helen63

Gradyloo, for some reason Livingstone can not be part of the Award ticket. It used to be in the past (someone I knew, flew like that), but not anymore.

When you suggested to do safari first, I asked them, if I can book ORD-JNB-LIV. And the answer was 'No'. I could do ORD-JNB-MQP, but not ORD-JNB-LIV. So, I assume, the same happens on the reverse flight.

What is a good and easonable place to stay in Chobe?

helen63

Gardyloo, Just called AA again. Now, they told me they have no seats on LIV -> ORD leg on my flight. So, I guess, I am not sure what the deal is. Prior, they told me, this leg can not be added to AA award ticket.
Possibly, they just have very limited number of seats on that flight. My friend tried to do that for her trip in July 2011, and did not work for her either.

Gardyloo

With AA all-partner awards, you're not allowed a stopover en route except at your N. America "gateway" (i.e. the city from which you leave from or arrive in North America, probably ORD in your case.) If your question was can I go LVI-JNB (stopover) - LHR/MAD - ORD then their answer would be no. If it's part of a continuous trip, say LVI-JNB-LHR-ORD with the JNB or LHR connections being less than 24 hours, then it ought to be "legal." (The same applies to your outgoing trip - no stopovers between ORD and CPT.)

As for availability, I don't know what's going on. Comair, BA's affiliate in SA, usually is a fairly easy award ticket, but at the moment it seems closed out (I tried some dummy bookings through BA's website for January, March and June - nada.) But you might try again in a week or two - maybe it's some kind of internal glitch in the BA system.

helen63

Gardyloo, I actually asked if I can fly from LVI to ORD. I did not even mention JNB. This is how I asked today. So, they said, that this flight goes via JNB, and there are no seats on the flight from LVI to JNB.

I will try in a week or so. I know their invnetory changes. Like for an example I could not book ORD -> CPT flight for several days, but then they got a couple of tickets later.

Now, if I decide to stay in Chobe per some of the suggestions here, I think flying to LIV it is not the best decision.

I think I need to fly to Vic Falls or Kasane? I will be flying from MQP, and I did not see convinient flights going to Kasane.

Gardyloo

As far as I know everything between SA and Zim/Zam/Botswana goes through Joburg. If you're going to Chobe then Victoria Falls (VFA) is definitely an easier mainline airport/transfer point compared to LVI. (LIV is Livengood, Alaska BTW - handy if you're an Ice Road Trucker.)

If you want to go to Kasane (BBK) you'd have to do it on South African Airlines and/or Air Botswana, so your AA miles wouldn't work - not partners.

helen63

So, after long time thinking of "Falls or no Falls", I finally have a plan. I realize, that the plan is probably not the best from either financial perspective, nor from safari quality perspective. However, it makes me happy... Seems like it incorporates everything I wanted to see for a first time.

So, the plan is:
Cape Town - 4 days (this includes the trip to West Coast park for wild flowers), 1 day in Hermanus for whales, and 1 day in one of the wine towns
1 night on the way to Kruger
3 nights at Elephant Plains (will include 6 game drives)
1 night on the way out of Sabi Sand (see Blyde Rive canyon on that day)
3 nights at Chobe Game Lodge
1 night on the Falls on Zim Side. Fly to JNB and home from Zim
Does this look OK? I still can make changes to the most arrangements, except Elephant Plains.

And once again, Thank you so MUCH for all your help, opinions, and input! The amount of information I received is just amazing!!!

christabir

It makes you happy, it makes me happy.

Seriously, it looks like everything you want. My only question is if you'll have enough time for Robben Island, Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope - three things in CT that I loved.

You sure have worked hard on this - you'll have a great trip!

helen63

Thank you, Christa! I should have enough time. I am in Cape Town 3 full days + 1 day to West Coast park (really need to see these flowers by Gardyloo suggestion). I will make sure, I will fit these 3 things into 3 days. I also have another 2 days for Hermanus and one of the vine towns, so I can be flexible with this time too to fit the things I want to fit.

guavadoll

Helen,

Right now I'm feeling the same way you did, overwhelmed! Sorry to resurrect this post but I'm trying to plan for Sept/Oct 2011 essentially the same trip that you landed on. The tour packages (e.g. Smartours) seem so much easier to book but that's not usually our preferred way of traveling.

I'm curious for more details about your plan including if you were able to stay on budget, maybe what that price breakdown was and which travel agent you used or tips for self booking? I'm worried about missing details and high costs for the transfers and internal African flights.

Thanks!
Sharon

atravelynn

Looks good <b>Helen.</b> I think the flower areas/activities around Cape Town in Sept book up early, so don't delay.

