KristynWithaY

Hi all!

I'm planning a safari trip for my family, boyfriend, and I for next summer. I've put together my initial itinerary and was hoping I could get some feedback from others who've been on safari. Our main goals are to see the big 5, Victoria Falls, and the wildebeest migration.

A little bit about us: We're traveling with 5 adults and one 16 year old. My mom isn't too adventurous, so things like white water rafting aren't her style. My brother, boyfriend, and I are thinking about going a few days early and going cage diving out of Cape Town and then flying to Johannesburg.

Itinerary:
8/11 - Leave US
8/12 - Arrive in Cape Town
8/13 - Cage Diving in Cape Town
8/14 - Fly to Skukuza Airport > Possibly stay at Aranthusa?
8/15 - Sabi Sands > Possibly stay at Aranthusa?
8/16 - Sabi Sands > Possibly stay at Aranthusa?
8/17 - Leave Sabi Sands and fly up to Victoria Falls area > Do we need to spend a night in Johannesburg or can we fly directly up to Victoria Falls?
8/18 - Chobe > Possibly stay at Muchenje or Elephant Valley?
8/19 - Chobe > Possibly stay at Muchenje or Elephant Valley?
8/20 - Chobe > Possibly stay at Muchenje or Elephant Valley?
8/21 - Victoria Falls > Victoria Falls Safari Suites?
8/22 - Victoria Falls > Victoria Falls Safari Suites? > Maybe go white water rafting?
8/23 - Leave Victoria Falls area and fly up to Nairobi > Again, do we need to spend a night here or can we fly directly up to Nairobi?
8/24 - Maasai Mara > Mara Intrepids or Mara Explorer?
8/25 - Maasai Mara > Mara Intrepids or Mara Explorer?
8/26 - Maasai Mara > Mara Intrepids or Mara Explorer?
8/27 - Fly home

Thoughts? Too much/little time at any one place? Any must-do activities? Any feedback would be GREATLY APPRECIATED

Thanks,
Kristyn

DebitNM

We LOVED our stay at Arathusa; it was our first stop and safari and it spoiled us for the remainder LOL

No need to return to JNB to fly to Vic Fall. We flew South African to Livingstone which departs Nelspruit - do be careful, not all flights operate on a daily basis.

diannelovestravel

Hi there!

DebitNM is correct in that you can fly from LIV to MQP on certain days of the week so you will need to plan the rest of the trip with that in mind.

It is not easy to combine East Africa with South Africa or Vic Falls for that matter. The last time I checked the flights from VFA to Nairobi for a client, the flight to do that all in one day without staying overnight in JNB was quite pricey. Even more costly than adding a one night stay at the airport. Perhaps that's different now in pricing but again, I would work through that before you make lodge commitments. If you were to take that flight, you would have to stay in Nairobi or I'd recommend Karen because it will be late and flights out of Wilson are in the AM.

Arathusa is a nice lodge. It has a watering hole which is a bonus for guests if game come by. Elephant Plains is another favorite for clients. They also offer great value for the cost with their service, accommodation, guides, etc.

Is Cage Diving the only thing you are doing in Cape Town? There are a lot of other great things to do! If you could add a day, the day trip to see the penguins and Cape of Good Hope is fun, plus taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain gives you such a feel for the incredible beauty of the area. There are not many places in the world you can go and see two oceans coverge and stand atop an incredible mountain!

I think you are referring to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, right? That's a great pick but if you want to be closer to the falls, Ilala Lodge is lovely. Slightly more money but the location is great. Activities can be arranged at the hotels or by booking thru either Shearwater or Wild Horizons, both incredibly reputable. I'd check out Devil's Pool. It is typically open at that time of year and you will get that iconic photo. Google it! If you like Cage Diving then you must check out the Bridge Swing online. For the less adventuresome, there's a Tree Canopy Tour (ziplining) - good for all ages.

Lots to think about!

Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA

TycoonHolidays

If you can extend your trip would suggest you to stay in Garden route for 2days as you are already going to Gansbaai for cage diving.

As you stated your mom doesn't like adventures activities than i am sure that she will like the scenic beauty, nature and real attractions like you have an opportunity to visit Ostrich Farms and you can also take Knysna Lagoon Cruise an evening entertainment.

Regards
Tycoon Holidays | www.tycoon-holidays.com
South African Expert

KristynWithaY

DebitNM -
I'm so happy to hear that you loved Aranthusa! Did you guys see any animals around the waterhole?

Dianne -
Thank you so so much for the long and thoughtful answer. That's really good to know about the price of the flights.

I'd love to see the penguins in Cape Town too. I'll definitely see if we can add a day onto our trip there. I'm hoping the rooms are cheaper in town than they are on safari.

And yes, I was talking about the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. I didn't know it was farther away so I'll look into Ilala. I'm happy to hear that Shearwater is reputable because I've already been looking at their site. This may be a weird/paranoid question, but I was reading about what vaccines I need and what illnesses I should be concerned about and read that schistosomiasis can be a problem in fresh water. Have you ever heard of someone getting that because of whitewater rafting there?

TycoonHolidays -
I'll look into the Garden route as well. I'm sure my mom would appreciate having something to do while we go cage diving I'd love to visit the Ostrich Farms too!

DebitNM

There were always animals around the watering hole!! You could watch them while you ate and while you relaxed on the veranda.

Deborah_WH

Hello Kristyn,
Not to set a cat amongst the pigeons, but, a few observations -
* there is so much on offer in Cape Town and surrounds, that one day and two nights here really doesn't do it justice.
Also, flying in from USA, day-tripping to cage-dive the very next day, then flying out the following day, is going to be a tad tiring whilst you are acclimatising.
* whilst it is possible to connect Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe, and Maasai Mara, it does not come highly recommended in just fifteen days.
Some of the areas are remote, you will spend a lot of time connecting and in transit, some flights don't operate on a daily basis, it can be taxing.
* Ordinarily, East Africa is done as a 'stand alone' safari holiday; Kenya and Tanzania (which are easily combined with Zanzibar), are just that bit far north to make the transit slightly tricky in a short period of time.
* personally I would forfeit Maasai Mara this time around and split those three or four nights to either Cape Town, Kruger National Park, or Chobe.
* If you spend more time in Cape Town, you could do day trips to Cape Point Nature Reserve (The Cape of Good Hope), visit the penguins, pop up Table Mountain, wander around the V&A Waterfront, or you could consider a night in the beautiful nearby Winelands.
* Simply FYI. with a drive time of roughly 6 hours (one way), the Garden Route and Knysna (and all they have to offer), are very much out of the way, and warrant at least another two to three nights.
* If you spend additional nights in Kruger you could split your time between two game lodges, Arathusa and another.
Arathusa is lovely, you could do a couple of nights there, and then another few nights at one of the other superb lodges nearby.
The game-viewing, as well as the lodges, in this unsurpassed Sabi Sand area of Greater Kruger National Park, are simply outstanding. To view additional accommodation options possibly have a wee gander here - https://www.southerndestinations.com/34048-2/
* If you choose to spend your additional nights in Botswana, you could split your time between two lodges in Chobe; you mention Elephant Valley, it is a lovely luxurious lodge, you could possibly stay there, and then go a bit further afield to the watery wonderland of Moremi and the Okavango Delta.

I hope this is helpful,
Happy planning.
Debbi - Travel Guru @ Southern Destinations