The Journey to Manyoni: From Wakeboarding to Wildlife
My journey to South Africa began on Saturday, 14th September. I had planned for it to be a relaxing day, a chance to unwind before my long flight to Johannesburg. But as with many adventures, things took an unexpected turn. Earlier in the week, I had met some new friends while wakeboarding, and instead of resting, we decided to squeeze in one last session on the water before I set off. A couple of hours wakeboarding felt like the perfect way to cap off the week, though it wasn’t exactly the calm pre-departure I had envisioned!
That evening, I arrived at Gatwick Airport, full of excitement and eager to get my trip started. The thought of South Africa’s wild landscapes filled my mind. I pictured the endless savannahs, the majestic wildlife, and the vibrant colors of a place I had always dreamed of visiting. My imagination ran wild as I boarded the plane, knowing I was about to embark on an experience I had been waiting for my entire life.
The journey was long, with a 5-hour stopover at Dubai Airport offering plenty of time to think about what lay ahead. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to see a lion in the wild or hear the call of a leopard in the distance. These were the images that had fueled my passion for this trip, and now, after years of dreaming, I was just hours away from making it a reality.
Arriving in Johannesburg, I was greeted by the less glamorous side of travel: the dreaded long lines at border patrol. It’s everyone’s least favorite part of international travel, and after hours on a plane, all I wanted was to get to my hotel and rest. But, as is often the case, travel has its challenges, and patience is part of the process. After what felt like an eternity, I finally cleared customs and made my way to the hotel for a few hours of much-needed rest before my early flight the next morning.
At 5 a.m., I was up and ready to catch my 6:30 a.m. flight to Richards Bay. I was exhausted and briefly questioned why I hadn’t opted for a later flight. But as the day unfolded, I realized just how lucky I was to have made that early decision. Upon arriving in Richards Bay, I had to wait for my pickup for about four hours—a long wait, yes, but nothing compared to what was happening with the later flight. Many of the other volunteers had chosen the 11 a.m. flight, but bad weather had made landing impossible. After four failed attempts to land, their flight was diverted to Durban, adding hours to their already long journey.
As I waited, I was reminded that sometimes, the small decisions—like booking an early flight—can make a big difference. Eventually, the others would arrive at the different camps across the reserves, but for now, I had time to soak in the fact that I was finally in South Africa. The next two weeks were going to be something special, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the wilderness and the work ahead.
This post is the start of my Manyoni Series, where I’ll be sharing stories about my time volunteering with Wildlife ACT at Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Stay tuned as I dive into what it’s like to track lions, monitor endangered species, and experience the wild beauty of Africa firsthand. From early mornings in the bush to the breathtaking encounters with the animals that call Manyoni home, I’ll take you along on the journey. The adventure has only just begun!
