This was truly a tip of a lifetime. I've been planning this trip for such a long time it was surreal that it finally time to head off on the trip!
I truly enjoyed each part of the trip. It was so unique and eye opening. While I was talking with other guests at the lodges, I found out that, I was the only person that hadn't been on Safari before. Everyone else had been multiple times. It seemed that everyone would go back on safari every 4-6 years. Some groups went to different parks/lodges while others kept returning back to the same lodge.
If I had to summarize my trip into one highlight, (which is really impossible to do) I would say that it was seeing the animals in their own habitat. They were not bothered by the jeeps and the fact that we were around them, they just minded their own business. There was really only 1 regret that I had for this entire trip and that was the timing of everything. Since I went at the end of the dry summer, which meant the heat was STRONG. While I was at Hwange Bush camp, the high's each day was 45* C or 113*F, and most of the time there was barely a breeze to cool you off. I would have been that much better if I went in August or September for a bit cooler weather.
I've written a pretty detailed account of my experience of the trip for you to read. If you only care about the amazing photos, that I took especially of the animals then just click on the below link and it will skip the story telling and jump right into the photos.
PHOTO LINK (Videos will show first then photos will be at the bottom)
Be warned though there are some photos that are a bit gruesome and marked in a separate NSFW gallery.
If you are interested in my in-depth experiences, you can click through the different areas that I visited.
Dubai
Cape Town, South Africa
Notten's Bush Camp, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Hwange Bush Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
TLDR (Too Long Didn't Read)
Dubai, great city that is really bustling. Lots of money to be spent on the city and tourists.
Cape Town is just like SF with the foggy weather, different neighborhoods (good and bad), and coastal town.
Notten's Bush Camp, Safari lodge that is focused on a great experience both in the bush and at the lodge. I saw lots of a lot of animals here including the big 5. I would come back here in a heart beat as the service and experience was amazing. I was so relaxed and really enjoyed my time here.
Victoria Falls, not a lot of water flowing at the moment since its at the dry season and I did devils pool where I hung over the edge of VicFalls.
Hwange Bush Camp, Safari lodge that is focused on being immersed in the bush, canvas tent and all. Didn't see lots of variety animals but got to experience life with the animals. I'm not sure I would go come back here since this was more of a check box item for me. I'm glad that I went and experienced it and really enjoyed everything about it but I'll take a lodge over a tent any day ;)
