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Home » Kruger National Park Safari – 10 DIY Things to Know Now

Kruger National Park Safari – 10 DIY Things to Know Now

Last Updated: October 22, 2024

Table of Contents

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  9 Minutes Read
  • 1. Consider the Weather
  • 2. The Booking Game
    • We Chose Honeyguide Tented Safari
  • 3. Game Drives are Included
  • 4. Selecting a Lodge
  • 5. How Many Nights for a Kruger National Park Safari?
  • 6. Food is Included
  • 7. Getting to the African Safari Lodge
  • 8. An Important Lesson
  • 9. Avoiding the Crowds
  • 10. What We Saw on our Kruger National Park Safari
  • Conclusion
  • Extra note:
  • Save a Pinterest Pin Below
A safari jeep with John & Bev sitting in the back.
Retirement Travelers in Kruger National Park

Since we were children, we’ve both dreamed of taking a Kruger National Park Safari. After traveling to many places on our bucket list around the world, this remained the elusive experience that seemed so difficult to tackle.

Everyone we’ve ever met who had been a safari in Africa did it with a tour operator/travel agent. We heard no complaints, only rave reviews, but we knew we wanted to try to go it alone so we could save money. Afterall, we know from experience that we can usually travel two and a half times longer on the same dollar, if we plan the trip ourselves.

We knew we wanted to take a luxury Kruger National Park safari trip, not a self-guided one with a rental car and not one where the accommodation was sub-par. We wanted to experience the luxury African safari that we had dreamed about.

1. Consider the Weather

An orange sky relfected in the rainwater of an afternoon shower in Kruger National Park.
Kruger sunsets are the best!

Our first concern was the weather and picking the best time to go. We wanted warm weather, but not hot. A little rain doesn’t bother us, but we weren’t interested in being drenched during monsoon season, either. We ended up choosing to go in April and we realized that during this month, Kenya and the further northern countries were probably not ideal because of rain and weather, so we settled on a Kruger National Park safari in South Africa. April was the perfect month for us. It did rain some, but it was pleasant and the nights were cool for sleeping.

2. The Booking Game

A lioness walking through the grass in Kruger.
The lions didn’t seem to mind us all

Our search began online with a Google search to find a luxury, yet affordable African safari. We quickly became very frustrated with the process. Almost every site we clicked on required us to submit our email address before we could access information about their guided trip like cost and itinerary. Many of them had pop-up chats enabled that connected us with agents before we could ascertain any information. We like poking around and reading first, before connecting with an agent.

This process was needlessly cumbersome. We simply wanted to know what it cost, what was included, and we wanted to be able to compare prices. We are bargain travelers, after all!

After sifting through site after site, one day one of us said, “Hey, look on Booking.com and see if any lodges or camps are listed there.” BINGO! It was the step we were missing to get the information we needed.

We Chose Honeyguide Tented Safari

3. Game Drives are Included

A tan safari jeep sitting in a field in Kruger just before sunset.
We did two 3-hour game drives each day

It was here that we quickly learned that each camp or lodge offered game drives. This was something that we didn’t realize before. We assumed that you stayed at the lodge, and a tour operator took you out for a day trip/game drive. This is how travel usually works for us. We stay at a hotel, and if we want to go on an adventure, we book through the hotel or we book independently with a tour company for a day trip.

With game drives, they are an included activity of the lodge. In most cases, the lodges include two game drives a day, sunrise drives and sunset drives. This was music to our ears!

4. Selecting a Lodge

A view of the tent at Honeyguide Safari

Having traveled to nearly 100 countries, we oftentimes look for unique experiences and we realized that many bookings offered tent camping. This is hardly a scout tent, but rather a luxury experience while keeping that grounded, raw, Out of Africa mindset that had lived rent free in our minds for so long. We loved the concept and felt as long as we were safe, this seemed like a fun experience.

We knew the weather would be perfect for sleeping outside because the nights were cool and not cold. In the end, this was one of our favorite parts of our stay. We had a mosquito net over our bed (no mosquitos that we saw) and a lovely fan. What more could we want?

A tent in the Honeyguide Campground.
Our lodging at Honeyguide Tented Safari – Mantobeni Camp

We ended up booking with Honeyguide Tented Safari Mantobeni. This resort offered 15 tents, each with their own ensuite which included a shower. The tent material was heavy duty and had two layers, a mesh see-through layer and a solid heavy-duty tarp overlay.

Each side of the tent could be rolled up to take advantage of the view. On the inside of the tent, there was an additional wall of tarps that could be opened or closed, if you wanted to give yourself an additional layer of protection from the door opening. We also left it open while we slept in order to wake up to the morning view.

