First African Safari: My Client’s Honest Verdict After Botswana & Zimbabwe

Planning an African safari? Here’s how I can help: https://grownuptravel.co/contact Mark had never been to Africa before. Twelve days later, we sat down in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on the morning he flew home, and I asked him what he really thought. This episode is different. It’s not a scripted safari guide, a lodge review, or a polished testimonial. It’s a real conversation at the end of a real trip through Botswana and Zimbabwe, with my client Mark Neely from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We talk about Grassland Safari Lodge, rhinos, the Okavango Delta, lions, a giraffe kill in the middle of the road en route to Gomoti River Lodge, elephants walking through camp at Saguni, a mobile safari in Chobe, bucket showers, the Chobe River, Victoria Falls, the helicopter flight, Dusty Road, and whether the whole thing was worth it. His answer was simple: he was really glad he did it. What’s covered: 0:00 Introduction - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 02:31 Grasslands Safari Lodge - first impressions and rhinos 04:01 Gomoti River Lodge - the Okavango Delta and lions 05:23 On the road - the giraffe kill 06:00 Saguni Safari Lodge - elephants at camp 08:15 Chobe - mobile safari, river safari and bucket showers 11:01 Victoria Falls - helicopter, falls, town and Dusty Road 14:12 Was it worth it? Mark’s verdict Filmed on location in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 10 June 2026. I’m Andy Higgs, the Campfire Connoisseur. I’ve been going back to Africa for over 30 years, and I run The Grown-Up Travel Company, where I help Grown-up Travellers plan thoughtful, custom-built African safaris. EP001 - What Nobody Tells You Before Booking an African Safari:    • What Nobody Tells You Before Booking an Af...   EP002 - Why Are African Safaris So Expensive:    • Why Are African Safaris So Expensive — And...   EP003 - Kenya vs Tanzania - The Honest Answer:    • Kenya vs Tanzania for Safari: The Honest A...   EP004 - If Every Holiday Feels the Same:    • Your Holidays Aren’t Broken. You’ve Just O...   EP005 - Private Conservancies - What They Really Are:    • Private Conservancies: What They Really Ar...   The Grown-Up Travel Company: https://grownuptravel.co