South Africa Travel Review with Thrillophilia: Dixitabahen & Atulkumar’s Safari Journey
When Dixitabahen and Atulkumar Patel think back to their journey, they can still hear the distant call of birds at dawn and the thunderous roar of Victoria Falls echoing in their ears. The trip was not just a holiday; it felt like stepping into another rhythm of life, one where nature dictates the pace and every day offers something unexpected.
It all began in Cape Town, a city that carries both grace and vibrancy. Their hotel overlooked the bustle of the V&A Waterfront, and though the long flight had left them weary, the cool sea breeze revived them. That first evening, they simply wandered at their own pace, watching the play of lights on the water and sharing a quiet dinner. If the very start of the trip was this soothing, they knew great wonders lay ahead.
From Cape Town, they flew north and soon found themselves in Botswana, in the heart of Chobe National Park. The transition from city to wilderness was striking. At the lodge, the air felt thick with anticipation, as if every rustle in the grass hinted at an unseen animal. That evening, they boarded a small boat and drifted along the Chobe River. Elephants waded at the water’s edge, families of them, their trunks dipping gracefully. Hippos surfaced with a snort, while the fiery African sunset painted the sky in shades of crimson and gold. The sight was so raw and powerful that they held their breath, not wanting to disturb the moment.
The following day, they set out on a game drive at dawn. There is something almost sacred about venturing into the wilderness as the sun rises, casting golden light across the savannah. They spotted lions resting lazily in the shade, giraffes craning their necks among the treetops, and herds of antelope darting nervously through the tall grass. What stayed with them most was not only the animals themselves but the silence of the bush in between. Those pauses made every sighting feel even more extraordinary.
After Chobe, they crossed into Zambia and checked into the Royal Livingstone, where the Zambezi River flowed right by their doorstep. It felt almost surreal to sip tea on the terrace while listening to the distant thunder of Victoria Falls. The falls themselves overwhelmed them with their beauty. Standing on the edge, drenched in mist, they understood why it is called “the smoke that thunders”. The sheer force of the water crashing down was both thrilling and mesmerising. Later that evening, they drifted along the Zambezi on a sunset cruise. The calm after the roar of the falls was profound, the river smooth as glass, with the sky slowly deepening into indigo as birds returned to their nests.
Kruger National Park was next, and here they felt the full intensity of safari life. Staying in unique lodges, from the historic train on the bridge to the serene Mdluli Safari Lodge, added a touch of wonder to the experience. Each day began early, the chill of dawn clinging to the air as they set off in open jeeps. The thrill of spotting the Big Five never dulled. They still recall the glint in a leopard’s eyes as it watched from the tall grass, the sheer bulk of a rhino crossing their path, and a pride of lions stretching as they woke from their morning rest. By evening, the bush would transform, the sounds shifting as nocturnal creatures stirred. There was always a quiet hum of excitement as they returned to camp, stories spilling between travellers over dinner.
Cape Town welcomed them back for the final leg, and it was like returning to civilisation with a new pair of eyes. The Cape Peninsula tour took them along some of the most beautiful coastal roads imaginable. Seal Island was alive with movement, Boulders Beach charmed them with its colony of penguins, and Cape Point felt like the end of the world, with wild seas crashing against the cliffs. The following day, Table Mountain and Robben Island offered both grandeur and gravity. Standing on the mountaintop, with the city stretched out below, felt like standing on a painting. Robben Island, on the other hand, brought a deep silence, its history sobering but important.
What made this journey truly unforgettable was not just the destinations but the way it was brought together. Akshat and Mrigendra from Thrillophilia were the unseen hands shaping every detail. Their flexibility was remarkable. At one point, when timings shifted unexpectedly, they smoothed everything out without fuss, ensuring the couple never felt rushed or unsettled. It was this quiet care that allowed them to be fully present, to immerse themselves in every moment without worrying about logistics.
Travelling at their age, comfort and peace of mind mattered more than ever. They felt both. Each lodge, each transfer, each excursion carried a sense of thoughtfulness behind it. Local guides welcomed them not as strangers but as honoured guests, sharing stories that gave depth to the landscapes around them. It was this personal touch, this sense of connection, that elevated the trip beyond the ordinary.
As they flew back home, Dixitabahen and Atulkumar carried not only photographs but also the memory of moments that felt almost otherworldly: the silhouettes of elephants against a scarlet sunset, the roar of Victoria Falls vibrating in their bones, and the starry skies above Kruger unbroken by city lights. Southern Africa is a land of contrasts and wonders, and thanks to the way their journey was crafted, they experienced it in a way that felt effortless yet profound.
For them, this trip was more than a holiday. It was a reminder of how vast and beautiful the world is and how, with the right guidance, even the wildest adventures can feel like home.
Read More: Thrillophilia South Africa Reviews