We love hearing our guests' first-hand accounts of their African adventures. Recently, we were delighted to hear from Suha and Steve Zehl, who finally got to go on their long-anticipated African safari. Suha shared their top highlights and lessons. Sit back and enjoy a safari through their eyes.
We loved our African adventure, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
A Safari of a Lifetime
When I met Steve, my now husband, one of the first things we bonded over was our love for travel and adventure. We both dreamt of getting married on a beach in the Caribbean (tick!), and both hoped to go on an African safari. So, after our 10th wedding anniversary, we seriously began to plan this trip.
Unfortunately, the universe had other plans, and our first two attempts were thwarted by a family medical emergency in 2018 and COVID-19 in 2020. Then a year ago, we decided the time was right and put the plans in motion again. Fortunately for us, the third time was a charm...
Finally, we could go on safari, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
The Much-Anticipated Journey to Africa
Fast-forward to Oct 2024. As our flight began to taxi down the runway at Dulles for the long flight to Cape Town, I could almost hear Toto singing, “I hear the drums echoing tonight”.
And 16 hours later, we landed in Cape Town...
Nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for Africa... She will take your breath away, steal your heart, and leave you speechless. She will grab a hold of you, and will leave you wanting more.
A warm welcome to Cape Town, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
Exploring the African Continent
Over the next 15 days, we crisscrossed the southern part of the continent, going from Cape Town to Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park. From there, we flew to Zambia and crossed the border into Zimbabwe to see the mighty Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
Then, we flew to Botswana for a full-on grassland experience in the Okavango Delta. The three destinations we visited were very different geographical areas, had very different accommodation styles and very different safari experiences. It was just magical from start to finish!
We just kept experiencing better and better safaris, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
Lessons Africa Taught Us
We can learn so much from this continent. Here are some of the things we took home with us.
- Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with
- The circle of life is a real thing
- You never know what's around the next corner
- Silence can be deafening
- Darkness is ablaze with light
- Everything has a reason and a purpose
Africa is full of lessons, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
Meeting The Big 5
We saw the Big 5 on our very first safari drive in Sabi Sand, which are the rhino, elephant, leopard, African buffalo, and lion. We were told that rarely happens!
Aside from the Big 5, we also saw so many other wonderous animals, like the endangered African wild dogs, so many birds, kudu, impala (aka “M Butt”), hippo, honey badger (cute but nasty!), hyena, giraffe, wildebeest, scorpion, crocodile, genet, nyala, multiple kinds of snakes and lizards, bush pigs, warthog, zebra, waterbuck (aka “Circle Butt”), springbok, ostrich, baboon, vervet monkey, steenbok (smallest of the antelope family), and so much more.
Oh, what a joy it is to see lions on safari, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
Safari Highlights
Between the two of us, we took over 4,000 photos and close to 100 videos. So, what were some of our memorable moments?
- The People: First and foremost, we want to thank the people we met and our amazing guides and trackers. I cannot describe their kindness, their joy, and their indomitable spirit.
- Climbing to the Top of Table Mountain: Seeing the extraordinary 360-degree views.
- Touring the Cape Winelands: This is an area known for its chenin blanc and sauvignon blanc – two of our favourites.
- African Rhythms: You hear it pretty much everywhere you go. Their harmonies are beautiful, haunting, jubilant, and entrancing!
- Standing at the Cape of Good Hope: The most south-western point of the continent, and we also got to meet the African penguins up close at Boulders Beach.
Visiting Cape Point, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
- Safari Escorts: Having to call for an escort at night at the safari lodges because, well, there are no fences.
- Wildlife Visitors: Waking up to animals roaming the grounds and some drinking from the pool on our deck!
- Hunts in Action: Watching a lioness catch the scent of and then dash across the plains to chase a leopard off its kill.
- Team Work: Witnessing a pack of African wild dogs work together to bring down two impalas – gruesome, but nature at its unfiltered best.
- Art, Art, and More Art: The amazing art scene that was all around us in Cape Town and in the lodges.
It's the people you meet that you remember most, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
Until Next Time, Africa...
The only thing we didn’t see? Cheetahs. But hopefully we will catch them on our next safari – because you know there will be more!
I truly can go on and on about our adventure. Our 15 days flew in the blink of an eye, and before we knew it, it was time to pack and board our flight from Cape Town back to the US.
This time, I swear I could hear Toto singing “It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you".
We can't wait to return to Africa, Image Credit: Suha Zehl
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