A trip to Africa is a wonderful way to celebrate any special occasion, such as a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday. When my husband said that he’d like to go somewhere special for a significant birthday, I of course said, “Let’s go on safari!”
We eased into our adventure with a delightful stay at Matetsi Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where we enjoyed safari drives, a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, and a tour of the picturesque Falls. Visiting in October meant that water levels were lower, with less intense volume and spray, which allowed for better photo opportunities.
We enjoyed a breathtaking scenic flight over the Falls for a bird’s-eye view of this magnificent wonder before flying to Botswana to continue our safari adventure.
Our first stop was the intimate Selinda Camp, nestled along the Selinda Spillway in northern Botswana. Our first safari drive yielded a huge pod of hippos out of the water and a family of seven lions feasting on their recent successful hunt. What a great start!
Our drive the next morning was equally productive, as we were able to observe three different lion prides, along with plenty of other animals. During our stay, we sharpened our photography skills by using the professional camera provided in each guest tent, which resulted in some truly stunning and memorable images.
A scenic helicopter flight whisked us off to our next experience at Duba Explorers Camp. Here, we had one of the most unique wildlife encounters I have ever experienced. A mother leopard had her two cubs high up in a tree with a recent impala kill, while she herself was perched on top of a lower bush beside the tree.
A pack of three wild dogs began circling her aggressively, causing the bush to sway and all of us to grow a little nervous. Eventually, the dogs lay down and later left the area. Moments like this are a reminder that every day in Africa can reveal something entirely new.
Our next stop was the stunning Duba Plains Camp. Safari drives here are quite unique since the camp is located on an island, and guests must drive through deep-water “roads” to reach the game-viewing areas. This adds to both the fun and the sense of adventure.
The interactive dinner for my husband’s birthday was beyond incredible, featuring five creative dishes paired with superb South African wines, along with a surprise birthday cake.
Continuing our exploration of the Okavango Delta, we headed next to Tubu Tree. In addition to excellent safari drives, our favorite experience here was our mokoro safari. Nothing says Botswana quite like gliding through the shallow channels of the Delta at a slow pace in a traditional mokoro canoe. This experience is not to be missed. We spent the afternoon observing birdlife and soaking up the peacefulness of the Delta.
Later, as we were getting ready to toast the day with our sundowner gin and tonics, a call came in on the radio about a lion sighting in the far reaches of the reserve. Our guide asked us and our safari mates if we wanted to rush to the scene or enjoy our quiet sundowner. We all looked at each other and simultaneously shouted, “Lions!” We sped through the bush on what our guide dubbed a “Ferrari Safari,” whipping past wildlife we would normally stop to observe, such as elephants, giraffes, ostriches, and zebras. We were on a mission, and we loved every moment along the way. Our perseverance was rewarded when we arrived at the sighting of a pride of nine lions enjoying the fruits of their labor following a successful hunt.
We ended our safari adventure at the impressive Duma Tau. Perched along the Osprey Lagoon in the Linyanti Reserve in northern Botswana, this luxurious camp was the perfect final stop. The spacious suites feature a large living area and a private deck where guests can relax while watching the huge herds of elephants found in this region.
Our guide here was especially skilled at anticipating animal behavior, which enhanced each game drive. We quietly observed a young female leopard stalking an impala. Although the impala came very close, she ultimately deemed the opportunity too risky and instead turned her attention to an unfortunate squirrel that wandered by.
Our guide also perfectly timed our arrival at the water’s edge to greet two elephants as they swam across the river. He thrilled us with his ability to track lions as well, and during our final game drive, we saw a total of fourteen different lions across several groups.
As we reflected on the journey, I found myself wondering what we could possibly do next year to top this birthday celebration!
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