Hoedspruit
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Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the main international gateway into South Africa, and chances are your flight will land there—especially if you’re coming from the U.S. After our 20-hour journey from Chicago, we touched down in Joburg completely exhausted. While Johannesburg has its cultural highlights, it’s important to be honest: safety is a concern in many parts of the city. Because of that, we chose to stay at a hotel right near the airport. It was simple and convenient—perfect for a quick overnight recharge. We grabbed dinner nearby, stretched our legs, and tried to shake off the jet lag.
The next morning, we caught a short puddle jumper flight to Hoedspruit, where the real adventure began. Our excitement was building—we were heading straight into the heart of safari country, ready for lions, elephants, and everything in between. Johannesburg was just a stopover, but it marked the beginning of an unforgettable journey.
The drive from the Hoedspruit airport to our lodge was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. In the U.S., road trips usually mean gas stations, fast food signs, and the occasional billboard cluttering up the view. But in South Africa, it’s an entirely different world. As we cruised along the dusty roads, we spotted giraffes gracefully striding through the brush, zebras grazing near the roadside, and impalas darting through the trees. No fences, no zoo—just wild animals living their lives in the open. It felt surreal, like we had driven straight into the pages of a National Geographic magazine.
Every turn revealed a new scene straight out of a wildlife documentary. The landscape shifted from thick bushveld to open savannah, with the occasional thatched-roof village dotting the distance. Our driver, unfazed by the wildlife, casually pointed out tracks and talked about how common it was to see elephants cross the road up ahead. That first drive was a preview of the magic to come—it was clear we were no longer in our everyday world. We had officially arrived in the wild.
Shiduli Private Game Lodge
We stayed at Shiduli Private Game Lodge, part of the Karongwe Portfolio, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear we were in for an unforgettable experience. Nestled under a canopy of thick trees, the lodge blends beautifully into its natural surroundings, with thatched-roof buildings, open-air lounges, and a peaceful fire pit area that invites you to unwind and listen to the sounds of the bush.
We barely had time to drop our bags before being greeted by our first visitor—a curious vervet monkey who had made himself comfortable right inside our room! It was both hilarious and surreal, a reminder that at Shiduli, you’re truly immersed in the wild.
As we began exploring the property, we walked down toward a nearby overlook and couldn’t believe what we saw: a massive elephant slowly making its way through a dried-up riverbed just below us. No guide, no jeep—just us, standing in awe, watching one of the most majestic creatures on earth roam freely in the distance.
Between the cheeky monkeys, incredible views, and the lodge’s tranquil, intimate vibe, our first day at Shiduli was something out of a dream. It set the tone for the rest of the trip—raw, real, and full of moments that take your breath away.
Big Five
No trip to South Africa is complete without the thrill of tracking the legendary Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Originally named by hunters for being the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot, today the Big Five represent the ultimate wildlife sightings for safari-goers. Seeing any one of them in the wild is special—but encountering all five is a badge of honor. During our time in the bush, we were lucky enough to see them all, and each one offered a completely unique and unforgettable experience. Here’s a closer look at these iconic animals, and what it felt like to witness them in their natural habitat.
Elephants
One of the absolute highlights of our safari experience at Karongwe was getting up close—really close—with the giants of the bush: African elephants. These awe-inspiring creatures are the largest land animals on Earth, and seeing them in their natural environment is something that photos and videos can never fully prepare you for. It’s a humbling, almost spiritual moment.
In the first photo, you can see just how close we got—so close, in fact, that we could make eye contact. Sitting silently in the game vehicle, we watched as this massive elephant stepped out from the brush and stared directly at us. There was a quiet tension in the air, but not out of fear—more out of reverence. You feel the weight of their presence. Their sheer size, the way they move with such slow, deliberate power—it’s unforgettable.
In the second shot, another massive bull walked straight down the dirt track toward us, completely unbothered by our presence. He owned the road, and we gladly let him have it. Watching him approach was like watching a living relic of ancient Earth—calm, wise, and unbelievably majestic. These are the moments you dream of on safari, and getting to share them with my kids made it all the more unforgettable.
