Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ripley’s Returns to Africa for First Time Since 1933

ABOVE: Ripley makes the first movie with sound, at the Victoria Falls (1933)

Orlando, FL, USA — Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has returned to Africa for the first time since Robert Ripley traveled the continent in 1933.

Ripley’s, in conjunction with Word4Word Marketing in South Africa, is opening a year-long, 12-city travelling show on July 31. The new show will visit a dozen shopping malls in several provinces.

Ripley standing at Paul Kruger's statue in Pretoria (1933)
Ripley standing at Paul Kruger’s statue in Pretoria (1933)

Visitors will be able to explore 15 different pods, each with a unique theme and packed with artifacts, interactive exhibits and infographics. All together there are more than 130 exhibits from the Ripley’s collection.

Ripley at Rhodes' Tomb (1933)
Ripley at Rhodes’ Tomb (1933)

The show even has some of the artifacts Robert Ripley acquired on his 1933 trek through Africa from Cairo to Durban, as well as original artwork that he drew when he was there.

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Rickshaw pulled by Zulu Warrior in Durban (1933)

“As a company, we’re very excited to bring Ripley’s collection of the odd, the unusual and the unbelievable back to Africa,” said Edward Meyer, Ripley’s VP of Exhibits and Archives. “The show delivers the best of Ripley’s while featuring his personal discoveries from South America, Asia and Africa over 80 years ago.”

For more on Ripley’s new show, visit ripleys.com/south-africa-tour or follow the tour on Facebook.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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