Adventures of an Expat in South Africa
Lawson Ricketts and Nick Geimer are two American expats who fell in love with Johannesburg and upon their return to the United States founded Ngala Trading Co. to bring luxury African interior design and decor to the North American market. Read all about the founding of their company in this feature article on Joburg Expat.
One of South Africa's most prominent export goods has become as affordable as never before: Tourism. And, in particular, the African safari at one of the many wonderful game lodges throughout its wildlife reserves.
So we go on the first one WITHOUT kids, and what should we get to see the very first afternoon at Banoka Bush Camp? Mating lions. In fact, it’s the first time we’ve seen anything mate in the wild. If you don't count the odd dragon flies over our pool. Opportunity missed. With the kids here, we could have had the entire birds and bees conversation right there.
If our arrival in Maun is anything to go by, our stay in Botswana is going to be out-of-this-world extraordinary.
Although I should mention that we’re travelling without kids for an entire week. I’ve often said that I’d go ANYWHERE without kids. Just imagine – no last minute screaming at the house because Sunshine can’t find Billy. No ghastly realization halfway to the airport that we’ve forgotten the Drammamine. No confiscated scissors at security, or being whisked off to be checked for explosives because we brought a suspicious looking light-up bouncy ball. No having to pretend mid-air that these are someone else’s children when two of them start throwing up because we’ve forgotten the Drammamine. No squabbles over the window seat. No spilled apple juice on your lap. No “I HAVE to go to the bathroom” while we’re waiting at security. No “when do we get there’s” whatsoever.Even so, our arrival at Maun International Airport – a big word – is exceptionally smooth as African arrivals go. We step into the crowded entrance hall ...
You might remember that not very long ago we stayed in a beautiful game lodge near Kruger Park, Kitara Camp. I’ve written about Don and Lee-Anne, the couple managing the game lodge, and what it feels like ...
Klaserie is a private game reserve adjacent to Kruger Park, neither of them fenced in, meaning every living thing wandering around the fabled Kruger Park is perfectly at leisure to saunter on over to Klaserie Game Reserve. Somehow this makes viewing the animals extra special. With Kruger Park being one of the best spots in South Africa to see leopards, we had high hopes for Klaserie.
Having gone on several safaris since living in Africa, I have always wondered what it would be like to manage a game lodge. Is it exhausting? Do you get lonely? Do you ever tire of the animals?
So when we found ourselves at yet another game lodge over New Year’s, I ...
Another year in Africa is coming to a close, and our family will end it in pretty much the same way it began last January (let’s just hope without the emergency room): In the bush on a safari. ...
“Every time I came across this tree as a child, my blood would run cold.”
It is a bright and cool morning and we’re glad to have stopped, a beautiful silence replacing the rumbling of the diesel engine and ...
Jamila Lodge has everything you could ask from a luxury lodge for your African safari destination. It’s situated on top of a hill with stunning views all around and a cool breeze wafting up from the valley, the service and food are excellent, and we particularly enjoyed the hot tub right on our own private deck. It's located in Welgevonden Game Reserve only a few hours from Johannesburg.