An African Adventure
We had the opportunity to visit South Africa in 2016 for business, we were producing entertainment for an event taking place in Capetown. Mark had been to Africa several years ago and kept telling me how amazing it was and how he wanted to take me there someday.
Luckily for us business brought us there and we were able to take a few days to go on a safari in Kruger National Park, we stayed at Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson's Private Game Reserve.
Little did I know, how those two days on Safari would change me in some way. I didn't know a place could speak to you as much as this place did. There is something so serene and peaceful being out in the African Bush. Don't get me wrong it is extremely surreal that these animals some of us have only seen in zoo's or on National Geographic are all around you and you somehow get a glimpse into their world. On this trip, I had told Mark I wanted to come back for my 40th Birthday with our friends and family to share the experience with them.
It is not a place you can go to just once, it will call you back again and again.
This last March we were lucky enough to go back to celebrate my 40th Birthday, a group of 7 of us embarked on a trip of a lifetime that would take us on a journey that would change us all forever Luckily our friends and family trust in planning our travel adventures and went along with our desire to to Africa. Convincing my sister and her husband took sometime, but they ended up booking the trip. Our other travels friends well for them it was an easy yes! As we began planning, we knew we wanted to return to Ulusaba, for a few nights and that we would save that for the last part of our Safari Adventure. We also knew we wanted to visit another region to see a difference in scenery and terrain, as well as get to Victoria Falls. After some research with specific needs being meant ( air conditioning, running water, showers, non-tent lodge) You can see where I am going, I am not the roughing it type, certain amenities must be meant. We found Muchenje Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana. It worked out perfectly as it meant all of requirements, was easy to get to Victoria Falls, and then travel onto Kruger to finish up our week of Safari's. It offered the vast difference in scenery we were looking for, so that we could get two completely different safari experiences.
About Chobi
Chobi, Botswana offers a beautiful scenery along the Chobi River. In the early morning the herds can be seen coming out of the forest and headed to the river to drink. If you close your eyes you can hear the sounds of the grass blowing in the breeze, the birds flying, and the hooves of the animals moving along the ground. The morning chilly breeze hitting your face as the safari jeep drives along and the sun rising you just enjoy the time and don't think of anything else but the nature in front of you. One of my favorite parts of Safari is stopping for morning coffee or a sundowner as they call it in the bush. Gin and Toni is a favorite there, and now a favorite of ours.
At Chobi, the safari vehicles can only enter the park at certain hours and they have to depart the park by sunset. This allows the animals to have their home to themselves and time without the jeeps as they go about their evening. As we would drive back to our lodge and exit the park, it was not unusual for elephants or giraffes to make an appearance on the road as if to say goodnight.
Once back at the lodge, we would mix and mingle with other guests about our day before dinner would be served made by the wonderful staff at the lodge.
We bonded with our safari guide Sy, his spirit and smile were infectious and we whole heartily got along with him extremely well. We even called ourselves Team Sy! Team Sy was able to visit the local village school, where we participated in their Pack for a Purpose Program, bringing suitcases of school supplies and other items for the local village that were on a list provided to us by the lodge. Over the last few years we have kept in touch with Sy, and Team Sy has been sending supplies to the school with his help locally the past several years. Sy has moved onto a different lodge, but our friendship and love for his community has not changed and we will continue to assist where we can for the school and with his help.
South Africa - Kruger National Park
Our journey continued into South Africa where we once again found ourselves at
Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson's Private Game Reserve.
https://www.virginlimitededition.com/en/ulusaba
Ulusaba is truly one of the most magical places we have visited in the world. The staff is amazing, the accommodations top notch and the animals, well you can't be it. The experience is truly one of a kind with every little detail thought of you. The staff helped in creating one of the most memorable and beautiful evenings of my life as we celebrated my 40th Birthday a little early. We were only at Ulusaba for a few nights and it never seems like enough. Our guides Tom & John had made our stop for sundowners and then we were off to our bush dinner ( which our friends did not know about). I knew we were having dinner in the bush, but did not expect the pure magic of what was to come.
As Tom pulled up to where the dinner was being held, the area was lit in beautiful glowing illuminates leading us to a table set for the seven us, and not just picnic style. Full china, glassware, the smells of a true African BBQ as the Chef was grilling. A stunning display of salads and sides and our very own bartender. As we sat down and enjoyed a cocktail, suddenly from the dark we heard the sounds of men singing. A ten person acapella choir appeared and serenaded us, singing the most beautiful music. I know all seven of us where in tears, especially me. I was so touched that my husband and the team at Ulusaba created someting more then I could even dream of in my life. We all laughed afterwards as we felt like we were on our version of the Bachelor or one of those reality shows. It felt like a dream and to be honest, one I did not want to wake up from
We returned to the lodge and had a nightcap before heading to our suite, as we arrived to our suite the room was candlelit with a bubble bath and rose pedals waiting for us. When I say they think of everything, they think of everything. I don't want to tell you everything as you need to go experience it for yourself, there is so many surprises and little touches along the way that will be with you for the rest of your life. I don't want to give it all away, but I promise once you get a taste of Ulusaba you will always find away to return.
