Biography
Having spent his childhood summer holidays crammed in the back of his parents car driving around Europe, David has always been interested in travel.
Before university David went on a trip around the world and his fate was set to be cursed with itchy feet. Visiting friends in South Africa sparked his interest in the country and David spent the next three months exploring southern Africa.
It's a place that seems to keep pulling David back as it has so much variety to offer allowing him to have what seems like ten different holidays in the same trip. Hiking, diving, safari, history, beaches; South Africa really does have it all.
My Most Memorable Experience
My most memorable travel experience was probably my first game drive.
Safari had always been a thing of myth, something I aspired to do but never would; making it a reality was a fantastic feeling. When the car rumbled around a corner and I saw my first elephants grazing next to the dirt road, my jaw hit the floor. The drive just got better and better as we saw more game, from lions and kudu to giraffe and zebra. To cap off a magical day, just as the sun was going down, we glimpsed a leopard resting up under a tree before the night-time hunt.
From that drive on, I’ve definitely been hooked on safaris, you never know what you’re going to see, but the excitement you feel when you spot that first animal is something truly special.
My Favourite Destination
The highlight of my recent trip to South Africa was definitely the Rorke’s Drift tour.
I’d seen Zulu but tour wasn’t something I would normally plan to do. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the guide was infectious and after just a short introduction, I was hanging on every word. The tour was perfectly balanced between what happened at the battle and the repercussions both nationally and to individuals. There were a number of personal anecdotes from both British and Zulu soldiers which really brought the battle to life and by the end of the tour, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
My Favourite Accommodation
Notten’s Bush Camp is a lodge in Sabi Sands near Kruger, home to some of the best game viewing in Africa.
The camp itself has no electricity so your walk to the room is lit by gas-lamp and you can fall asleep to the sound of the bush. Outside showers (still with hot water) allow you to refresh yourself while keeping a sneaky eye on the neighbouring waterhole to see if any elephants or buffalo are doing the same. The atmosphere in the lodge is really friendly with a communal braai (barbeque) every evening and a fire, to gather round and discuss the best game sightings of the day.
A luxurious way to feel a little closer to nature.
