Southern Safari

A few years ago Carrie and I travelled to South Africa and Botswana to teach women & children basic business principles and also encourage entrepreneurship in these countries. Aside from this incredible mission however, we still found time to enjoy the surrounding sights. Some of our favorites were:

Pilanesburg National Park - It was amazing...and we drove a little VW Polo through the park despite being stopped by two rhinos in the road fighting and also dealing with other poor drivers swerving everywhere...because it's difficult to drive and spot game at the same time apparently. We saw four of "The Big Five", a term coined from white hunters for the five most desirable animals in Africa, which are lion, elephant, cape buffalo, rhino & hippo. We didn't see a lion until later in the trip.

Cape Town - Aside from the Greek Islands...I can't think of a more amazing place for the combination of sights, food and overall atmosphere. We drove for miles down the coast to the Cape of Good Hope to see the southwestern most point of Africa...as far south on the planet as we've ever been....yet. The wine country and beautiful homes in Constantia are reminiscent of Napa Valley, the sparkling ocean and enormous seaside cliffs are similar to those in Hawaii, the food is a mixed bag of Greek, Indian, Asian, and traditional African cuisines....which makes a very nice variety. If you want to fly to Cape Town from Jo'burg...check out the airline kulula.com which is similar to Jetblue and Southwest...but with a funnier twist. It's cheap, comfortable and a very enjoyable ride.

I would actually recommend trying to drive in Southern Africa if you get the opportunity....especially if you enjoy the challenge of trying to master driving on the opposite side of the road. Now it's important to note that I love to drive...it's part of my California past...so if you can't handle poor roads, horn honking, cattle randomly walking into traffic and the occational dead pedestrian (we saw this in fact....this is a big problem in these countries because it's easier to walk on the roads than in the brush and dirt on the side of the roads) think carefully before you rent a car or a combi.

I'll let that me enough reminiscing for the time being...but a trip to Africa is a must for anyone interested in really experiencing the world. On our conquest to visit nearly all the continents of the world...we've found some very special places, including many within Africa. The journey is just beginning.