Elephant parade in Chobe National Park
Southern Africa
Vacation Adventure
Adrienne Radford | Article and Photographs
Africa!? Are you crazy? My husband and I had
many conversations before I, with trepidation and
misgivings, signed on to vacation in South Africa,
Zimbabwe, and Botswana in January 2019. After
hearing horror stories about tourists on game
drives being kidnapped, my first concern was
for our safety. A story about a tourist’s son being
dragged from a safari tent and eaten by hyenas
heightened the anxiety level. Tales of disastrous
flight experiences of those making their own
arrangements “on points” and the spectre of the long
flight from Alberta to Africa, never easy for seniors
who have trouble sleeping on airplanes, wasn’t
comforting. Costing out research with local travel
agencies indicated a beyond-budget experience.
But my husband was referring to a journey to
Southern Africa sponsored by a travel company
14 | arta.net
specializing in vacations for university alumni.
Their reputation for safety, unique experiences,
and five-star accommodations at an alumni travel
discount (meaning affordable) was the catalyst that
changed my mind.
During a reception in the Belmont Mount Nelson
Hotel in Cape Town, twenty-eight alumni travellers
heard our experienced travel director, Fred Burke,
say, “Don’t look at this as a vacation; instead, think
of it as an adventure.” Prophetic words: It was the
adventure of a lifetime.
Packing our bags was our last challenge. Then it
was clear sailing, with Fred attending to the smallest
wish or whim. There were no hassles with hotels
or lodges, airports, customs agents, or baggage. He
skilfully shepherded us from start to finish while
sharing his wealth of knowledge.