Africa

This was the trip that started checking off our bucket list. A safari had been on our bucket list since dating and we always talked about when. I started pushing to move it to sooner rather than later after my spinal surgery. I live in low level pain all the time with spikes that can throw me for a loop. I knew this was not going to be an easy trip start to finish and didn’t want to possibly not do it due to pain. Andy had been saving points from his job since he started unbeknownst to me. I first found out about them when we wanted to attend a family member’s wedding in Maui. We used some of the points for that flight and hotel and I wasn’t sure we would have enough left for this trip. Turns out, we not only had enough, but we would be flying Delta One! We are usually cheapest seats available people, so this was really going to be a treat! Friends of ours had recommended Namibia, but I really had my heart set on Kenya and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Our plan was to get their, get our truck and drive out on safari on our own with the company helping us plan the itinerary. I checked US travel advisories and at that time Nairobi was a level 4. I was not comfortable traveling there (even though we have traveled to level 4 places before) so we needed to look for somewhere else. Andy again mentioned Namibia, but something kept holding me back. As I looked at a map of Africa I kept getting drawn to Botswana, so I started researching. We knew we wanted to see the Big 5 (even though we were not getting our hopes up of seeing all 5). We went with the company our friends recommended, Self Drive 4x4. When I looked at their site for Botswana it was not exactly what I wanted to do. Tip: It never hurts to ask. When I spoke with them, they were able to create the trip I wanted, within reason. On a trip like this you are at the mercy of gas stations. Once they explained that to me, it made much more sense. They were, however to get me to my most important location, Chobe National Park. At this point, we have this trip booked for $2,000 (thanks Andy’s work points!). Next it was on to shots. Tip: Check CDC before you visit a local clinic, so you know what you need. Also, plan ahead. Some shots require time after getting the vaccination before you are actually exposed and sometimes you need a series of shots. This trip was amazing! Would highly recommend. We did sleep on top of the truck. You did have to wake your partner to be on the lookout for animals at night if you need a bathroom trip. TOTALLY WORTH IT. 10/10 would do this again in a heartbeat! Driving yourself offers you the chance to see the animals ALL DAY. Safari companies typically take you out in the morning and evening. You are then stuck all day at the camp. Something that does not usually work well for Andy or I. We do not like to sit anywhere all day. We ended up seeing the Big 5! We had the opportunity to hire a guide at one of our campgrounds. He came out with us in our truck (Andy driving) and took us to the spots that he knew animals usually were at. We found a leopard that had a kill and were the first people there. After we had our fill, he radioed and suddenly 3 safari companies pulled up with their people. We would never have had that time on our own if we went with a safari company. The company actually put us in a hotel half way through and that was a great break to the trip. We saw people and talked with them and met friends from Israel and Denmark. At the end of the trip we were supposed to camp at Chobe. Once we got there, we agreed to splurge on the Chobe Safari Lodge. Well worth it. It was amazing. The place, the food, the excursions, the bathroom. I took a shower and turned 2 towels brown (and I had been showering daily)! We took a river cruise and saw more hippos, alligators, lions, water buffalo and elephants and their babies. We took an excursion to a small village in Namibia where we got to see their crafts. It was a great end to our trip.

South Africa

South Africa was a layover on the way to Botswana and the way home. On the way there we arrived. We stayed at the Protea Hotel OR Tambo Airport Hotel. It is a Marriott hotel thus giving us points toward future Marriott stays. The hotel itself is clean and basic. Nothing to good or bad to write home about. Would stay again for location to airport. We ended up meeting some campers while driving Botswana from South Africa. When we told them we had a day in Johannesburg before we left they gave us some suggestions of things to do and places to avoid. At that time, they recommended Sandton City and the mall as the only safe places for us. It was a train ride from the airport and only took 12 minutes to get there. We weren’t shopping for anything but the mall had 380 stores and 31 restaurants. We are at a really nice restaurant and got some steps in. It was a very nice mall and we were feeling safe until we talked outside. We decided to walk around. We got a little lost and as we went around the corner the armed police asked if we were lost. They suggested we head back to the mall and gave us directions. We decided to head back to the hotel because we were done with the mall and wanted to be back for dinner

Even with my back, this is a trip I would do again in a heartbeat. It was amazing! We have so many stories from this trip and will share some in the future.