5. How Many Nights for a Kruger National Park Safari?

John & Bev standing on the deck of the lodge with an elephant in the background.
Retirement Travelers made a BIG new friend

We booked seven nights, but after arriving, we realized that most people only stayed for three or four nights before moving on to another adventure. For us, we are travel bloggers, and since the lodge offered WIFI, we took the downtime to work on our posts and YouTube Channel. If we had to do it again on a DIY safari, we would only book four nights, as this gave us plenty of opportunities to see amazing animals.

6. Food is Included

A view of the eating area of the lodge at Honeyguide.
3 meals a day were included……and delicious!

The next item we needed to figure out was where we would eat. Honestly, this is something that is usually the top priority for us, we are simple minded in that regard! Honeyguide offered three meals a day, snacks and drinks on the drives, and a bar where you could order a drink of choice. Sodas, wine, and beer were extra, except on the game drives, one was included.

The meals were excellent, not foo-foo food, but hearty choices that were delicious and filling. Breakfast was amazing, and we were offered five or six choices. We ended up combining choices to make our plate the perfect combination to our liking. We ordered omelets, bacon, avocado. There was always a basket of muffins and bread on the table, and the tea, coffee, and juices were abundant.

Our lunch choices usually included two options, a vegetarian option and one with meat. We oftentimes ate the vegetable based one and loved both. Dinner was the same, a couple of wonderful choices that changed daily.

One evening, the kitchen staff put on a show for us. This included traditional dancing. It was very exciting and energetic to watch. It didn’t happen each night, and since we were there for a week, we only experienced it once.

Overall, we were very happy with the food choices, they were well rounded and delicious. They were home cooked and not processed foods.

7. Getting to the African Safari Lodge

A picture of an Airlink Jet flight. White plane with blue lettering.
Airlink Jet is a very good South African airline

One of our biggest logistical issues when going it alone was getting to the lodge. There are three larger airports that service Kruger. Our lodge was located about an hour from Hoedspruit, and we were able to fly on AirLink directly there from Cape Town. This was a jet plane and one of our favorite regional airlines we’ve encountered on our world travels.

When we arrived at the airport, the excitement started immediately, as we saw four or five different animals as we were taxiing to the terminal. While this alarmed us a bit, it was a taste of what was to come, a week filled with wildlife.

We arranged through Honeyguide for a transport from the airport, and we paid $150 for the round-trip service. Our driver was wonderful and friendly. His van was air conditioned, and we were very comfortable on our hour drive.

8. An Important Lesson

A picture of some lionesses eating a carcass of a Cape Buffalo.
We watched the lion pride feed on a Cape Buffalo for three days

While driving through the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve, we passed another lodge. There was an antelope that we often saw running the fence line. We asked about him, and were told that there are two types of lodges near Kruger, ones who leave their land open to the National Park and ones that are fenced in.

This particular lodge offered game drives within their fenced in area, and our driver told us that had we booked with them, we would be completely bored over the course of the week, since the area is small. He said the animals are not free to roam and we would have seen the same animals all week as we traveled down the same roads.

We were very pleased with our choice of lodges because it was located in the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve. In the past, this reserve was one that allowed all people to visit regardless of race, during apartheid and because it offered this ability, it wasn’t considered a premium destination. As such, the infrastructure was lacking for many years. It also doesn’t have as many lakes. For these reasons, other reserves became more desirable to travel to and grew. Today, the adjacent reserves have many more lodges and hence become congested with jeeps of onlookers.

9. Avoiding the Crowds

A view in Kruger of a rhino grazing on grass.
Fun to see the rhinos in Kruger National Park

For us, we saw this as the perfect place for us to take our first DIY luxury Kruger National Park safari. Yes, we knew we might miss an animal sighting, but we were coming from Sri Lanka where the safari in Yala National Park included many jeeps, and it was sometimes the luck of the draw as to whether the driver could position his jeep for prime viewing.

Our drives in Kruger were carefree and absent from these crowds. Yes, the roads were bumpy at times, but we were there for the animals and the experience, and we didn’t mind. We’ll take low crowds any day over a perfectly groomed path.

10. What We Saw on our Kruger National Park Safari

A picture of Bev taking a picture on her iphone of a sunset at Kruger.
A week full of memories in Kruger National Park

We were thrilled that during our week, we were able to witness four of the big five game animals. The elusive leopard was just that, elusive. We didn’t see one of them, but we had just seen one in Sri Lanka and that sighting was still sitting firmly as one of our favorite travel memories, so we didn’t mind.

