From Cape Town's culture, history and surreal beauty to Kruger National Park's famed wildlife, South Africa had long called to one of our fellow staffers. But he didn't think his bucket-list trip was actually within his budget until he found Lion World Travel.

Here's why he moved the trip from "someday" to "now" and what happened as a result. Full disclosure: The story has made more than one person cry, though possibly from jealousy.