Africa Adventure Company
by Paul Klockenbrink
(USA)
Photo taken by guide, Nick Murray, in Mana Pools
Wild Dogs and lions were seen throughout our stay. Nick even invited our entire group to "crabwalk" within a few feet of small pack of wild dogs. Something none of us will ever forget.
Safari Operator Performance
I went with The Africa Adventure Company based on internet research and trip reports. Read reviews of book by Mark Nolting and contacted Mark once I determined their company name.
Their performance was outstanding. They were direct, organized and extremely responsive. We had group of 14 (incl. 8 children, ages 11-17) and they helped develop adventure that really matched our interests.
What we liked the most was their understanding of our group's willingness to be adventurous. They went out of their way to assign the right guides for our group. The trip evolved so that we were "ready" for Mana Pools adventure.
Our guides in Moremi, Dave Carson and Brian Gibson of Capture Africa were incredible, entertaining and so knowledgeable. From the moment we landed, our self proclaimed mission and enthusiasm to maximize wildlife viewing were matched or rivalled by those two. They stopped at nothing and worked tirelessly to find whatever animals our group craved!
At Kings Pool, guides OD and Moss provided 2 days of superb guiding for our group-finding two different leopard kills.
In Mana Pools, again we had what we believed to be some of the best guides in Africa. Led by Nick "Mufasa" Murray we were in awe of their expertise. Joined by guides Doug MacDonald, Darryl and Steve (last names unknown), we were provided outstanding wildlife expertise, great fun, excellent security and demonstrated superior skills in finding and approaching wildlife.
Nick Murray is definitely the spiritual leader. He is Mufasa. He has a commanding presence which instilled confidence in the kids and parents. We quickly understood that if we followed his lead, we could have amazing and safe animal encounters. Nick also slips in a prankster fun-loving side that kept a great balance.
Doug and Darryl provided a perfect complement of humor, incredible knowledge and skills.
Our children were constantly entertained by all the guides. All the guides seemed to feed off their enthusiasm and visa versa. On several occasions Nick had all the kids! Whether being carried across a swamp on Nick's shoulders or marching back into camp with the enormous skull and horns of freshly killed Kudu.
Honestly, we had no complaints.Accommodation
Stayed at The Grace Hotel in Johannesburg on both ends of trip - very safe and fantastic location.
Mobile Tenting in Moremi, Botswana (Bodamatau); Kings Pool, Linyanti; Victoria Falls Safari Lodge; Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, Camp Vundu.
Our mobile camp at Moremi (adjacent to Hippo pool) was such a warm place to return each day and to wake up to in the "winter like" mornings. The staff was incredible and the accommodations/food left us wondering - how did they pull it off?
The sounds at night were distractingly beautiful, with the hyenas, lions and hippos providing a constant chorus of reminders that were not back home. It would also be difficult to imagine a better view of the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.
Kings Pool was decadence in the Bush. Really spectacularly beautiful place to stay, but the wildlife viewing is in no way compromised!
The Safari Lodge in Victoria Falls was perfect for our group. Restaurant in hotel had excellent dinner. Lodge sits up on vista overlooking large watering hole-with spectacular sunsets.
Camp Vundu in Mana Pools is something special. It sits right along the Zambezi River. We were very pleasantly surprised by the accommodations at the Vundu Camp.
When we arrived at the camp, we were escorted to a very large thatched-roof common building on stilts. This central camp building along with all the tented guest lodges had wonderful views of the Zambezi river and the mountains of Zambia on the opposite bank. The building was laid out with dining areas, sitting tables, a game table and a fun bar area. The whole structure was practically brand new and was the center of activity.
Vundu has approximately 7 large guest tents on cement slabs. These rooms felt more like permanent structures with sturdy frame structures and electric lights. The rooms easily accommodated up to 3 comfortable double beds. Each room had open shelving, a desk, small table and chairs.
A rear door led to a nicely adorned, walled, open air bathroom with a full toilet, bucket shower, sink bowls. We were told that running water for sinks and the shower were to be installed shortly after our stay.Back to Index
Food
Food varied from place to place, but at both mobile camps, Bodamatau and Vundu, the camp cooks took such pride at preparing really incredible dinners and lunches. We even had brunch cooked for us on a sand bar in the Zambezi river.
Breakfast was an assortment of breads, toast, cereals, fruit, drinks etc. Drinks and snacks were plentiful and happy hour awaited us no matter where we ended up. The dinners were excellent with a diverse selection of salads, main courses, and deserts.
The meals were extremely good without even considering the logistics of getting fresh ingredients to this remote location. Kings Pool was really amazing food-first class all the way.Other Activities
Boat safari in Okavango, elephant ride safari in Victoria Falls, eating and dancing at Boma restaurant. Private tour of Victoria Falls with local legend, Esther Gwekwerere.
Visited Soweto in Johannesburg and that was really amazing.
Apart from wildlife, highlight was water fights and playing rugby on the sandbars in the Zambezi River and of course touring Victoria Falls.
Our group has been to Yellowstone, Costa Rica and Alaska - but Africa was truly the most incredible adventure - primal, breathtaking and spiritual, not to mention a whole lot of fun!Tips and Advice
Trust your guides and make sure you get the best ones you can.
Bring two camera bodies, lots of memory cards/storage.
Wear layers but do not over pack! No bright colored clothing. Good comfortable walking shoes – such as hiking sneakers (not heavy boots).
Make sure everyone has their own pair of binoculars - great advice from this site.
Read and read some more about the places you are going to go on internet.
Bring smaller $ bills as well.
Invest in a nice video camera - you will not regret it.
The most useful items in my luggage were, aside from 100-400mm lens and camera bean bag, a fleece, your own flashlight and comfortable hat.
I used the photography e-book - definitely useful material! Overall tips about card storage, camera bodies and lenses.
Part 2...Back to Index