We saw plenty of lions! This was a highlight during our drives. We were able to see a fresh kill and watch the pride feed on the carcass of a Cape Buffalo. We returned over the course of a couple of days until all the animals had cleaned the bones. It was interesting and gross all at the same time!

We would be remiss to not include that our week was filled with wonderful animal sightings. Every drive, every day included something that fueled the little kid in our hearts. The experience was everything we hoped for and more. We would go back again and again. In fact, we hope to return and do it all over again.

Conclusion

YouTube player

Be sure to watch our entire DIY African safari video, so you can see the large variety of animals we saw. It was a bucket list experience in every regard.

Also, booking directly didn’t hurt our experience in the least. We were able to book Honeyguide for about $500 a night for the two of us and along with our shuttle service, we were able to go on a luxury DIY safari for a week for the low price of $1,825 each. We’ll take that!

Extra note:

A view of the Pamah Lodge huts.
Pamarah Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We referenced in our video Pamarah Lodge in Victoria Falls. Be sure to check them out and include a trip to see the falls when booking Kruger. We think four nights at each is the perfect timing. Pamarah helped us book excursions to Botswana to visit Chobe National Park for safari on land and river. They were gracious hosts, and their advice and guidance made our stay perfect. They will assist you in setting up sunset dinner cruises on the Zambezi River and other experience in the area.

Save a Pinterest Pin Below

safari jeep in kruger national park
jeep in kruger national park

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa

    August 14, 2024 at 6:35 PM

    Hi John and Bev! Thank you for all of the travel tips! We love your agenda for the trip. Can you share how bumpy the roads were during your travels? After hip surgery, we always think that part through!

    Reply
    • Retirement Travelers

      August 15, 2024 at 12:00 AM

      Hello Lisa,
      So glad you are enjoying our videos and website. There is a reason they refer to the safari rides as an “African massage”. Some of the roads were very bumpy, while other sections were smooth. Overall, be prepared for 2-3 hours for each ride and likely have some bumps. Hope this helps.
      Happy journeys,
      John and Bev

      Reply
  2. walter woodring

    July 20, 2024 at 6:08 PM

    hi John and Bev, you are now my go to resource for retirement travel. Im going to South Africa in Oct and im booking my own self guided tour to VFs. Sounds like 4 day and 3 nights is about right. Question is is one day at Chobe enough? I was thinking about 2 nights there and two nights in VF…I would appreciate your thoughts on that. I will definitely try and book Pamarah Lodge if it’s not too late. Thank you
    regards
    woody

    Reply
    • Retirement Travelers

      July 20, 2024 at 9:54 PM

      So glad to hear you are enjoying our content. We thought the day trip to Chobe was sufficient, but we’re sure there are probably nice places to stay near the park. You could easily do 3 days in VF with the falls, dinner cruise, train ride, trip to Livingston, etc
      John and Bev

      Reply
  3. Eddie

    July 2, 2024 at 4:05 PM

    Hi John and Bev – I’ve been enjoying your videos for close to a year now, so THANK YOU for such helpful and informative content! I went to the site for the HoneyGuide Mantobeni Camp and tried to book the same text for next April (2025), but the price they quoted me is around $2700 (ZAR 50,000) for 4 nights! I think you guys paid around $1900 for 7 nights? Just wondering if there was some discount code you used? Or did they just raise their prices dramatically? Any help you can provide is appreciated!

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      July 3, 2024 at 1:32 PM

      Thanks so much for following along. We had booked the safari about a year in advance, so it sounds like prices have gone up. The only discount we get is the booking “genius” discount because we have used booking so much. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
      John and Bev

      Reply
  4. Jodi Stanley

    June 13, 2024 at 6:44 AM

    We are also a couple ( early 60’s) who travel 9-10 months per year. We “splurge” when necessary, and cut-back where we can. Galapagos splurge, Antarctica splurge, Patagonia estancia , splurge. I see Africa as a splurge as well. We spent 5 months in Argentina where it was cheap, so we could position ourselves for the splurges. Soooo worth it. Tips and tricks from other like travelers is so valuable to keep doing this for as long as we can! Thanks for all the blogs and videos.

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      June 13, 2024 at 10:24 AM

      Thanks for commenting. It sounds like we have similar travel styles. We love the splurges, but also love the adventure of lower cost places as well. Glad you are enjoying our website and YouTube channel.
      Happy journeys,
      John and Bev
      https://retirementtravelers.com/

      Reply
  5. Sandra Pence

    June 8, 2024 at 5:17 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! We travel 6-9 months/year and go many of the places you do. We have bookmarked your guide and video, and have watched the video twice (so far). This information is incredibly helpful. We are thinking about this trip next year. How early did you book the safari?

