well, it’s the continent’s most modern and developed
country, on par with Australia and the United States in
terms of infrastructure and conveniences.
South Africa is also many worlds in one —
vibrant and trendsetting cities, towering mountains
and seaside cliffs, gorgeous beaches, fabulous game
lodges and national parks, unmatched wildlife, and
picturesque winelands. And while most countries
like to boast about their people being friendly and
welcoming to visitors, the graciousness of South
Africans is incomparable and heartfelt throughout the
country. Though South Africa may indeed reflect much
of Africa itself, it is also a wholly unique country with
few equals.
South Africa has 11 official languages, of which
English is readily spoken by nearly everyone. It’s quite
easy to do anything in South Africa, from talking to a
local and ordering food in a restaurant to asking
somebody for directions. If you speak English, you
will have no communication problems.
Our travel itinerary was created with the help
of African Travel, Inc., a 38-year-old safari operator
with operations in Africa and the United States,
offering customized safaris to Africa. The company’s
focus is solely on Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ethiopia, Congo, Jordan, Kenya,
Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Malawi, and the Seychelles. The company is
the longest-established travel company in the United
States that focuses exclusively on Africa. As with our
trip, each of African Travel, Inc.’s journeys can be
tailored to fit various budgets and interests, and their
travel specialists are the best of the bunch.
I’m quite embarrassed to admit it, but I really wish I
hadn’t waited so long to experience South Africa. I’ve
had plenty of good opportunities to visit the Rainbow
Nation, only to pass on each and every one of them.
Lucky for me, my friend Arnelle, a born and raised
South African now living in the US, vowed never to
let me make the mistake again.
Having recently caught word that I had never
traveled to South Africa, Arnelle was adamant to prove
to me just what I had long been missing out on. Early
one morning she sent me a brief email detailing an
upcoming trip she and African Travel, Inc. were
putting together for few other first-time travelers to
the country. The adventure would start out with a
safari in the north of the country and then head south
to Cape Town, the country’s cultural heart. “You’re
coming with us.” she wrote. “You are going to love
South Africa. See you soon!”
It wasn’t so much of a demand, but an emphatic
guarantee that I was in for the travel experience of a
lifetime. I replied to her email with a quick “Sounds
like fun, count me in” and two weeks later I was on
board a plane with Arnelle and the group to South
Africa’s famed Kruger National Park.
Everything about South Africa is epic in nearly every
way. Situated at the very southern tip of the African
continent and roughly twice the size of Texas, with well
over 1,700 miles of coastline and home to an array of
landscapes, South Africa is a country of immense
diversity, superlatives and jaw-dropping beauty. As
BELOW
South Africa’s
game reserves are
home to Africa’s
famous Big Five:
elephant, lion,
rhino, leopard
and Cape buffalo.
Kruger National
Park alone has
well over 10,000
elephants and
20,000 buffaloes.
FEATURE STORY
FS
34
THE AFFLUENT TRAVELER
|
Feature Story
