losaltos

I wrote earlier in the year asking advice about my upcoming solo trip. I was then thinking I would use Micato or some such company. You all convinced me that I should do this on my own...so here is the itinerary (I wanted a taste of both east/south Africa))that I put together with a local Africa hand. Would love your comments on the various camps if you have visited them. Also suggestions about what to do with my "free" AM in Nairobi. I think I may join Cape Grace Hotel small groups for the Cape Town activity, but if there are other things I should do there please suggest away!

7 Aug Arrive in Nairobi. Transfer to Ole Sereni Hotel for overnight.
8-9 August Fly to Amboseli for 2 nights at Tortilis Camp
10-11 August Fly to Meru for 2 nights at Elsa’s Kopje
12-13 August Fly to Samburu for 2 nights at Larsen’s Tented Camp
14-16 August Fly to Masai Mara for 3 nights at Little Governor’s Camp
17 August Morning game drive. Afternoon flight to Nairobi. Transfer to Norfolk Hotel for overnight.
18 August Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to DaVinci Hotel for overnight.
19-21 Aug Light aircraft transfer to Kruger for 3 nights at Pafuri Camp.
22-25 Aug Light aircraft transfer to Sabi Sands for 4 nights at Mala Mala Main Camp.
26 Aug Light aircraft transfer to Nelspruit; fly to Cape Town. Transfer to the Cape Grace Hotel for 4 nights.
Aug 27 Morning tour of the City and Table Mountain with a small group. Afternoon: tickets to Robben Island.
Aug 28 Full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula including the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope with a small group.
Aug 29 Full-day tour of the Cape Winelands with a small group.
Aug 30 Evening departure

sandi

Kenya segment looks great. Will let others comment on the South African portion.

For the morning in Nairobi, arrange thru the tour operator to visit: Karen Blixen House, Giraffe Center, 11am at Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, for shopping the nearby Kazuri Beads or Utamaduni Crafts or if it's Market Day... which can be fun and interesting. Then grab lunch at Tamarind (fish/seafood) or Mediteraneo (Italian) or other cuisine... lots of choices. Then off to the airport.

Wish I had a month to spend in Africa. Lucky you!

christabir

It looks like a fantastic trip. My only suggestion might be to skip Pafuri and go to Mashatu instead, owned by the same company as Mala Mala. Pafuri is nice, but we much preferred Mashatu for both service and wildlife viewing. Or a camp in Timbavati or other concession around Kruger.

Is the JNB hotel near the airport? For just a layover, it's easiest to be nearby.

Try to time Robben Island to catch the sunset over Cape Town on the return.

Don't miss Boulder Beach for the penguins on the Cape of Good Hope Day.

Try to be flexible with Table Mt and Robben Island. The weather can change your plans.

Have fun planning!!!

atravelynn

What a great trip to two wonderful countries in Africa. I'd ask the same question about the Joburg hotel as Christabir. Near the airport is ideal.

The penguins are usually included in a full day Cape Tour, but I'd check on that.

If you prefer vineyards to Great White Sharks, then your Cape Town itinerary is perfect. Otherwise if you stay overnight in Simons Town, where the penguins are, you could do a Great White Shark trip the next morning. You could stay within easy and safe walking distance of the dock where the shark boat departs. That's also within walking distance from the penguins. African Shark Eco-Charters would deliver you back to Cape Town (airport, whatever) at the end of your morning shark viewing trip.

Have a marvelous time.

losaltos

Atravelynn/christabir: The DaVinci is on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, apprently some 33 km from the airport. Does that work?
I have to check on the other issues raised on this thread...such as Pafuri. There was some special reason my agent wanted me to stay there but I don't recall exactly what it was. Stay tuned! Thanks again for quick replies....

christabir

los - you have to take a cab to/from Sandton. I'd consider the Sun or the Intercontinental as alternatives. The Sun has a free shuttle and the Intercontinental is in walking distance from the terminal across the street.

Pafuri is in Kruger in the northern part of the park. It's on nat'l park property, leased by Wilderness Safaris from the local tribe. I didn't consider it the best wildlife viewing area, but the landscape is entirely different and was very pretty. There is no off-roading as it is within Kruger unless there is a sighting of one of the big five, and even then it is still limited.

atravelynn

http://www.southernsun.com/hotels/or.../overview.aspx

I would prefer 500 meters over 33 kilometers for the Joburg hotel. It is where I have stayed several times.