February 17

My Trip | From the Zambezi to “Ka-ka-na-ka”

Botswana, Kruger National Park, Zambia

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By Tamlin Wightman on February 17, 2014

Meet Andy and Fran Browne, two retired American gringos (their words) living in the wild coastal reaches of Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Married for 38 years, the couple had often dreamed of coming to Africa, to explore a wilderness of a different kind. And so, late last year, they did just that.

Planning and booking their trip through our senior consultant, Helen, the couple ventured on an African safari, covering the Kruger National Park, Zambia and Botswana, as well as the Garden Route and Cape Town. Andy took it all in through the lens of his video camera, filming their antics as they went along – from tracking the Big 5 to braving the Zambezi’s white waters. When they returned home, he compiled his footage in an exciting nine-part video series, letting us join him on their journey.

To give you a taste of what to expect our video editor, Luke, created this short trailer…

Inside Africa | The Official Trailer

Boomers on Safari
Andy and Fran started their journey with three days at Arathusa Safari Lodge, in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. On day and night game drives, they witnessed all of the Big 5, “and a whole lot more,” says Andy. “During our downtime, we hired a private driver to take us outside the Reserve and show us more about how the local people lived. We got to visit a local school and the home and family of our guide.”

Kruger National Park

Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River

The Browne’s then headed off to explore southern Zambia, staying at the Zambezi Sun. “The Zambezi River has been rated one of the top three aggressive whitewater rivers in the world. Having had the opportunity to raft some pretty awesome rivers in the US, Canada and Costa Rica, I could not pass on the chance to raft this beast while on holiday in Africa. This video contains original footage shot by Zambezi Memories along with additional footage shot by myself using a Panasonic Lumix TC-3 waterproof handheld camera and a helmet mounted GoPro Hero.”
The Browne’s then headed off to explore southern Zambia, staying at the Zambezi Sun. “The Zambezi River has been rated one of the top three aggressive whitewater rivers in the world. Having had the opportunity to raft some pretty awesome rivers in the US, Canada and Costa Rica, I could not pass on the chance to raft this beast while on holiday in Africa. Ourvideo contains original footage shot by Zambezi Memories along with additional footage shot by myself using a Panasonic Lumix TC-3 waterproof handheld camera and a helmet mounted GoPro Hero.”
Our hardy explorers continued on to Botswana for a second week of safaris. They stayed at Elephant Valley Lodge, in the Kasane Forest close to Chobe National Park, and Xakanaxa (pronounced Ka-ka-na-ka). “What an experience. We saw more animals than one could ever imagine.“
Our hardy explorers continued on to Botswana for a second week of safaris. They stayed at Elephant Valley Lodge, in the Kasane Forest close to Chobe National Park, and Xakanaxa (pronounced Ka-ka-na-ka). “What an experience. We saw more animals than one could ever imagine.“

Our hardy explorers continued on to Botswana

Lastly, it was on to South Africa. “Having just completed 2 weeks in the ‘bush’ living amongst some of the gnarliest animals on the planet, it’s our turn now to enjoy a week of civilized bliss. Fran and I rented a car and drove the incredible seaside route from South Africa’s Port Elizabeth down to Cape Town, to explore the best of what this wonderful city has to offer – Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s prison home for over 20 years, the Cape of Good Hope, and Table Mountain.“

Thank you so much to Andy and Fran for sharing this wonderful adventure with us!

Watch the whole series at: www.BoomersOffshore.com 

Contact one of our travel consultants to start planning your own African adventure.

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About the author 

Tamlin Wightman

Tamlin has been exploring, writing about and photographing Africa ever since her first job as a photojournalist for Getaway Magazine. She's lived on an island, eaten with lions, sailed catamarans in the Indian Ocean, tracked wild dogs with Kinglsey Holgate, and white water rafted down the Zambezi and has kept just about every airplane ticket that has crossed her hands.

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