and head off into the bush every morning and afternoon on the safari drives. I was a bit suspect myself on what this experience would be like but I have to tell you those moments will stay with me for the rest of my life. Each drive brought a completely different & fascinating experience with periods of patience while tracking these animals and moments of adrenaline when we came upon a new herd or pack of predators. Shout out to Bee our safari guide who is truly an expert in his craft.

After dinner we would have our nightly Amaurlas (an african liquor made from the Amarula tree) by the campfire, underneath the milky way glistening in all its glory! To be out in nature, on the continent of Africa, with no way to check myThroughout our four days at Somalisa we spotted more than 60 different species of wildlife. We were lucky enough to see the pride of lions on our first game drive and tracked them daily!

Day 8 to Day 11 – Safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

While traveling internationally, I always try to visit as many countries as time allows on one trip. Our final destination on our Africa journey was to the Okavango Delta in the country of Botswana. I chose this destination because it is one of the worlds largest inland deltas and the habitat was very different than the last 4 days in Hwange, which meant we would see completely different animals on water based safaris! 

We arrived at Sinde Camp! 

Shinde is run by the luxury safari company Kerr & Downey and is one of the longest operating camps in the Delta. It was a beautiful change of scenery nestled in a natural canopy of trees – which sung with wildlife – insects, birds, bees and owls by night. I spotted baby owletts cooing in the tree outside our tent one night!

The highlights of this safari were spotting a young male lion hunting his prey in the tall grasses, a cheetah being chased away from her kill by the lioness’, and viewing the wildlife of this delta driving straight through waters in our land cruiser with water swelling up to our seats!! 

Shinde offered different activities than our other camp which included water based and night game drives. 

We finished for flounder while watching the elephants cross the delta inlet, spent the afternoon on a mokoro {traditional wooden boat} paddling past hippos and had a surprise lunch in the middle of the wetlands prepared by the amazing staff of Shinde! 

After 8 days out in the bush, I was not in a hurry to get back to reality. I would have stayed another month if I could. I was disconnected, relaxed and appreciating every moment…feelings that sometimes prove difficult to grasp in the hustle and bustle of everyday life back in NYC. 

Safari Travel Tips

The REI Store is going to be your go to for all your travel gear. When you sign up with their membership card you get cash back dividend at the end of the year.You need to pack light for travel on the small aircrafts between camps. Patagonia Black Hole Duffel – 60L is the approved size. Don’t freak out about the amount of clothing you can bring, the camps will wash your clothes daily.Another investment I made was in the Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket – the perfect safari jacket – lightweight and warm for cool mornings and nights. Lifesaver, I wore it everyday. Also bring a winter hat for the mornings!A good quality camera and zoom lens is a must! I have a Canon T6i and 55-250mm zoom and it was perfect for animal shots from the land cruiser. I brought two other lens and rarely used them. Also make sure you have a new SD card for the thousands of pictures you will snap!Bring 100% Deet bug spray wipes if you are going to be around any bodies of water.Bring a high-quality travel adapter to ensure your electronics stay charged. I purchased the Bestek Universal Travel Adapter for worldwide travel, it comes with a nice carrying case.