As the plane descended to Johannesburg, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The sun was setting over the vast African plains and the sprawling city below was alive, blending old-world charm and modern vibrancy. This wasn’t just any trip—it was the start of a journey that would take me into the heart of South Africa, a place that’s held adventure, yet also family history. Let alone, having the opportunity and being able to go to such a beautiful place was so important to me because I wanted to further understand where I come from.
The next morning, my boyfriend and I flew to Kruger National Park, where we would experience a safari unlike anything we’d ever imagined. The early mornings were brutal. Every day, the alarm went off at 5 AM, and by 5:30, we were out the door, bundled up against the crisp morning air, eager for what animals we might see. As we drove through the reserve, the landscape unfolded in front of us— rolling hills dotted with acacia trees, stretching endlessly into the horizon. It looked just like in the movies.
It wasn’t long before the wild surrounded us, the sounds of nature waking up to the rising sun—as were we. Our safari guide Victor, a local with extensive knowledge of the land, expertly navigated the rugged terrain, leading us straight into all the action. Within hours, we’d seen giraffes grazing lazily on trees, elephants wandering near and far, and baby hyena twins playing around near their den. I would say the highlight of the trip was seeing the Big 5: lions comfortably lounging, a leopard’s eyes gleaming through the grass, rhinos grazing in the distance, and elephants picking branches off the tree to get their kind source of nutrition. But it wasn’t just the iconic animals that made the safari special. It was the smaller moments—the kameleon the size of a nail resting on a leaf, the monkey that couldn’t stay still for a picture—that brought the wild to life in unexpected ways.
After two unforgettable days in Kruger National Park, we returned to Johannesburg and later flew to Cape Town. The shift in the atmosphere was immediate. The coastal city, nestled between the Table Top Mountain and the vast Atlantic Ocean, offered a completely different kind of beauty. The days were hot, with the sun beating down, mercilessly, but the evenings cooled down to a refreshing chill. What made Cape Town especially meaningful for me was the connection to my family’s background and my boyfriends. My boyfriend’s father is from Durban, a city located on the east coast of South Africa, and this trip was as much about reconnecting with our roots as it was about exploring a new place.
We spent time exploring the city, visiting landmarks, like the V&A Waterfront and Clifton 3rd, but the real heart of Cape Town for me was meeting my boyfriend’s grandmother. She still lives in Durban, and it was surreal to hear firsthand stories about his father’s childhood and the family’s history in South Africa. Walking through the streets, and hearing about places that shaped his upbringing, made me feel like we were part of something bigger— the land itself had a story to tell, and we were finally beginning to understand it.
The chip was a perfect blend of adventure, connection, and a chance to experience the wild beauty of Kruger and the rich, layered history of Cape Town. I left South Africa with a deeper understanding of my boyfriend’s, and my own heritage and a newfound appreciation for the country’s diverse landscapes and cultures. It wasn’t just about seeing the sights— it was about feeling the first time, the ties that bind us to the place we come from.