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      June 12, 2024 at 2:15 PM

      Thanks so much for commenting and glad you found it helpful. We booked the safari about 9-12 months in advance on booking. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
      John and Bev

      Reply
  6. Linda Clark

    May 30, 2024 at 1:41 AM

    It has been my dream to travel to Africa for many years. Unfortunately, I’m a solo traveler which hurts the purse on trips. Can you suggest a site where I might meet like-minded solo travelers who share my travel interests?

    I’d also like to know if you think using Cape Town/Johannesburg as a base would be a sound idea? I want to go to Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, possibly travel around South Africa and some other countries over a period of time. I’m thinking at least a month would be necessary.
    Any thoughts?

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      June 12, 2024 at 2:36 PM

      We aren’t sure about best sites for solo travelers, but know there are a number of blogs that focus on that. We prefer Cape Town vs. Johannesburg. Kruger and Victoria Falls were both interesting. Agree that you need a month, because there is so much to see. You may also consider adding in Namibia. It is pretty safe and quite diverse with interesting things to see and do.
      Happy journeys,
      John and Bev

      Reply
  7. Naomi Northrop

    May 27, 2024 at 4:21 PM

    Thank you for all of your information. We plan to follow your plan. Did you go directly from Kruger National park to Pamarah? Or did you plan to stay in Johannesburg? Then from Victoria Falls did you go back to Cape Town or did you leave from Johannesburg to your next destination? I am retiring in 2 weeks and can’t wait to use many of your suggestions!

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      May 29, 2024 at 10:44 AM

      You are welcome. We flew from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg on a short flight and then Johannesburg to Victoria Falls. Both flights were on Airlink. After Victoria Falls we flew back through Johannesburg on our way to Reunion Island. We had to spend 1 night near the airport in Johannesburg. So glad you are enjoying our channel and website. Congrats on your retirement.
      John and Bev

      Reply
      • Naomi

        June 24, 2024 at 5:22 PM

        We have now booked our trip for South Africa staying both at Mantobeni Lodge and Pamarah! We never would have done this if I didn’t follow you and your recommendations. Can’t wait to go in 2025! Thank you!

        Reply
        • rtravelers

          June 25, 2024 at 9:48 PM

          That is so wonderful. You will have an amazing trip. Tell the owners of Pamarah we said hello and have a wonderful trip. Let us know how it goes.
          John and Bev

          Reply
  8. Arpana Verma

    May 26, 2024 at 2:12 AM

    Hello John & Bev,

    We love watching your travels and were really inspired by the Africa video. Kruger has been on our bucket list for some time and I’m very grateful for all the information you provided here. I’m curious if you’ll be sharing more information on Cape Town and your time there. Also, what arrangements did you make to travel to Pamarah and who was it through? I noted the excursions in Botswana and Choe National Park were through Pamarah.
    Thank you in advance for all your efforts and the time and energy you put into your wonderful videos. Hope to run into you in this glorious world sometime.

    Best regards and happy trails,

    Arpana

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      May 27, 2024 at 6:16 AM

      Thanks so much. Not sure about the Cape Town video, but will plan a blog in the future. We used Airlink to fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls. We sent a message to Pamarah and they had a driver waiting for us at the airport to take us in to town. Hope this is what you are looking for.
      John and Bev

      Reply
  9. Susan

    May 25, 2024 at 6:12 PM

    Hello there Retirement Travelers
    Thank you so much for this very informative article. First I watched your Youtube…makes this South African adventure look so doable. You both are an inspiration to me. Never thought that such a trip was within my reach…but now seriously looking into the possibility.
    Thanks again.

    oh…just an housekeeping suggestion: not sure if it just my eyes….but I am having a really difficult time reading this light font. I had to copy and paste to change the font into something darker in order to comfortably read. This could just be totally unique to me….so do with this suggestion what you will.

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      May 25, 2024 at 8:51 PM

      Susan,
      Thanks for the kind words and also the feedback on the font. That is a very valid concern we will address in the coming months. Thanks for sharing your issue.
      John and Bev

      Reply
  10. Rhonda and Jim

    May 25, 2024 at 2:08 PM

    Love yr experience! We go to Kruger in Nov. ❤️🥰 Your tips will be very helpful.
    Would really like to know more about Cape Town. Where to stay, what to do. ❤️

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      May 25, 2024 at 8:52 PM

      Thanks and fantastic that you will be going. You will love it. We are working on a Cape Town blog for the website that will have more detailed info. We loved Cape Town.
      John and Bev

      Reply
  11. Sandy Miley

    May 25, 2024 at 1:04 PM

    John & Bev! Thanks for sharing this fabulous adventure. My husband and I hope to do this as well.
    How do you document your travels other than YouTube and your website? Im sure you’ve documented somewhere to keep track of your travels and when.
    Many thanks.
    Sandy

    Reply
    • rtravelers

      May 25, 2024 at 8:54 PM

      In addition to YouTube and website, we have our Instagram and all of our other photos. We also us a program called Monday.com where we do all our trip planning. See the first video in our Travel School for more info.
      John and Bev

      Reply

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A picture of John & Bev celebrating 100 countries with balloons and champaign.

