A Swedish Safari Adventure: Exploring South Africa and Botswana

A Glimpse Into South Africa’s Past

Our adventure began in Johannesburg, where we took a powerful detour through the streets of Soweto, a place that has been at the epicenter of South Africa’s fight for freedom. Driving through the impoverished townships, our guests got a sobering insight into the stark realities of urban South African life. Millions of people call these areas home, navigating a world of resilience and hope.

At Vilakazi Street—the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu—we soaked up the vibrant atmosphere. As local singers and dancers performed in the lively restaurant scene, the energy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the rare opportunity to speak Swedish again with our guests.

From Soweto, we made our way to Pretoria, stopping at Fort Klapperkop for a breathtaking view over South Africa’s capital city. The group spent their first night on African soil, filled with anticipation for what lay ahead.

Tracking Rhinos in the Bush

The next morning, we set off towards Chinaka Lodge, near the small town of Alldays. Here, I parted ways with the group for two nights as they immersed themselves in the world of rhino conservation. Guided by expert trackers and anti-poaching teams, they assisted in darting a rhino, a moment that left a deep impact on everyone. Some guests even had the opportunity to take to the skies in a helicopter with wildlife vets as they searched for these magnificent creatures—an experience few will ever forget.

Upon reuniting, we visited a local aloe factory to learn about the incredible properties of this indigenous plant before passing through Alldays, a historic meeting point between South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Within moments, we had blinked and the tiny town was behind us.

Into the Wild: Botswana’s Tuli Block

Navigating the rough, flood-damaged roads, we reached the remote Platjan border post, where the friendly border officials made crossing into Botswana seamless. The next stretch of the journey was a true African adventure—bumping along dirt tracks that were more suited for a 4x4 than our mini-bus van and trailer! But the reward was worth it: arriving at Serolo Lodge in the breathtaking Tuli Block, where we would spend three nights in the wilderness.

The days that followed were filled with extraordinary sightings. We explored sandstone ridges and golden fields blanketed in yellow tribulus flowers, encountering a young male lion feasting on a zebra, two separate leopard sightings, and an impressive herd of 200 eland. A personal highlight for me was spotting my first-ever brown hyena—a mammal lifer! The lion tracking experience was nothing short of exhilarating, as we followed the trail of a lioness and her sub-adult cub deep into the bush.

Sunsets here were magical, casting golden hues over the uninhabited landscape. The remoteness of Serolo was humbling, and the lodge staff welcomed us warmly, sharing stories of life in this secluded part of Botswana.

The Journey Back: Into the Heart of the Lowveld

Our return journey to South Africa turned into a slow, muddy expedition, as heavy rains and localized flooding stretched a short trip into a three-hour adventure. Once back on South African soil, we continued toward the Lowveld, traversing a changing landscape—from bushveld to the misty rainforests of Magoebaskloof, through the fruit-laden farmlands of Tzaneen, and past the game-breeding farms of Gravelotte.

Finally, we arrived at Klaserie Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger ecosystem, where our next stop, Tulela Safari Lodge, awaited. This exclusive-use camp was the epitome of luxury, with warm hospitality, exquisite cuisine, and a team that made us feel at home. The timing couldn’t have been better—it was Valentine’s Day, and the camp staff went above and beyond, surprising us with bubble baths filled with rose petals and heart-shaped cookies on our beds.

Our time at Tulela was nothing short of spectacular. We tracked two lionesses feeding on a buffalo kill, enjoyed close encounters with elephants, and marveled at a young, relaxed leopard tom. An unexpected African rainstorm transformed the dry riverbed in front of camp into a flowing waterway, giving our guests the thrilling adventure of crossing a rising river in a safari vehicle.

One of the most memorable moments was our surprise bush breakfast under Big Jack, a towering Jackalberry tree. There, in the heart of the wilderness, we toasted our adventure with a champagne breakfast, shaded by its sprawling canopy.

A Grand Finale at Blyde River Canyon
As our journey neared its end, we departed early for a final adventure: a boat cruise on the Blyde Dam. From the water, we took in the breathtaking views of Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world. The recent rains had turned the tufa waterfall into a powerful spectacle, cascading dramatically over the cliffs. A final highlight was spotting a crocodile cruising through the water, offering an up-close look at this prehistoric predator.

And just like that, our journey came full circle. At Hoedspruit Airport, I bid farewell to our wonderful Swedish guests as they continued on to Cape Town, hearts full of memories and cameras filled with spectacular moments.

A huge thank you to Pär Öthander for the opportunity to co-design and guide this incredible safari. The adventure doesn’t end here—we look forward to many more journeys together!