A full-grown leopard is just 10 feet away, staring directly at you. This is no zoo. You are in the wild, and nothing separates him from your open-air Land Rover. You sit frozen, clicking picture after picture, marveling at the intimacy of this moment. The air feels charged, each breath a mix of adrenaline and awe. This isn’t the safari you imagined—it’s so much more.
You are so grateful you took this trip. Travel, you’ve discovered, can be more than just a break from work—it’s a rediscovery of yourself. Living like this does not have to wait until retirement.
Doha, Qatar
The flight is a long one. Breaking it up with a stop was a brilliant idea, and Qatar Airways offered great airfares. A 20-hour layover in Doha became the perfect opportunity to explore an exotic culture. The towering skyscrapers of this desert metropolis rise like a mirage. You savor the spices and bold flavors in a local restaurant, each dish a story of its own. The sounds of bustling markets and the call to prayer leave an indelible impression of this brief yet rich experience. Your lack of sleep blended with excitement creates a fuzzy and surreal tone to your memories of Qatar.
Cape Town, South Africa
Arriving in Cape Town, you’re struck by the stunning interplay of mountains and sea, woven together by clouds into a hazy tapestry. The city feels alive, a mix of nature’s beauty and vibrant culture.
The weather shifts constantly. Watching a marine layer roll through the city with Table Mountain as its backdrop, you feel the thrill of riding the cable car to the summit. From the top, the landscape below transforms with every passing cloud. Your hike around the mountaintop is gentle yet invigorating—a perfect way to banish jet lag with sunshine and crisp air.
As you explore the city, you learn to navigate its contrasts. Some areas are best avoided, but Cape Town reveals its gems: charming restaurants, lush parks, and even wildlife. Seeing African penguins waddling along the beach feels like stepping into a dream.
The charm of Cape Town lingers as you prepare to leave, the call of Victoria Falls growing louder.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls defies expectations. The mental image you had of Niagara Falls fades in comparison. Here, the falls are untamed and wild, enveloped by lush greenery. Mist fills the air, casting rainbows that seem to dance with the sunlight.
You cross a bridge populated by baboons to enter Zambia, their nonchalant attitude a reminder of how close you are to nature. Avoiding direct eye contact, you navigate past their troop, feeling both wary and amused. On the Zambian side, the panoramic view takes your breath away. The roar of the water drowns out all other sounds, and you imagine the thrill of rafting the rapids below—a future adventure to add to your growing list.
By embracing the idea that unvisited experiences give you a reason to return, you find freedom from the urge to do it all. You slow down, savoring each moment. Letting go of FOMO, you instead dream of the next journey.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Your first stop is a magical lodge tucked into the bush. You’re welcomed with warm smiles and are soon seated with a view of a watering hole where a massive herd of water buffalo gathers. Their sheer size and reputation as the most unpredictable of the “Big 5” keep you on edge, but the thrill is undeniable.
The next day, the scene changes. A herd of elephants arrives, their presence a silent symphony. Sitting in a “blind” just feet away, you feel their low rumbles resonate in your chest as they communicate. Mothers keep their young close, enforcing discipline with flared ears and trumpeting calls.
When two male elephants from separate herds meet, they greet each other with an unmistakable bond—trunks entwined, a gesture of brotherhood. Your guide later explains that they might be siblings, deepening your appreciation for these intelligent giants.
As night falls, you sit outside your tent, watching the stars reflected in the waterhole. Glowing eyes suddenly appear below your deck—two, then three, then five. Lionesses. Your heart races as you retreat into your tent, clutching the emergency horn you hope you won’t need. The next morning, the guides confirm the pride’s presence. You slept just feet away from Africa’s apex predators, separated only by canvas.
This is the adventure you dreamed of.
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Kasane, Botswana, welcomes you with its charm. Staying at a lodge on the Chobe River, you spend the evening at a local restaurant savoring “sadza” with tomato-based beef or goat. The meal feels authentic, a comforting taste of Botswana.
The next day, curiosity leads your group to a whimsical side trip. For $20 USD, you charter a boat to Namibia, where a passport office inside a small jungle hut stamps your entry. It’s a quick adventure—a boat ride, a walk through the jungle, and the novelty of stepping into a new country.
That afternoon, a photography class on a boat turns into a creative adventure. With a professional photographer’s guidance, you capture crocodiles sunning themselves, elephants grazing, and a kingfisher repeatedly slamming a frog. By the end, your camera holds over a thousand photos, each one a memory preserved.
The Okavango Delta
Flying into the Okavango Delta, you marvel at how this river creates a lush oasis in the middle of a desert. Descending onto a dirt airstrip surrounded by dense vegetation, you feel a sense of anticipation.
This environment is unlike anything you’ve experienced. The lush greenery teems with life. As you walk along raised wooden pathways to your tent, curious monkeys follow, leaping from branch to branch. Your accommodations blend luxury and nature—a canvas-wrapped hotel room where you witness one of the most stunning sunsets of your life.
Morning safaris here are an aquatic adventure. Powerboats skim through reed-lined channels to reach open lakes filled with birds and wildlife. You spot a pod of hippos and give them a wide berth, their reputation for aggression keeping you alert. Crocodiles lurk on the edges, patient hunters in a serene setting.
One unforgettable moment is riding in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe. Floating low in the water, you’re immersed in the delta’s quiet beauty—the gentle slap of water against the canoe, sunlight sparkling on ripples, and the occasional call of birds. Time seems to pause, the world reduced to nature’s rhythm.
As night falls, you dine under a canopy of stars, the crackling campfire adding warmth to the chilly air. Stories are shared, laughter echoes, and you feel profoundly connected to the group and the land. Falling asleep to the deep grunts of nearby hippos, you reflect on how this journey has redefined your sense of adventure.
You made this incredible journey happen by shifting priorities in your life. Sitting in the Okavango Delta, surrounded by nature’s raw beauty, you feel a deep gratitude for the choices that brought you here. This is more than a vacation—it’s a celebration of living fully, embracing adventure, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.