Bucket List Smash #1: Come See The Animals Of South Africa

The older I get, the more I recognize the importance of tackling that “must see” list that we create when it seems like we have all the time in the world ahead of us. It’s easy to understand how there are always other priorities and obligations that keep us from stepping off the hamster wheel and experiencing the wonders of this world. We have to make a living, take care of family, and contribute to our communities – but in the end, we need to be nourished by experiences that shake up our stale perceptions, make us examine our priorities and lead us down new paths - keeping our minds curious and open.

Travel plays a huge part in that quest for enrichment for me. Nothing makes me happier than seeing places grand and unfamiliar, hearing mysterious languages, seeing exotic creatures, tasting unique flavors, it’s all part of the adventure. And one of the biggest draws for many people is the wildlife - each country has its share of amazing creatures to lure and entice the animal loving traveler. In Australia – it’s kangaroos, koalas, and crocodiles; conservation-savvy Costa Rica has monkeys, sloths, lizards, and more species of birds than can be imagined. In Canada, we have moose, elk, and bears of almost every sort… but the big ticket wildlife draw always seems to be South Africa, with its elephants, all the big cats, the giraffes, hippos, zebras and oh so much more.

Check out this beautiful vacation video to see just what’s out there waiting for you. So now the real question is, what are you waiting for?

What bucket list destination will you tackle this year? Guides worldwide can help.