Last year I had a remarkable opportunity to explore Southern Africa for the first time. It was just a small taste, but it immediately provoked a deep and unabiding love of this sometimes confounding but always beautiful region. As an animal lover a highlight were the various safaris I joined, including one in Botswana’s Chobe National Park as a guest of the Zambezi Queen river cruise ship. Driving around in a rugged jeep and led by a master guide, we saw giraffes, hippos and everything in between. Rather than tell you about it though, the safari is best shared through photos.