The Trip Faith Never Saw Coming: South Africa & Victoria Falls with OWR

Faith never expected Africa to end up being one of the most unforgettable trips of her life.

But from Cape Town to Kruger National Park, her journey through South Africa & Victoria Falls with Other Way Round Travel became a nonstop adventure filled with safaris, sunsets, new friendships, and moments she’ll never stop talking about.

Africa was never on my list of places to travel to — not for any particular reason, other than the fact that I had simply never thought about it. But then, one morning, my inbox changed everything. Sitting there was an absolutely incredible-looking trip, and within minutes I found myself thinking, “Why not?”  So I booked South Africa and Victoria Falls that very same day — and I have absolutely zero regrets.

This was my third trip with OWR, but unlike the Greece and Croatia adventures I had taken the two years prior, this experience felt entirely different from the start. It wasn’t just another vacation; it felt like stepping into something unforgettable.

Before leaving, I’ll admit I was nervous about the flights. But honestly, I should have taken the smooth journey as my first sign that this trip was going to be magic. I had an empty seat next to me, all my downloaded movies ready to go, no travel chaos in sight — the universe was clearly on my side. I even bumped into one of my future group members during my London layover, so naturally, the adventure (and the laughs) started early.

When we finally landed in Cape Town, it already felt unreal. Our driver was waiting at the airport holding a sign with our names on it, and for a brief moment, I truly felt like royalty. The warm South African air hit us instantly — a welcome upgrade from the freezing 27℉ New York weather I had left behind the day before.

After a quick drive to the hotel, vacation mode officially kicked in with fresh iced tea and warm hospitality waiting for us. The hotel overlooked the ocean, with trees swaying in the breeze and sunsets that looked painted onto the sky.

And then came the official group meeting — the moment strangers quickly started becoming friends. Over the next 10 days, these people would become my travel family, led by our incredible tour leader, Ryan, who somehow managed to keep everything fun, seamless, and unforgettable all at once.

“ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT TRAVELING WITH OTHER WAY ROUND TRAVEL IS THE PEOPLE. DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, BACKGROUNDS, CAREERS, AND STAGES OF LIFE — YET WE ALL CLICKED INSTANTLY”

One of my favorite things about traveling with Other Way Round Travel is the people. Different countries, backgrounds, careers, and stages of life — yet we all clicked instantly. They bring together solo travelers who arrive alone, but share the same mindset: a love for adventure and saying “yes” to experiences that push you beyond your comfort zone. By the end of the first night, I knew this would be one of those trips you talk about for years.

Now the real adventure began.  We started the day with one of the most scenic drives along Chapman’s Peak — winding coastal roads, dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and views so stunning they almost didn’t look real. Every turn felt like something out of a movie.  Our first stop was Boulders Beach, home to the famous African penguins and the adorable little dassies living side-by-side in their natural habitat. Watching the penguins waddle across the sand and dive into the ocean felt surreal.  Fun fact: African penguins are incredibly monogamous and often stay with the same mate for life. Honestly? Relationship goals.

From there, we continued on to the legendary Cape of Good Hope — the southwestern tip of the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Standing there overlooking the water felt like standing at the edge of the world.  Does this mean we’re technically in two places at once?

“SOMETIMES THE BEST MOMENTS IN LIFE HAPPEN RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR — ONE LITERAL STEP AT A TIME”

And somehow, the day only got better from there.  What better way to end an unforgettable day than with a true African dining experience? This was the food moment we had all been waiting for.  The evening felt less like dinner and more like a celebration of African culture, filled with music, dancing, drumming, storytelling, and nonstop energy.  And the feast: a 14-course meal that seemed never-ending. Between the flavors, the music, and the laughter around the table, it became one of those nights you wish you could bottle up forever.

But then…Table Mountain — one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Standing nearly 3,600 feet above sea level.  Ocean in one direction, mountains in another, and the city stretched out below us — it was the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best possible way.  And honestly, no photo could ever do it justice.

But the real adrenaline rush came next.  One minute, I felt completely in control of my life. The next? I was standing on the edge of a cliff preparing to abseil down the side of a mountain, questioning every decision that had led me to that exact moment. “What am I doing? Is this how I go out?”  The first step over the edge was terrifying. But somehow, one careful step at a time, we all made our way down.  By the time we reached our landing point safely, the fear had turned into pure adrenaline and accomplishment. My group looked at each other with the same mix of relief, excitement, and disbelief. We had done it. And in the process, we learned something bigger: sometimes the best moments in life happen right on the other side of fear — one literal step at a time.