We wanted to return this year but with everything going on in the world, we will be returning in 2021!
C
Luckily for us business brought us there and we were able to take a few days to go on a safari in Kruger National Park, we stayed at Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson's Private Game Reserve.
Little did I know, how those two days on Safari would change me in some way. I didn't know a place could speak to you as much as this place did. There is something so serene and peaceful being out in the African Bush. Don't get me wrong it is extremely surreal that these animals some of us have only seen in zoo's or on National Geographic are all around you and you somehow get a glimpse into their world. On this trip, I had told Mark I wanted to come back for my 40th Birthday with our friends and family to share the experience with them.
It is not a place you can go to just once, it will call you back again and again.
This last March we were lucky enough to go back to celebrate my 40th Birthday, a group of 7 of us embarked on a trip of a lifetime that would take us on a journey that would change us all forever Luckily our friends and family trust in planning our travel adventures and went along with our desire to to Africa. Convincing my sister and her husband took sometime, but they ended up booking the trip. Our other travels friends well for them it was an easy yes! As we began planning, we knew we wanted to return to Ulusaba, for a few nights and that we would save that for the last part of our Safari Adventure. We also knew we wanted to visit another region to see a difference in scenery and terrain, as well as get to Victoria Falls. After some research with specific needs being meant ( air conditioning, running water, showers, non-tent lodge) You can see where I am going, I am not the roughing it type, certain amenities must be meant. We found Muchenje Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana. It worked out perfectly as it meant all of requirements, was easy to get to Victoria Falls, and then travel onto Kruger to finish up our week of Safari's. It offered the vast difference in scenery we were looking for, so that we could get two completely different safari experiences.
About Chobi
Chobi, Botswana offers a beautiful scenery along the Chobi River. In the early morning the herds can be seen coming out of the forest and headed to the river to drink. If you close your eyes you can hear the sounds of the grass blowing in the breeze, the birds flying, and the hooves of the animals moving along the ground. The morning chilly breeze hitting your face as the safari jeep drives along and the sun rising you just enjoy the time and don't think of anything else but the nature in front of you. One of my favorite parts of Safari is stopping for morning coffee or a sundowner as they call it in the bush. Gin and Toni is a favorite there, and now a favorite of ours.
At Chobi, the safari vehicles can only enter the park at certain hours and they have to depart the park by sunset. This allows the animals to have their home to themselves and time without the jeeps as they go about their evening. As we would drive back to our lodge and exit the park, it was not unusual for elephants or giraffes to make an appearance on the road as if to say goodnight.
Once back at the lodge, we would mix and mingle with other guests about our day before dinner would be served made by the wonderful staff at the lodge.
We bonded with our safari guide Sy, his spirit and smile were infectious and we whole heartily got along with him extremely well. We even called ourselves Team Sy! Team Sy was able to visit the local village school, where we participated in their Pack for a Purpose Program, bringing suitcases of school supplies and other items for the local village that were on a list provided to us by the lodge. Over the last few years we have kept in touch with Sy, and Team Sy has been sending supplies to the school with his help locally the past several years. Sy has moved onto a different lodge, but our friendship and love for his community has not changed and we will continue to assist where we can for the school and with his help.
South Africa - Kruger National Park
Our journey continued into South Africa where we once again found ourselves at
Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson's Private Game Reserve.
https://www.virginlimitededition.com/en/ulusaba
Ulusaba is truly one of the most magical places we have visited in the world. The staff is amazing, the accommodations top notch and the animals, well you can't be it. The experience is truly one of a kind with every little detail thought of you. The staff helped in creating one of the most memorable and beautiful evenings of my life as we celebrated my 40th Birthday a little early. We were only at Ulusaba for a few nights and it never seems like enough. Our guides Tom & John had made our stop for sundowners and then we were off to our bush dinner ( which our friends did not know about). I knew we were having dinner in the bush, but did not expect the pure magic of what was to come.
As Tom pulled up to where the dinner was being held, the area was lit in beautiful glowing illuminates leading us to a table set for the seven us, and not just picnic style. Full china, glassware, the smells of a true African BBQ as the Chef was grilling. A stunning display of salads and sides and our very own bartender. As we sat down and enjoyed a cocktail, suddenly from the dark we heard the sounds of men singing. A ten person acapella choir appeared and serenaded us, singing the most beautiful music. I know all seven of us where in tears, especially me. I was so touched that my husband and the team at Ulusaba created someting more then I could even dream of in my life. We all laughed afterwards as we felt like we were on our version of the Bachelor or one of those reality shows. It felt like a dream and to be honest, one I did not want to wake up from
We returned to the lodge and had a nightcap before heading to our suite, as we arrived to our suite the room was candlelit with a bubble bath and rose pedals waiting for us. When I say they think of everything, they think of everything. I don't want to tell you everything as you need to go experience it for yourself, there is so many surprises and little touches along the way that will be with you for the rest of your life. I don't want to give it all away, but I promise once you get a taste of Ulusaba you will always find away to return.
We wanted to return this year but with everything going on in the world, we will be returning in 2021!
C