Botswana's Okavango Delta

Can you hear it? It’s Botswana’s Okavango Delta calling your name! 
Soon, that gush of water from the distant Angolan highlands will arrive, and the dusty plains will become shimmering lagoons, the channels will swell, and a whole new world will spring to life. Trust me – you want to be there when it happens. 

Mokoro Riding on the Okavango Delta’s channels.

When to go?
May to September is your golden window to experience Botswana. This is when you’ll be able to slip into a mokoro and follow the natural flow of the winding waterways. Feel the sun on your skin as you float past colorful waterlilies and hear the gentle swish of reeds as your guide navigates, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife – rest assured, you won’t need to wait too long or look too hard! There’s plenty of life in and around the Delta.

Hippos peek out from shallows, elephants quench their thirst at newly-filled pools, and the enthusiastic twittering of over 400 bird species fills the air. You may even spot a usually shy leopard (or two), and perhaps even a pack of wild dogs. Oh, and watch out for that iconic splash of red in the distance – it might just be a leaping lechwe or a sitatunga, elegantly poised and grazing just beyond the water’s edge.

Can’t go during these times.
Don’t wait. The animals will still be there.
The channels may not be high but if you are up for anything, just go. I was there in February and I got to ride the mokoro (that is me in the photo above on my Safari - a traditional dug-out canoe), see the dashing sitatunga, capture the leopards, lions, wild dogs, and so much more.  

Lion pride. Okavango Delta

Of course, all these encounters will be tailored to your rhythm, featuring those life-changing sunrise coffee/chai tea stops, as well as lazy  sundowners, a few bush picnics, and whatever else fuels your sense of adventure.

I’m here to make sure every moment you spend in the Okavango Delta is as wonderful as it is wild. So let’s start plotting your unforgettable African adventure, your way. 

Still going strong!

Trick-or-treating was different this year. My 14 year old son and 12 year old daughter wanted to hang out and walk with friends. It was lovely to see them creating their own memories. I did however go down a rabbit hole of their younger year photos - how I made their costumes and walked around the neighborhood together. 

I went down my email rabbit hole as well and found this gem of an email.

"Hello Mefi, I took a safari arranged by you personally WAY BACK in May of 2001, with your parents picking me up at the airport in Dar es Salaam, and Issa as a guide.  It was all spectacular, except for all the rolls of film I remember having to haul around :) 

I would like to plan a return trip in early 2020, finally, this time with my girlfriend and another couple.  I just checked the web to see if you were still in this business and I guess you are."
- Greg S. Email sent in Feb 2019. 

 Yes, I am still going strong after 23 years with slowdowns here and there for two kiddos and a global pandemic. I know some of you have chatted with me while I was rocking my then babies. I started off planning Safaris only to my home country of Tanzania and now plan all over Eastern and Southern Africa as well as the Congo Basin. It truly has been a wild ride of traveling to the many locations, learning, growing, evolving, and Safari planning with all of you. 

Here's to many more years and emails like Greg's. By the way, Greg took Lori, Deb and Tom on Safari in 2022 and they had a marvelous time on Safari in Tanzania!

Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo!

What, Republic of the Congo!! The reaction to why there was met with a little alarm. I had to assure people it was Republic of the Congo and not the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is usually in the news with strife.

I was taking this Safari with my friend and fifth time Journey To Africa Safari-goer Alisa. I have been planning Safaris for her since 2005 - she has been to Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Namibia. We had been talking about taking a Safari together and when I heard about Congo Conservation Company in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo, I was really curious and when I suggested this to her, she was game.

Republic of the Congo
To my guests who have been on Safari before to Eastern and Southern Africa, the Odzala-Kokoua National Park [Congo Basin] is nothing like what we are used to. Honestly, it took a while for me to adjust to the fact that I will not be seeing an abundance of wildlife because the terrain is so different. But once I wrapped that around my head, the experience will forever be unique.

How was the Odzala-Kokoua National Park different:

Lots of walking.
We sat in the vehicle for short amounts of time - just to head to the river dock or once for 2 hours to transfer from camp to camp. The rest of the time, we walked. Trekking through the dense forests using the animals path [harden by their walk otherwise the ground was soft], the elephant corridor in Lango Camp which was beautiful with lilies and was waist deep [had me pause for a bit], speed walking early morning under the guidance of master trekker Zephran to see the lowland gorillas from Ngaga Camp [located right outside Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Ndzehi Forest], walked to get from Mboko Camp to Lango Camp after kayaking. You get the idea - it was definitely an active Safari.

