Today is the day you’ve waited your whole life for! We depart *Toronto, Pearson International Airport (*other airports on request) for a safari adventure in Africa.

We’ll arrive in the land of my birth, Zimbabwe, the country I was born and raised in – and home to Victoria Falls, one of the 7-wonders of the world and a UNESCO Heritage Site! Everyone will likely be a bit exhausted but from past experience – everyone is very excited just the same.

A quick check-in at our first ‘home’ in Africa and after a good night’s sleep, you can take your time rising in the morning for a hearty English breakfast. Our oasis is a family-run lodge set in a lush tropical garden, away from the bustling little downtown. There’s a large teardrop swimming pool, which is hugged by the Dining Boma and The Tavern Bar is steeped in history and character. Great place to socialize! It’s the kind of place where it’s very easy to settle in quickly and start to feel like you’re truly “in” Africa, not just visiting it.

A couple of rather handsome men from the Roundtable 8 organisation will stop in to chat with us and share the extraordinary work they do with grassroots groups in Zimbabwe to support the vulnerable and impoverished in this region. This is one of the parts of the journey that means the most to me personally, and it gives us a chance to free-up some space in our luggage as we hand over the goodies we’ve brought to support their initiatives, and take pride in doing our part to make life a little easier for those that don’t have the privileges we do.

Today you’ll experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe a family of elephants as they walk in the bush alongside their dedicated keepers. It’s one of those rare moments where time slows down a little and you realize just how special it is to be here and even get up close for a personal encounter (but respectfully and under the watchful eye of the rangers). Imagine being able to stroke their leathery skin or put your hand behind an ear as it gently moves to keep it cool. This will be an unforgettable, heart-warming experience with conservation of these gentle giants at the heart of it all.

Tonite we’ll go to the Lookout Café for dinner – I’ve chosen this spot not just for the food, but for the setting—because it delivers one of those “this is Africa” moments that stays with you. Perched dramatically on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, The Lookout Café is one of Victoria Falls’ most iconic dining spots – where incredible views take centre stage and every meal comes with a sense of adventure. Overlooking the swirling Zambezi River far below and the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge in the distance, we’ll get there early enough to dine while it’s still light enough to be awed by the spectacular views and scenery, and if we’re lucky, we may be entertained by someone adventurous doing the Zipline or gorge swing over the water!

We won’t tour the mighty Victoria Falls on this stop – I’m deliberately saving that humbling, awe-filled experience for the end, when it will land even more powerfully.

Today our adventure takes us to another favourite place of mine, somewhere that shaped my own love of the African bush growing up. Our roadtrip to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe (a serious upgrade in ‘wild’) is a 2.5-3 hour drive and at any time on our journey there we could see any number of wild animals and this is where you’ll start to feel the shift into something wilder, more raw, and completely removed from everyday life.

This iconic park, roughly the size of Belgium, is famous for its Big Five sightings, and excellent chances of spotting the elusive and very endangered Painted Dog. Consider this Zimbabwe’s wildest playground!  We’ll spend four nights at Iganyana Tented Camp, an intimate safari hideaway on a private concession where animals roam freely—no fences, no crowds, just real Africa.

While the world is still snoozing we will rise with the animals and start our days with a 3-hour sunrise game drive led by top-tier local rangers, and a second gamedrive again in the late afternoon when it cools off and the animals come out of hiding from under the cool shade of trees to avoid the sun. This rhythm, early mornings, quiet bush, and long golden afternoons, is something many of my clients tell me becomes their favourite part of the entire trip.

In between game drives each day we’ll do a walking-safari in the bush. We’ll learn about the animals that surround us because it’s not just about what you see, but learning how to read the bush in a way most travellers never get the chance to. Evenings will be spent around the campfire under star-filled skies, where the scent of woodsmoke and African night sounds will be accompanied by our safari stories of the day. This is where conversations tend to deepen, laughter comes easily, and something shifts—you slow down in a way that’s hard to replicate back home. We make meaningful connections with one another, and it will fill you with a real sense of peace and happiness we often miss in our busy daily lives.

Delicious meals crafted with Zimbabwe sun-kissed fruit and vegetables and hormone/preservative free meat are created by talented local chefs and served by warm and smiling Zimbabwean people whose connection to this land goes back generations, and whose hospitality is something I’m always proud to share. (For those with dietary restrictions – don’t worry! Those will be looked after too.)

The refreshing pool is perfect when you need to cool off, and yes, the elephants occasionally think so too!

Iganyana is where you will be able to leave the world behind you and let your own spirit grow strong in this wild, soulful, and unforgettable place.