Next stop: Bo-Kaap — a neighborhood bursting with color and culture everywhere you looked. Brightly painted houses lined the streets and street art covered the walls.  But the real magic happened when we were welcomed into Faeeza’s home for a traditional Cape Malay cooking class. From the moment we walked through the door, it felt more like visiting family than joining an activity.

We rolled up our sleeves and took turns making cheese and corn samosas, spicy chili bites, soft roti, and flavorful curry — all while laughing, learning, and trying not to completely butcher the recipes. The smells alone were enough to make us hungry before we had even finished cooking.  And then came dessert. Faeeza’s wife brought out fresh, warm koeksisters — sweet donuts covered in coconut.  As we devoured them, Faeeza shared stories from his childhood, laughing as he told us how he and his friends used to “gamble” with koeksisters growing up because everyone wanted the last one.

What stood out most wasn’t just the incredible food — it was the warmth. They welcomed us into their home as if we had known each other forever. For a few hours, we weren’t tourists passing through; we were people gathered around a table, sharing stories, culture, laughter, and food. It felt like we truly belonged there.

As our final day in Cape Town came to an end, we squeezed in one last adventure: kayaking through Simon’s Town. Between the waves, the laughter, and everyone attempting to paddle in the same direction, chaos was almost guaranteed. Only one kayak ended up capsizing — and I’m proud to announce that it was not mine. Small victories matter.  Let the naps commence as we head onto Stellenbosch.

And then… we arrived at De Zalze Lodge.  OMG!  Easily one of my two favorite hotel stays of the entire trip. Nestled right in the middle of a vineyard, the property looked like something straight out of a movie. Even the rooms were named after different wines, which felt very on-brand for Stellenbosch.  The welcome? A freshly poured glass of wine made right there on the estate.  Rolling vineyards stretched into the distance and the entire property glowed golden as the sun began to set. It was the kind of place that makes you whisper, “I could stay here forever.”  The pool overlooked endless vineyards, and the sunsets hardly looked real.

Stellenbosch is known as the Wine Capital of South Africa — and, of course, home to the famous Wine Tram. So naturally, we had to experience it for ourselves.  Imagine hopping on and off a charming little tram all day, rolling through the vineyards with a glass of wine in one hand and your friends in the other. Between wineries, we kept the tasting going right on the tram, laughing our way through the countryside as the mountains and vineyards stretched endlessly around us.

“CAN YOU REALLY SAY YOU’VE EXPERIENCED AFRICA WITHOUT GOING ON A SAFARI… OR TWO?”

Each winery brought something different to the table: bold reds, crisp whites, refreshing rosés — and somehow every single glass tasted better than the last. By midday, we had all fully embraced our “wine connoisseur” era, swirling our glasses like professionals and pretending we could suddenly detect “notes of oak” and “hints of berry.”  Somewhere between winery number three and winery number… honestly, who knows anymore… the line between classy and tipsy became very thin. But that’s all part of the experience, right?

And then… the adventure somehow continued. Just when we thought the trip couldn’t possibly get any better, Africa said, “Hold my wine.”  Because let’s be honest — can you really say you’ve experienced Africa without going on a safari… or two?  So off we went, flying our happy little selves to Kruger National Park, where the excitement truly never stopped.

The adventure began immediately. Straight off the plane, driving through local towns as children walked to school waving at us from the roadside, and then suddenly — just like that — we were climbing into safari vehicles for our very first game drive. Binoculars ready, cameras charged, adrenaline high… the chase was officially on.

And the animals? They just kept appearing around every corner like we had stepped into a real – life version of The Lion King.  Elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, pangolins, buffalos and hyenas. Seeing them in the wild, completely free in their natural habitat, was unlike anything I had ever experienced. No fences. No screens. No documentaries. Just nature exactly as it was meant to be.

As the sun turned the sky shades of orange and pink, beer, wine and safari snacks in hand, we sat beside the water watching hippos bob nearby while the sounds of the bush surrounded us. For a moment, time completely slowed down.

Eventually, after a full day of unforgettable animal sightings and nonstop excitement, we made our way back to our hotel. But this wasn’t your typical hotel experience. Oh no — in Kruger, you stay in tents. Luxury safari tents, to be exact. And without question, this became my second favorite stay of the entire trip.  Why? Because where else in the world do you wake up, walk outside for breakfast, and casually spot elephants grazing on the other side of the fence? Or go for a swim while elephants wander behind you like it’s the most normal thing imaginable?  Nowhere. Absolutely nowhere.

“THE WARMTH AND SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE WERE CONTAGIOUS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING”

Our 2^nd day in Kruger started with a guided Bush Walk and ended with another fun filled Safari. And just like that – we were done with South Africa.