<b>Guavadoll,</b> there is a step between a large escorted group trip such as Smart Tours and booking all of your own small planes and safari connections.

You can have an agent arrange safari flights/transfers and book lodges and camps in the parks. In Cape Town you can go it alone (especially if you're driving) or hire a private guide.

Smart Tours probably comes out ahead price-wise, though. But the experience is not identical to a more customized trip.

One thing I'd check with any group travel is how the nature part of the trip is handled. I have less of a problem going with a group on and off a bus to museums and attractions than I do going with a group to view wildlife. Too many people detract from the wildlife experience, they can obstruct your view, and offer competing interests that are not compatible with observing animals.

Looking at Helen's itinerary...
For Cape Town you could:
*As in any city, make your own arrangements and perhaps rent a car.

*If you'd like to be driven around, you can easily hire a private guide in advance. I thought Wayne of Take2Tours was great and he really helped me with my planning. Selwyn of I Love Cape Town gets good reviews.

*You could have the agent who arranges your safari part take care of Cape Town as well.

To get to Elephant Plains next, you probably would fly on regularly scheduled flights (almost hourly) between Cape Town and Joburg. You can easily book your own hotel in Joburg.

Elephant Plains in Sabi Sands, the private concessions next to Kruger, has flights from Joburg that EP can arrange for you. It's common and known as a Fly-in. Or you can drive yourself to Elephant Plains. Either way, EP has daily guided game activities where you are not driving.

Looks like Helen will be driving herself. In Kruger that means Helen will likely drive around at will looking for animals. (Unlike in Sabi Sands where professionals guide you.)

If you want to visit more than one Sabi Sands lodge (and the options abound), transfers between the lodges are arranged through the lodges.

Often an agent can provide a rate equal to booking directly with the lodge. So you have a choice. But you do not need to visit Kruger/Sabi Sands with a large group, unless you find the cost to your liking.

Here are some rates for Ele Plains
http://www.e-gnu.com/elephant_plains...dge_rates.html

To get to Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana, you would likely fly from Joburg (having returned to Joburg the night before with flights arranged by your Kruger/Sabi Sands lodges or an agent.) Your Joburg hotel is easily booked.

So leaving from Joburg, you'd probably fly to Kasane, Botswana on regular scheduled flights, found at sites like Kayak. Then take a ground transfer to Chobe Game Lodge (or somewhere in Chobe) with all game activities included. You may want an agent to arrange this leg of the trip for you, once you land in Botswana.

Check here for Chobe Game Lodge rates
http://www.e-gnu.com/accViewRates.as...upId=B&accId=7

Then do a ground transfer, probably arranged with an agent, from Chobe to Vic Falls, along with your Vic Falls accommodations. You can arrange your Vic Falls activities in advance with your agent or wait until you get there and see what interests you. Booking in advance guarantees your activities.

When it is time to go home, you have a ground transfer to the departing airport--Livingstone, Vic Falls, Kasane, whatever, arranged by your agent. Then board the first leg of your flight back home.

There are a variety of agents to use for South Africa. Some that have been mentioned here include:

Go2Africa in South Africa
The Africa Adventure Co in Ft. Lauderdale, which I've used for Southern Africa & all was great
Rhino in South Africa
Fish Eagle in Houston
Eyes on Africa in Chicago, which I used for South Africa & all was great

BUNCHEE315

Has anyone on this sight heard of Bushtrack Tours?

cjryan

Helen, so glad you came across an itinerary that you love! I'll look forward to hearing how you like the trip and see the photos. One suggestion - book Robben Island online as soon as you know the day you want to go there. They can fill up months ahead of time and many a person has been disappointed by not being able to get on the boat once they arrive in Cape Town.

Guavadoll, please do skip Smartours if you can...if you must go with a tour group, OAT might be a better alternative. Perhaps they are different to Africa, but my trip to China with Smartours was absolutely horrible and by far the worst trip I've ever taken. Why I hated it: they packed WAY too many people in on each tour, the accommodations left much to be desired, and the guide was really the most awful person I'd ever met on a tour - and a horrible guide to boot. Oh, and they were all about making extra money with stops at factories, villages, etc. where you were expected to buy things. Also,they were very high pressure on the tips for themselves....no thank you.

If it were me, I'd rather delay a trip for a year, save up more money and take a decent trip the following year without having to do a group tour with Smartours (or any other group). Just my opinion - and like I said, this company may be different to Africa. And maybe I'm not being fair because I hate group tours in general and only went because family members chose it and I didn't have a choice. Good luck with your planning and I did want to say that if Smartours is the only way you can get there, it's better than nothing!

