The Joy and Nostalgia of Africa

How can I explain my excitement as I board Delta Flight 200? A 16-hour journey, routine and mundane as a regular work trip?
But excitement surges through me because I’m heading “home.” I’m wrapped in a sense of joy as I “insert the metal tip into the buckle until it clicks, then pull on the strap to tighten.”
I’m buckled in and ready to ride!

A unique twist fuels my excitement for this trip, too: I am traveling with one of my closest friends – a new empty-nester – to introduce her to the wonders of Botswana. I can already imagine her excitement seeing one of the planet’s most incredible wilderness areas; from the jaw-dropping Kalahari Desert to the dazzling water worlds of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River. I anticipate her awe, her appreciation for the natural beauty, and her giddy reaction to her close interaction with nature.

Our South African journey begins at the Saxon in Johannesburg – a delightful two-night stay in the very place where the legendary Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The Saxon’s rich history traces back to an insurance magnate who hosted Mandela during his work. With exceptional service and a stunning spa, the Saxon is a beautiful urban retreat set amidst lush gardens in the heart of Johannesburg. We reconnected with family and friends in a setting filled with contemporary African art, broad bay windows, six acres of gardens, a koi pond, and a heated pool. Our rooms, classic but modern with pleasing neutral but warm aesthetics, provide a perfect retreat.

We depart from our oasis to a chic yet unpretentious safari camp, Mokete, found east of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Nestled in a previously uncharted area – at last uncharted to the traditional safari industry – the Mokete area consists of a wild assortment of seasonal floodplains, arid grasslands, and towering mopane woodlands. Here is a glimpse of wild Botswana at its finest, boasting incredibly high populations of lions, elephants, and buffalo competing for resources. And, the best part? Mokete’s 193-square-mile concession is exclusive to its guests, ensuring intimate, breathtaking wildlife encounters.

After landing in Maun from Johannesburg, we took a thrilling helicopter ride that provided an eagle-eye view of the Okavango Delta as we soared for 45 minutes north-east to Mokete. The camp was simply teeming with wildlife, leaving me in awe of the sheer vastness and abundance we experienced in just a couple of days. We witnessed herds of over 4,000 buffalo thundering through clouds of dust, lions hunting them daily, and a variety of other majestic animals roaming the landscape. It was an unforgettable experience that left me speechless. Elephants were drinking out of my pool and hyenas were whooping the night away form close to my room. Scops owls called all evening, filling the still air with their soft trilling.

Our next stop? North Island, Okavango; one of the newest and most exclusive luxury safari camps in the Okavango Delta.
This stunning camp is situated on a private island in a beautiful and wildlife-rich part of the Delta, nestled amidst a network of shimmering lagoons and water channels. This lavish base provides a wide range of safari experiences. There, I witnessed an incredible array of wildlife—from basking hippos and wading elephants to swooping fish eagles. I was particularly excited to spot rare species like the Pel’s fishing owl and wild dogs, not to mention the iconic lions and leopards that the region is famous for.
North Island truly offers unforgettable encounters! We spent two exhilarating days exploring the reef-lined waterways by mokoro (traditional canoe) and speedboat and joined game drives to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.

The African continent is not just my home; it houses extraordinary destinations that offer a rich tapestry of culture and abundant wildlife where connection flourishes: the vast plains convey a sense of freedom, space, and tranquility while the spirit of the people infuses life into the land. Their vibrant energy wraps you in warmth and joy. What a wonderful environment in which to share a holiday with loved ones and close friends, laughing and bonding around crackling African bushfires, relishing blood-red sunsets, and gazing into a brilliantly sparkling night sky.

As the stunning sunset casts its glow on our last night of safari, I sit aside my friend and reflect on the many changes that have recently occurred—my son starting to drive and the kids heading off to college.

“Time really can fly, can’t it?” she whispers to me.

One moment feels overflowing with possibilities, and before we know it, we are left pondering where it all went and how fast.

I’ve been contemplating this a lot lately, realizing that it serves as a poignant reminder of how fleeting yet significant those moments can be. Here, we are anchored in what truly matters and shaping the narratives we leave behind.

Africa has a unique way of solidifying memories, memories that linger and resonate far deeper than just a simple moment or image. Like my friend, join me on a journey where the magical experiences encourage indelible memories and connections that will thrive long past the 16-hour return flight.

 

Hinkwenu for Thanksgiving

Hinkwenu!

Thanksgiving is all about Hinkwenu: togetherness. The togetherness we feel around a table while sharing a meal, around the campfire, around the living room, around each other. We are grateful for Hinkwenu, particularly at this time of year when we remember our blessings, friendships, and good fortune.

In the United States, we give thanks around the dinner table with a hearty meal complete with family favourites – turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. We share in the spirit of gratitude for family, good health, and fall harvest, not forgetting that many countries have their own version of Thanksgiving celebrations.

