Southern Africa with Ubuntu Resor

Pär Othänder is a Swede who has fallen in love with South Africa in all its forms. He enjoys putting together tours to this remarkable country. In February 2026, his third group arrived, and I was part of the planning and logistics. After living in Sweden for 13 years, I was also able to speak Swedish with the group, which added a personal touch from the very beginning.

Arrival in Johannesburg and a Journey into Soweto

After landing in the bustling airport in Johannesburg, 13 tired but happy Swedes greeted me as I drove up. From there we headed straight to Soweto, one of the largest townships in South Africa and once a centre of political resistance and violence.

Today Soweto is vibrant and full of life. It is home to the enormous Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, colourful cooling towers, busy malls, countless commuter taxis, and Vilakazi Street, where two Nobel Peace Prize winners once lived, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

Our first stop was the Hector Pieterson Museum, commemorating the 1976 Soweto uprising. Hector was one of the schoolchildren shot during the protests, and the photograph of him being carried became one of the defining images of that era. His sister met us at the memorial and spoke gently about those difficult times and her journey toward forgiveness. I left with deep respect for her grace and perspective.

Vilakazi Street itself is alive with colour, music, restaurants, traditional dancers, and the everyday rhythm of township life. Pär loves the spontaneity of the culture, and as always, he reconnected with a group of singers who arrived at the restaurant and began harmonising without instruments. It was powerful. Locals joined in, adding ululation that filled the street with energy.

We enjoyed a buffet of traditional dishes, including pap and chicken feet, before visiting Mandela’s former home, which remains a major draw for visitors despite its commercial feel.

Pretoria Stopover

Fatigue from the long European flight set in quickly, so we drove the fastest route to Pretoria, checked into our hotel, and rested. Dinner at a local restaurant was excellent, and an early night prepared us for the next leg of the journey.

Into Wild Botswana

We were on the road just after 6 am, heading toward Botswana. After Polokwane the road showed signs of recent flood damage, but we reached the Platjan border post shortly after midday, where we switched to an open safari vehicle. Crossing into Botswana felt like entering another world.

Serolo Camp lies within the renowned Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Our first meal overlooked a waterhole where elephants came to drink. Over the next three days we experienced exceptional wildlife sightings, including leopard, lions across the river, giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest, and many bird species. The highlight for me was spending time with the elusive brown hyena, a rare sight anywhere in Africa.

Our guides, Joe and Darius, were outstanding, especially with bird identification. One afternoon we climbed a Eagle’s Rock for sweeping views of the river while scanning for wildlife. On our final day we spent half an hour with a large herd of elephants as they drank, splashed, and dusted themselves before disappearing into the bush. Afterwards, we stepped out to examine tracks, a privilege not possible in National Parks and reserves.

Evenings brought stories from Julie and Stuart, who run the lodge. Julie shared the dramatic account of Stuart surviving an elephant attack while guiding on foot, a rescue story that held us spellbound.

Botswana once again proved why it is so special, and I was genuinely sad to leave.

Conservation Experiences

The group joined the Insimbi Legacy Project, a conservation initiative dedicated to rhino protection and wildlife education. They participated in hands-on tracking and survival activities and witnessed a rhino capture to change a tracking collar, a rare and unforgettable experience that offered deep insight into conservation work in South Africa.

Above: Rhino Guardian experience with Insimbi Legacy Projects (Photo @Boskind Photography)

The Lowveld and Blyde River Canyon

Two days later we headed east through the lush Magoebaskloof Pass toward the Lowveld near Kruger National Park. En route we stopped at the spectacular Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. The views were breathtaking.

We also walked to a small waterfall on the Khadishi River, one of the few tufa rivers in existence, where moss slowly builds rock formations. The dense canopy created a jungle-like atmosphere.

Above: Spectacular views of the Blyde River Canyon (Pär Othänder)

CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

After overnighting at Cape Vulture Lodge, we visited the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, where visitors learn about the realities of conservation, from poisoning and poaching to the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets. Seeing the magnificent white lions up close was unforgettable.

A scenic boat cruise on the Blyde Dam followed, with sightings of hippos, crocodiles, birds, and even the elusive Samango monkey against the dramatic canyon backdrop.

Final Safari in Greater Kruger

Our final stop was Mohlabetsi Game Reserve, a Big Five reserve. Heavy rains had damaged roads, but the staff had worked tirelessly to restore access. Although the big cats eluded us, rhino and elephant sightings were extraordinary.

One encounter stood out. A large female elephant blocked our path at barely a metre’s distance while feeding on a fallen marula tree. For ten minutes we sat in complete silence, dwarfed by her presence, experiencing the privilege of being so close to a wild elephant.

Above: Up close elephant encounters at a watering hole. (Photo: Maria Kihlstedt-Raicevic)

Farewell

All too soon the journey came to an end. After dropping the group at Hoedspruit Airport, we said our goodbyes. Another adventure had concluded, new friendships had been formed, and once again Southern Africa had delivered an experience rich in history, wildlife, culture, and unforgettable moments.