It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since my daughter & I set out on an incredible adventure together; a dream we had shared for a number of years to travel to Africa became a reality.
Watching the sun go down on the Shamwari reserve.
I am not certain what was more precious, the adventure itself or the opportunity to spend 2 glorious weeks exploring another part of the world with my grown daughter. Such precious time together & a journey I shall hold very close to my heart for years to come.
Reflecting back on our pictures, it struck me that we were not the only family members sharing this journey together.
Everywhere we looked when we were on safari, we witnessed the strong connection of family. The unbreakable bond formed between loved ones. Nurturing our young, protecting each other from harm, & sharing our love for those we hold so dear.
Mama looks like she might be asking to tag out while her babies share a romp with her in the grass.
Finally, a little quiet time.
This proud papa sat quietly in the grass, looking magnificent & fearless, as we came around the corner.
Yup, they’re over that way!
Mama, on the other hand, quickly shooed her cubs into the bush for protection.
Can you spot one of the curious cubs checking us out?
After tolerating our presence to take a few pictures & have a look at his beautiful family, Dad gave us an indication that perhaps it was time for us to move along.
That’s close enough!
Watching as a herd of elephants emerge from the bush, our ranger asked us to just sit quiet as this matriarch passed by to check us out. My daughter could not believe her eyes as this beautiful creature strode alongside our vehicle, so close she could have simply reached our & ran her hand from tip to toe. Respecting the strict guidelines of not interfering with the wildlife on Shamwari, she did not!
You can see how close she was based on the mirror or our vehicle
It wasn’t long before this little one came trotting into view, assured by his elder that we posed no threat to the herd as they passed through.
Wait for me!
This was the second time we had the good fortune of coming across this mother & son. Mom appears to be enjoying every single one of her son’s kisses.
I love you Mom!
Even the zebras were feeling the love that day. This guy looks like he has fallen asleep as his friends lovingly groomed each other.
I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine.
For as long as I live, I will never forget this remarkable experience with my daughter.
I think it’s time we starting dreaming of another, don’t you?
Hugs,
L💛
Life After 50 
Oh my! What lovely memories you have to share with your daughter. I went on a trip with my mother (not as exotic as Africa, I can assure you) that will remain in my heart forever.
I love that you still hold that experience so dear to your heart. Regardless of where we go, precious time spent with our grown children is such a gift, isn’t it?
Great photos, Lynn!
Thanks Scott!
What a marvelous experience to share with your daughter.
It sure was Bernadette! We loved every single moment of it!
I remember well following this trip. What an experience and to share it with your child is the icing on the cake!
This was a dream of ours for some time Al, to experience this incredible part of our planet together was magical!
Indeed it’s time to plan – sometimes the planning can be a big part of the fun! Your pictures are precious and I have no doubt that the 2 weeks alone with your daughter was the brightest part of the trip. Thanks for sharing.
You are so right, the planning is such fun! Thank you for visiting!
What a special time Lynn! I love the pictures and the family bonds that you witnessed! I can imagine this was the trip of a lifetime. Where to next indeed?
Has it been a year already? What a wonderful collection of photos to go along with the special memories. Hmm, not sure you could top this, but it’ll be fun trying.
It has Ingrid! Hard to believe 😲Happy Birthday btw🎉
Never too soon to start planning the next adventure!
You & I are so like-minded Jane! Always planning the next adventure!
even I feel like it was just last week you went! lol! Thanks for sharing these beautiful memories! What a great experience for you and your daughter! So envious!
So close, Lynn! The shots are fabulous! 🙂 🙂 Especially the little tusker… Yes, time for a new plan.
We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to get so up close & personal with all of these incredible beings! Definitely time to plan another adventure!
What gorgeous memories you have captured Lynn. And there is nothing so special as spending time with an adult offspring no matter where it might be. I am enjoying having my son stay with me for the first time (other than the occasional overnight stay) in 15 years. Spending time together exploring the countryside and the beaches is precious. Though he is still eating me out of house and home!!
Thank you Jude. Time spent with our adult children is precious indeed! So glad you have this time with your son, the grocery bill will return to normal eventually 😉
Haha… I hope so!
