My African Adventure

I’ve just returned from an extraordinary journey across Africa, with stops in Rwanda, Kenya, and Cape Town. This trip exceeded my expectations, and I want to share the experience with family and friends.

The adventure began in England at the famous Farnborough Airshow, where I attended a press conference hosted by Blake Scholl, the visionary founder of BOOM Supersonic. His progress in developing supersonic aircraft is remarkable, and the packed room was a testament to the excitement surrounding his innovative airplane. Following the airshow, we spent a few lovely days in Staines with my brother Barry, his delightful wife Dorothy, and my sister Janet. Lest you wonder, we went to London to shop at Harrods and to see The Phantom of the Opera, of course!

Our next stop was Rwanda, fulfilling my girlfriend Julie’s dream of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat. Kigali, the capital, was our entry point. At the Genocide Museum, we were profoundly moved by the history of the Rwandan genocide—a tragic event that claimed over 500,000 lives in just 100 days in 1994. Understanding Rwanda’s past gave us a profound respect for its people and the resilience they’ve shown.

From Kigali, we journeyed to the One & Only Gorilla’s Nest resort in Volcanoes National Park. This exquisite resort, nestled in beautiful landscapes, offered us unparalleled luxury and comfort. The staff anticipated our every need, treating us to cultural dances and insightful lessons about the local Masai tribe. Their warmth and hospitality left a lasting impression.

The highlight of Rwanda was, of course, the gorilla trek. Guided by experts wielding machetes to clear our path, we ventured into the jungle in search of a giant silverback gorilla and his family. The gorillas were unbothered by our presence, allowing us a full hour to photograph and observe them. Yes, Julie’s dream did come true when a baby gorilla rushed toward her and grabbed her arm, wanting to play. (The guide quickly discouraged him, sending him straight back to his dad.) She will treasure this memory forever.

Following Rwanda, we headed to Kenya for a safari in the Masai Mara, the northern part of the huge Serengeti plane. The diversity and abundance of wildlife we saw there was astonishing. Almost immediately upon our arrival at the airport we were greeted by baboons, giraffes, and elephants roaming free!

Over the next few days, we were treated to views of lions (mating, see the X-rated video below), wildebeests, antelope, cape buffalo, warthogs, ostriches, storks, hippos, rhinos, vultures, crocodiles, zebras, and more in their natural habitat.

Our hotel, the Angama, was perched at nearly 6,000 feet, offering a breathtaking view of the vast Masai Mara. A sense of serenity, a calm unlike anything I’ve felt before, enveloped us as we gazed out over the endless landscape. It was a unique feeling that we had never experienced anywhere else. The troubles of the world faded away—the stress, the worries, the work, the noise, all gone—and a profound sense of calm came over us.

One amusing anecdote: When I arrived, I noticed a tree obstructing our otherwise perfect view of the Mara. I asked the manager to remove it and was delighted to find that the tree was gone the next day!

Our final destination was Cape Town, South Africa. This bustling, modern city, with its stark contrast between affluent districts and impoverished townships, was a fascinating place to explore. We stayed at The Silo, a stunning waterfront hotel, once a granary, now transformed into a luxurious space filled with African décor and artwork.

With the famous Table Mountain being closed, we decided to hike a neighboring mountain, the Lion’s Head. The weather was atrocious; pouring rain, wind, and thick fog made the climb treacherous. The closer we got to the summit, the less we could see. And we were constantly aware of the cliff’s edge: Our guide told us that there are about ten deaths on the mountain each year from people falling.

In Cape Town, we also dined at La Colombe, heralded as the best restaurant in all of Africa. The adventurous menu included crocodile, which I found difficult to describe, much less swallow, and ostrich, which was surprisingly a red meat that was moderately tasteful.

We ended our African adventure at a nature reserve outside Cape Town, learning that this region boasts the most extensive variety of flora packed into the smallest space in the world.

Africa was all I had hoped for—rich in history, teeming with incredible wildlife, home to hardworking and friendly people, and, at the Masai Mara, filled with an unparalleled sense of tranquility.

This was one of the best vacations ever.

Carl B. Barney
August 25, 2024