What happens when you mix impala stew, black-tie awards, and sunrise game drives? You get our unforgettable South Africa adventure! In this episode, we recap our time at the Envoyage Worldwide 2025 conference in Sun City, where we experienced cultural evenings filled with food, music, and fireworks, and Melissa shares the honor of being nominated for Travel Entrepreneur of the Year. Heidi takes us inside her post-conference stay at a boutique tented safari camp, complete with wildlife at her doorstep and family-friendly safari options. From fresh local cuisine to Cape Town add-on ideas, we cover the highlights, surprises, and must-dos that made South Africa a bucket-list trip with an asterisk: we have to go back.

Key Takeaways:

- South Africa offers more than just safaris — from the lively Sun City resort (with its conference venues, waterpark, and cultural evenings) to boutique tented camps with game drives, there are diverse ways to experience the country.

- Immersive cultural experiences make travel unforgettable — traditional boma braais, fresh local cuisine like impala stew and pap, and nightly entertainment gave a true taste of South African culture.

Plan extra time to explore — between safaris, Cape Town excursions, and family-friendly customizations at private reserves, two weeks wasn’t enough. South Africa is a destination that calls for repeat visits.

Resources:

Sun City Resort: https://www.suninternational.com/sun-city

Mabula / Kwafubesi Tented Camp: https://kwafubesi.com

Capetown Tourism: https://www.capetown.travel

Johannesburg Tourism: https://visit.joburg

Connect with Hosts:

This podcast! https://themeparksandpassports.com/

Melissa’s company, Spellbound Vacations, LLC: https://spellboundvacations.com/

Heidi’s company, House of Mackey Travel: https://houseofmackeytravel.com/

Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spellbound_vacationsllc/

Heidi on Instagram: http://instagram.com/houseofmackeytravel

Key Episode Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Welcome to Theme Parks & Passports

[00:01:39] Introduction to the episode and recap focus on South Africa.

[00:02:23] Heidi shares her first impressions of the En Voyage Worldwide 2025 conference and community.

[00:02:59] Melissa describes Sun City Resort and the Palace of the Lost City.

[00:04:08] Night one: traditional boma braai with dancing, music, and food.

[00:06:30] Night two: the Envy Awards, formal event, and Melissa’s surprise nomination.

[00:09:00] Night three: closing party at the Sun City waterpark with fireworks.

[00:10:47] Heidi’s post-conference trip to a tented safari camp at Mabula.

[00:12:27] Daily safari life: early mornings, game drives, and unique wildlife encounters.

[00:14:23] Family-friendly safari options and customization for kids.

[00:17:24] Reflections on South Africa’s diversity, Cape Town add-ons, and why they plan to return.

Music is Homesick by Luke Bergs & Waesto and Ukulele Trip Version 60s