stakerk

Any comments on this trip a young lady friend is considering (I have only been to Kenya)?


Sept 17 Fri Depart LAX (night)

Sept 18 Sat Traveling

Sept 19, 12:10 PM Sun Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa
Check into hotel


Sept 20 Mon Explore Cape Town

Sept 21 Tues Explore Cape Town

Sept 22 Weds Morning – Depart for Cape Town wine country (we will rent a car here)

Afternoon/Evening – Explore wine country – spend night

Sept 23 Thurs Explore wine country

Sept 24 Fri Morning – Explore wine country

Afternoon – Drive back to Cape Town

Evening – Spend time in Cape Town

Sept 25 Sat Explore Cape Town

Sept 26 (tentative) Sun Explore Cape Town (may change to Victoria Falls)

Sept 27 Mon Fly from Cape Town to Maun, Botswana: First leg is Cape Town  Johannesburg on South
African Airways Express

Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa

Second leg is Johannesburg  Maun on Air Botswana

Arrive in Maun Airport, meet representative from Dumela Botswana Company, who will be
with us on our journey to the Okavango Delta

Afternoon Arrive in Oddballs Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Here we have a guide assigned to the
two of us who will be with us on all our safari activities. Accommodations here include a tent
(with mattress, etc.) plus common areas to lounge and eat.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Sept 28 Tues Oddballs, Okavango Delta, night 2

Sept 29 Weds Oddballs, Okavango Delta, night 3

Sept 30 Thurs Oddballs, Okavango Delta, night 4

Oct 1 Fri Transfer to Kasane Airport, Botswana (included in safari package)

From Kasane, we have a road transfer to Livingstone, Zambia arranged through a travel company  they take care of the transportation and also the border crossing. They take you all the way to your hotel.

Explore Victoria Falls and relax

Oct 2 Sat Explore Victoria Falls

Oct 3 Sun Explore Victoria Falls

Oct 4, 1:20 PM Mon Depart for LAX via Livingstone Airport in Zambia

Oct 5, 11:00 AM Tues Arrive LAX


Thanks,

Kevin from California

ShayTay

Welcome back to the forum, Kevin! My first impression is that there is 'way too much time spent in and around Cape Town, 7 to 8 nights. I spent 4 there and 5 would have been more than enough time, I think.

I've not stayed at Oddballs, but according to their website, they don't do game drives, just walks and mokoros. There are no en-suite facilities, either (an issue in the middle of the night.) Your friend might want to reconsider this choice.

Four nights at Vic Falls is also a bit much. She is looking at staying on the Zam side and, in September, that end of the Falls is usually dry. One to two nights should be fine unless she is looking to go whitewater rafting. If she wants to see the Falls, the Zim side would be better.

What does your friend really want to see and do in Africa, wildlife, sports, wine tours, cultural activities? What is her budget?

LAleslie

I agree with Shaytay, and I might shave off the wine country by one day too. But for those shortened times in Vic Falls, wine country and Cape Town, I'd add on another Botswana camp. But that's just me, since the safari would be my highlight.
We need to know more about the traveler's desires. Cape Town is marvelous and I couold see renting an apartment there and staying a month or two if I wasn't interested in safaris.

LAleslie

Also curious about how she came to be at Oddballs instead of otehr camps.

kimburu

I'm pretty sure this is a low cost trip, designed to save money but without much imagination, and apparently with as little actual contact with the other part of the "we" as possible. What she is to do for all those days in Capetown - which appear to be elastic - is not explained!

If a friend or relative of hers has suggested they do this together, fair enough, but if it is an agent, I could do better and I've spent a grand total of one day in South Africa.

atravelynn

My thoughts are what Kimburu wrote.

I think those days in Cape Town could be filled with activities, especially if she has a special interest. For example I spent 7 consecutive days on a shark boat and thought it was great.

My first question would be to ask if she knows some of the things she'd like to do in Cape Town.

If Oddball's does not do vehicle activities, then I'd make sure she is aware of what she'll be missing if that's where she goes.

A budget would put this trip and the activities to fill the days in perspective.

christabir

It does sound like a lot of time in CT and Vic Falls. Pixelpower did an amazing study on affordable safari options in the private game reserves around Kruger which could easily take the place of some of that "extra" time. Find it here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...und-kruger.cfm

I love Bots but could't afford the delta last time so we chose Mashatu tented camp. We had a great experience there at a much more affordable rate. It's not the delta experience, but very good value.

There are also some affordable mobile safaris in Botswana you might consider.

Have fun planning. I always enjoy that part. So many options.

stakerk

Thanks for the comments. I am passing them along to her father. He had thought I had been to S. Africa. Hopefully she will join the discussion and you can assist her some more.

You guys are great still!

Kevin

cary999

You're from California? If so, don't know how much different you will find Capetown and wine country from San Francisco and wine country. Unique enough to spend that many days in CT.

regards - tom

ShayTay

I don't know where Kevin's friend is from... maybe California. Yes, the Cape Town and Winelands region is quite similar to various parts of California... LA in the '60s, Big Sur, Napa Valley are what came to mind when I visited there.

BTW Tom, you and Kevin met at Rocco's GTG.