Mike and Sue Challenger have been members of the Club since 2021. Keep reading to hear about their extraordinary South African safari experience by THIRDHOME Adventures & Custom Travel.

Read their full testimonial below:

Whoever said, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” hasn’t been on a THIRDHOME Adventure, arranged by Liz Bates, Director Adventures & Custom Travel. At 70+, we had never been on a 4-wheeler (quad as they call them) in our lives, but that all changed at Leobo Private Reserve, the first leg of our three segments Adventure in South Africa.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Heidi, co-manager with her husband, Chris, took three of us out for our first ride around the upper savannah, and animal activity at that hour was prolific. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, kudos, warthogs, springbok, and impalas were everywhere. We loved every minute and looked forward to our next ride, which came on Thursday afternoon when we went for a 17 km ride down the rugged road to the hippo pond. And we did all of that just hours before our helicopter ride around the entire property to get an up-close aerial view of all the animals.

We experienced lunch out in the bush and dinner under the stars. We were busy from morning to night every day with more new things to do than we ever had done in one week. We would say our favorite experiences here were the quads and the helicopter ride witnessing all the many animals from above, and the sweeping river views. This experience at Leobo could not have been accomplished without Heidi and Chris and their excellent support staff. They spent many long hours making sure everything was perfect and that we were all having a fabulous time.

The second leg of our trip was to Cape Town and Table Mountain, the Wine Country, Cape Hope, and the South African Penguins. Everything was perfect, from meals and accommodations to our tour guide, Luci, and everything in between. The views from Table Mountain and Cape Hope were extraordinary, the wine countryside was beautiful, and the wines were delicious. Of course, our favorite experience here was the penguins, which were beyond adorable. Liz once again outdid herself on accommodations, activities, and lunches.

For our third and final segment, we went to Camdeboo Lodge. Wow, the adventures just keep continuing; nonstop action of early morning game drives to a shortcut over and down the mountain that literally had us on the edge of our seats and the edge of the road while returning to the lodge in the evening. On the first day, we encountered the Lions—that was a WOW moment for us! It was good to know they were not there to eat us but leisurely enjoy the day. The female cheetah, however, was not to be outdone. We slowly walked over to the bush with our guides, where she had her cubs. We didn’t see the cubs, but the cheetah was sitting there regally posing and letting us soak up her beauty. The second day was just as extraordinary. We had close encounters with elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, vervet monkeys, and much more. We were so excited to see more of the Big Five. The staff and guides at Camdeboo were wonderful.

Lastly, to add to this once-in-a-lifetime trip and all its memories were the extraordinary new friends we made on this Adventure! Wade and Debbi were absolutely perfect hosts. We can’t wait for everyone to get together again for a reunion and experience more. We are all hooked on travel and are always looking for the next new experience and WOW moment. This Safari Adventure definitely gets a 5++. We feel it was definitely over the top and our favorite trip from all the places we have visited all over the world.

Seeking a personally curated South African safari experience for your own private group of family and friends? Collaborate with Liz Bates.

What are other members saying about this incredible South African safari experience?

“We had such an amazing time with the group in South Africa! The entire trip was AWESOME!! We loved the trip! Our favorite Leobo experience was the helicopter ride! Absolutely beautiful and thrilling at the same time! Ruth’s WOW moment was capturing the video of giraffe running with the helicopter so close she felt like she could touch their ears! Favorite Cape Town experience was the coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope. Views were breathtaking and the hike by the lighthouse was fantastic! We would rate the safari experience at a 5, actually higher!! And YES, we would like a reunion experience with the same group. Everybody, including us had so much fun. And we have made new friends–including with Wade and Debbi!! We all became friends very quickly and enjoyed our time together!“

– Frank V. Member since 2021.

“I must say I really wasn’t sure exactly what to expect on our trip to South Africa but what I can say it was beyond my expectations!!! It was an unbelievable trip with several amazing experiences that makes it hard to pick just one. We have traveled with groups before where we didn’t know most of the other people but this group we met on this trip were all amazing and wonderful and everyone got along so well. I really feel that all of us from this group will continue to stay in touch with each other and try to meet each other again whenever possible. It was so nice to see people helping each other if some could not keep up and everyone was very encouraging to help people try new things! This trip was so well organized with never a lack of something to do. If anyone asks what kind of trips Thirdhome organizes I would be very happy to say only the very best!“

– Ruth V. Member since 2021.

“WOW WOW WOW!!!! I can’t say enough about the fabulous trip at Leobo Private Reserve. From the moment we landed in South Africa, we had a smile on our faces. Leobo was beyond impressive…the adventures were unique, the food was scrumptious, the accommodations and views were breathtaking and of course, the company was extraordinary! This was the most memorable trip Milt & I have ever been on. We look forward to experiencing more THIRDHOME Adventures in the future.“

– Dee and Milt W. Members since 2015.

“If life is a tapestry made of our experiences and memories, we would like to thank the Thirdhome family for adding bold colors and golden threads to our fabric. The trip to South Africa put together by Debbi, Wade, and Liz was a dream come true, full of unforgettable people and events. We can’t wait for the next Thirdhome Adventure!!!

– Neal and Jamie H. Members since 2015.

Niki Christian Nutsch (THIRDHOME Vice President, International) recently returned from a family vacation at Vidanta in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Keep reading to learn about his experiences!

“Vidanta Riviera Maya is truly a haven of luxury, entertainment, relaxation, and natural beauty.”

