Guest Review: Exploring Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is the worst of all.” -Brian Jackman

Africa has a way of getting under your skin and for returning guest Linda Gordon, the call of the wild was impossible to ignore. After not one but two visits to Africa on Foot this year, we caught up with her to hear what sparked her love for the wild and what keeps bringing her back to our camps. With a wanderlust for travel and the safari bug having well and truly bitten (don’t say we didn’t warn you!), we asked her to share more about what has shaped her experiences at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp.

Africa on Foot lioness

All images courtesy of Linda Gordon from her trips to Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

 

Please tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What are your passions and interests?

I am from the United States and live in sunny Florida. I have a remote business where I help small businesses run their business! I help CEOs with people, process and finances to help them grow. I am a 38 year old solo traveler with a passion for driving awareness and empowerment of women so they can travel, make their own money and dream big. I have been obsessed with animals since I was young and hope to get more and more involved with conservation.

lions sleeping in the KlaserieWhat drew you to visiting Africa? And how did you find out about Africa on Foot?

I first came to Africa, to South Africa, in May of this year (2025) and immediately planned my next trip to return back in October. Every day- the animals, the people, the nature, the experience was on my mind.
Something was calling me to plan a trip and to go big and visit somewhere totally different around my birthday. I always knew I wanted to go to Africa someday, and thought to myself, well why not now? I talked about it at a beach volleyball practice and my friend Amber introduced me to the Brett Horley Safari group who helped me plan my first trip. I knew I wanted to be truly in nature and experience the wild, the beauty, and the vulnerability of being in the middle of the bush somewhere. I was especially intrigued when my travel consultant at BHS, Risette, mentioned the walking safari and showed me the beauty and rawness of Africa on Foot.
For my first trip, I even rearranged my dates a bit to make sure I can stay at Africa on Foot. This paid off as I was able to connect deeply with the bush and the lovely people at AOF. I even extended my trip after flying back to Joburg and was not ready to see buildings and no elephants.

Africa on Foot elephant

africa on foot

It’s all fun and games at Africa on Foot. Your home in the wild

What called you back?

As soon as I got back to the States, I knew I had to return. Something deeply moved me.
It takes 4 flights and 2 1/2 days to make it from Tampa Florida to Africa on Foot and I know I’ll joyfully do it again soon.

giraffe close up - the Klaserie

Tell us about your experience at Africa on Foot and in the African wilderness

The chalets are kept perfectly beautiful and comfortable. The chefs are incredible. Terrah makes the whole thing perfect and the guides and trackers are the best. The experiences and education from going out with NT and Charlie are something special. I feel safe, excited and confident while in awe of everything around me. They helped me learn about the big, the small, the bugs, the birds, the Big 5, the ground and the sky, and everything in between.
The bush seems to love me and has rewarded me with amazing sightings and interactions of all kinds, and walking through it all is a whole deeper level of connection. To be a part of it is vulnerable and magical. It’s grounding and awe inspiring. Looking up at elephants walking by and giraffes staring right back down at you while stepping over a dung beetle and listening for the sounds in the distance takes you out of the human world and into the natural, animal world. I have never felt so grounded and focused and powerful and aware that I am human at the same time.
guides at Africa on foot

Charlie guiding us to thrilling encounters

 

guides at Africa on foot

NT bringing the smiles alongside sightings

Is there a moment/s that stands out as one you’ll never forget?
Any animals that you were hoping to encounter before coming that you did or didn’t see?

During my first trip, we had the most amazing encounters and while we tracked leopards on foot and in the truck, I never saw one to complete my Big 5.
During what was supposed to be my first last night in South Africa, there was something incredibly special about the sunset and the way the earth was glowing and the spot Charlie stopped at for sundowners, which had a fork in the road in front of us. I was lucky to be the only guest that night and we stood in silence, the guys handed me my sundowner cocktail and I stood in awe, with tears knowing my life had been changed forever. I also knew I wasn’t going to see the leopard. The bush was asking me to come back. We all had a moment during that sunset and got back in the truck without a word spoken until NT spotted a chameleon in a bush in the dark of night as we were driving by. I’m still mind blown by his skills, and it broke up the quiet for a bit of laughter. You never know what’s around the corner and what is watching you back.
On my 2nd trip – the bush rewarded me with 5 leopard sightings. Absolutely incredible.
leopard

Second safari lucky

What have some of your favourite encounters been?

