Cape Town. A city of unmatched beauty with its landmark Table Mountain and scenic Cape Point. A city that survived the apartheid and emerged more united in their national patriotism. All this and so much more inspired my first trip to Africa. My husband, Ryan, was traveling to Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of his master’s studies at Montclair State University. South Africa was on my under 20 bucket list, so immediately I knew I was tagging along. At first, I was hesitant about traveling in Africa alone, but I found the city to be safe and welcoming if I was smart and planned ahead. This trip was everything I hoped for and more. Read on to explore this incredible destination… DAY ONE // THE LONGEST FLIGHT EVER The flight from JFK -> Cape Town is one of the longest passenger flights in the world. It’s a 14-hour direct flight to Johannesburg, then a two-hour flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. I’m used to traveling for work, often on transcontinental flights, so it didn’t bother me, but it was a struggle for my 6’4” husband. We flew on South African Airways which was enjoyable enough, except one half of the plane lost TV and internet connection. Guess ...
africa
How to plan a solo trip to Zimbabwe
“Travel far enough to meet yourself.” Flying solo. That is how I spent much of my twenties as I traveled the globe for work and pleasure. Traveling alone can be scary, but also liberating. It takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to meet new people and try new things. It helps build self-esteem and confidence when you realize what you’re capable of all on your own. My husband was spending two weeks studying in South Africa, in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. I hopped the 16-hour flight with him to Cape Town (that post coming soon!) and spent five days solo traveling around the gorgeous city while he did his studies. When he moved on to Johannesburg, I had my eyes set on another adventure. Zimbabwe is a small locked country in southern Africa known for its diverse wildlife and dramatic landscape, most especially Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. Here’s how I spent three unforgettable days in this African gem. DAY 1 // ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN AT VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE I arrived at the Victoria Falls airport early afternoon. It’s about a 1.5-hour flight from Johannesburg. Victoria Falls Airport is a small port of entry serving the ...