My friend and I are starting to plan a trip to South Africa and surrounding areas for next year. We are planning a trip of 2-3 weeks which is about all the time we can get off from work. I'm looking for suggestions about travel groups to work with and what time of year is best to travel (for animal migration and safari purposes). We have access to a time share in Johannesburg. Also looking for sugggestions on safari groups for Kruger Wildlife Park and lodging in the Victoria Falls area (no time share available there). Should we rent a car and drive ourselves (is there a danger factor in this) or should we work with a group? I appreciate all suggestions.

MIRiseling - We just got back from a week in South Africa, after 2 weeks in Zambia on Safari. We rented a car in Johannesburg and drove around the northeastern part of South Africa for 7 days. We had no problems. Roads were good, drive through "safari" in Hsluhsluwe Imfolozi park and St. Lucia park were both great and very productive as to animal sightings. B&B's were lovely and not expensive. Food was reasonable (gas was expensive, but then that's the case most everywhere these days).

In the Victoria Falls area, we stayed at the Royal Livingstone on the Zambia side. It was our big splurge when it comes to hotels, because it is not all inclusive, and meals were pricey. Lovely place, though, and if you want to be treated like the rich and famous, I would definitely recommend it for a couple of nights. It is right on the Zambezi River, and a short walk to the Falls. Have fun planning your trip. You will love Africa.

I am very surprised that you say there is no time share available in Zimbabwe. There are time share resorts at Vic Falls (Lokhuthula Lodge), Kariba, House-boats on Kariba, Inyanga, and Vumba. Check out www.rci.co.za under the resorts section. I have used the Troutbeck Inn in the Inyanga area and found it great.
Where is your time-share in Johannesburg? There are many time-share resorts in South Africa and probably the least appealing for a visitor is one in Johannesburg. There are a number of very good time-share resorts in Mpumalanga and in Limpopo and North-West provinces, including a few just outside the Kruger Park (e.g Kruger Park Lodge and Ngwenya Logde. I have used time-share here in SA for a number of years and if you want more info on choosing a resort you can contact me at [email protected]. I would be happy to try and be of assistance.

RKR-Thanks for the heads up on the time shares. The friend I am traveling with is the actual owner of the TS so I will check with him about what you reported. Our primary reason for traveling is to view wildlife and safari. Is there a better time of the year for this time of activity.

I did not notice you mention a time of the year during which you plan to come here, however, for game viewing late winter/spring is the best time - i.e. July/August and September/October, before the rainy season starts, when the veld is still dry and the grass short. For birding it would be better to wait a couple of months till October/November, by which time most of the migrants should also have arrived.

And, yes - rent a car and drive yourselves.