The Real Africa: A Father-Daughter Journey Through Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls
When looking for a truly meaningful travel experience, the difference between lounging at a resort and actively participating in local conservation and community work is night and day.

In this heartfelt volunteer review, returning volunteer Jeffrey shares his experience on his recent Globe Aware trip to Zimbabwe alongside his daughter. From spending two immersive days working at a local school to participating in the annual Hwange National Park Game Count-complete with unforgettable up-close elephant encounters-Jeffrey details what it truly means to experience “The Real Africa.”

Read on for his firsthand account of the journey, including his stay at Victoria Falls!

“As you know, my daughter skipped the Game Count and the school visit last year.  I can tell you that she was blown away by the full-tour this year.  The differences between visiting Victoria Falls and lounging in a resort for a week, and working at the school, then being at the pan for the Game Count, are night and day.  She expressed how she had seen “The Real Africa” on this version of the trip.  The opportunity to spend two (very full) days at the school, to make friends with the children, and to do something to improve their lives, was extraordinary.  Then – add to that the full-on pre-count meeting with people from Great Britain, Australia, and Zimbabwe locals, and then – THE GAME COUNT. 

Those folks were so kind and generous – offering advice on where to set up safely at the pan, what we might see, what they could offer us in the way of restrooms, a drink, or assistance.  They checked in on us during one of their game drives the first evening, and seeing that we were set up properly and safely didn’t bother us at all.  The next day, they were as excited as we were to hear the results of our count.  They were unaware that they had Waterbuck at that pan, or that the Omega male elephants were banding together in groups of four to five.  

So, yes.  This year was special.  It was special because, again, I got to experience the “real” Africa.  Up close.  Personal, and sometimes in-your-face —

Or behind the Land Rover.  Lol!  We had two very large male elephants sneak up behind us to see who and what we were.  Have you been sniffed by a 6-ton male elephant?  I can’t believe how quiet they can be.  We were merrily counting away, look over there, see that one coming from the west – when “sniff,” “sniff’ WHAT?!?  How did he get behind us?  OMG!  Once we noticed them, they ran away in terror, but what a rush to have them that close.  

A few words about the Victoria Falls lodging. It had 6,500 acres of private game preserve.  Eight buildings split into two rooms each, a large office and meal center, and the SPA! The rooms are spectacular.  Very large, amazingly comfortable.  With your own personal covered patio, ours overlooked a lovely water feature and their private pan.  We had elephant, giraffe, eland, impala, baboons, bushbuck, hornbills, banded mongoose, guinea fowl, etc., all separated from us by a discreet electrical fence.  The couple in the room next to ours had a young leopard looking in their patio window one morning.  Each morning at breakfast, we could gaze on the pan and see who we were having breakfast with this morning.  The service was outstanding.  We made friends with the staff quickly, and they helped us to learn more of the local languages.  They learned our tastes after the first day, and knew how I liked my meals or my gin-and-tonic.  I can’t imagine staying anywhere else next year.  And who would do a Game Drive with them after the Game Count at Hwange?  Well, we went the extra mile to make sure we sampled all their available services and did the Game Drive with the Boma supper at their private camp afterward.  Four guests, and amazing food and wines.  I would give them six stars if that were possible. 

We did our best to test things for you, so we can attest that the pool is excellent, but don’t leave your stuff on a chair because the baboons that are right over there can and will take your shirt, sunglasses, or that new iPhone.  And the Spa is heavenly.  We each did a massage there with a foot scrub and other fun treatments.  I can highly recommend!  Again, don’t leave your shirt or your shoes at the spa.  Or the bar, for that matter.  We didn’t lose anything, but the baboons were there.  We did request the personal mongoose escort to supper after seeing thirty-five of them outside our room daily.  No need to worry about spiders, snakes, or anything else with thirty-five mongooses checking the perimeter daily.  

The trip was special.  Yes, the travel to get to Zimbabwe was long and hard.  Thirty-five hours for me, thirty-eight for my daughter, each way.  But – AFRICA!.  My plan is to print some of my photos from the last three trips, and I thought it would be fun to put a sound-bite at the bottom of them.  You know, Paris – Where Love is Towering…  So, my daughter and I were trying to find the right sound-bite to sum up such an adventure.  I don’t know that we have settled on one yet, but one idea was:  “You Leave a Piece of Yourself in Africa.”  Lol!  I think my daughter is making up T-shirts with a large female matriarch elephant that say: It’s Time For a Matriarchy.  

Hear, hear!

Thanks for the great adventure.  I hope you all can join us next year!”

Jeffrey Burtner, Game Count Zimbabwe, September 2026

Ready to Experience the Real Africa?

Ready to Experience the Real Africa?
Jeffrey’s story is a reminder of how immersive volunteering can transform a travel experience into something special. Whether it’s connecting with students at local schools, contributing to vital wildlife counts in Hwange National Park, or discovering the natural wonders around Victoria Falls, every journey leaves a lasting impact.

Learn more about the 2027 Game Count!