We’re John & Bev a married, American couple who decided to sell our home and give away our stuff so we could explore the world. Having traveled to over 100 countries, we create travel guides to help show you the way. We hope our tips, maps, details, stories, and recommendations help you travel with confidence and plan a grand adventure of your own. Reach out if you have a question, we’re happy to share our thoughts. Happy Journeys!

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📍 104 Countries - Cruising the Panama Canal 🗺 Traveling the world full-time 🎥 Community of 138K+ on YouTube ⬇️ Watch and read latest content ⬇️
  • We rolled into Gyeongju on a zippy high-speed train and realized that this place is like walking through a history book that forgot it was supposed to be boring. They call it Korea’s “museum without walls,” and we couldn’t agree more. Our favorite stop? The stunning Woljeonggyo Bridge — painted dragons above, river below, and us smack in the middle of this fabulous city wondering how we could rearrange our schedule for a longer stay. Our hearts were hitching a ride back to the 7th century, but unfortunately, the next train was scheduled to take us to the next amazing Korean city. We’ll be back, no doubt! We love it so!
#korea #gyeongju #retirementtravelers
  • One thing we learned in Seoul today is that by wearing our Retirement Travelers shirts and vlogging our adventures, we were no longer ordinary tourists. We were viral-worthy legends in the eyes of middle-school boys. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, we were admiring the royal rooftops when this fun group of kids spotted us and swarmed. Phones clicked, peace signs flew, and we soaked up our five minutes of fame. And to think—our kids back home just call us “cute old people” but clearly, in South Korea, we are one step away from debuting as the next K-pop duo. 🤣 #seoulkorea #seoul🇰🇷 #kpop #korea NEVER STOP ACTING LIKE A KID!!!
  • Hands down, our favorite thing at the Osaka World Expo 2025 was the Grand Ring—a jaw-dropping, 2-kilometer wooden skywalk that loops above the pavilions like a giant hula hoop. Not only does it hold the Guinness World Record for the largest wooden architectural structure, but it also came with one magical feature most of the pavilions lacked: no reservations required!!! We strolled around the wooden marvel like VIPs with zero lines and awesome views. #osaka #worldexpo #japan
  • We took one last wander through Kyoto’s bamboo forest today—along with what felt like the entire population of Earth. Still, the towering stalks and swaying hush made it feel like nature was trying its best to whisper over the crowd. As we get ready to leave Kyoto behind, we’re carrying some unforgettable moments with us and we look forward to adding some more along the way. #kyoto #japanlife  #bambooforest
  • We’ve officially arrived in Kyoto, and guess who’s already winning at this whole cultural immersion thing. Our 7-year-old granddaughter. Jet lag? She laughed in its face. Chopsticks? She’s in training. Bowing politely? Basically, a local diplomat. And the outfit? A pink kimono and a matching fan that we bought her—she’s got more style than the rest of us combined. Meanwhile, we’re over here trying to decode the Japanese metro system like it’s an escape room… after a month of being spoiled by China’s luxury rail life. She’s thriving, we’re surviving—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way! It is also good reminder to us to still see the world through the curiosity and innocence of a child. Evie, Thanks for joining us in Japan!!! #kyotojapan #kyoto #japan
  • In the heart of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, we found ourselves living a dream—our lodging nestled high within the iconic Jin Mao Tower(Bldg on left). Each morning, we woke to a commanding view of the World Financial Center slicing through the sky, and just steps away stood the architectural marvel that is the Shanghai Tower—the third tallest building in the world. Our adventure reached thrilling new heights as we ascended to its summit, where the city sprawled beneath us like a living tapestry. It was more than just a stay; it was a front-row seat to one of the most awe-inspiring skylines on Earth. #shanghai #chinatrip #jinmaotower #shanghaitower #china
  • A visit to Beijing isn’t complete without a long walk on the Great Wall (Badaling section), which is now only a 30-minute train ride from Beijing North Railway Station. It is simply spectacular and a must visit. #greatwall #greatwallofchina #china
  • Bev stood in awe before the Army of Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an. Hidden for 2200 years, these ancient relics were only unearthed by a Chinese farmer in 1974. China's First Emperor Qin Shi Huang sought to defy mortality. He poured vast resources into constructing an underground empire, complete with palaces, armies, chariots, and stables. Spanning 21 square miles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest burial ground on earth. #xian #xianchina #terracottawarriors #china #retirementtravel
  • The reason we stopped in Chengdu was pretty black and white………and very, very cute. 🐼
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is an incredible facility that houses over 200 Giant Pandas and Red Pandas. This photo is the most famous resident here. She is a cutie and a social media star in China, named HuaHua. 
#pandas #huahua #chengdu #chinatravel
  • We are in Chongqing. This municipality in southwestern China is considered one of the largest cities in the world with over 30 million people. It is massive! It is nicknamed “The Mountain City” because of the many urban hills with unique transportation systems that adapt to the terrain. This is a vibrant place with lots of high-end shopping, a monorail that passes through a building, towering skyscrapers, and so many wonderful “Hot Pot” restaurants. #china #chongqing #lizibastation
  • Just zipping around China by train,
We think it’s much better than a plane.
A rail network so vast,
And speeds that are fast,
There is nary a thing to complain.

