A safari holiday is on the wish list of many, and just because we have cancer it doesn’t mean we cannot experience this incredible adventure
I researched extensively in advance as there are many options across Africa but in the end picked South Africa for a number of reasons. Firstly, accessibility. We fly British Airways where possible and they have frequent flights to SA namely Johannesburg and Cape Town. Once there, there is a good choice of domestic flights from a couple of providers (Fed Air and Airlink). Secondly, a couple of key areas specifically the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape, the North West Province namely Madikwe and Pilanesburg are Malaria free. This was a big plus. Thirdly, infrastructure in SA is probably the best in Africa. Last but not least, the Big 5, plus hundreds of other species are abundant, dependent on which specific game reserve you target. I will discuss some of the perceived risks a little later.
The big question of course is where to go and how long for. A number of British travel agents provide packaged deals to include flights, accommodation, domestic travel and advice on best reserves. In the end, we decided to book our own flights but used a South African company called Seasons in Africa who helped us with our choices. Booking an overall package also gives better protection should things get cancelled. They focus on four game reserves in Northern South Africa; Madikwe Hills, Leopard Hills, Kings Camp and Tuningi Game Reserve. We decided to opt for a six days safari, combining Madikwe Hills and Kings Camp (three nights each) and one additional day in Johannesburg at the end to fit in with our flights back to the UK.
So, we flew to Johannesburg on the 22nd April (last year). South Africa is excellent to fly to as they are overnight flights and only 2 hours’ time difference results in minimal jet lag. As part of our package, we booked a small light plane which can carry a maximum of 12 guests . There are luggage restrictions specifically 1 x 20kg max pp soft case plus 1 x 5kg carry on and but you can leave excess luggage at domestic terminal and collect when you return. The Fed Air flight took about 45 mins-1 hour and as we approached the airstrip Giraffes were casually walking on the runway but exited gracefully as we landed. You can book car transfers as well from Joburg airport which take about 4-5 hours. We were picked up by the hotel staff and driven in a 6-seater, open top safari vehicle to our first stop the Madikwe Hills Private Game Reserve.
We arrived and were completely blown away by the staggering natural beauty. We checked in and were taken to our most luxurious suite with an elevated view over a watering hole. The room was beautiful, with an outdoor pool. Within seconds giraffes, water buffaloes and zebras ambled up for a late morning drink. We were mesmerised. The staff then explained that we would have morning and late afternoon drives lasting approximately 3 hours.
Our first drive was that afternoon where we met at 3.30 pm and started the drive from 4.00-7.00 pm and the morning drives would start at 5.30am-08.30am. All food and drinks were included in our package. It is very hard to put into words but on our first drive we saw 4 of the Big 5, namely lions, rhinoceros, elephants and African buffalos in abundance. It took till our third drive till we saw the elusive leopard but it was worth it. Before every drive we were so excited even getting up at 5am every day was not a chore. It is worth mentioning that Madikwe Hills is also famous for its Wild Dogs which are facing extinction in many parts of Africa. On each drive we had a driver and guide/tracker who had the most amazing ability to find even the smallest animals in thick brush. After our third night, we said a fond goodbye to Madikwe and headed back to the local airstrip for our light plane journey back to Joburg and then took another lift plane to Kings Camp in the Timbavati Game Reserve where our adventure continued….
As we landed in the airstrip near Kings Camp we were greeted by a suddeb torrential rain storm almost completely out of the blue. Again, we were picked up by the Kings Camp staff and taken to our uber luxurious accommodation. Warren Moore the Manager of Kings Camp was there to greet us and within minutes the sun was out and we were off on our first game drive. The terrain was completely different and we saw few animals on our initial drive but over the coming two days we saw every animal imaginable. Kings Camp also has the benefit of a hide positioned by the water hole where we watched, incognito, water buffalo within 10 feet of our position. Again, the accommodation, service and overall experience was 10 out of 10.
On our last morning on safari as we left Kings Camp we actually cried with emotion at our safari experience. It was the most amazing feeling to be within feet of some of the most majestic animals on the planet. Initially after viewing the aftermath of our first visual kill, we were reminded of the amazing Circle of Life that occurs every minute of every day in reserves across Africa.
We stayed one night in Jonannesburg in a Marriott hotel with permanent smiles on our faces with what we had just experienced. It was the best holiday we have ever had.