CJ

helen63

Guavadoll,

Sorry, I missed your post. This thread was inactive for some time, so I stopped looking.
I had a travel agent used by my friends earlier, who helped me out with some bookings. She used to work for Go2Africa, and now is one her own. She lives in South Africa. I have her contacts, if you are interested.
The price breakdown:
1. International flights – bought for miles.
2. Internal flights - $785 per person. Includes:
- CPT ->MQP
- MQP -> LIV
- Victoria Falls -> JNB
3. I do not have exact break down here , but $2,600 per person include:
- 3 nights at Elephant Plains (deluxe room)
- 2 nights at Hazyview
- 3 nights at Chobe Lodge
- 1 night at IIala lodge at Vic Falls
- 4 nights in Cape town
- 1 night in Hermanus
- 1 night in franschhoek
Plus, we need a car. So, this will be additional $500-600 or so.
I was looking at SmartTours too, because they were cheap and easy… But… I decided I never travel with groups again. It was not bad, but I had regrets every time I did it.

Guys, thank you so much for reminding me what things I need to do in advance. I booked my basics, and forgot about it. I still have many questions; I need to come back to this.
I understand about Robben Island.
What kind of flower and other Cape Town activities do I need to book in advance?

helen63

With September approaching, I would like to finalize the details of the trip and looking for your help again:

1. I will be arriving from Cape Town to MQP around 1:00 pm and staying and staying overnight in Hazyview on that day. We will have a car and will be driving to our hotel. Do we have time to see something on the way? Is there anything around that worth a detour or a stop? I wanted to see Blyde River Canyon, but do not think there is enough time.

2. On the way back, we will be leaving the Elephant Lodge after a morning drive, and spending another night in Hazyview again. So, we will be driving from Elephant Lodge to Hazyview. Is there a particulary good way to drive? Can we do a little self-driving in Kruger park?

As always, thank you in advance for your advice.

Gardyloo

Adding Pilgrim's Rest and/or Graskop to your itinerary wouldn't be that hard; in fact when we "stage" for a visit to the Sabi Sand reserve (is it Elephant Plains?) we stay in Graskop because (a) it's easy to do a couple of Panoramic Route drive-bys (God's Window, Three Rondavels) from a base there and (b) the Graskop Hotel is affordable, comfortable, and a block from Harrie's Pancakes, something of a ritual.

From Graskop it's around an two hour's drive to the SSGR gate, so if you're wanting to get there after the departing guests have left, but early enough to get settled before the first evening game drive, it's ideal. Graskop is around 90 min. from Nelspruit.

helen63

Thank you, Gardyloo!

I am looking for advice on how to drive on the way back from Sabi Sand. We will participate in the morning drive, and then have an entire days ahead of us. I would like to do some self driving (if possible) around Kruger, but not sure how to do this.

cary999

So after morning game drive and breakfast you will leave camp about 11am, not exactly an entire day remaining. Sabi Sand into Kruger, Paul Kruger Gate then main camp Skukuza less than 2 hours drive. (FWIW, there is an Avis office in Skukuza which makes it easy to leave car there). So you drive 5 hours in Kruger, then what? It is 5-6pm. (Kruger gates close at 6pm). You need to get to JNB or Nelspruit airport? Six hour drive to JNB. Stay overnight in camp Skukuza or some other Kruger camp?

regards - tom

helen63

Cary, on that day, we only need to get back to Dramfields hotel in Hazyview. That's all. And after a night in Hazyview, we need to drive to MQP, not JNB. We will be flying from MQP to Livingstone. So, you are correct, we will be leaving Sabi Sand like around 11:00 am and need to get to Hazyview for overnight. So, I am asking how to best available time.

Rejoice

Africa...way to go. It is a story on its own. South Africa is quite a good starter and would suggest you go on the 1Time Airline (convenient and cheaper)to get to Livingstone then proceed by road to Vic Falls on the Zimbabwean side as your budget will be met by a variety of affordable accommodation, excursions that is what most people do and this will afford you the opportunity to go through Livingstone town and if you need a detailed tour you can then book it as an excursion.

This is what most people do and besides it is an advantage as you will get a better and detailed view of the falls from the Zimbabwean side. Zambia is good, but you will have to come to Zim as well.

helen63

Rejoice, thank you for you recommendations! However, all my flights and accomodations are booked already. Flying from MQP to LVI, then to CHobe, and then to Vic Falls on Zim Side.
Most of the days are planned. The only thing is missing - it is driving routes and activities on the days when we drive from MQP to Hazyview and on the way from Sabi Sand to Hazyview.