The lovely elephant corridor from Lango Camp

With Zephran - master trekker

Lowland gorillas.
I must admit, I was looking forward to seeing Neptuno, the alpha male gorilla. We passed this opportunity to the local mayor of Mbomo who took that trek which in itself is great because now we have a local Congolese invested in protecting these amazing species. We did see lots of wee ones who were eager to show off and entertained us for a solid hour we were with them.

Forest elephants.
In Eastern and Southern Africa, you are used to see the elephants in large herds in all areas. Here, because of the terrain, you may only see them in the bai’s [open areas] but when you are walking in the forest or boating on the Lekoli River, you may see only a few. And when you do see them, it feels special.

Forest elephant

Other animals.
You hear them, but you may not see them easily. Of course this depends on the time of the year, luck, etc. but for example, we heard a hippo, saw the treks, but did not see the hippo. We were also there in Sept/Oct and the rains were coming so animals are away from the open bai area.

Our guide Lucy saw a leopard when she was coming to pick us up from the airstrip, so they are there, but sooo elusive. Lucy has been in that area of a year and that was her first encounter.

The smaller things.
We were definitely in-tuned to foot prints on this Safari as you are now looking at the small things. The smaller animals like the ants and the adulterer tree - you have to go there to hear this wild story :). The stunning fungi! So many different varieties to observe - eye opening.

The most common walking path

Stunning mushrooms of different variety

Boating and kayaking.
This was fun. We got to get on the boat and cruise down Lekoli River. This is when we saw the a few forest elephants on the banks and one crossing the river. They are pretty skittish - as soon as they smell you, they walk away. We also got to enjoy kayaking from camp to camp. You don’t have to do this but if you like, you kayak down from Mboko Camp to Lango Camp. We got to see the flock of green pigeons as soon as we parked our kayaks. Some of the best landscape views when boating and kayaking of the Congo Basin.

Kayaking from one camp to the other

French speaking.
This place reminded me of Tanzania about 20 odd years ago. We were starting off and our lodge crew spoke mostly Swahili and only a few could speak English. That has changed and majority of the people you will encounter will speak English.

At the camps, the crew spoke very little English besides the Camp managers. We could not ask them their stories without getting help from the managers. In Brazzaville, the capital of Republic of Congo, we enjoyed chatting with Dan, our local guide in English who gave us a good insight about the country.

Who is this Safari for?

I would say, this is for someone like Alisa and I who have been to Eastern and Southern Africa and want to experience the ‘something else’. This was the ‘something else’ for sure.

Having said that, we met a couple from New York who were there and they had not been on Safari before but loved their time here. They were truly disconnected [not much wi-fi here], enjoyed every encounter thoroughly, enjoyed the small things, great food, hardly took pictures, and brought a film camera - so there, if you are like them, you will love this place.

Does this sound like up your ‘corridor’? Let’s chat and see how we can get you here.

Safari Stories from our Family Safari.

I wanted to share some of the many Safari Stories from my kids Summer Safari 2019. We continue to recollect, ‘remember that’, and keep the stories alive from our memorable time together.

“ My four favorite things were seeing all the Masiys [Maasais] dance because it was really nice. And I really liked seeing Scarface because he was cool to achaly [actually] see him. All the people at the camps were very nice because they are surprized that a kid is here - they really enjoy kids. And my last thing I liked was leopards. We found 2 leopards - they are bautiful [beautiful] creturse [creatures].
- Farhana, 8-yeard-old at the time of her Safari. Written out as she wrote in her Safari journal.

“ The funniest things I saw on Safari … seeing cheetahs getting surprised by a vulture. Cheetahs, really? And seeing lion cubs walking away from their mom and the mom was yowling for them to come back. They were so naughty, the mom had to go run after them.”
- Shiraz, 10-years-old at the time of his Safari.

Family Safaris are amazing!
If you have any questions - will they be bored, how to create the right Safari itinerary, and more - Let’s chat.
I will share my personal experiences for your Safari.

2019; You were amazing!

I want to thank you so much for being here, whether you’ve been reading for years or just stopped by. I’m so grateful for you! For letting me share my Safari expertise and thoughts, your Safari Stories, and if not your Safari Stories yet; maybe inspiring you to get in touch with me and planning your Safari.

2019 was epic for me!
- I got to travel for the first time to Botswana and South Africa - amazing! I am ready to take you there as I have personal knowledge to share.
- Summer started off with my family on Safari to Kenya and Tanzania. Taking my kids to my favorite places and my home country [Tanzania] was magical. Take your children on Safari - memories to last a lifetime!

