Let me just start by saying, WOW! I am on my 16 hour flight home from South Africa today/tonight, whatever time it is... This trip to South Africa is one that is very dear to my heart. I love the country, I love the organization we work with, I love the people, I love the children, I love it ALL! I am so excited to finally have this platform to share all the details with you. The primary focus of the trip was a mission trip hosting a kids camp with The Hidden Place. However, we took advantage of being in such an incredible place and added some extra days to our trip. I want to share all the details with you in order.
We had a crazy start to the trip for sure. Our first flight to Atlanta was delayed by several hours, which rerouted our trip to London for 12 hours. We were so excited to have time to venture out into London, but of course that flight was behind schedule we only had half the time as planned. With so many of us in the group we just could not make the time to go out and site see, so we just enjoyed London Heathrow for many hours inside. After that layover we took the 11 hour flight to Jo-burg, South Africa.
Our first activity for the trip was to the elephant and monkey sanctuary. This was scheduled for the day after our arrival, but after the delays it was the afternoon we arrived (I had only had 3 hours of sleep from Thursday morning to Saturday morning). This was such a cool experience!
"Hello, I got to touch an elephant!!"
At this sanctuary they allowed us to feed the elephants and have a complete hands on experience with them. I have always thought elephants were beautiful, but after seeing one up close and hugging the trunk I find them beyond beautiful. It is honestly hard to describe the experience. They are such large creatures and I was able to touch its toe nails. Hello, I got to touch an elephant!! That is what was on repeat in my head the entire trip.
To top the experience off we were able to see so many cute little lemurs and monkeys.
If you ever get the chance to visit South Africa, take yourself a little drive out of the city to one of these AMAZING sanctuaries. It is worth the Rand (South African money) and the time!
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