Wow! the only thing better than a trip like that is sharing it with a loved one. I’m so glad you got to take this trip with your daughter. A friend of mine recently returned from a trip to Africa (by herself) and she said she’d go back in a minute!
I echo your friends’ sentiments. There is something about Africa that grabs hold of your heart ❤️
Gorgeous photos! How lucky to see big cats numerous times and to share it with your daughter!
Peta
Peta, it was truly magical! Hope you are doing well my friend!
Am back from six weeks of visiting parents and kids in the U.S. Doing well thank you!
It’s such a blessing to have had this special time with your daughter. The memories will be always be precious and strong. Life is busy and unpredictable, but I hope you’ll have another mother-daughter trip together again.
LOVE the photos – especially the growling dad, although the 2nd photo with the tongue is a close second 🙂
I hope so too Joanne. Such a gift to have this time together. I swear this mom with her tongue out was speaking to us! “Good Lord, these kids are exhausting “😂
ha! so true. It doesn’t seem to matter how old our kids get, we still find them exhausting 🙂
I’d be surprised if you don’t have some thoughts in the back of your head about where your next trip should be…:)
I love the photos, Lynn, especially the way being together the idea of your family…and those you found on your adventure. Beautiful!
George, I have developed quite the travel bug in the past number of years! I find the more places I visit, the more I have the desire to see more. This particular trip was such a special one, spending it with my daughter. I sure hope we have the opportunity to share more adventures together in the future❤️
I understand how you feel. I was the same way and still love to travel, though I’ve recently enjoyed taking road trips to different parts of this country. Having all your stuff in a car and visiting some of the small towns has been fun. I love Europe and really want to go back one day because there’s so much history there and I love the simplicity of life there, but I’m finding some of that here also. It’s just that our history is a couple of hundred years old and theirs is a couple of thousand…😊
Happy trails..:)
Lynn I am smiling ear to ear as I read your post. Of course our Africa trip jumps to mind and thank you again for your help with the plans. What an extraordinary adventure to have with your daughter. I totally think some planning for the next one is in order.
I would go back to Africa in a heartbeat Sue, as I am certain you would as well. Such an incredible part of our planet to explore. You must be super excited with your trip to Ireland not far away! Yet another destination I hope to get to!
Yes getting very excited! Three weeks to departure. Hoping you get there yourself one day soon. Xo
When I was around 14, my father and I took a road trip that lasted a week. All these many years later I still remember it.
Thanks for sharing Emilio. I hope it is a good memory ❤️
Lynn, your images are truly wonderful!
What an experience this was, and to be able to share it with your daughter, even more so.
I’m not sure that I’ll ever experience this (you never know, though!) so I’m glad to be able to see these incredible animals through your lens
How lovely to have you visit LB! It was truly an amazing trip in so many ways. I would highly recommend going if you ever have the opportunity. Your camera would never stop!
These memories are so precious. What a beautiful time together.
Thank you Dawn! It was truly a gift to spend this time together!
Lynn, you could visit a hundred zoos and it wouldn’t equal one African safari. When we lived in Sudan we managed a couple of trips and they were fabulous. Add the bonding time with your daughter and I can believe it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a parent. Nice and moving post. ~ James
You are so right James, on all accounts!
Breathtaking pictures and so beautifully described 😀
Thank you so much!
Of all the places I’ve been, if pressed, I’d had to say that going on safari in Africa has been the best experience overall. Yes, it is time for you to think again. If you like wildfire, why not Alaska?
What a brilliant plan Jeff! Wheels are turning!
I live in Africa and you photographs and blog just reminded me of how blessed I am.
As a family we often go bush camping in Namibia or when we are feeling in a more civilised mode we camp in the Kruger National Park!
Thank you for sharing your photographs and experiences with us.
You are right, you are truly blessed to live in a country with such beauty. We had such an incredible time in South Africa & would recommend it to anyone seeking this kind of opportunity. Thank you for visiting!
What an incredible experience and such gorgeous photos, too. I’ve dreamed of a trip like this my whole life.
It was a dream of ours as well & one that fulfilled every part of that dream! Definitely add it to your list!
Thank you, Lynn. Seeing wildcats in their natural habitat is a dream of mine. They’re such beautiful, majestic creature. I love elephants as well. Amazing!