Several of you have asked how we are getting around in China? Well, the Chinese high-speed train system has quite simply BLOWN US AWAY!!! It is modern, affordable, fast, clean, efficient, convenient and has great service. There is a rapidly expanding network of 25,000 miles of high-speed rail lines, with numerous daily routes going about anywhere you would want to go. We have tried the 1st and 2nd class tickets, both of which are perfectly fine, but admit we love the over-the-top luxury of business class for affordable prices. We will be detailing more info about Chinese train travel in future videos, so stay tuned. John and Bev
#china #trains #traintravel
  • Tianmen Mountain was our third incredible attraction near Zhangjiajie, China. The mountain can be accessed from the city by two different exhilarating aerial trams or a dangerous highway featuring 99 hairpin turns. Tianmen literally means “Heaven’s Gate” and the 999 stairs leading up to the opening are known as the Stairway to Heaven. Climbing this stairway was another bucket list experience for us, so we took our time on the steep steps and just savored every moment. After passing through the gate, a long series of escalators take you up through the inside of the mountain to the top, where they have a glass-bottomed walkway hugging a cliffside and many great views of the area.
#china #tianmen #tianmenmountain
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We rolled into Gyeongju on a zippy high-speed train and realized that this place is like walking through a history book that forgot it was supposed to be boring. They call it Korea’s “museum without walls,” and we couldn’t agree more. Our favorite stop? The stunning Woljeonggyo Bridge — painted dragons above, river below, and us smack in the middle of this fabulous city wondering how we could rearrange our schedule for a longer stay. Our hearts were hitching a ride back to the 7th century, but unfortunately, the next train was scheduled to take us to the next amazing Korean city. We’ll be back, no doubt! We love it so!
#korea #gyeongju #retirementtravelers
@retirementtravelers
@retirementtravelers
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We rolled into Gyeongju on a zippy high-speed train and realized that this place is like walking through a history book that forgot it was supposed to be boring. They call it Korea’s “museum without walls,” and we couldn’t agree more. Our favorite stop? The stunning Woljeonggyo Bridge — painted dragons above, river below, and us smack in the middle of this fabulous city wondering how we could rearrange our schedule for a longer stay. Our hearts were hitching a ride back to the 7th century, but unfortunately, the next train was scheduled to take us to the next amazing Korean city. We’ll be back, no doubt! We love it so! #korea #gyeongju #retirementtravelers
2 weeks ago
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1/12
One thing we learned in Seoul today is that by wearing our Retirement Travelers shirts and vlogging our adventures, we were no longer ordinary tourists. We were viral-worthy legends in the eyes of middle-school boys. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, we were admiring the royal rooftops when this fun group of kids spotted us and swarmed. Phones clicked, peace signs flew, and we soaked up our five minutes of fame. And to think—our kids back home just call us “cute old people” but clearly, in South Korea, we are one step away from debuting as the next K-pop duo. 🤣 #seoulkorea #seoul🇰🇷 #kpop #korea NEVER STOP ACTING LIKE A KID!!!
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One thing we learned in Seoul today is that by wearing our Retirement Travelers shirts and vlogging our adventures, we were no longer ordinary tourists. We were viral-worthy legends in the eyes of middle-school boys. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, we were admiring the royal rooftops when this fun group of kids spotted us and swarmed. Phones clicked, peace signs flew, and we soaked up our five minutes of fame. And to think—our kids back home just call us “cute old people” but clearly, in South Korea, we are one step away from debuting as the next K-pop duo. 🤣 #seoulkorea #seoul🇰🇷 #kpop #korea NEVER STOP ACTING LIKE A KID!!!
3 weeks ago
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2/12
Hands down, our favorite thing at the Osaka World Expo 2025 was the Grand Ring—a jaw-dropping, 2-kilometer wooden skywalk that loops above the pavilions like a giant hula hoop. Not only does it hold the Guinness World Record for the largest wooden architectural structure, but it also came with one magical feature most of the pavilions lacked: no reservations required!!! We strolled around the wooden marvel like VIPs with zero lines and awesome views. #osaka #worldexpo #japan
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Hands down, our favorite thing at the Osaka World Expo 2025 was the Grand Ring—a jaw-dropping, 2-kilometer wooden skywalk that loops above the pavilions like a giant hula hoop. Not only does it hold the Guinness World Record for the largest wooden architectural structure, but it also came with one magical feature most of the pavilions lacked: no reservations required!!! We strolled around the wooden marvel like VIPs with zero lines and awesome views. #osaka #worldexpo #japan
4 weeks ago
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3/12
We took one last wander through Kyoto’s bamboo forest today—along with what felt like the entire population of Earth. Still, the towering stalks and swaying hush made it feel like nature was trying its best to whisper over the crowd. As we get ready to leave Kyoto behind, we’re carrying some unforgettable moments with us and we look forward to adding some more along the way. #kyoto #japanlife  #bambooforest
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We took one last wander through Kyoto’s bamboo forest today—along with what felt like the entire population of Earth. Still, the towering stalks and swaying hush made it feel like nature was trying its best to whisper over the crowd. As we get ready to leave Kyoto behind, we’re carrying some unforgettable moments with us and we look forward to adding some more along the way. #kyoto #japanlife #bambooforest
1 month ago
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4/12
