By Ange Bowerman

Starting our adventure in Johannesburg.
After my first trip to Namibia, I knew Africa wasn’t somewhere I would visit just once. I wanted to go back, see more, and share the experience with people close to me. With my son Brae approaching his 12th birthday,I decided it was time to make it happen. So I did what any travel-loving person might do: I put a post on social media asking who wanted to come to Africa with us! That little post became a group of 10, bringing together old school friends and cousins I hadn’t seen for quite some time. There were plenty of laughs before we even left, and by the end of the trip we were already talking about the next one.

I had previously spent two nights in Johannesburg on my way to Namibia, and knew I wanted to return to explore more of its history. We began with four nights at Southern Sun Sandton, which we found comfortable and reasonably priced. It gave us a good base for three very different days out.Our first excursion was a half-day tour of Pretoria with our guide, Sam. Having someone explain the history and stories behind the places we visited made such a difference. A bit of car trouble on the way back also gave us an unexpected story to add to the collection. There’s always something when you travel!

A day in Soweto that will stay with us.

Our visit to the Apartheid Museum and Soweto was one of the most moving parts of the trip. At the museum, our group split between the separate entrances that form part of the exhibition, illustrating the racial segregation imposed under apartheid. It was a confronting introduction to the stories inside and encouraged us to think about experiences very different from our own. We also visited Mandela House Museum, where we heard more about Nelson Mandela’s life. Later, we delivered sports equipment, clothing, shoes and personal care items in Soweto. Our group had brought footballs, soccer balls, basketballs and netballs, and the welcome we received was something special. Sharing that day with Brae meant a lot to me. Travel gives children opportunities to learn beyond a classroom, and this was one of those experiences that opened up conversations about other people’s lives, opportunities and challenges. It was a day that will stay with all of us.

When the wildlife takes over the itinerary.
Next came Pilanesberg National Park and our first taste of safari on this trip. The plan was to spend part of the day looking for animals before heading to Sun City for the afternoon. However, once we were out in the park, nobody was particularly keen to leave. There was always the possibility of another sighting, and we wanted to keep looking! We eventually reached Sun City for a group lunch and a quick look around. Its wave pool, man-made beach, water park and resort accommodation offered quite a change of scene. But on this particular day, the wildlife had won us over.

A week at Makutsi Safari Springs – was definitely not enough!
From Johannesburg, we flew to Hoedspruit and continued to Makutsi Safari Springs for a week of safari adventures. This was the part of the trip we had all been so excited about, and we packed plenty into our stay. Our itinerary included morning and afternoon game drives, a night drive, a day trip to Kruger National Park, an excursion to Blyde River Canyon and a visit to a local reptile park. Having a base for the week worked really well for our group. We could settle in and enjoy a variety of outings without continually packing up and moving on. One of the wonderful things about safari is the anticipation. You head out wondering what you might see, and every drive gives you another reason to keep your eyes open. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, which makes those moments feel even more special. We were fortunate to see an incredible variety of animals during our trip, including zebras, giraffes, rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants and warthogs. And then there were the birds! It’s easy to arrive thinking mostly about the larger animals, but the birdlife was beautiful too. Picking a favourite is almost impossible. Every time I think I’ve decided, I remember something else.

More than a safari.
Although the wildlife was a huge highlight, the variety made this trip particularly memorable. We explored South Africa’s
history, spent time in Soweto, visited national parks and took in the scenery at Blyde River Canyon. Along the way, we shared it all
with people we loved. Travelling with old friends and family added another layer to the experience. There were shared discoveries, plenty of laughter and memories that now belong to all of us. Watching Brae experience it alongside everyone else made it even more special for me.

Could South Africa be your next adventure?
Having now visited Namibia and South Africa, I’m even more excited about the different experiences Africa offers. This journey showed me how well a combination of city sightseeing, history and safari can work for a family or a group of friends. Our group is already talking about returning in 2028. Clearly, one trip together wasn’t enough!

If an African adventure has been sitting on your wish list, I’d love to help you work out where to start. I can share my firsthand experiences and help put together a journey that suits your interests, your travel style and the people coming with you.

Images: Ange Bowerman – Travel & Cruise
Personal Travel Manager, Tasmania
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 477 083 307