Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

 A #giraffe reaches for his evening meal as the sun sets in #MurchisonFalls National Park, #Uganda.

After living in Uganda for four years and making a valiant effort to try to see as much of the country as possible, I'm finally putting all my recommendations for places, lodges/hotels, activities, and restaurants in one place. It's still a work in progress, but I am starting with Murchison Falls National Park. Scroll up and click the Uganda tab or click here to view my Travel Uganda page!

Drakensberg Mountains, Free State, South Africa

After work, one New Year's Eve, we were headed to meet friends for a night in the Drakensberg Mountains outside Harrismith, South Africa. During our drive I noticed a pond, in an empty field, full of large birds. As we got closer I saw they were flamingos! I wanted so badly to stop but it was getting late and I knew we would never find where we needed to be in the dark.

Lucky for me, on our way home the next day, the flamingos were still hanging out in the same spot. My husband pulled over and waited in the car while I jumped over a small fence and slowly walked out into the field. I crept slowly across the field and just as I was getting close they suddenly took flight. I must have startled them but without warning they took to the skies. It was spectacular! They circled around above me a few times and then flew off into the clouds...so glad we took the time to stop!

To see more of these amazing birds in flight check out my Instagram feed.

Vilankulos, Mozambique, Africa

While in Vilankulos, Mozambique my daughter and I went to a local dive shop to do a refresher course. The dive shop overlooked the beach that was a launching point for the local dhow fishing boats. Throughout the morning and into the afternoon we watched the tide slowly recede leaving an incredible scenery of colorful boats with a beautiful blue striped background...it didn't look real and we couldn't take our eyes off of it.

To see more of this incredible beach check out my Instagram Feed.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa

There were many things that surprised and amazed me about Victoria Falls, but more than anything, I couldn't believe how much spray there was coming off the falls at the driest time of year. The back part of the falls were almost completely dry, yet standing near the front portion we still got soaked with spray....I can't imagine what the spray is like when the falls are at their fullest! I wonder if you would even be able to see anything?!?

To see more pictures of Victoria Falls check out my Instagram Feed.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Table Mountain is a spectacular place at any time of day, but my favorite time is at sunset. In my opinion the best time to be on the top of Table Mountain is a couple of hours before the sun sets, giving you a chance to hike around, see all there is to see and then settle in with a beer or glass of wine for the spectacular show...the sunset!

If you are lucky you will even get some clouds rolling in from the south, just up and over the back side of the mountain, that won't obstruct your sunset but will give you the sensation that the mountains are being swallowed by a big gentle wave.

For more pics of the sunset on table mountain check out my instagram feed!

Tuli Block, Botswana

We were staying at a small lodge in the Tuli Block in Botswana and from the lodge pool I noticed a small crocodile down by the edge of the water. I slowly walked down toward it keeping myself at a safe distance (the owners assured me I was fine) and then laid down on my stomach. Using a 250mm zoom I put myself face to face with the crocodile. I laid there for a long time waiting for him to open his mouth. He moved around a bit...and then he did!

Check out my instagram feed to see what he looks like with his mouth wide open! https://www.instagram.com/hollypowers_photography/

Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A perfect picnic spot...perfectly picturesque but maybe not perfect...let's call it a cautious picnic spot...see the line in the water where the water goes from dark to light? You can wade and play in the clear light colored water, but don't venture close to where the water gets dark and deep because that is where the crocodiles lurk. See the little jetty of sand on the left side of the picture? Around that bend there is a pod of hippos...you can hear them in the distance. A perfect cautious picnic...This is Africa after all!

Check out my instagram to see what's around the bend! https://www.instagram.com/hollypowers_photography/

Xai Xai, Mozambique, Africa

You know it has been a perfect beach day when you have been on the beach for 10+ hours, you have the beach all to yourself, and the water is still warm enough for the kids to keep playing after the sun sets.

Rochester Falls, Mauritius

On the flight to Mauritius we saw this amazing waterfall in the in-flight safety video. People jumped off of it with the flight lifejackets on to demonstrate a water-landing...I was determined to find it! And we did! 

Vilankulos, Mozambique

The sail was made of what appeared to be garbage bags. I stood alone in the shallow water of the public beach. The wind was picking up speed and it was evident that it wasn't going to stop these young men from going after their daily catch...their livelihood.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Chobe National Park, Botswana

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Vaalbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Mamelodi, Gauteng, South Africa

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Shoshanguve, Gauteng, South Africa

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria, South Africa

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Shoshanguve, Gauteng, South Africa

(Support the #GLOBALGOALS) Soweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa