Get close up and personal with lions and elephants within the wild before retiring to opulent safari lodges in this particular luxury adventure a person can have in Botswana and Zambia.
Excitement thrums within my veins.
My husband Ben and that i are going to visit Africa for that first-time – and we’ll be introducing this vast continent to the daughters, Grace and Maggie.
As the honoured guests of luxury safari experts Abercrombie & Kent, we’ll be residing in such wonderful-sounding places as Stanley's Camp, Chief's Camp and Sussi & Chuma.
We’ve got not a clue what's in front of us – but we’re confident this trip will likely be an adventure we’ll always remember.
We make our way using a small ‘taxi’ aeroplane deep into the Okavango Delta, in the actual heart of Botswana.
The thrill is palpable after we fly have less the landscape dotted with herds of elephant, zebra, hippo and each other animal imaginable is palpable. We turn by doing this which, pointing and gasping, our collective breath removed through the majesty from the setting.
We get to Sanctuary Stanley's Camp. After a short tour within our gorgeous accommodation along with a fresh, delicious lunch, we're whisked away for that first African safari.
Every turn from the LandCruiser provides a new magical moment, whether it is an iridescent lilac-breasted roller darting on the shimmering lagoon; a household of warthogs trotting past a hungry hyena; a lioness hunting together with her cub; or perhaps a scavenging vulture circling in mid-air, awaiting a free meal.
I thought travelling through Africa might be hard – possibly dangerous – and rather chaotic using the kids with you.
But, actually, we found that the opposite was true.
Not only did Abercrombie & Kent craft an excellent itinerary designed to give to us a completely seamless and immersive experience, additionally, it gave us the opportunity to know very well what it's to provide to a people at your job.
Helping communities
Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP), was established almost Four decades ago to positively impact the lives and livelihoods from the communities where its guests travel.
Today, AKP has over 40 social and environmental projects operating across all seven continents.
This humanitarian philosophy is actually vital that you us, so the AKP activities available were a remarkably enriching a part of our stay.
One of those experiences is the chance to build relationships the Living With Elephants Foundation.
It's a privilege to meet husband-and-wife team Sandi and Doug – in addition to their orphaned elephants, Jabu and Morula.
We talk with them after we amble using the bush, researching Jabu and Morula's tragic stories of captivity and eventual escape from poachers.
Afterwards, all of us sit down and revel in lunch together. These gentle giants, utilizing their expressive eyes, eat fruit and forage on branches leaving once we humans have a scrumptious African feast in the shade from the spreading acacia tree.
The whole day is actually intimate. It's a really amazing way to learn about the challenges facing the African elephant population – as well as the need for conservation generally.
For girls especially, it's one of the stand-out moments from the trip.
From Sanctuary Stanley's Camp, we visit Sanctuary Chief's Camp – on Chief's Island within the famous Moremi Game Reserve within the Okavango Delta.
Walking in to the camp's Geoffrey Kent Luxury Suite – the house throughout our stay – I almost can't believe what I'm seeing.
The expansive residence has private bedroom suites, personal plunge pools, and even your own personal chef, Tracey.
Good for your soul
The three days we spend listed here are akin to meditation.
The gentle pace of life, the generosity and friendliness of all of the those who work there, not to mention the stunning surroundings – it simply fills your soul.
Every day we head out on safari with our expert guide, Sky. On our final evening, after we are earning our sometime ago, Sky suddenly stops the18 wheeler and grabs his binoculars.
“Something is going on here,” he says. “These zebra know a hunter is about.” We crunches within our seats and strain to see or hear what he is able to sense. But we notice nothing.
Sky drives further. Then, as we over the corner, three lions with huge manes and robust paws exist before us, rolling about and grooming one another with abandon.
This is unfolding right in front of us but, no-one is scared – not me, not Grace and Maggie, not the lions themselves.
We sit and coexist. Time stands still.
Surrounding these kings is really a 'dazzle' of zebras that Sky has spotted – some standing sentry as the remaining herd make it over the hill. “It'll be feeding time soon,” says Sky, after we push off into the sunset.
Our last stop is Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma. Centered on a bend in the Zambezi River within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, 12km within the famous Victoria Falls, it is a place where one can spend time surrounded by types of hippos and observe menacing crocs sunning themselves on banks.
We pass our first day swimming and fishing on the mighty Zambezi. Only then do we visit Victoria Falls, before retiring to the gorgeous accommodation once more.
We visit the Nakatindi Village, where Abercrombie & Kent and Sanctuary Retreats been employed by closely using the village leaders to assist support the community, constructing boreholes for water that is clean – along with building new classrooms.
Meanwhile, in the village's Chipego Bike Shop, A&K and dealing Bikes have donated thousands of bicycles to assist empower the neighborhood people through mobility, and set up a tour enterprise run by local women.
And then, sadly, our time comes to an end. As a family, we always wish to travel in a way that is holistic and fulfilling – and our journey to Africa has delivered that completely.
So if you're thinking of going, I believe that get it done, and do it now. But quote – after you have been, you'll find yourself wanting to return as soon as possible.