England celebrates a bountiful harvest with music and food festivals in the fall months. Joaquim Nabuco brought US traditions to Brazil in 1940s, establishing the day with a carnival, church services, and parades. Canada gives thanks on the second Monday in October by hosting a traditional feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. In Mid-Autumn Festival in China, a three-day celebration includes a feast with mooncakes, dragon dancing, and lantern lighting. Korean Thanksgivings involve a three-day holiday during which people visit their ancestral hometowns to prepare a traditional rice cake –  songpyeon – to celebrate.

This year, I think of the many aspects of Africa that bless me with each visit: the unrestricted wildlife, vast savannas, lush rainforests, dramatic mountains, arid deserts, and pristine beaches. The warm weather. The sense of community – Ubuntu – permeates through the continent. The delicious cuisine: chakalaka, Moroccan stew, koki corn, and pilau. The sense of freedom. The deep connection to the land and vistas.

With a heart filled with gratitude, I extend to you the opportunity to express your appreciation for the iconic nature of Africa. As many Thanksgiving celebrations extend past the table and onto acts of charity, sharing time with family and friends, congenial sporting events, and decorating the mantle with pomegranates, leafy boughs, and spiced oranges, my Thanksgiving celebration includes contributing to the place where I feel most connected – the place I think of as home.

And, I invite you to do the same: your philanthropy to Iconic Africa’s Foundation demonstrates a genuine commitment to the conservation of Africa’s breathtaking wilderness and the people who care for it and live amongst it. Your travel with Iconic Africa assures wilderness conservation and the alleviation of poverty on the continent: protect rhinos, conserve lions and their habitats, create green energy, support ecological research and widespread education, as well as development in rural communities.

November presents a time to express generosity of spirit. We invite you to extend the kind of gratitude that making lasting, positive change to a unique part of our world.

Celebrate Hinkwenu.

Celebrate Africa.

Thanksgiving With the Iconic Africa Foundation

Seeing is just the start.

Iconic Africa creates exclusive luxury African safari and adventure holidays for couples and families alike, in both Southern and East Africa.

Our gorgeous destinations, all handpicked and visited by Iconic directors Terri and John, include: the sophistication of Cape Town, the glorious wine lands of the Franschoek Valley, the bustling Atlantic coastal retreat of Hermanus, the most stylish safaris of the Kruger National Park and adjoining private reserves, the emerald mosaic and epic wildlife of the Okavango Delta and Selinda Game Reserve, the adventure and majesty of the Victoria Falls, the last tropical island refuges floating in the cobalt blue of Mozambique’s Indian Ocean and the urban fascination and history of Johannesburg, the economic hub of Africa.

Iconic Africa regards the continent as a symbol of uBuntu; of how people are because of each other, of how we can be the best versions of ourselves no matter what our background, ethnicity, country of origin or economic status.

Since Iconic Africa launched in 2014, the goal of founders Terri Abadi and John Holley has been to share the wonders of the African continent with visitors who could appreciate and luxuriate in the awe-inspiring surroundings.

And, now, the time is right to launch Iconic Africa Foundation, so that guests become contributors – giving back to wildlife, conservation efforts, and Africa’s people.

The Iconic Africa Foundation provides the chance for visitors to Africa to make an impact through their safari.
Instead of simply viewing the stunning vistas and lush landscapes, guests of Iconic Africa will be making a contribution towards the protection of the wildlife, the land and her people, all of which enrich the travel experience exponentially.
Iconic Africa will be committing a percentage of each safari to wilderness conservation and the investment in community upliftment projects throughout Africa.
A crucial aspect of Iconic Africa’s philosophy is that the destinations we represent must demonstrate a genuine commitment to the conservation of Africa’s great wilderness areas and the rural communities who live alongside them.

Late November in the United States is a time for giving thanks for our gifts. What more perfect time to honour Africa as one of the great gifts the world has to offer?
The Iconic Africa Foundation will help ensure that the continent’s incredible natural history will be preserved for posterity.

We have seen the leopards lounging in long grasses, a sight we want to help ensure that our grandchildren will see.

We have watched stately elephants march down to the Sand River to get a sprinkling of fresh water, a procession we know you will find inspiring.

We have heard lions roaring around camp throughout the night and we can imagine the expressions on your faces bathed in the campfire light as you experience the same.

We have laid down after a day on safari, gazing into the starry sky, connecting with the world around us, and we want you to feel connected, too.

Iconic Africa’s founders have spent decades exploring our enchanted continent, and we have used this first-hand knowledge to put together our most loved and splendid African adventures.

Now through the Iconic Africa Foundation we aim to play our part in ensuring that generations to come can connect with these same life-changing experiences we have had.

The timing is prefect this Thanksgiving to launch the Iconic Africa Foundation to give back to Africa and its heritage…

Conserve – the innate beauty and wildness of Africa.

Preserve – memories you make in this timeless landscape.

Reserve – your trip with Iconic Africa.

