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Botswana Family Safari

July 19, 2014 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Read about one family's wonderful Botwana safari...

Read about one family’s wonderful Botwana safari…

Botswana was “the trip of a lifetime,” says Kathleen Hubbard-Ismail. Read her trip report and you’ll understand why.

When our granddaughter was born, we began saving.  We had a jar in our pantry called “the Africa jar” and for thirteen years we deposited our coins saving for our one-day safari to Africa.  Finally  that safari came.  On August 5, 2012 my husband, son, his wife and our two granddaughters (6 of us) headed off on our journey overflowing with anticipation.

Botswana - the trip of a lifetime for Kathleen and her family.

Botswana – the trip of a lifetime for Kathleen and her family.

We were NOT disappointed!  Nothing could have prepared us for the power of Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls or the stunning animals of Botswana.  Our days began with early sunrise drives across the bush with eyes and ears keenly tensed in search of animals.  And did we see them!  Monkeys, elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, antelope, leopard, wildebeest, hippopotamus and birds of all kinds.  To see them in their wild, natural, undisturbed and protected environment was absolutely breath taking.

Is there a better place in Africa for seeing wildlife? Probably not.

Is there a better place in Africa for seeing wildlife? Probably not.

Our Botswana guides were brilliant!

With subtle ease and humor, they shared with us tales of the ebb and flow of this codependent and altruistic world that Mother Nature weaves out here on the African plain. Our evening drives found us in the middle of nowhere surrounded by the deafening silence of the bush sharing tea and watching the sun drop down behind the local baobab tree.  Remote, distinguished yet simple elegance were the camps in which we dined by candlelight, open fires and soft conversations under the stars.  It was over too soon while being just the right amount of time to experience this life altering adventure.

Luxury lodging and meals in the bush.

Luxury lodging and meals in the bush.

Seeing these remarkable and unspoiled National Parks of Botswana overflowing with pristine landscapes and full of the beautiful and powerful animals in their natural environment is a must see for everyone who loves our plant earth.  Here all is unspoiled and magnificently preserved.  Best of all, we saw it without the crowds.  It was such a private and personal trip.  Everything was perfect!   I could never begin to thank Ashworth Africa for planning, preparing and delivering such a remarkable adventure for our family.

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I researched and consulted with many different travel agencies before selecting Ashworth Africa.  No only was the Ashworth price significantly better than the others but the personal service we received from Patrick was the deciding factor.  I will never be able to thank him enough for the adventure he prepared and delivered for our family.

Botswana was "the trip of a lifetime" for Kathleen and her family.

Botswana was “the trip of a lifetime” for Kathleen and her family.

Now, on winter evenings after dinner by the fire in our home in Vermont or on summer evenings out in the back yard under the stars, we all join together and remember the remarkable time we were all beside fires and under these same stars in Africa.  We reminisce and recount moments of animal encounters and laugh when we remember the monkeys scampering off with a tidbit from the breakfast buffet. Ashworth created this memory for us.  One that will live a lifetime.

We will always remember our bold and exciting adventure and fondly remember those landscapes, those waters, those animals and those darling guides who lead us across the Botswana plains and our Trip of a Lifetime.

Botswana!

Botswana!

 

Botswana Safari – Daily Itinerary

Day 1 – Fly from London to Johannesburg

Day 2 – Fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Day 3 – Victoria Falls (other activities: Elephant Ride, Lion Encounter)

Day 4 – Chobe Safari Lodge

Day 5 -  Chobe Game Reserve

Day 6 – Fly to Okavango Delta – Pom Pom Camp

Day 7 – Okavango Delta

Day 8 – Fly to Johannesburg

Day 9 – Fly to London

This is the second time a guest of Ashworth Africa has sent a trip report to Authentic Luxury Travel. Have you also read this one?

Happy travels,

Elizabeth Hansen

   

 

Tags: Africa, African, African safaris, Ashworth Africa, Botwana, Family Travel, kid-friendly travel, Patrick Ashworth, real experiences, safari, travel, travelers, traveling, trip planning

Category: Botswana, Safaris

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Comments (1)

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  1. Robert Payne says:
    July 27, 2014 at 11:07 am

    Victoria Falls is truly breathtaking. The power has to be seen to be believed. When I was there you could walk up the bank of the river just before it drops over the falls. While running after beautiful butterfly with my camera I leapt onto a log in the long grass. The log turned out to be a very large crocodile resting on the bank. It made an explosive exit into the river while I think I jumped several feet into the air! Not sure who got the bigger fright.

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