During my 2nd trip – November showed off the babies! Baby elephants, rhinos, giraffes and lions! I was so excited to watch lion prides cuddle and play.
I could talk for days about the animal sightings and the lioness who looked at me in the night as she walked by us and the first time I heard lions roar and felt it in my chest and jaw and coffee with buffaloes across the dam, but I think elephants continue to give me the most magical experiences.
lion cubs

To stand nearby while these giants walk by and acknowledge you and say it’s ok to be there is pretty wild. To watch 2 different breeding herds pop out of the trees and head over to the dam for water before they continue on down the way in front of you is a grounding experience. Watching a herd play in the water made me feel like a kid again and reminded me of all of the fun I’ve had swimming in pools and lakes and oceans.

Africa on Foot elephantOne
Of my favorite experiences was pulling over as a herd of elephants peacefully grazed and calmly walked around us until a young baby elephant became curious and wobbled over with its trunk jumping around from side to side. Momma said ok and came along to help the young one safely check us out while keeping herself between us and the baby, giving us a little smell and moving along into the sunset behind us.

giraffes In the klaserieTell us about your time at nThambo Tree Camp

I also stayed one night at Nthambo and had an incredible 2 hour experience hanging out in my treehouse and watching a giant breeding herd zig zag through the trees until they decided to march right into camp and drink from the swimming pool. With binoculars at first, until they were so close I could take selfies from my tree house with them in the background. Everything in camp came to a stop as we all watched the show and started lunch about a half hour late since I had to wait to come down from my treehouse until they passed.
nthambo tree camp

Elephant popping by for a quick drink

 

Later that evening, just a little bit of crunching told me a couple big bull elephants walked right by my tree house from behind to go drink some water too. Near silent giant shadows moving gracefully and quietly on their way.
And with my windows open so it was just the screen between me and the wild, I looked out at 2am when a nearby hyena woke me up, and saw the moon setting against the horizon. I have never even thought about how the moon sets against the mountains and the earth as we can’t see that far and wide very often in the States. Glowing like the sun, but in pure darkness, it was a beautiful sight which then showed off the sky full of stars as she went to sleep in front of me.
In Africa, you can’t just look down and around, but you have to look up too. In the trees for leopards, for birds and gentle giants, but also at the dancing of millions of stars above you. 
Africa on Foot night sky

Look up at the river of the Milky Way overhead

Quintessential part of everyday – what’s your favourite sundowner?

The team was amazing and always had Amarula, Rose and even a special vodka cocktail that Charlie made up for me for sundowners and drinks back at camp.
We even had a hyena circling us one evening during our sundowner stop. I’m sure he wanted our snacks and not us 😉

Is there anything that Africa has taught you?

Africa has taught me that the world is even bigger and more beautiful than I can imagine and that everything is connected. We are continents and oceans and plane rides away but have some of the same lizards and birds. However, humans need to remember to care for it all and respect the big and the small. It’s all a part of how we live and how the Earth lives under our feet and over our heads. Every person, just like every tiny being (like termites!) have a huge impact. The more we respect, the more we ask questions, the more we share – the better everything and everyone will be.
Africa taught me that my mind and my heart can be even bigger and fuller.

Africa on Foot mongooseAnything you had wish you had known before coming? Or advice/tips you’d share with others?

I definitely recommend the walking safari and I recommend asking all the questions that pop into your mind during the safari events. Ask about the animals, the dirt, the trees, the birds, the bones, all of the weird stuff. It truly gives you deeper insights and opens up more for you to see and notice. 

Africa on Foot walking safari

Charlie and NT leading us through the African wilderness on foot

My biggest tip is to ask the questions.

Disconnect, be there, and be curious. Every question asked opens up more connection; to animals, to humans, to nature.

Ask the questions and be present.

To find out more about our stunning portfolio of camps and lodges in the heart of the African wilderness, contact our reservations team directly here.