CarlaM

Yes, I think it is worth the visit. I am a native So. Cal and thought the combo of Capetown (4 days) along with safari time was terrific (it was my first trip to Africa). I was chomping at the bit to see the wildlife after the long flights so I might recommend saving Capetown for the end of your trip. But seeing the penguins at Boulder's and the Cheetah's at Spier seemed to pacify me for those few days. I am glad I spent the time there but my next trip will be ALL safari &lt

sandi

Remembering my trip to Southern Africa, we managed to get in quite a lot and not feel rushed.

Day 1 - Left JFK
Day 2 - Arv. JNB, connect to CPT
Day 3 - Shark Cage Diving
Day 4 & 5 - CPT (admittedly, we could have added a day)
Day 6 - Flight via JNB to VFA
Day 7 - Mornin visit the Falls; late morning road transfer to Botswana to Chobe (we could have just as easily have flown to the Delta for a 3/day stay, but chose not... for this trip)
Day 8 - Chobe
Day 9 - Mid-morning road transfer to VFA, afternoon shopping, flight to JNB
Day 10 - Flight to Manyaletti pvt reserve (Honeyguide Camp)
Day 11 - Honeyguide Camp
Day 12 - Road transfer to Sabi Sands (Singita)
Day 13 - Singita
Day 14 - Panarama route to airport for flight to JNB, connect to flight to JFK
Day 15 - Arv. JFK, 6am; partner connected to flight to Las Vegas, arriving early afternoon.

So, it's doable, and with only 1 o/n in JNB. We were fortunate that when we visited the exchange rate Rand/USD was quite favorable, and even with the 5* acccommodations (Singita at Sabi Sands and Chilwero at Chobe) and inter-/intra-country flights the trip (excluding int'l air) was less than $5K/person.

napamatt

I would recommend saving the wildlife for the end, everything else pales into insignificance after the bush.

LAleslie

You know, napamatt, I was just wondering how I was ever going to go back to Europe, or anywhere else, after the African bush. Everything else sounds so boring!
Leslie

jaspertl

that's exactly how I felt after our trip to Brazil and Peru. Where do you go that can even compare....
I stated that to a friend that had been to Peru..."where do you go after this...everything else seems pale in comparision...?"
He said "Africa"
and we started making plans...........

hills27

Where did you go in Peru? I LOVE Peru.

Btw, Torres del Paine ranks right up there with Peru.

atravelynn

That's why my next two trips are Africa and Brazil!

jaspertl

hills: We were in Lima flew to Cusco then drove from Cusco through Pisac, the Urubamba Valley and into Ollantaytambo where we spent the night and caught the train up to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu the next morning.
Prior to that we were in Buenos Aires and spend some time in Iguaza.(Brazilian/Argentinia border) The falls there are breathtaking...one of the largest in the world.

Everyone on the South America board suggested that we do Macha Picchu last as everything would pale in comparison.

Which is what everyone here has said about the safari....do it last.

napamatt

Leslie

I haven't been anywhere else since 2003. I have another trip booked for September and one for April 2008, and we are working out when in late 2008 we will be back in Africa with our agent.

LAleslie

Wow. You must have a lot of FF miles. I'm wondering if I'll neeed a change after our second trip. The problem is always that there are so many places I want to see. Do your friends and relatives think you're nuts?

cary999

You talking to me, you talking to me???
Maybe
But no kidding, although I can't say "I've seen the world", I have been around some, and returned home happy. But Africa captured me. Since my first safari in 2005 the only overseas (out of USA) vacation I even think about is Africa. Returning to Europe, South America, Asia, does not even cross my mind. After that first safari, a few months later we did a 10 day Amazon cruise. (And before then I've been on probably eight other cruises). That cruise was soooo boooorrrrinnng, after Africa. Africa, counting the days, 6 more to go after today.
regards - tom

Fabio

Hi Tom, Hi all of you !!!

So I am not the only one to be captured by mom Africa !!
I have exactly the same feelings as you have !!
I have been doing almost 30 intercontinental trips around the world and I was always so excited to plan them, to dream of them and to do them !
Last year we had our first trip to Namibia and Etosha Park. I think that trip has changed my life, especially those few days among animals in Etosha ! So close to them, so close to mother nature !!
I have to confess that I am also planning the whole family trip (party of 4) to northern Australia this august, but I really do not feel so excited as for the 8 days trip to South Africa (Kruger/Sabi Sands) this june with only my son ! And I also feel a bit guilty because I should feel excited in the same way also for the other one with my wife and my daughter ! But they are not so interested in animals and they do not join us in June !
I am at the point that no other destination outside Africa gives me any longer that same motivation to prepare the trip as it always used to be in the past! By one side I am happy, by the other one I am very very concerned !!!

atravelynn

So how close to "a cult" is this?

cary999

All we need is a High Priestess . Are you available Lynn ?????
regards - tom

atravelynn

I'll take on the High Priestess duties! Thank you for the nomination, Tom. Hmm...Maybe I should get a job description before I so readily accept.

But what the heck, I've already agreed to being brush pruner, paintball target, flight attendant for the vehicle, safari travel agent name generator, and--if memory serves me--a bouncer.

Fabio

I had no doubts I am in good hands !

cary999

Well, Lynn, the traditional High Priestess duties. Like, well, uh, you know, uh, we'll have to discuss it later tonight after all the kids are off of the internet ;-)
regards - tom
ps - what do you have in leather wear??
or your paintball outfit might do fine also

jaspertl

that was a little creepy....

atravelynn

I am a G-rated High Priestess!

atravelynn

And that's G as in movies; not G, as in string.