Londolozi: A Return Home

It has been 26 years since I first journeyed to Londolozi Game Reserve, yet every time I visit I still feel the same sense of giddy excitement I did on that initial visit so long ago, the same sense of nostalgia when I climb up into the Land Rover for the opening game drive of the trip, and the same overwhelming sense of sadness when I leave.

It’s not just the amazing sightings of leopards in trees, lions wading through the Sand River, or being surrounded by the 7th herd of elephants for the morning. It’s far more than that.
This for me was where my true love for the bush began, as I began to see exactly what type of experience it could – and should – be.

My first visit to Londolozi, 26 years ago (I am standing centre). Ranger Julius Ngwenya (sitting in front) has his son now working as a tracker at Londolozi.
And our latest trip, out on game drive waiting for lions to wake up in the evening.

This is what Londolozi does so well. There’s no formula. That went out the window long ago. Yes there is a framework within which the lodge operates – out before sunrise each morning to catch the dawn chorus, night drives following lions on the hunt, bush walks to make you touch, smell, and truly listen – but the reality is that each safari, each time you venture out of the camp gates in fact, is tapered to suit your specific needs.

One of the many herds that inhabit the reserve wade across the Sand River (Pioneer Camp is just out of picture to the left).
The winter months are an especially good time to see elephants in the South African bush.

Birding is your thing? No problem; the focus shifts to the myriad different habitats that the reserve features, with the guide and tracker fully aware of which species are to be found where. Photographically inclined, wanting to capture that magical silhouette shot of a leopard outlined against the vivid reds of an African sunset? The tracking team will find that leopard, and – conditions permitting – the ranger will know exactly where to position the vehicle and what camera settings to use to make sure you nail the shot. There is no such thing as homogeneity in the Londolozi experience. It’s always unique and always special.

You never know what will be around the next corner at Londolozi…

I try to get back there once a year, except these days it’s not just me and my husband but my kids as well, and my brother and his wife regularly accompany us.
We try to stay in Pioneer Camp each year, the most westerly of the Londolozi camps. One of Londolozi’s three Relais and Chateaux camps, Pioneer only has three rooms, perfect for a family of our size. The adults go into two of them while the kids squeeze into the third (which is connected to ours by a discreet walkway).
And for a magical ten days, the camp becomes home.

The camp manager this year was Shannon Dawson, the most wonderful person you could ever wish to meet, and she shares a similar history with us in that she has also been visiting Londolozi with her family since she was small. And now she calls it home too.
Nothing was ever too much for Shannon, and her delightful smile was always there to welcome us home after game drive, morning and evening.

This leopard was waiting for us just off the edge of the Pioneer Camp deck as we returned from game drive one evening!

Travelling out from Atlanta, GA, where I live these days (having moved from South Africa in the 90s), it makes far more sense for us to come for a longer trip, so ten days is usually the least amount of time we will stay. I cannot emphasise enough the value of a longer stay. It allows one to truly sink into a place, to adjust to the flow of the African bush, and get to know the ranger, tracker and camp staff far better than one would in what would traditionally have been a three night adventure.

Our coffee stop one morning in a treehouse overlooking the Sand River.

 

A young leopard cub peers down nervously from the boughs of a marula tree, still uncertain of the best way to descend.

Particularly for those coming from further afield, long stay safaris are slowly starting to replace the three night visits, which travel trends are definitely starting to reflect. The idea it seems, is to go deeper, not broader. Rather than hopping between lodges, discerning travellers are preferring to remain in one place, getting the absolute most out of a visit that they can.
This is certainly what we try to accomplish each time we visit Londolozi.

Tiny wild dog pups emerge from their den as their mother calls them out.

This was our first time back in a couple of years, Covid-19 and other circumstances having prevented us visiting since July 2018.

The best thing for me was just how easy travel was in these times: flights were not a problem, covid-compliant and everything almost seemed easier than normal, especially given that airports are far less crowded. A hop, skip and a jump, and back in Londolozi we were…

And what a return it was.
Lions taking down a buffalo on our first morning, male leopards roaring back and forth at each other, a female leopard with her cubs just learning how to climb, wild dog pups emerging from their den for the first time… The sightings were incredibly varied and seemingly endless.
And in between them was the Londolozi fun; Wimbledon-themed dinners, soccer games for the kids, tracking lessons from Joy Mathebula… Whenever we least expected it, there was something new and exciting on the cards.

Tracker Andrea Sithole – who our family have known for years – celebrates a goal with my daughter Brodi in a soccer game organised for the kids staying in camp.
One of the dominant male leopards that Londolozi is so famous for, drinking only a few feet from our vehicle.

Londolozi doesn’t just thrill with the wildlife. They take you into their world and open your eyes. You get to see what this one wild life we have all been given should really be about: fun, connection, intimacy with nature and ultimately finding the best version of yourself.

I know I find that person whenever I’m at Londolozi.
And you can too…