This is a tough one – but good fun to think about over a glass of wine! So many experiences to choose from (it’s a tough life) that compiling a top ten takes some thinking about! Nice problem to have! Interested to see how much this shifts over the balance of the next twelve months. Will keep a running commentary on things that are added and what drops off the list to makes way!
Horse riding in the Atacama Desert, Chile
Where we stayed: Awasi Atacama
Guided horse back ride through the stunning Atacama desert. Circa 4 hours uphill – before descending via sand dunes down sheer mountain cliffs. As a novice rider tacking down the dunes before galloping over the sand was an unforgettable experience.
This is one that the photos do not do justice to! I blame the camera – after all – it was 2014!
Watching lion crossing Zambezi pursued by crocodile, Zambia
Where we stayed: Anabezi, Lower Zambezi National Park
Experience: We watched as a male lion approached the Zambezi river. It is very rare that they cross. Within seconds a large crocodile gave chase. It was the most intense spectacle we’ve witnessed. Nature at it’s most cruel. Fortunately (although not for the croc) the lion won the race – but it was a close call!
Seeing leopard and cub on safari drive, Kenya
Where we stayed: Mahali Mizuri, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya
We both love leopards – they are such incredibly majestic cats. We’ve been fortunate enough to see quite a few over the years. However, seeing a leopard cub is incredibly rare. Cubs rarely leave the nest given their vulnerability to predators – particularly lions. However, we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to watch this mother moving its cub. I will never forget the blueness of the cubs eyes. So cute!
Very grateful that I’d hired a half decent telephoto lens. One of my favourite ever wildlife shots!
Walking the Great Wall, China
Where we stayed: Beijing Hilton
One of our very early trips (as you can tell from the pictures). The Mutianyu Segment is a secluded part of the incredible Great Wall. The views are truly spectacular – taking a chair lift up and a toboggan down! The walk is not for the faint hearted – some of the blocks are high – its like a step-class on acid. I couldn’t walk down a curb without wincing for a week. Regardless – utterly unforgettable day!
Tiger Fish fishing on the Zambezi, Zambia
Where we stayed: Anabezi Lodge, Zambia, Lower Zambezi National Park
Experience. The Zambezi is full of crocodiles – but it is also full of these amazing fish. The biggest Tiger Fish ever caught was a Goliath Tigerfish, caught in the Congo River in Africa in 2008. The fish weighed 154 pounds (70 kilograms) and measured 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length. My 16lb Tiger is a minnow by comparison – but catching it (and releasing) in the wild on my 40th birthday was pretty cool!
Balloon ride over the Serengetti, Tanzania
Where we stayed: Self-drive safari in Defender – Serian Camp, Serengeti National Park
It’s an early start – but well worth it! Floating over the Serengeti in a balloon is a must if you are in that part of the world. Totally different perspective to being on foot – gives a sense of the enormous scale and majesty of this beautiful landscape. Animals are unperturbed by balloons so pretty good for wildlife spotting! One for the bucket list.
Breakfast at Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Where we stayed: Giraffe Manor, Nairobi
Having set our alarms early we were treated to an adult giraffe emerging from the early morning mist and proceeding to our bedroom window where it ate pellets directly from our hands! From there we headed down for a breakfast where a ‘tower’ (collective noun) of giraffes awaited us. Feeding them from our table made for the most amazing breakfast. One for the bucket list!
Swimming in a bait ball, Palawan, Philipines
Where we stayed: Pangulasian Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido
A short way off shore was a ball of fish – known as a bait ball. Swimming into the ball created a 360 degree wall of fish that moved with me. Never experienced anything like it before or since. Mesmerising!
Watching hot air balloons in Cappodica, Turkey
Where we stayed: Museum Hotel, Cappadocia, Turkey
Although we went up in a balloon – the experience of watching balloons at sunrise from the Museum Hotel makes the Top 10. The setting is stunning and watching from the ground was unforgettable.
PS: The experience of being in the balloon wasn’t bad either! 😉
Full Lunar Eclipse, Namibia
Where we stayed: On top of a Defender, Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha National Park, Namibia
What a night! We arrived in time to pitch our tents in the day light, before cooking ribs over an open fire. We washed this down with Namibian beer enjoyed overlooking a floodlit water hole. White rhino, black rhino, lions and giraffe – incredible!
The icing on the cake was watching a full lunar eclipse, as jackals ran through the camp!