The latest trend in travel is to explore, experience and immerse yourself in global cultures. The continent of Africa offers the opportunity to dance with the Zulus, swim with great whites, hike with mountain gorillas, traverse among the big 5 and savor delectable wines and foods. You can create the bucket list vacation of your dreams by picking and choosing the destinations and activities that speak to you. 

South Africa is a great place to start exploring this continent. It’s modern and westernized but still gives you that entry experience into the culture. The coastal scenery is breathtaking where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic and crashes onto the cliffside rocks at the Southern tip of Africa. Natural landmarks like Table Mountain and Victoria Falls are a must-see. Travel throughout this country to vineyards, animal reserves where you can get up close to elephants, monkeys and wild cats, and Kruger National Park where you can safari with the big 5. If you are looking for more of a wildlife experience, Tanzania and Botswana, are the best destinations to see the great migration and the Serengeti.

For a more personal experience, you can safari in private reserves where you can stay at luxury lodges inside the reserves. This allows you to off-road, get close to the wildlife and visit the parks at the more active times of sunrise and sunset as well as nighttime drives. If you feel more comfortable exploring South Africa with a guided group, Trafalgar Travel offers group tours to see the highlights of South Africa and also offers options for smaller groups with the private reserves. For smaller luxury group tours, Tauck, Abercrombie & Kent, African Travel and Micato Safaris have some nice options. If you’d rather have a custom private itinerary made just for you, we can create the perfect experience using luxury lodges like andBeyond. There are now several cruises that also have South Africa destinations this year. Azamara and AMA Waterways both offer all-inclusive experiences where their ship is your home so you only have to unpack once and travel between port destinations at night.

For a more immersive experience, travel to Uganda or Rwanda to find the last of the mountain gorillas in the world. You are allowed only one awe-inspiring hour with the gorillas after your hike to find them. Be prepared for a more rugged experience, but you can hire a porter to carry your equipment if you just want to think about your photos. Once-in-a-lifetime group, independent or custom gorilla treks are offered. 

Reserve your dream vacation by contacting Lainey Melnick, the owner of the Westlake-area branch of Dream Vacations, 855-GR8-TRIP, www.855GR8TRIP.com, lmelnick@dreamvacations.com. Dream Vacations – Lainey Melnick & Associates is an American Express Membership Rewards Agency and an affiliate of Travel Leaders. Lainey has been a part of the Westlake community and Eanes ISD since 1998. As owner of a Platinum Ranked agency, she is the recipient of the 2018 Travel Influencer Award, 2017 Club Med Top Producer, and 2017 OPAL Award for Women, WTH Certified Spokesperson and serves as Executive Committee Communications Chair for Austin Women Invest to Elect.