But wait, there’s more! Off to Zimbabwe we go so we can experience Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. The moment we stepped off the plane in Zimbabwe, we were welcomed by energetic local dancers singing and celebrating our arrival. It was impossible not to smile immediately. The warmth and spirit of the people were contagious from the very beginning.

As we drove through the towns on our way to the hotel, we learned more about Zimbabwean culture, daily life, and the realities many locals face. It was eye-opening in a way that travel sometimes uniquely is. You begin to realize how much you take for granted in your everyday life when you see communities living with far less, yet still carrying so much joy, resilience, and kindness.  It was a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of travel aren’t just the landscapes or adventures — they’re the moments that shift your perspective entirely.

That night, we got a true taste of Zimbabwean culture — and not just through the food. The entire dinner experience felt like walking into a world built entirely from creativity and storytelling. Bathtubs transformed into chairs, old glass bottles hanging from the ceiling as chandeliers, and even the bathroom signs were creatively designed with clothing to distinguish between the men’s and ladies’ rooms. It was quirky and artistic.

Before dinner, we were introduced to the market, teas, oils, and traditional products, learning more about Zimbabwean culture through the little details that make everyday life unique. Of course, there were also drink tastings involved.  And then came the food. Abundant, delicious food.  Every bite introduced us to new flavors and spices, and just when we thought we were finished, there was somehow more food waiting for us.  Honestly, at this point in the trip, we had accepted that Africa’s love language was making sure nobody ever left a table hungry.

Between the incredible atmosphere, the laughter around the table and the endless food, the entire evening felt immersive in the best possible way — not just a dinner, but an experience.

“THIS TRIP MADE SURE TO END THE SAME WAY IT BEGAN — WITH NONSTOP ADVENTURE”

And then came the last day. Man, it pains me just to write that sentence. But of course, this trip made sure to end the same way it began — with nonstop adventure.  We were up bright and early, ponchos in hand, heading toward Victoria Falls.  Experiencing Victoria Falls firsthand was completely awe-inspiring. I had never seen anything quite like it before. Before we could even see the Falls, we could hear the thunder of the water roaring in the distance.  And once you finally stood in front of it? Absolutely breathtaking.

The walking trail takes you through 18 different viewpoints, each one somehow more incredible than the last.  And then, at the very end of the trail, there it was — Zambia, just steps away across the border. Another country, another adventure… just waiting for another time.

But if you’re going to experience Victoria Falls from below, you might as well experience it from above too… in a helicopter.  And wow — seeing the Falls from the sky was an entirely different kind of breathtaking.

As the helicopter lifted off, the views just kept getting more surreal by the second. Flying over Zimbabwe and Zambia while the Zambezi River twisted below us felt like stepping into a nature documentary.  Except this time, I was actually inside it.  From above, the scale of Victoria Falls truly hit me. The massive curtain of water crashing down into the gorge below, the mist rising into the air, the rainbow forming through the spray — it was almost impossible to take it all in at once.  And somehow, I discovered that I am significantly better at spotting animals from the sky than I am when they’re literally standing next to me on the ground. Elephants? Easy to find from above. On safari five feet away? Somehow invisible to me. Make it make sense.

But honestly, the helicopter ride itself was just as exciting as the views. I had never been in a helicopter before, so the entire experience felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment I wanted to soak in completely – absolutely unforgettable.

“SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, THIS GROUP OF STRANGERS HAD BECOME GENUINE FRIENDS”

And with that, our final evening had arrived. As much as none of us wanted the trip to end, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to close out the adventure than with a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River.

Hippos floated lazily beside us on the left, Victoria Falls sat in the distance to our right, and because Africa apparently loves dramatic exits, we even spotted a crocodile thrown into the mix too.

We laughed about everything we had experienced over the last 10 days — the safaris, the wine tram, the waterfalls, the fears we conquered, the endless food, and all the memories.  Somewhere along the way, this group of strangers had become genuine friends. And now the conversations shifted from “Where are you from?” to “When are we traveling together again?”  Because that’s the hardest part about trips like this: saying goodbye means reality is waiting just around the corner. Work emails. Alarm clocks. Responsibilities.  And after spending days surrounded by adventure, wildlife, laughter, and incredible people, the idea of returning to everyday routines felt almost impossible to accept.

Part of me wanted to stay there forever — living freely, chasing sunsets, spotting elephants before breakfast, and waking up somewhere completely new every day.  But as much as I didn’t want the trip to end, I realized something important: this wasn’t really the end at all.

The memories, the friendships, the stories, and the experiences will stay with me forever. I know I’ll see these people again someday, somewhere else in the world. And one thing is certain — I’ll absolutely be traveling with OWR again.