Spirit of Africa - Zimbabwe/Victoria Falls - Botswana/Okavango Delta & Camp Macatoo - October/November 2012

Listen to the sound, smell the air, connect to the people, tune into nature, let the spirit of Africa touch your soul.
My first true Africa experience and I’m already addicted, wanting more…
It all started here on my little island in The Maldives (where I live & work); I met a very dear friend, born and raised in Zimbabwe, who introduced me to this fascinating country. A lot of talks, listening to first hand experiences and stories shaped my desire to see and feel it with my own senses.

I came with curiosity, an open mind and some adventurous spirit. The adventure lies not always in the big things. Though well travelled I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Zimbabwe and Botswana, especially as I was was traveling alone.

I found Ali Selzer through a friend’s recommendation; slowly my travel plan took shape and out of a sudden the entire trip was mapped out and booked, entirely customized to my needs.
It was my dream to ride horses in this magnificent landscape, to learn about wildlife, to meet people, to connect with nature.
Vic Falls was the perfect starting point (7 nights) – multiple activities kept me busy and when I left I felt I left a piece of home. The riding with Allison was brilliant, the lion project and walking with the lions was informative and exiting; for any adrenalin junky a lot to do on, around or above the mighty Zambezi river. But other than all these activities I enjoyed chilling out at The Africa Café in Vic Falls – best coffee in town!
Staying at the A’ZambeziHotel was a great choice, out of town, yet easy to access – I felt I ‘m really in Zim; beautifully located on the shore of the Zambezi river: a sundowner, a Zambezi beer, warthogs around, the stunning evening light, Marimba music in the back, a big smile of anybody of the hotel team- a piece of paradise, peace & happiness.
The chance to talk to people, to make friends and to understand the difficult history of Zim, made me only more to appreciate every single day I could spend in this wonderful country. I tried out the local hairdresser in town – a wonderful lady, warm & welcoming, I felt I was in a hair saloon back in time….
Sadly left after one week, yet excited to continue my travel to the Chobe River, Kubu Lodge – a cute little place, highly to recommend. Though the evening cruise on the Chobe river can appear a bit commercial it is an absolute highlight: very well done, small groups and a very well educated guide. It remains to wish that the boat traffic will not increase more - stunning view on wildlife and the African sun set as it is on post cards.

Next destination: Macatoo Camp in the Okavango Delta for Horse Back Riding; the flight with MacAir was like island hopping here in The Maldives. Stunning flights over the delta, though quite bumpy due to winds, I finally arrived after 3 other camp stops in the middle of nowhere, where the camp car was already waiting for me. Straight into the next adventure: 40 C, dusty sandy “road”…., arrival at the camp with a gorgeous welcome and all amenities; just the right experience after a pretty tiring travel.
6 nights in the Delta: summarized in a few words: I never felt so much part of nature, the desire to tune into nature and wildlife, connect to the people, to understand more of this magical world, to feel the intelligence of nature in play; yet to feel to vulnerable and very humble.
I felt deep gratitude for the team at the camp who looked so well after us, for the horses who safely carried us through incredible wildlife areas and remained well mannered even during a buffalo charge.
I feel blessed that I had that privilege to spend this wonderful time in place that touched my soul deeply.