I arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday, 8/9 which coincidently was the celebration of National Women's Day in South Africa.  Johannesburg struck me as not unlike visiting NYC.  My driver from the airport acknowledged that the city is considered the New York City of Africa.  Time to escape the big city and see the real Africa like …

On Monday, 8/10, our tour proceeded to Mpumalanga, known as the Land of the Rising Sun. We travelled the Panorama Route and arrived at Perry's Bridge Hollow for 2 nights. This would be our base for visiting Kruger National Park the next day, Tuesday, 8/11. We arrived at the park early at 6:30 AM and waited in the line of autos to be admitted. …

On Wednesday, 8/12, we left Perry's Bridge Hollow and journeyed on to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland! The small towns and villages provided an interesting perspective of real Africa versus tourist Africa. We loved watching people along the road carrying boxes or parcels on their heads showing incredible balance and control.

Upon our arrival …

Upon reaching the villages a new guide, Justin greeted us to provide a tour and tell us about Zulu life and beliefs. In order to marry a man must produce a dowry of 11 cows. Justin has enough cows to marry but wants to wait a few more years so the cows will breed more before he marries the mother of his child!

Once the daughters are married they …

On Saturday, 8/15 we left KwaZulu-Natal behind and headed toward iSimangaliso Wetland Park. There we boarded a boat in hopes of seeing crocs and hippos in the water. Africa has only 1 type of saltwater croc and we were able to see 3 sunning themselves on the shore. Hippos were spotted rather quickly with their heads up and down out of the water. …

After flying to Johannesburg on Sunday I continued on Monday, 8/17 to Livingstone, Zambia. The local flights or short hops are interesting to watch. Everyone boards a people mover type conveyance to be deposited outside the plane where the crowd must funnel and climb up the stairs for departure. Once we arrived in Livingstone the plane is parked …

On Tuesday 8/18, I travelled across the Zambia/Zimbabwe border to view Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side. The process of going through immigration involves a stop on one side and then the other side upon return. Waiting in line are trucks to have their goods inspected and citizens who are carrying abnormally large loads over their bicycles! My …

The next day, Wednesday, 8/19 was spent visiting Chobe National Park in Botswana after passing through immigration for Zambia and Botswana. Our guide for viewing the park was a jovial man with a big smile named Moyta. Chobe is different from Kruger National Park and Hiuhluwe-Imfolazi Game Reserve as we were closer to the water which presented …