Pierre's 2011 Safari (Photos and Video)

Cape Town, Botswana, and Victoria Falls are three of the most popular destinations in southern Africa, and with good reason. Each is a major highlight of the region, and each captures a completely different aspect of what makes this such a special part of the world: from the scenic beauty, history and culture of Cape Town to Botswana’s exceptional wildlife and wilderness, and the awesome power of Victoria Falls.

Nevertheless, I’m always mildly apprehensive ahead of my annual trip that the experience might be a disappointment – I have, after all, visited all of these areas so many times that I can’t help but wonder whether I will still feel any spark of magic. Sure, the knowledge gleaned in the course of crisscrossing the region for two weeks is indispensable from a cold, analytical perspective, but will I feel the same sense of wonder and excitement that has stoked my passion for the last 13 years?!

My concerns were unfounded. From the time that I touched down in Cape Town, I was treated to one exceptional encounter after another. I barely had time to drop my bags at the hotel before I was sea-kayaking with penguins, and then visiting art galleries until late that night. And so it went for the next 12 days as I partook in every experience that could be squeezed into a 24 hour day – from fine dining and private wine making tours, to shark diving and elephant safaris. I ended the trip, as I often try to, with drinks on the patio at the Victoria Falls Hotel: the place where Margaret and I spent a brief few days on honeymoon. As I reflected on the past two weeks and prepared myself for the long journey home, I was pleased to feel the familiar sense of animation and purpose that gave birth to Classic Africa in the first place, and has yet to subside. And I was already starting to plan my next trip …