thoughts to things: Africa

65 Days in Africa [Winter & Spring |July 6-Sept 9]

Part 1- Safari:

Rwanda: Volcans National Park

Kenya: Masai Mara

Zambia:         South Luangwa
Zimbabwe:    Mana Pools, Hwange, Victoria Falls

Part 2- Exploring South Africa:
>4500km through South Africa: Cape Town, Hermanus, Winelands, Grabouw, R62 through to Swartberg Pass, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Jeffrey's Bay, Wild Coast, Uhmlanga Rocks

Part 1: Safari- Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Enriching. Life Changing.

“Sometimes the slightest things change the directions of our lives, the merest breath of a circumstance, a random moment that connects like a meteorite striking the earth. Lives have swiveled and changed direction on the strength of a chance remark.”
                                 -Bryce Courtney, The Power of One

Much of this trip has been created by conversations with people we’ve met along the way, and the favorite places they’ve experienced along their way. Their experiences form our plans, and become our unique experiences.   Their thoughts, to our things…

Chance meetings, a chance conversation, it is these unexpected moments that seem to be defining this trip’s path. And perhaps, not surprisingly, these places, these experiences have been, without a doubt, the most enriching experiences yet.

This is how our trip to Africa came to be.

Life changing experiences, as inspired by others:

Spending the day with 15 of the last 700 mountain gorillas left in the world. (Rwanda)
Feeling and seeing the contagious energy of optimism as a country catapults itself away from past tragedy towards determined growth. (Rwanda)
Witnessing the annual migration of over 2 million wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. It’s prime time for drama as the big cats get excited for their annual feast. (Masai Mara, Kenya)
Feeling your heart pound, as you realize you are standing 50 feet or less from a female lioness. The trick is to back away slowly- make sure you don’t turn your back on her. If required- climb a tree! (Walking safari, South Luangwa Zambia)
Paddling for 3 days over 65km down the Zambezi river, realizing life is precious as you dodge crocodiles and hippo’s, all while taking in the surreal beauty of the setting. Ending the day at yet another breathtaking spot, complete with African sunset, crackling fires and shooting stars. (Mana Pools, Zimbabwe)

Beautiful Rwanda

Trekking Fashion Statement. Or, trying to prevent getting ants in the pants (literally)

Silverback gorilla

Road trip snack: Isaac cutting up fresh sugarcane.

Bustling downtown, Kigali

These are plane tickets. No paper waste, brilliant.

Enroute to Masai Mara

Mara Plains

Do you see the hungry croc?

Leopard, with lunch hanging in the background (that's a wildebeest hung upside down!)

Hippo skeleton

Baby elephant mock charging. Needs to show us who's boss.

Chindeni tented camp, Zambia. Solar powered.

Nothing like an African sunrise.

Tracking elephants on foot, Zambia

Chamilandu Camp, Zambia. No power. Gas lanterns & wood fires only. Incredible.

Ruckomechi Camp, Zimbabwe. Watch for elephants crossing.

Star gazing deck, Ruckomechi.

Beginning of canoe & walking safari- Mana Pools

Paddling past local villagers fishing

Hippos can stay submerged for 6-7 minutes. You just hope that when they surface, they are not under your canoe!

Hippo standoff.

Favourite camp site.

Traditional Braii (bbq over open fire)

Chikenya Airstrip. Zimbabwe. Watch for elephants crossing.

Smallest plane I've ever been on: 4 seater!

Hwange, Zimbabwe

Walking safari, Hwange

These are lucky beans. Locals often keep them in their pocket to bring them good luck. Women grind them into powder and brush on with their makeup- it is supposed to help them find the right husband.

Park entrance. The hut is actually a government building.

Part 2 South Africa:

The six weeks spent here make my top 5 experiences of the trip so far. I’ve had my favorite meal here (Rust En Vrede), cart wheeled down my favorite beach in the world (Wild Coast), and met some of the friendliest people I know- and I’m Canadian! Perhaps best described by Karen Blixen:

“Looking back on my life in Africa , I feel that it might altogether be described as the existence of a person who had come from a rushed and noisy world, into a still country. So lovely as if the contemplation of it could itself be enough to make you happy all your life.”

There is something here for everyone—beach, city, mountains, nature reserves, wildlife, eco-lodges, simple cottages, luxury hotels, wine country, stunning drives, brilliant food. The list does go on. You could spend a lifetime discovering all of the beauty of South Africa. We drove over 4500km in just over 3 weeks and still just scratched the surface.

But. In all of its beauty and splendor, what isn’t overlooked is that this country has been through some hard times. But everyday it moves forward and continues to evolve into what it wants to be, what it can be. Seeing this change, and seeing it in the form of amazing, amazing people we’ve met along the way, I am appreciative, period. Whether you laid that new road for a united South Africa, or left your impression as that provocative tour guide for the Robben Island Prison, we thank you, and recognize you, for rebuilding South Africa into everything it will soon be.

“I want to be someone capable of seeing the unseen faces, of seeing those who do not seek fame or glory, who silently fulfill the role life has given them. I want to be able to do this because the most important things, those that shape our existence, are precisely the ones that never show their faces.” (Paulo Coehlo)

Memorable moments from South Africa…