trun

I have been reading over the past year on these boards and decided to post our trip for this upcoming May and get some feedback or suggestions on things to do or not to do based on our booked itinary.

Day 1 - Fly to Paris

Day 2/3 - overnight in Paris

Day 4 - Fly to JNB -- Southern Sun

Day 5/6/7 - L Vumbura

Day 8/9/10 Chitabe Lediba

Day 11/12/13 Savuti

Day 14 - V Falls Safari Lodge

Day 15/16 - Matetsi

Day 17/18 - Cape Town - V&A Hotel - Waterfront

Day 19 - Fly home
I just want to say that in general, I appreciate the input this forum has provided in helping us decide what to do and where we wanted to go.

spassvogel

First of all: Congratulations and you chose a wonderful way to celebrate and start your life together!

As I understand you are hoping for confirmation because most probably your trip is booked............

Looks very well planned (I like that your TA booked you 3 nights/each safari location - mostly) and very good diversity in view to eco systems you are visiting. And also very nice venues!

The only thing you might regret that you did not visit Vic Falls/Matetsi during the "Lunar Rainbow" which is starting on 08 may until 10 incl..

Lunar Rainbow: When Full Moon reaches a particular position on top of the Falls you observe a double and sometimes triple rainbow. That can only be observed during these months when the Falls are FULL means between Jan/Febr till June/July.

http://www.wetteronline.de/afrireif.htm

Due to lack of bookings you might be able to re-arrange if you are interested.

HariS

Lunar rainbow? PLEASE.........

LAleslie

I saw lots of rainbows in October. How much better can a "lunar" rainbow be?

atravelynn

Congrats and your itinerary looks good to me.

trun

Thanks guys - yes - more just thoughts or something to look for - check out - ect...new to posting here, but have been reading a bunch since about this time last year - Thanks to everyone for their help.

spassvogel

HariS ????

SV

KayeN

Hi Trun

I have only stayed at Matetsi Lodge. I was there in June 2006 and really went there especially to see Sable antelope - I did see a few bulls but the breeding herds were a very distant sighting. It is a very easy to go into the Falls during the middle of the day inbetween gamedrives so I did not stay at the falls but well worth the visit during the day. I was served breakfast and lunch down on the bank of the Zambezi River and it still is one of the prettiest views I have had for my meals - just stunning! You do get a bit of local noise from across the river - dogs and cows which was always a bit odd. I really enjoyed the water gamedrives as always plenty to be seen in and around the river.

Kind regards

Kaye

trun

Thanks Kaye -- we are going to the falls the day we get to VFSL - we were supposed to get up the next day to do the elephant ride, but decided to pass and enjoy a day at the hotel instead before our transfer to Matetsi. I am wondering if we keep the elephant ride, but pass on the tour and do it on our own from Matetsi one afternoon ? I take it the bus drops you off right by the falls and then picks you up at a certain time ?

Thanks

KayeN

Hi trun

I was travelling by myself and didn't feel as comfortable going by myself as with another person, so the tracker said he would love to see the falls, so we went together. We were dropped off a short walk from the falls and picked up in the same spot. You arrange that with the driver when he drops you off. The whole arrangement was very easy.

Regarding the Ele Ride, I am sorry but I am one who would not partake as I do not believe that this is ever in the best interests of the elephant involved. So I would never recommend it under any circumstance.

Kind regards

Kaye

spassvogel

KayeN
I agree with your reluctance to to elephant ride. The same as Lion walks.

These companies incl. Shearwater won't get tired to "convince" people it's all for the sake of elephants and/or Zim people.
Elephant calves are taken from mothers to get trained and please humans the same as the lion cubs for the Lion Walks. The lion cubs finally end up in the trophy hunting industry.
They don't get tired to say these elephants are rescued and would have been sloughtered........

Both activities are cruelty against animals and should under no circumstances be supported by joining these activities.
If there is no demand for such activities the business dries out.



SV

trun

I respect your insights and appreciate your thoughts - we had debated it back and forth because of various reasons including the ones you both mentioned. I think enjoying the hotel may be the best option.

THanks again for your input.

We have a good amount of time our last day before our evening flight -- The day before we are going out to try and see great whites - any thoughts on something to do during the day before our late flight around our hotel ?

spassvogel

Have you considered a micro-light flight or heli ride?
It operates from Livingstone and unfortunately I have no information on a company on the Zim side for such activities.

SV

trun

I should have clarified - teh last day when we are in Cape Town -

spassvogel

Table Mountain of course as soon as it's clear. Dont postpone to "later". Jump on to the opportunity
Kirstenbosch Gardens: Here you can spent half a day
Camps Bay: cafés late afternoon for sundowner
Signal Hill: Grab a bottle of nice South African wine, two glasses and enjoy the sun set and vista from there! Lod lasting memory!

SV

spassvogel

I should add: We LOVE to "absorb" the atmosphere of a place like Cape town especially after a safari in order to reflect, enjoy and chill.

So the very last day/s: No Museum nor history/art/hardcore shopping for us. That might explain my recommendations ;-)

SV

debwarr

Hi Trun,

I just noticed this post and see that you are going to be staying at Matetsi. We stayed there about 10 years ago, and I'm sure it's changed a great deal since then, but it was our first trip to Africa and Matetsi was our first stop so it gave us that wonderful "oh my gosh I'm really in Africa" memory that you get (hopefully) from your first game drive. I have a favor to ask. We had a fantastic ranger, Watson, who was the best ranger we've ever had in Africa. We have tried to find out what happened to him, but haven't been able to keep up with any news. If you can think to ask about him, I'd love to know where he is. If he is still there, by all means, ask for him as your ranger. He took us on foot to track a pride of lions and briefly to walk among a small group of elephants. He had a fabulous sense of humor and was one of the smartest people I've ever met. He is a treasure if you have a chance to meet him. I hope he's still around. I'd concur with the comments above that I'd stay an extra night at Matetsi and just go for the afternoon to Vic Falls. We did that and had plenty of time to see the falls and the town.

Be sure to ask the folks at Matetsi to prepare a special dinner for you on your deck. For us they put lanterns all around the deck and the service was wonderful. It's incredibly romantic as you sit by the river and listen to the hippos

Also, we'll be heading to Little Vumbura a few months after you're there, so I'll eagerly await your report. Have a safe trip and a wonderful honeymoon.

Congratulations!
Deb

napamatt_2

Trun

Nice itinerary, like your choice of camps in Bots. I would consider the VF part of your trip as the relax and downtime opportunity after the hard work of nine days on safari, a great way to finish the trip.

Matt