Our Mom-Daughter Trip to South Africa, Part 1 - Safari in Kruger National Park
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“And plenty nights under pink skies . . . you taught ‘em to enjoy”
Parker and I spent 10 days in South Africa at the end of July (4 in Kruger National Park and 6 in Cape Town).
Why South Africa? Well after Freya and I returned from her senior year mom-daughter trip to Japan, Parker and I immediately started planning where we wanted to travel together. Originally, I had assumed we’d go in fall or winter, but then I realized both Thanksgiving and winter break would be the first times Freya came home from college and I didn’t want to miss that.
Since Freya went to Asia, Parker wanted to travel to a new-to-us continent as well. And United flies has a direct flight from Dulles to Cape Town (I love a direct flight!). I had assumed we’d go on safari as a day trip from Cape Town, but once I started pricing things out (which was a complicated long drawn out process) I finally found a travel agent I liked (thank you Rudi!), who managed to get us a four night deal at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge. (Don’t get me wrong, the safari was not cheap, but still it was much more reasonably priced than I expected).
The downside of traveling to South Africa in July is it is winter in Cape Town (lots of rain), but the upside is that it is Kruger’s dry season and, hence, the perfect time to see the animals.
Regarding safari, I purposefully chose not to have many expectations (that way I couldn’t be disappointed), but I have to say, this was one of my favorite vacations ever (and, yes, I know how cheesy that sounds). There really is something amazing about seeing animals up close in their natural environment (so different than in zoos) - esp. the baby elephants trying to use their trunks and all the baby lions playing together. And the sunsets. I can’t say enough good things.
CAMERA STUFF - I don’t usually talk about photography gear, but since I almost always shoot fixed lenses (35/50/85) and sometimes the 24-70, I needed a new “safari lens” but I didn’t want to buy a super expensive zoom lens that I’d never use again (after all, it’s not like I’ll be going on that many safaris in my life). Luckily, I found a great deal on a Canon RF 24-240, which ended up being the perfect safari/vacation lens, I’m hoping to bring it on more trips.**
**This post is sponsored by Capitol One shopping, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE NEXT PART OF OUR VACATION? Click below.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF OUR FAMILY’S CRAZY LIFE? Then please click below.
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Darcy Troutman Photography is a Northern VA/Washington DC/Maryland documentary-style family photographer, who believes in capturing real moments. Interested in learning more? Please click here to sign up for my newsletter or schedule a session.