An African Safari to Remember

Welcome to Season Three! I so appreciate you joining me as we head into 2024 with the Travel Connections Podcast. Once again, our episodes will be filled with fascinating people sharing unique stories. You will be enlightened and entertained and gain knowledge you didn’t know you needed! This episode is the perfect way to add to your research for your next trip.

In today’s episode, we begin a three-part series featuring our recent tour of Southern Africa with Collette.

I have been traveling as a Brand Ambassador with Collette for the past six years, where I have been to Japan, Iceland, and now Africa. Everyone at Collette does a superb job planning and executing their tours. To learn more about my first two tours, visit AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com and type Japan and Iceland in the search bar. The link is also listed below.

My husband Craig and I were invited to join a small group tour called Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari By Land & By Water. Oh my goodness, I can’t say enough about this experience. It was a dream trip and exceeded all of my expectations, and you will have the opportunity to hear so much in this episode, as well as Episodes 2 and 3.

There was so much to talk about that I created three podcast episodes devoted to this trip. In Episode One, I thought, who better to discuss this tour than with my husband and travel partner, Craig Stavert? He and I shared this experience together, and I thought it would be fun to hear his perspective about our adventures.

In Episode Two, I interviewed and talked with Samantha Johnson, our tour manager. Samantha has 27 years of experience in the tourism business in Africa. Her passion for Africa is palpable, and her knowledge is unmatched. You will be on the edge of your seat when she shares what it was like growing up in Apartheid in South Africa. We also talked about some remarkable tour stories and hilarious things that happened while we traveled together; you will love her!

In Episode Three, I talk with Terry Anders, the owner of Iganyana, the luxury tent camp where we stayed in Zimbabwe. Terry grew up in Zimbabwe, and his affinity toward the elephants is riveting. While staying at his camp, we experienced, I don’t want to be too dramatic, but the most amazing night of our travel lives! A herd of elephants silently walked (Silent, how can this be?) up to our camp as we sat around the campfire at sunset. You do not want to want to miss this story!

But first, let me tell you a little about my husband, Craig Stavert. Craig and I met in high school, went to different colleges, and will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in October. Where did the time go? We have been traveling together since our honeymoon to Maui & Kauai.

We did not travel that much when our kids were younger due to school activities and sports obligations. However, once the kids left the nest, it was game on, and we have not stopped exploring the world.

Craig’s business career has been in the tech industry, running global sales organizations. He was traveling a great deal, and since the kids were grown, it was time for me to get back out there. I created the Adventures of Empty Nesters blog ten years ago. I was initially writing about life in the Empty Nest but then pivoting to writing about my travel experiences. Now, I work with global travel brands, sharing their destinations and stories through my podcast.

Now that you have a little background on the two of us, here are some of the episode’s highlights!

Highlights:

• Why is Africa a bucket list destination?
• What is a typical day like on safari?
• Lunch at the home of a local woman named Audrey in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• The astounding access to wildlife in their natural habitat
• The power, size, and magnitude of Victoria Falls
• “Ellies at night” – The extraordinary gift
• The special benefits of small group tours and how Collette gets it right
• Craig explains his quote, “You go to Africa for the wildlife, but it’s the people that you remember the most.”
• PLUS SO MUCH MORE!