Growing up in England, I never imagined that one day I would find myself falling so completely in love with a country on the other side of the world. Since being with my Zimbabwean partner, Zimbabwe has slowly become such a special part of my life. But until recently, I had never actually left Harare. 

Between work and tobacco farming, life had kept us busy, so my first real trip outside the city was finally a visit to Kariba. And honestly, I could not have chosen a more magical place to experience. 

We stayed at Spurwing Island, and from the moment we arrived, it felt special. The lodge itself was beautiful, but what really stood out to me was the incredible attention to detail. Everything felt thoughtfully considered, and the staff were exceptional throughout our stay. Their warmth, hospitality, and care made the experience even more memorable. 

One highlight of the trip was, of course, the game drives. We were incredibly lucky to see lions, buffalo , and elephants, among so many other beautiful sights and moments in the bush. But one particular evening will stay with me forever. 

During an evening game drive, we stopped for sundowners while a herd of elephants was nearby. Sitting there, drink in hand, watching these incredible animals as the sun began to set over Kariba, was one of those moments where you have to remind yourself that this is actually real. 

And the sunsets. I genuinely cannot emphasise enough how beautiful the sunsets in Kariba are. There is something about watching the sky change colour over the water that feels almost unreal. Every evening seemed more spectacular than the last. 

What made the trip even more special was sharing it with my Mum and Dad. It was their first time visiting Zimbabwe, so experiencing Kariba together made the whole trip even more meaningful. Seeing them take in the wildlife, the scenery, and everything Zimbabwe has to offer reminded me how special it is to be able to share a place you are growing to love with the people you love most. 

Of course, we also had to try our hand at fishing. I am very happy to say that we even managed to catch a tiger fish, which was another unforgettable experience and definitely added to the excitement of the trip. 

From incredible wildlife encounters and peaceful moments on the water to fishing, sundowners, breathtaking sunsets, and the warmth of the people around us, Kariba completely captured my heart. 

For someone who had never left Harare since arriving in Zimbabwe, this trip felt like the beginning of something. It opened my eyes to just how much there is to see and experience in this beautiful country. 

Kariba was magical. Spurwing Island was beautiful, the staff were exceptional, and every day brought a new memory that I know I will carry with me for a long time. 

Africa is 100% stealing my heart, and honestly, I am not asking for it back.