We’ve officially arrived in Kyoto, and guess who’s already winning at this whole cultural immersion thing. Our 7-year-old granddaughter. Jet lag? She laughed in its face. Chopsticks? She’s in training. Bowing politely? Basically, a local diplomat. And the outfit? A pink kimono and a matching fan that we bought her—she’s got more style than the rest of us combined. Meanwhile, we’re over here trying to decode the Japanese metro system like it’s an escape room… after a month of being spoiled by China’s luxury rail life. She’s thriving, we’re surviving—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way! It is also good reminder to us to still see the world through the curiosity and innocence of a child. Evie, Thanks for joining us in Japan!!! #kyotojapan #kyoto #japan
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We’ve officially arrived in Kyoto, and guess who’s already winning at this whole cultural immersion thing. Our 7-year-old granddaughter. Jet lag? She laughed in its face. Chopsticks? She’s in training. Bowing politely? Basically, a local diplomat. And the outfit? A pink kimono and a matching fan that we bought her—she’s got more style than the rest of us combined. Meanwhile, we’re over here trying to decode the Japanese metro system like it’s an escape room… after a month of being spoiled by China’s luxury rail life. She’s thriving, we’re surviving—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way! It is also good reminder to us to still see the world through the curiosity and innocence of a child. Evie, Thanks for joining us in Japan!!! #kyotojapan #kyoto #japan
1 month ago
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5/12
In the heart of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, we found ourselves living a dream—our lodging nestled high within the iconic Jin Mao Tower(Bldg on left). Each morning, we woke to a commanding view of the World Financial Center slicing through the sky, and just steps away stood the architectural marvel that is the Shanghai Tower—the third tallest building in the world. Our adventure reached thrilling new heights as we ascended to its summit, where the city sprawled beneath us like a living tapestry. It was more than just a stay; it was a front-row seat to one of the most awe-inspiring skylines on Earth. #shanghai #chinatrip #jinmaotower #shanghaitower #china
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In the heart of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, we found ourselves living a dream—our lodging nestled high within the iconic Jin Mao Tower(Bldg on left). Each morning, we woke to a commanding view of the World Financial Center slicing through the sky, and just steps away stood the architectural marvel that is the Shanghai Tower—the third tallest building in the world. Our adventure reached thrilling new heights as we ascended to its summit, where the city sprawled beneath us like a living tapestry. It was more than just a stay; it was a front-row seat to one of the most awe-inspiring skylines on Earth. #shanghai #chinatrip #jinmaotower #shanghaitower #china
1 month ago
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6/12
A visit to Beijing isn’t complete without a long walk on the Great Wall (Badaling section), which is now only a 30-minute train ride from Beijing North Railway Station. It is simply spectacular and a must visit. #greatwall #greatwallofchina #china
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A visit to Beijing isn’t complete without a long walk on the Great Wall (Badaling section), which is now only a 30-minute train ride from Beijing North Railway Station. It is simply spectacular and a must visit. #greatwall #greatwallofchina #china
1 month ago
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7/12
Bev stood in awe before the Army of Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an. Hidden for 2200 years, these ancient relics were only unearthed by a Chinese farmer in 1974. China's First Emperor Qin Shi Huang sought to defy mortality. He poured vast resources into constructing an underground empire, complete with palaces, armies, chariots, and stables. Spanning 21 square miles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest burial ground on earth. #xian #xianchina #terracottawarriors #china #retirementtravel
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Bev stood in awe before the Army of Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an. Hidden for 2200 years, these ancient relics were only unearthed by a Chinese farmer in 1974. China's First Emperor Qin Shi Huang sought to defy mortality. He poured vast resources into constructing an underground empire, complete with palaces, armies, chariots, and stables. Spanning 21 square miles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest burial ground on earth. #xian #xianchina #terracottawarriors #china #retirementtravel
1 month ago
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8/12
The reason we stopped in Chengdu was pretty black and white………and very, very cute. 🐼
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is an incredible facility that houses over 200 Giant Pandas and Red Pandas. This photo is the most famous resident here. She is a cutie and a social media star in China, named HuaHua. 
#pandas #huahua #chengdu #chinatravel
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The reason we stopped in Chengdu was pretty black and white………and very, very cute. 🐼 The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is an incredible facility that houses over 200 Giant Pandas and Red Pandas. This photo is the most famous resident here. She is a cutie and a social media star in China, named HuaHua. #pandas #huahua #chengdu #chinatravel
2 months ago
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9/12
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We are in Chongqing. This municipality in southwestern China is considered one of the largest cities in the world with over 30 million people. It is massive! It is nicknamed “The Mountain City” because of the many urban hills with unique transportation systems that adapt to the terrain. This is a vibrant place with lots of high-end shopping, a monorail that passes through a building, towering skyscrapers, and so many wonderful “Hot Pot” restaurants. #china #chongqing #lizibastation
2 months ago
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10/12
Just zipping around China by train,
We think it’s much better than a plane.
A rail network so vast,
And speeds that are fast,
There is nary a thing to complain.

