I've said it before and I'll say it again: traveling around southern Africa with my family was an unbelievable experience. Whenever I try to tell someone about it, I kind of feel bad; there is no comprehensible way to do it justice.
Alas, I will try again here by highlighting a few of the more epic moments of the trip.
Alas, I will try again here by highlighting a few of the more epic moments of the trip.
1. Seeing my first elephant
Heart palpitations. And attempting to suppress a girlish squeal of excitement. Those are just about the only two things I can remember about my first encounter with a 100% wild, African elephant.
I should probably mention that it wasn't just one elephant either, it was a small family, which included a BABY ELEPHANT. Need I say more? It's a good thing our guide warned us about the ferocity of these animals as I was about two seconds from hopping out of the safari truck and giving Dumbo a hug.
It did dishearten me a little to learn that these creatures aren't as lovable as they seem in cute Pinterest pictures and in Disney movies. But that's Africa for you. Throughout the safari we saw just about every carnivorous and ferocious animal you can think of, but no other animal made our veteran safari guide as nervous as the elephant did.
I should probably mention that it wasn't just one elephant either, it was a small family, which included a BABY ELEPHANT. Need I say more? It's a good thing our guide warned us about the ferocity of these animals as I was about two seconds from hopping out of the safari truck and giving Dumbo a hug.
It did dishearten me a little to learn that these creatures aren't as lovable as they seem in cute Pinterest pictures and in Disney movies. But that's Africa for you. Throughout the safari we saw just about every carnivorous and ferocious animal you can think of, but no other animal made our veteran safari guide as nervous as the elephant did.
Nonetheless, they are still my favorite animal. I'll be swimming with dolphins in New Zealand though... so we'll see what the rankings are after that experience.
2. Victoria Falls via helicopter
I'm ashamed to admit that prior to this trip I was not able to list the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Of course now that I think I'm some cool world traveler (hardly) I know them like the back of my hand. Victoria Falls is Africa's contribution to this list of exquisite natural phenomena. At a mile wide and 355 ft high, the falls are the largest in the world. To put that in perspective, Niagra Falls is a pretty impressive display at only 167 ft high.
We were lucky enough to get a view of the falls from a helicopter. Let me just mention that this was also my first time in a helicopter-- an epic experience on its own. We lifted off from our hotel in Zambia. With Zambia to our left and Zimbabwe to our right we cruised down the Zambezi River until we saw Victoria Falls. It was pretty easy to spot, as the mist is so immense it rises above the falls and creates a perfect rainbow. Definitely Instagram worthy.
We were lucky enough to get a view of the falls from a helicopter. Let me just mention that this was also my first time in a helicopter-- an epic experience on its own. We lifted off from our hotel in Zambia. With Zambia to our left and Zimbabwe to our right we cruised down the Zambezi River until we saw Victoria Falls. It was pretty easy to spot, as the mist is so immense it rises above the falls and creates a perfect rainbow. Definitely Instagram worthy.
Natives actually call Victoria Falls "Mosi-oa-Tunya," which means "smoke that thunders." You can probably tell why.
After the helicopter expedition we also checked out the falls by foot. While we got a little wet (the mist was unbelievably powerful) it was definitely nice to see the falls up close.
After the helicopter expedition we also checked out the falls by foot. While we got a little wet (the mist was unbelievably powerful) it was definitely nice to see the falls up close.
3. Exploring the winelands of South Africa
Stellenbosch, Franschoek, and Paarl, South Africa definitely take the cake on most beautiful places I've ever been. Again, we may have to revisit these rankings after my trip to New Zealand, but for now they're the winners.
We were only in Cape Town for three days, and we spent one of these days venturing outside the city to see the South African winelands. We went on tours of three wineries (all included wine tasting... maybe that's why we enjoyed it so much?) and had lunch overlooking picturesque vineyards.
I had a quick love affair with Stellenbosch to the point that I was seriously considering studying abroad at University of Stellenbosch. A college town in wineland country? Count me in.
But sadly when I returned home and had to actually make the big decision, my wanderlust and desire to see new places won. Sorry Stellenbosch. But I promise I'll be back soon.
We were only in Cape Town for three days, and we spent one of these days venturing outside the city to see the South African winelands. We went on tours of three wineries (all included wine tasting... maybe that's why we enjoyed it so much?) and had lunch overlooking picturesque vineyards.
I had a quick love affair with Stellenbosch to the point that I was seriously considering studying abroad at University of Stellenbosch. A college town in wineland country? Count me in.
But sadly when I returned home and had to actually make the big decision, my wanderlust and desire to see new places won. Sorry Stellenbosch. But I promise I'll be back soon.
4. Swimming in the Devil's Pool
So Victoria Falls has this special activity that they offer to really (REALLY) stupid tourists. Naturally, we decided to partake in said activity. Basically we had the opportunity to swim on the edge of Victoria Falls. Being the naive tourist that I am, I assumed that there must be some natural phenomenon on the edge of the falls that creates a safe swimming pool. They wouldn't possibly let tourists swim on the edge of the falls if it wasn't safe, right?
Nope.
It was just a conveniently placed rocky indent in the side of the waterfall where the current was slightly weaker than you'd expect. Those heart palpitations from the elephant sighting came back in full force when we got to the edge. The water was absolutely freezing, but we hardly noticed as we were preoccupied making sure we didn't get swept over the edge.
Part of the point of swimming in the Devil's pool is so you can get cool pictures like these:
Nope.
It was just a conveniently placed rocky indent in the side of the waterfall where the current was slightly weaker than you'd expect. Those heart palpitations from the elephant sighting came back in full force when we got to the edge. The water was absolutely freezing, but we hardly noticed as we were preoccupied making sure we didn't get swept over the edge.
Part of the point of swimming in the Devil's pool is so you can get cool pictures like these:
Well the Ryan family didn't exactly get the chance to get artsy with our cameras. We were a little too concerned with not dying. It was both the coolest and stupidest thing I've ever done.
Can you see the fear?
Shout out to our guide, Kelvin, for not letting us die.
Shout out to our guide, Kelvin, for not letting us die.
5. Sunsets on sunsets
Sure the safari was cool. And hanging out in Mozambique on a white sand beach was pretty amazing. Oh and that time we spotted President Clinton in Zambia was definitely one for the books.
But all of those moment pale in comparison to how much I enjoyed hanging out with my family and witnessing 21 impeccable sunsets. Due to our ridiculously busy schedule we even got the luxury of seeing some pretty cool sunrises as well. It was always nice to relax at the end of the day and share a beautiful moment with the people I love most.
But all of those moment pale in comparison to how much I enjoyed hanging out with my family and witnessing 21 impeccable sunsets. Due to our ridiculously busy schedule we even got the luxury of seeing some pretty cool sunrises as well. It was always nice to relax at the end of the day and share a beautiful moment with the people I love most.