jgoebel

sandi - that sounds like a possibility. your opinion...Zim is a safe option for our family? (understanding there are no garantees in life)

sandi

Will you see more obvious poverty in Zim vs Zam, yes? It's quite sad, but many visitors choose to stay on the Zim side and at VFA, tourists are safe as on the other side.

thit_cho

jgoebel

With the new visa regulations, you may want to visit either Zim or Zam, and then travel to Chobe, and see if you can fly back to SA from Kasane in Botswana. When I visites Victoria Falls, in 2001, I was able to cross the border without additional payment, and I saw the falls from both sides -- based on my trip, I would say the falls are far more impressive from the Zim side, and Victoria Falls is a more interesting place than Livingstone. I would also opt for Zim instead of Zam in light of the new visa rules.

Michael

jgoebel

Thanks Michael

I think I'll go ahead and book the Exeter and Chobe lodging, but hold off on Vic Falls until I can check that out a bit more.

It just seems silly to drop over $1000 in visa fees for a 2-nt. stay.

John

BonnieN

hi,

if you are still thinking about accomodation in capetown, my daughter and I stayed at An African Villa, medium in price, very comfortable and most important a good location with a bonus of a view of Table Mountain from our window. We used some of the savings there towards the game park expense.

I also would not do cheetah at spiers - artificial experience I am sure.

have fun,

Bonnie

annhig

Hi jgoebel,

aorry to read that you're onyl going to spend 3 nights [therefore really 2 days] in CPT. do try and squeeze a 4th night there if you can.

if you really only have two days - 1 day table mountain and kirstenbosch gardens, 1 day trip to the cape. [we didn't do robben island so i can't compare, but don't bother with the cheetahs when you're going on a proper safari].

regards, ann

Doogle

Well after much reading of the board, I think you have a good itinerary, my choice of accommodation would be:
Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or Stanley and Livingstone
Chobe - Muchenje is lovely
Cape Town - Try Les Cascades it is gorgeous
Sabi Sabi - Exeter is lovely, you could also try Savanna as they have great winter rates and Kirkmans also have specials at that time of the year!

jgoebel

Doogle - Thanks for the heads up on Savanna. They have availability in our price range (kirkmans has availability issues) I think it's time for me to stop worrying and just pull the trigger!!!

bushchick

At the risk of getting flak from Fodorits here, we own and run a lodge in Madikwe (I shall not name our camp and am not advertising) so I am a tad biased as to the appeal of the reserve!

Madikwe has a number of pros in addition to being a malaria free area offering the chance to experience Africa's Big Five and the rare and endangered wild dog (as well as cheetah and all other predators, a multitude of fat and healthy plains game and 340 + bird species). The reserve is the fourth largest in SA and all lodges are allowed to traverse the entire area (I do not know Morukuru Lodge at all) - and here is one of our main advantages: there are no private vehicles allowed in the park so only game drive vehicles driven by professional field guides (all in radio contact with one another to avoid crashing into one another's sightings and to tell each other of special sightings) are out viewing game. This is important in terms of the quality of sightings you are exposed to - the animals know our vehicles and you get to have very up close and personal experiences - and the guys are well qualified and experienced and look after both the ecology of the reserve (responsible off roading for confirmed sightings) and the well being of the animals.

As I admitted in the beginning, I am biased, but I truly believe that Madikwe is one of the top game viewing destinations in the country and would highly recommend a (3 or 4 night) stay there.

jgoebel

Thanks all for the suggestions and input!! After quite a wrestling match with flight and lodge availability we've booked the following itinerary:

4 nights Matetsi outside Vic Falls
4 nights Cape Town
4 nights Kirkmans Kamp

CC Africa's pay for 3 get the fourth night free made these attractive options.

I guess Chobe and Madikwe will have to wait until the next trip I'll be sure to post a report when we return!! - John

atravelynn

Have a wonderful time.

Doogle

That is a great itinerary, have the best time!

Binkieloo

I see I'm a bit late. I'm actually a travel agent in SA, but send a lot of locals and foreigners to Vic Falls.

The visa restrictions have caused a lot of problems with the Zambian side here as well.

I just wanted to note that a multiple entry visa for Zim is now U$75pp or U$55 for a single entry. I noted someone said a bit less than that.

I think you've booked a great itinerary and will really enjoy your trip.

I only recently did Robben Island for the first time and was a little disappointed. You are very restricted as to where you're allowed to walk or get out, since the island is now a nature reserve. We did a late afternoon tour and didn't have any time to wander on the island. Most of the information we received on the tour was something I already knew, and there wasn't much of real interest. Seeing the prison was ok, but I found the tours and available info on Alcatraz in SFO, much better. If you only have a few days, I would skip this over other available options.

With a wildlife enthused teen, I would make a point of going out to Boulders for the penguins. And in Cape Town be sure to try some "snoek", a local fish that is quite a unique flavour. The best places to get it are in Hout Bay area.

Enjoy your trip!!

jgoebel

Thanks for the advice on Robbins Island. Given out limited time in Capetown I think we'll opt for sometihng else.

Would any of you consider a day trip to Chobe during our 4 nights at Matetsi, or am I wasting money considering that we have game drives included at Matetsi??

(my kids think it would be "cool" to go to Botswana for the day)

LAleslie

I respectfully disagree about Robben (not Robbins) Island. To a South African, perhaps, this isn't as compelling because you've lived with that history (and there's not much to look at if you did walk around outside the bus; the island is pretty bleak and this isn't meant to be a nature tour). But to an American like me, hearing aging former prisoners tell about their experiences in captivity was jaw dropping...and they won't be around many more years. To see the primitive accommodations of political prisoners (these were not all the kind of criminals once ensconced at Alcatraz, but those protesting racism) is a living history lesson, and I think kids would be fascinated to see what hapens when you go up against the powers that be.

matnikstym

I'd go to Chobe for the day. If possible book a boat tour from there and you'll(likely) see hundreds of elephants coming down to the river and a lot of hippos too. Though you'll probably see elephants at Matetsi, not in the numbers that Chobe has. On a day trip, don't know how much you'd see from a vehicle but I would do the boat.

mkhonzo

Just got my National Geographic Expeditions brochure. They have a fabulous Family tour of SA, might be worth your while looking into. I spoke with them and they will offer an extension to Chobe, I wasn't interested in the extension, so never quizzed them on its pricing.

Binkieloo

LALeslie - You are right, I guess it is a very different experience having grown up here with the history and culture. And also my Mom said that the ex-prisoner they had was much more interesting than the one we had that night. I would probably also suggest an earlier trip during the day. That would probably make a big difference too. The views of Cape Town and Table Mountain are spectacular from the island too!