– Niki Christian Nutsch

Nestled in the midst of the tropical Mayan Jungle, Vidanta Riviera Maya is an experience like no other. This is the perfect destination for your next beach escape, as luxury vacationing meets the pristine, natural beauty of the Caribbean Sea and the Mayan jungle.

THIRDHOME members can explore over 1,000 acres of paradise, dotted with pristine pools and bordered by magnificent beach. The resort also includes nearly 20 bars and restaurants, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, lavish spa services, and fantastic entertainment—including access to Riviera Maya’s resident Cirque du Soleil show JOYÀ, and to the fantastic water world that is Jungala Aqua Experience.

Grupo Vidanta has been a great partner for THIRDHOME for many years, so Niki wanted to get a firsthand experience. “Traveling to Cancun from Europe is much more convenient and easier than you would expect, even with small kids.“ There are plenty of direct flights from many airports such as London, Manchester, Paris, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Madrid or Lisbon, with an average flight time of 10 to 11 hours.

Niki – who is based in THIRDHOME’s International office in Marbella, Spain – flew from Malaga via Lisbon to Cancun. At the time of posting this blog, there are no entry restrictions in Mexico and no obligation to carry a COVID test or quarantine, which made entering into the country fast and hassle free. Upon arrival, the complimentary Vidanta shuttle brought the family to the resort in about 30 minutes.

Offering access to everything Riviera Maya has to offer, as well as exclusive admission to a secluded beach area and pool, Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya is a private oasis in this lavish jungle paradise. The resort truly provides the perfect setting for a tropical escape. Spacious, modern accommodations feature open-plan living areas, gourmet kitchens, Italian-design bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs, and terraces with a plunge pool – ranging from one bedroom to four-bedroom (sleeping up to 12).

A plethora of activities were available during Niki’s stay, including cooking classes, salsa lessons, poolside activities, and the opportunity to book tours to explore the entirety of the Riviera Maya! Vidanta put a lot of care and thought into making everyone happy during every stay. The Kid’s Club kept Niki’s kids, Liam (5) and Sofia (2), completely entertained with an assortment of amazing activities, including water activities at the on-premise pool, arts and crafts, games, and so much more.

Dining at Vidanta Riviera Maya is an adventure in the jungle, allowing guests to experience fantastic cuisine from all around the world. Snack on ceviche, savor a juicy gourmet burger, or enjoy a perfectly cooked steak and signature cocktails at one of nearly 20 restaurants and lounges. At Salum, a bohemian village situated on the beach, you can explore the intoxicating allure of Mexico by browsing artisan goods, tasting beloved regional street foods, enjoying live music and entertainment, or dining on gourmet delicacies. Take a stroll through authentic flavors, sights, and sounds at this can’t-miss marketplace.

“The entire staff at Vidanta is outstanding! They far exceeded our expectations! Luisa and Estefany from the concierge service, Aurea the guest experience manager, Sergio the restaurant manager at Salum, just to name a few. So many staff members work in concert in front and behind the scenes to assure our stay was pleasing to the senses. Chefs, bellboys, concierges, pool staff, gardeners, waiter, housekeepers—they are all committed to creating the best possible vacation experience, and it shows in everything they do. At the Vidanta destinations, they greet you with their hand to their heart. This is called the “Saludo Vidanta”, and it’s a heartfelt gesture of gratitude for choosing to make your vacation memories with them. Here, you are their cherished guest and they have no greater pleasure than looking after you.”

– Niki Christian Nutsch

“Vidanta Riviera Maya is truly a haven of luxury, entertainment, relaxation, and natural beauty,” concludes Niki. “The resort offers an unforgettable vacation for all ages and I encourage all our European members to discover all this and the other amazing Vidanta resorts for themselves. I have no doubt that they will have fantastic time and enjoy every single moment the way as my family did. In terms of traveling to Mexico, because it’s a long flight for us Europeans to consider, I recommend planning on a couple of weeks if you can.“

Members, click here to view all available Mexico weeks. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.

Want more information about our Exchange Club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

Members Andrew and Anne from Australia have been part of THIRDHOME Exchange for more than eight years. Learn about their favorite trips and experiences as long-time members of the the Club.

“THIRDHOME’s website is second to none. It is great fun to explore the world.”

– Andrew, January 2022

Read Andrew’s full testimonial below:

We have been members of THIRDHOME for more than eight years. In that time, we have enjoyed 21 home exchanges (needless to say we are retired), and had to cancel a further seven due to COVID pandemic travel restrictions. It has been an amazing experience and in many cases, not accessible through other means.

Their favorite trips?

Picking favorites from such wonderful experiences is difficult. We both agree that the best was a game lodge (unfenced!) in a private South African game park. The following were also amazing:

• Our very first stay, which was a colonial house in Singapore opposite the Botanical Gardens
• The Daintree House in far north Queensland
• The Rye House on Mornington Peninsula
• A three-story stone rectory at an historic church in the English countryside

Owners have been wonderful – many outstandingly so.  Hiccups have been few, mainly because THIRDHOME was very proactive in resolving the few issues that arose. 

Their experience as Hosts…

Likewise, the members who have stayed at our property in Sydney were wonderful, appreciative, and respectful.  

Traveling with THIRDHOME is like no other.

THIRDHOME’s appeal to us is that it is global, cost is offset by credits earned by making your property accessible to other members, and because it is not driven by a profit-focused management company.  Members are free to join or leave at any time. Staff have been invariably wonderful.

THIRDHOME’s website is second to none. It is great fun to explore the world or just an area you plan to visit for other reasons to see if there is a THIRDHOME property available.