Travel

[kathybnc2]

I agree completely with your thoughts on the insurance.  I will also check into the companies you suggested.  Since it is not really a tour, the lodge and air fare were booked separately rather than a pkg. deal, so ins was not offered as an option.

[Colinka]

Thoughts on souvenirs: I fell in love with the many guinea fowl statues and other items. (It is a nice change from elephants, giraffes, etc.) I have one made out of a pinecone, and another out of beads. Both are under 6" tall and fit nicely into my suitcase.

My daughter gave me a small print of guinea fowl, done (believe it or not) on paper made out of sanitized elephant dung! (Google "elephant dung paper" to see what I mean.)

Before I went, I visited the travel clinic at my local big hospital.  They will be able to advise you on which shots to get, based on where you will be going. 

Most of the previous replies also mention how much they enjoyed their safari adventures. My daughter and I went to a resort called "Bakubung" near Sun City, It was very deluxe, with lavish buffets, and wonderful accomodations. The escorted jeep rides through the adjoining national park were exciting, but not scary at all. The guides had rifles, but they said it was mostly to deter poachers, NOT because of any danger from the animals. (White rhinos are incredibly endangered, but their horns are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to illegal marketers.)

Some dishes to try, if you get the chance, are Malva pudding and bobotie ( a ground meat casserole, similar to shepherd's pie.) If you get a chance to go to Capetown, do not miss Table Mountain, the harbor area, and the Cape of Good Hope.  There is a beach nearby with penguins.

I will probably be traveling to South Africa again,  sometime soon. Why? There's love in the air, and my daughter has met her Africaan (Dutch)  prince charming.

[ZoetheCat]

We traveled to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia in 2007.  The trip was a "freebie" because my husband exceeded his sales quota (high tech company).  Interestingly, I was not that excited when he first told me about it.  We love travel, but it was always about Europe for us.  I never had any interest in Africa.  That trip changed my perspective.  It was absolutely magical.  The landscape was incredible and the people were lovely.  The game drives were a highlight.  One word of advice:  Forego the liquid refreshments during the drives.  There really is no "rest room" when you are out in the wild (at least for the women!) so you'll want to limit the liquids.

As for food, I am a very picky eater, but I didn't have much of a problem.  There was always something I could eat.  

If you decide to go, I would make sure that you visit a travel doctor and get all requested shots.  Some of the people we were traveling with (husband's coworkers) did not take the malaria medication that they were prescribed (some of these medications have less than desirable side effects) but, since I've known a couple of people who have contracted malaria, I was sure to follow the regimen.  Malaria is not a disease I'd fool with.

In terms of souvenirs, we brought back items from each of the three countries we visited. From South Africa, we brought back painted ostrich eggs.  Although they are breakable, we were able to get them back home intact and still have them ten years later!  From Botswana, we got a hand-painted wooden bowl, and from Zambia, we got carved wooden royal figurines.  When I travel, I like to bring back items to disply in my home.  Every time I look at them, I remember the trip.  

In addition to the game drives, my two favorite memories from this trip were Cape Town and Victoria Falls.  Cape Town was just stunning and one of my favorite memories was a sail boat trip in the shadow of Table Mountain.  Victoria Falls is truly incredible.  We walked the suspension bridge over the falls which connects Zambia and Zimbabwe.  My husband is afraid of heights so that was quite memorable.  He also wears glasses, and with the falls spraying us to the point where we couldn't see five feet in front of us, it was a little daunting to say the least.  But he lived to tell the tale!

[kathybnc2]

Thanks for your input. Your trip sounds amazing!  And I will take your suggestions.

[Nuttmeg]

Two local radio stations in the New York City area sponsors trips to South Africa for a Jazz festival. The trip(s) are 9 or 10 days, and they sell out. 

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

have a great time, I am jealous!