World Safari Day

Most people remember their first kiss or the first time they had sex. Some might recall the first time they met their hero or maybe their first time skydiving. These are all important moments that can leave a lasting impression. (Example: I might not remember what I did yesterday, but I will never forget meeting Michael Jordan for the first/second/third time!) 

My first safari in Africa was all that and more. In fact, it changed my life. That may sound dramatic, and it’s something I still struggle to properly explain, but that trip had a monumental impact on the course of my life. 

I planned my first trip to Africa (South Africa + Victoria Falls to be precise), like a lot of people do, as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list’ trip. I had done a similar ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip the previous year to Australia, so in my head, South Africa was just another place to check off the list. Boy was I wrong 😂.

Little did I know at the time, but that trip would basically lead me to fall in love with Africa - which led to a job in the travel industry (focusing on Africa and Australia, funny enough) - which led to me meeting Dave on a sales call - which led to me moving to Hoboken, getting married in South Africa, and meeting some of the most wonderful people who make up this beloved industry called Travel. 

So yes, my first safari changed my life ❤️. 

For those who haven’t been on a safari in Africa (YET!), you might not fully understand the power it can have over people. You might not be a huge animal lover, or think that seeing elephants and lions in zoos and on Nat Geo is enough. You might hate bugs and think the idea of a safari is boring. I get it. I was you. I’ve always been a city girl. Chicago, New York, D.C., Rome, Sydney, Buenos Aires. I’ve always loved the action. But there is something special - magical even - about the African bush. The sounds, the smells, the stars, the sundowners. THE PEOPLE. 

There’s just a feeling - something so incredibly different than most other experiences in the world. Maybe it has something to do with the long journey it takes to get there, so you’re already prone to appreciate this new world you’re stepping into. Maybe it’s the smiles and the singing & dancing of the staff when you first pull up to your safari lodge - strangers who will soon feel like family and who are genuinely happy to see you. Maybe it’s seeing these magnificent animals in the wild - knowing you are on their turf and you’re just grateful to witness how they should be living, without the cages or people banging on their plexiglass-walled homes. 

Oh, the animals. I’ll never forget the first time our safari vehicle pulled away from the lodge. The anticipation, knowing this was truly “the wild” and nothing was guaranteed. I still laugh thinking about my naive excitement with our first sighting: a herd of impala (Africa’s version of deer, which are basically everywhere 😝). It’s hard to explain the level of goosebumps I felt when our open-air vehicle pulled into a clearing and came to a stop surrounded by 30 buffalo 🐃 who were staring at us - and NOT looking happy (later realizing that buffalo never look happy!)

I remember the exact setting the first time I watched a bull elephant 🐘 drink from a watering hole and then walk right in front of our vehicle, pausing and lifting his trunk to smell us before concluding we weren’t a threat and continuing with his day. Seeing rhino 🦏 for the first time was almost an out-of-body experience - watching these pre-historic-looking creatures quietly eat the grass, feeling so sad knowing they’re endangered due to high levels of poaching. Certainly lions 🦁 are always a big hit on safari, especially seeing your first. We came upon three brothers, momentarily looking like they were stalking, listening for prey, but then doing what male lions do best: laying around and sleeping. 

But of all the beautiful animals in Africa, my hands-down favorite is the leopard 🐆. Just jaw-dropping beauty, elegance, and mobility. The leopard was the last of the “Big Five” I saw on my first safari. I had already been out on a few game drives and was getting nervous that we wouldn’t find any. But eventually - with some impressive persistence and hard work by our ranger and tracker team - we spotted a very shy female leopard hiding in the thicket, one they called Shadow. I was in love - and I was hooked. 

I know an African safari isn’t for everyone. You may still prefer a weekend in Vegas or Amsterdam, or a week in Rio or Ibiza. And that’s okay. But I do wish that more people would get (and take!) the opportunity to experience a safari in Africa. As I tell everyone: Africa is addicting. A trip to South Africa is completely different from a trip to Tanzania. Every game drive is different. The people, as much as the animals, will bring you back. Africa has a way of getting into your soul, of grabbing hold of your heart when you least expect it. To steal my favorite line from my father-in-law: “If you can’t afford to go to Africa twice, don’t go the first time!” 

Since that first trip to South Africa and Victoria Falls in 2015, I’ve been back to Africa every year until this year (thanks, Covid 😭). But with borders slowly opening, you better believe Dave and I will be making our way to Africa again soon. And again, and again, and again. I hope you will too someday. 

Happy World Safari Day!

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