South African Safari

Hello all! I’m back on the blog for the first time in 2017 with a very special post.

This time last year, I was returning home from a three-week trip to South Africa. It was my first time to the country and the African continent as a whole. At sixteen hours it was also easily the longest flight I’ve ever been on.

What makes this post so special is that it was in South Africa that I originally had the idea to start my own blog chronicling my travels. Unfortunately, I had major problems getting online there and let the few pieces I wrote remain as unpublished WordPress drafts, and I did not end up starting Wherever Jess Goes until I was in Italy this past summer.

The good news is that a year later, I’ve been reflecting on my time in South Africa (and daydreaming about going back!) and there is still plenty to share! What you’re reading here today will be the first of a few travel diaries focusing on my time in the country, and this one in particular will focus on Kruger National Park.

 

A little background about the park – it’s located in the northeastern portion of South Africa bordering on Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Kruger National Park is the portion of the park within South African borders, while the reserve itself extends into the neighboring countries.

The place is HUGE. It’s hard to describe just how extensive this place is until you actually see it for yourself. We spent two half-days and one full day out in safari vehicles exploring the place and we only saw a tiny bit of it.

Kruger National Park seems to go on endlessly

We stayed in Nkambeni Tented Lodge while there. The rooms are cute little structures that look like tents with wooden floors! The insides are even cuter with two twin-sized beds pushed together and covered by a mosquito net that could easily double as a decorative canopy. The best part of the rooms was the outdoor shower (which I'm so sad to say I did not take a photo of)

All of the tents are numbered and set up so it feels like you're in a little village. Nkambeni then has a main lodge with a bar and dining area. And it's all open air so it overlooks the park and on-site pool!

The perfect place to cool off with a drink after a long day in the strong South African sun

Now for the best part of the entire place - the safari! We spent three days exploring the park in safari cars and it did not disappoint. Kruger National Park is full of animals and gorgeous, scenic views. Don't take my word for it - see for yourself!

Even though I came away from this experience with some wonderful memories and photos, I will say I'm a little disappointed that I forgot to pack some better camera lenses! Oh well, that's just an excuse to go back, right? ;)

I call this look safari-chic

Stay tuned for a South Africa travel diary part two soon!

xo, Jess