This article was originally published on April 5, 2010
Why this mother and daughter return to Africa again … and again
By Susan Giaccotto, 7-time traveler, Farmington, Connecticut
My mom, 7-time traveler Norma Moskey of West Hartford, Connecticut, and I always travel together. We’ve been on five OAT trips, including Safari Serengeti, Namibia & the Skeleton Coast, and our first trip, Ultimate Africa. We have a sixth trip planned in June (a repeat of our Ultimate Africa adventure). We are best friends—“made from the same cloth”—and share the same adventuresome spirit. We love to travel off the beaten path—and that’s why we continue to travel with OAT.
Susan and her mom, Norma, have traveled to Africa three times—and have a fourth trip planned for this year.
We feel that traveling with OAT enables us to feel a part of the places and people we visit. In our small group (we had nine companions on our Ultimate Africa trip), the possibilities for adventure and unique experiences with the locals are great, and wildlife encounters rate high on our list.
We really enjoy all of the learning and discovery opportunities when we can interact with the local people—playing “Ring Around the Rosie” with youngsters in Namibia, learning about the ways of life in remote Zimbabwe from village elders, teaching schoolchildren who are learning English the song “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” relating to and laughing with teachers (I taught second grade for 33 years and am now retired), and engaging in conversations with lodge staff concerning their country’s challenges.
Norma teaches Namibian children how to play “Ring Around the Rosie” during a visit to a local village.
Susan teaches students how to sing the song “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” during a Namibian school visit.
Our Ultimate Africa trip in 2005 was my first to the region (Mom had been to Africa before.) Once we knew that we would be embarking on this adventure, Mom kept saying, “I can’t wait to see your face when you see your first elephant!” And she was right … the thrill of viewing animals in their natural habitats is indescribable. The excitement of searching for elusive animals in the wild is something I feel fortunate to have experienced. Looking for a reported lion in the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, or a leopard in the Okavango Delta is an adventure to behold. The expert eyes of OAT Trip Leaders have helped us to capture lifelong memories. Their unsurpassed knowledge of nature is awesome, and they have taught us so much about African wildlife.
Susan and her group spy an elephant drinking at a waterhole at the Santawani Camp, Okavango Delta.
Trip Leader Robson Zimbudzi and local guide, Tendai (pictured here with Susan), provided expert knowledge of Africa’s wildlife and culture.
The people, diverse cultures, and magnificent wildlife of Africa keep drawing us back. In addition, our first Trip Leader, Robson Zimbudzi, played a major role in our decision to repeat our Ultimate Africa adventure in June of this year. Robson’s knowledge of Africa’s animals, bird and plant life, and its many cultures is at the highest of levels. He is competent, helpful, and has a wonderful sense of humor—which certainly added to our memory making.
It’s hard to name one moment that stands apart from all others when I think of Africa. It may be our encounter with a protective female elephant near the banks of the Kwando River in Namibia, or the early evening “Mane Event” in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, where we witnessed our own personal National Geographic episode between lions, hyenas, jackals, and elephants.
Another highlight of our trip was meeting the hostess of our Home-Hosted Lunch in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Flata Ncube was a gracious person who welcomed us wholeheartedly into her tidy home where she lives with 20 other family members. After a visit with her to the outdoor market to purchase some ingredients for our lunch, we enjoyed a traditional home-cooked meal and wonderful conversation. We presented her with some modest tokens of our thanks. I shall never forget the sincere appreciation she showed.
Flata Ncube welcomed Susan and her group for a Home-Hosted Lunch in Zimbabwe.
Mom and I have read nine of the ten books in Alexander McCall Smith’s series, The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. These wonderful books (set in Botswana) tell of the everyday happenings in the life of Mma Ramotswe, a “woman of traditional build,” who runs the detective agency. Smith simply ends books 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with the words:
africa
africa, africa
africa, africa, africa
africa, africa
africa
Because of the experiences and memories that my OAT travels in Africa have given me (and my mom), we are easily able to understand this beautiful ending, for we have experienced the people and places of Africa and are forever changed.
Susan and Norma enjoy a nature walk in Namibia.
Have you traveled to a particular destination that has left a lasting impression on you? Tell me about it at harriet@oattravel.com.
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