Today we are on a road trip and crossing into Botswana (“land of the gentle giants”), which offers a slightly different feel again – equally wild, but with its own unique rhythm. Using the same road we took to get to Hwange, we’ll drive to Victoria Falls and stop for a quick bite to eat at a local haunt around noon, before heading on to the border-crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

If elephants had a favourite holiday destination, it would almost certainly be Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, famous for having the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. And while elephants may be the headline act, they’re far from the only stars of a Chobe safari. The park is also home to massive buffalo herds, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and an incredible variety of antelope.

Chobe Safari Lodge, is a place I return to again and again because it consistently delivers incredible wildlife experiences without losing that relaxed, welcoming feel. This afternoon we ease straight into safari mode with a sunset cruise on the Chobe River—bevvies in hand, wildlife all around, and hippos very much in charge. Dinner follows back at the lodge, and yes, we’ll be back on the river again later in the week (because once is never enough).

Early in the morning as this is prime time, when the bush is alive and every turn feels like it might reveal something extraordinary, we’ll pile into open-sided landrovers early in the morning with Chobe’s friendly and knowledgeable rangers. Three hours later (or longer depending on what we find!) you’ll be back at the lodge for a well-earned fabulous breakfast. Late afternoon, we’re in the 4×4’s again, holding our breath on every corner as we wait to see what’s around it!

One of many highlights at Chobe will be a private boat cruise on the Chobe River (just us), and on our final night an authentic bush braai (bbq) under the stars at Sedudu Grill. Think river views, distant lights across the water, bush sounds all around, and food that tastes even better outdoors.

Downtime is yours to do whatever you like: wildlife-watching from your balcony or patio (hello warthogs and friends of warthogs), poolside lounging, or keeping an eye on the resident monkeys and baboons—admire from a distance, please, they’re mischievous locals. Optional extras like fishing or additional game drives are available if you’re keen.

On our last morning, rise early for sunrise. There’s often a quiet moment here where it all sinks in—how much you’ve seen, and how different this world feels from home. After breakfast (and maybe a final swim), we board our coach and head back to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for one of the world’s greatest show-off!

We’ll settle in for two nights at award-winning Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, a place I’ve chosen very intentionally for the final chapter of this journey. Rooms overlook a watering hole, so wildlife often drops by for a drink while you relax with one of yours. Add a pool, spa, great food, and the warmest local hospitality (truly—Zimbabweans will steal your heart), and you’re set.

The finale to our extraordinary safari adventure will include exploring the 22 points of the mighty  Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. At 1.7km wide, 108m high, it is spectacular even in the dry season. And this is where everything comes together—because seeing the Falls at the end of the journey, not the beginning, gives it a completely different emotional weight. Locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”), which makes perfect sense once you see it. Think thunder, mist, and a very healthy sense of awe! Best not to wear white as the spray from the falls could leave us looking like we’re contestants for a wet t-shirt contest.

In the evening we’ll take a sunset cruise on the river, with wildlife spotting high on the agenda—binoculars encouraged, bragging rights optional.

Because you’ll feel like a local now at Victoria Falls, on our last day we’ll split up (into smaller groups) and you can independently (or you can just stick with me if you prefer) take some time at the local markets to browse Shona stone sculptures and hand-carved treasures. Here you’ll find an array of beautiful gifts and meaningful souvenirs. This part matters to me. Supporting local artisans isn’t just a nice idea, it’s personal. My people. Thank you. 💛

Today you’ll be joining birds of prey for lunch – literally! While we enjoy lunch high up in the restaurant looking out on the watering hole, you’ll be able to watch as hundreds of vultures and other birds fly in and settle in the surrounding trees down below awaiting the arrival of their own lunch feast. Watching the mad scramble and hearing the sounds of flapping wings as they vie for best position to get at the food brought for them is an incredible (and mildly disturbing😊) experience.

And for our final flourish: a dinner and extraordinary cultural experience at Boma Restaurant. Expect bold Zimbabwean flavours, drumming, dancing, storytelling, and an evening that’s equal parts cultural immersion and pure fun. Bring your appetite—and maybe your dancing shoes.

By now, Africa won’t feel quite so far away or unfamiliar anymore—and that’s always something I hope for every person who travels with me. We’ll breakfast together, and ease our way back toward reality at a gentle pace. Maybe re-live some of the countless special moments, and then you can take your time relaxing by the pool or gazing out at the watering hole in the hope of catching one last glimpse of what brought you to  this part of my world.

We’ll say our goodbyes and thank-you’s to the staff who have made our trip so special and then transfer to Victoria Falls International  Airport for the flight home to our beautiful Canada!