Several of you have asked how we are getting around in China? Well, the Chinese high-speed train system has quite simply BLOWN US AWAY!!! It is modern, affordable, fast, clean, efficient, convenient and has great service. There is a rapidly expanding network of 25,000 miles of high-speed rail lines, with numerous daily routes going about anywhere you would want to go. We have tried the 1st and 2nd class tickets, both of which are perfectly fine, but admit we love the over-the-top luxury of business class for affordable prices. We will be detailing more info about Chinese train travel in future videos, so stay tuned. John and Bev
#china #trains #traintravel
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Just zipping around China by train, We think it’s much better than a plane. A rail network so vast, And speeds that are fast, There is nary a thing to complain. Several of you have asked how we are getting around in China? Well, the Chinese high-speed train system has quite simply BLOWN US AWAY!!! It is modern, affordable, fast, clean, efficient, convenient and has great service. There is a rapidly expanding network of 25,000 miles of high-speed rail lines, with numerous daily routes going about anywhere you would want to go. We have tried the 1st and 2nd class tickets, both of which are perfectly fine, but admit we love the over-the-top luxury of business class for affordable prices. We will be detailing more info about Chinese train travel in future videos, so stay tuned. John and Bev #china #trains #traintravel
2 months ago
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11/12
Tianmen Mountain was our third incredible attraction near Zhangjiajie, China. The mountain can be accessed from the city by two different exhilarating aerial trams or a dangerous highway featuring 99 hairpin turns. Tianmen literally means “Heaven’s Gate” and the 999 stairs leading up to the opening are known as the Stairway to Heaven. Climbing this stairway was another bucket list experience for us, so we took our time on the steep steps and just savored every moment. After passing through the gate, a long series of escalators take you up through the inside of the mountain to the top, where they have a glass-bottomed walkway hugging a cliffside and many great views of the area.
#china #tianmen #tianmenmountain
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Tianmen Mountain was our third incredible attraction near Zhangjiajie, China. The mountain can be accessed from the city by two different exhilarating aerial trams or a dangerous highway featuring 99 hairpin turns. Tianmen literally means “Heaven’s Gate” and the 999 stairs leading up to the opening are known as the Stairway to Heaven. Climbing this stairway was another bucket list experience for us, so we took our time on the steep steps and just savored every moment. After passing through the gate, a long series of escalators take you up through the inside of the mountain to the top, where they have a glass-bottomed walkway hugging a cliffside and many great views of the area. #china #tianmen #tianmenmountain
2 months ago
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12/12

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