Lions
One of the most unforgettable moments from our safari was stumbling upon a pride of lions in the middle of their afternoon lounge session. The first lion we saw was a stunning male with a thick, dark mane, perched confidently on a warm rock like he was posing for National Geographic. He looked straight at us with a calm but commanding presence, completely undisturbed by our vehicle just a few yards away. It was a surreal feeling to be that close to such a powerful animal in the wild—no fences, no barriers, just raw nature.
Just down the track, we found the rest of the pride—lionesses sprawled out in the sand, some napping, others lazily lifting their heads to glance our way. A second male was flopped on his side under the shade, legs in the air, completely relaxed as if he hadn’t a care in the world. The entire scene was peaceful and intimate, a rare glimpse into the quiet side of these iconic predators. It’s easy to forget how fierce lions can be when you see them like this—content, majestic, and utterly at home in the wild.
Rhino
Seeing rhinos in the wild was one of the most moving parts of our safari—partly because of their sheer prehistoric presence, and partly because you know just how endangered they are. These massive, armored animals lumbered through the bush with surprising grace, and watching them up close felt like witnessing a creature from another time. In one sighting, we watched a mother and her calf walk quietly across an open clearing, caked in dried mud and entirely in sync with their surroundings. It was a quiet, peaceful moment, but it carried a lot of weight knowing how rare it is to see these animals thrive in the wild.
Later, we came across a small group partially hidden in the brush, casually munching on leaves and utterly unbothered by us. Despite their size and power, they seemed almost shy, keeping to themselves while giving off a powerful sense of calm. There was no drama—just a raw, undisturbed glimpse of nature doing its thing. These sightings stayed with us long after we left the reserve, a reminder of how lucky we were to see such incredible animals in their natural habitat—and how important it is to protect them.
Cape Buffalo
Cape buffalo are often described as the most unpredictable of the Big Five—and after seeing them up close, we understood why. We came across this pair standing dead center in the path, blocking our way without the slightest hint of urgency. They didn’t run, didn’t flinch—instead, they locked eyes with us and just stared, completely unbothered by our presence. Their posture was calm, but there was an unmistakable intensity in their gaze, like they were sizing us up and daring us to make the first move.
Up close, these animals are massive and built like tanks, with thick, helmet-like horns and a presence that commands respect. They didn’t show aggression, but they also didn’t give us a warm welcome—just a silent stand-off in the middle of the bush. It was one of those encounters that reminded us we were visitors in their world, and they were letting us pass only on their terms.
Leopard
One of the most unforgettable moments of our safari was spotting a leopard weaving silently through the dense underbrush. Leopards are notoriously elusive—famously the hardest of the Big Five to see—so catching a glimpse of one in the wild felt like striking gold. With its muscular, powerful frame and distinctive rosette-shaped spots, it was clear we weren’t looking at a cheetah. The leopard moved with calculated grace, its thick, white-tipped tail swaying behind for balance, and its broad, commanding face scanning the bush ahead. Everything about it was quiet, deliberate, and predatory. It didn’t acknowledge us at all—just moved past with the kind of confidence only a top predator possesses. Seeing this beautiful, stealthy cat in its natural element was nothing short of magical.
Leaving the safari
Our safari in Africa was more than just a trip—it was a life-changing experience, especially as a divorced dad seeking meaningful one-on-one time with my kids. There’s something incredibly powerful about stepping away from screens, routines, and the noise of everyday life to share real adventure together in the wild. Whether we were locking eyes with a lion, watching a baby elephant follow its herd, or sitting silently as a leopard slipped through the brush, every moment was raw, real, and unforgettable. For any dad—divorced or not—looking to reconnect, reset, and create memories that will last a lifetime, a safari in Africa is an absolute must. It’s not just about the animals; it’s about rediscovering connection in the heart of the wild.