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One of the
greatest adventure books of all time is Osa Johnson's I Married Adventure. Its
zebra-striped binding makes it one of the most memorable book covers in the history of
publishing!
Dick has
now created an exciting Safari Adventure in the spirit of Martin and Osa Johnson, the pioneering
movie makers of Africa.
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“We’ll be riding elephants along the Zambezi River?! You must be
joking!” This was the excited response from the small group who just
signed up for one of my safaris. The trip filled within only weeks because they knew they’d be
getting something special: Remoteness, intimacy of a small group, the
ambience of small luxury lodges where the wild animals come to you. The
safari may cost more than the run-of-the-mill, but you’re buying true
exclusivity of the “old Africa” of the Johnsons. It’s not a
“cookie-cutter” tour of crowded mini-vans, paved roads, and hotel-type lodges catering to over a
hundred tourists.
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“We’ll be riding elephants along the Zambezi
River?! You must be joking!” |
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 My safari group also bought into my “seasoned experience.” This
year marks my 45th Africa Anniversary upon first doing safaris on the
“Bright Continent.” In that time, I was able to follow my dreams of leading journeys across tens
of thousands of miles of Africa: the Sahara, the Congo rainforests, the bush country of eastern
and southern Africa. As a kid, it was Martin and Osa Johnson who ignited my passion to marry
adventure and find the “off-the-beaten-track Africa”.
During those 45 years, one of my greatest joys was to retrace Martin and Osa's old safari
trails into the continent's remotest areas. I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, rafted the Zambezi
River, explored the pharaohs' tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and camped at Kenya's Lake Paradise
where the Johnsons' built their magical African home.
While on my expeditions, I was thrilled to build an association with wildlife icons and pioneers such
as George and Joy Adamson of Born Free fame, the master of the walking safari Norman Carr of Zambia,
and the famed lion researchers of Botswana, Mark and Delia Owens (Cry of the Kalahari).
My passion for Martin and Osa's films resulted in my leading a Safari Museum project to help salvage
and survey a staggering 140 miles of Johnson motion pictures!
Please join me around the roaring camp fires, sharing a glass or two of vintage South African wine, as
I spin my safari yarns and unknown stories of the Johnsons' experiences.
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“Please join me
around the roaring camp fires, sharing a glass or two of vintage South African wine, as I
spin my safari yarns and unknown stories of the Johnsons'
experiences.”
--Dick Houston
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During those decades in Africa, I’ve seen the continent change drastically right before my eyes.
The human population has doubled. The wildlife has been eradicated in most West African countries.
In the 1960s, there were over 450,000 lions on the continent. Shockingly today, the lion population
has plummeted to around 22,000! Elephants are being slaughtered at the rate of 35,000 a year, 100
each single day!
This is the reason I urge people to see Africa
now.
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First of all, let’s put aside
the “fear factor”. I’ve brought everyone back alive from all those safaris. No one contracted
a serious illness or suffered an injury. No one was kidnapped by pirates. No one was interred
at the elephant burial ground. [It sure would look “cool” in the obituary though]
Secondly, your lodging and food accommodations are of the
highest standards. Seeing is believing by
checking out our lodge links below. |
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Thirdly, let's also put aside the "travel anxiety factor." I do all your travel planning down to
the tiniest detail via the auspices of Born Free Safaris – which National
Geographic calls “one of the best safari outfitters in the world.” I
always maintain continuous person-to-person dialogues with each and every fellow adventurer, answering
every question months before departure. You are an individual to me personally – not just a
passenger. I also lead the safari the moment you step on your international
flight.
How old do you have to be? Any age with a love for animals and the
outdoors. |
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Now
let’s Marry an
Adventure.
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“My aim is to
give you a true “Martin and Osa Safari Experience” far from the madding
crowd!”
--Dick Houston
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My aim is to give you a true “Martin and Osa Safari Experience” far from the madding crowd: Riding
on backs of elephants into the bush along the Zambezi River. Exploring by boat the wildlife kingdom
of Okavango Delta. Listening to the lions roar around our deluxe camp. Dining under the incredible
African dome of stars, as waiters serve us fine wine and cuisine.
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Dining under the incredible African dome of stars, as waiters serve us
fine wine and cuisine.
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Driving into the
bush at night to search for leopards. Walking into
the veldt (trust me, it’s leisurely!) with an armed escort “right out there” amongst the elephants,
zebra, giraffes, and buffalo. Boating amongst the hippos on the Zambezi River above Victoria Falls for
a sunset “booze cruise”. Getting drenched in rainforest mist of the one-mile wide Victoria
Falls.
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Walking into the veldt (trust me, it’s leisurely!) with an armed escort
“right out there” amongst the elephants, zebra, giraffes, and
buffalo.
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We mainly explore private game reserves away from noisy tourists, and relax in luxurious accommodations in the
wilderness. Who knows, you may find an elephant one morning drinking from your own plunge pool on your
private deck! We have tons of hilarious laugh-out-loud moments on the
journey.
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“Adrenaline is
life’s cocktail!”
-- Dick Houston
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As a former teacher, I gave only one “life advice” to my students: “Don't spend your life forever chasing money. But buy yourself millions of
dollars worth of experiences.”
Now is the time to join me on this fantastic “Johnson
Safari of Yesteryear”. Find your wings again! You’ll never regret it.
 Akwande Safari! (Let’s Roll!)
Dick Houston (aka “Bwana Tembo”) |
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Contact Dick Houston personally for more details on this exciting safari:
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