The Safaris I plan become personal as I take you to places and Safari Lodges I have been/stayed or know 101% you will be well taken care off.

Cheers to 2020 and more experiences and adventures.
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.” – John Hemingway

Asante Sana [Thank You so much!] and looking forward to chatting more about my stunning corner of Africa.
- Mefi

On Safari in Botswana

Come ‘feel the love’ as inspired by The Lion King

I'm not lion when I say that the life-like movie doesn't even compare to the real thing. My husband, kids and I just got back from our Safari and I'd like to share 4 things that’ll make you feel royal like Simba and Nala.

#1: See the real-life Simba and Nala
While we were in Masai Mara we got to spend some time up-close and personal with a lion couple. They weren't singing, but while watching them we could definitely feel the love that night.

#2: Experiencing the Circle of Life
With the Maasai Tribe in Ngorongoro, we danced, sang and learned how to make a fire. They showed us how they live and taught us about their livestock. Fun fact: they let the baby animals stay in their boma (home) with them!

#3: The Elephant in the Room
We saw SO MANY elephants in Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tarangire. At one point we counted a herd of about 80 + elephants including the babies!! They say an elephant never forgets, and my kids will never forget the time they got to spend with them.

#4: Serene Serengeti Sunsets
On our last day in Serengeti, we climbed a million-year-old rock (called a kopje) to watch the sunset. We all enjoyed popcorn and our drink of choice. Sitting and watching the sunset with my kids was definitely a "hakuna matata" moment.

You better "Mufasa" if you want to go on a Safari next summer!

Safari Highlights Checked - Family Safari to Kenya + Tanzania

Summer 2019 for my kiddos will be one of the memory books. Before we embarked on your Family Safari, we created a checklist of what we wanted to see on our Safari. Happy to report that not all did we successfully check all from the lists below, we have created more lists as the kids are hooked on Safari.

Spend time with the Maasai Tribe in Ngorongoro.
This experience was an eye-opener for all. We started our walk from lovely Entamanu Ngorongoro with our Maasai guide. On the way, he explained the flowers, fruits, bushes, etc. that they use on a daily basis for food, curing illnesses, pains, etc. We then arrived at the village where we were welcomed with songs and fire lighting. We were encouraged to participate. The mamas lead us to their boma [homestead] and a quick run-through of their home. That night, my kids were so thankful for running water to brush their teeth, light in the room to read, and space in general. An evening we still talk about at home.

Enjoy the sunsets in Mara and Serengeti.
This was not hard to do at all. We were blessed with glorious sunsets in Masai Mara, Kenya and Serengeti, Tanzania. The evening game drives were extra special when we had some drinks in hand as well. The kids thoroughly enjoyed Tangawizi [gingerale] and I enjoyed Kilimanjaro beer or a lovely glass of wine. Amazing African Sunsets, a drink, good company … not a bad way to end your day on Safari, eh?

See all the beautiful elephants in Tarangire and Amboseli.
Elephants are magic! Whether it is your first time or multiple times, being with them in the wild and in their own landscape is pure bliss. We had the pleasure of seeing huge herds with lots of babies. Once you have spent time with them, you can not fathom a world without them.

”The say an elephant never forgets. What they don’t tell you is, you never forget an elephant.”
- Bill Murray.

And we also got to recreate this image originally taken in 2014 [see above]. We can’t wait recreate this again in the near future.

What is on your family’s checklist?
Let us know and we can start planning your Family Safari to somewhere special in Africa with your loved one.

Not lyin' about a leopard a day on Safari in South Africa

It was raining leopards on my Safari in South Africa in Mala Mala and Sabi Sabi private game reserves. Okay, not literaly but I was in bliss as I saw at least one leopard a day. Beautiful leopards too.

I don’t think it was just luck because these two areas have a reputation of consistent leopard spotting [nature is always un-predicatable though] and of course great teamwork amoungst the guides and the trackers [some lodges have trackers] help.

I saw leopard mama with playful baby, leopard on a prowl - the patient waiting and the hunt as well as the feast, baby leopard munching on an impala hunted by mama the night before, leopards sleeping, young leopard having a blast in the mud hole ++ .

From Mala Mala Game Reserve.

Who doesn’t enjoy a mud bath?

Now, I am hungry.

From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.

Patiently waiting ….

… grabed a warthog which we later saw her enjoy.

If you want to increase your odds of spotting a leopard on Safari, Mala Mala and Sabi Sabi Game Reserves are your spot.

Let’s get you here for your Journey To Africa Safari.