| Southern Africa is truly a unique and culturally | | | | morning.On to Botswana. Our safari in Botswana |
| diverse country, with an eclectic mix of wilderness | | | | explored two contrasting ecosystems. The |
| and metropolis, wildlife and nightlife, Old Africa and | | | | Linyanti ecosystem is big game country where |
| the New World. My Itinerary began with two days | | | | the majority of the 76,000 plus elephants in |
| of sightseeing in the water front city of Cape | | | | Northern Botswana reside, the attraction being |
| Town, the oldest European settled city on the | | | | the permanent water and mopane forests. Wildlife |
| African continent. From our cable car ascent up | | | | seen here also includes buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, |
| Table Mountain we walked along trails with | | | | impala wild dog and cheetah. The second area we |
| outstanding sea views. Other city sights included | | | | explored was the unique ecosystem of the |
| Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was | | | | Okavango Delta. Here, as the sands of the |
| imprisoned, the Cape of Good Hope, and a visit to | | | | Kalahari meet the Okavango River, the waters |
| the only colony of penguins in Africa.Forty miles | | | | spread into a maze of meandering channels, |
| away are Stellenbosh, Franschhoek, and Paarl, | | | | forested islands, papyrus thickets and placid |
| surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and | | | | lagoons. This green, wet wilderness teams with |
| mountains, and renowned for their gracious blend | | | | animal and bird life. Along with day and night game |
| of 18th century Cape Dutch, Georgian, and | | | | drives, activities offered in this area are mekoro |
| Victorian architecture. There is a lot of exploring | | | | trips (traditional dugout canoe) along narrow canals |
| the Cape's premier estates to do here, tasting | | | | and guided hikes.All our safaris were off the |
| wines and enjoying the hospitality of this very | | | | beaten path because this unspoiled wilderness has |
| special area.One thing worth tyring is travelling on | | | | more acres of wildlife reserves than roads to get |
| the ultra luxurious Blue train. Gourmet cuisine, fine | | | | through them. That is why you are more likely to |
| wines, high tea and sumptuous accommodations, | | | | get transferred by air as you explore this |
| combine with romantic ambiance, impeccable | | | | countries vast, best and most pristine wildlife |
| service and beautiful scenery, to make this a truly | | | | habitat.In each of our three camps, individual |
| magnificent way to travel from Cape Town to | | | | bungalows provided a bedroom under canvas or |
| Pretoria.A quick flight from Johannesburg to | | | | thatch, with en suite bathrooms in a most |
| Skukuza and then a short drive, and we were | | | | traditional safari setting. Built on raised platforms |
| finally at our first game reserve. Mala Mala located | | | | of wood canvas and stone, each camp, Kings |
| in the Sabi Sand Reserve is adjacent to Kruger | | | | Pool, Chitabe and Joa, blended seamlessly into |
| National Park. Within this private reserve, the | | | | their lush backgrounds. We were made to feel as |
| luxury and tranquility of Africa is ever present. | | | | if we were experiencing an Africa suspended in |
| Exceptional game viewing in open Land Rovers, | | | | time, having an authentic bush experience and yet |
| dinner around an open camp fire in a reed | | | | still mad to feel safe and comfortable.Our host |
| enclosed "boma", visits to secluded hides and night | | | | during much of our stay in Southern Africa was |
| dives are all part of the unforgettable | | | | Wilderness Safaris. What I found so impressive |
| experience.Our next destination, spectacular | | | | about this company was not only do they provide |
| Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls, Musi Oa Tunya "Smoke | | | | a wonderful wilderness experience for their |
| that thunders" is one of the seven natural | | | | guests, they clearly understand and take the |
| wonders of the world and truly a sight worth | | | | responsibility to help protect the parks, reserves |
| seeing. Our lodging for the night was the River | | | | and wilderness areas around them. They also |
| Club, situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi | | | | understand the need to empower and uplift the |
| River. The River Club's ten luxury thatched roof | | | | communities around their camps in order that the |
| bungalows overlook the Zambezi. The rooms are | | | | local people can derive benefits from wildlife-based |
| completely open in the back giving the best | | | | tourism. To accomplish these ends as a company |
| possible views of the river and creating an Old | | | | a portion of each guest's faire is allocated to the " |
| World romantic atmosphere. Although not a game | | | | Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust".Andy James has |
| lodge, the Zambezi National Park is located just | | | | been travelling the world for many years and has |
| across the river. Hippos were regularly sighted, | | | | more than 30 years booking travel to the most |
| and we woke to their sounds in the early | | | | exotic and luxurious travel spots on the planet. |