South Africa

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

We are going on the SA trip in July. I was wondering if anyone has talked with ABD people to get their input as to what medical precautions are needed? We have already checked out the CDC some time back.

 

[abbyjt]

We received our backpacks yesterday. It makes it all more real. We are really going to South Africa!woohoo.
We did not get the shiny blue ones we have seen posted on other threads. Ours are dark green and black. They are pretty nice. We got only adult ones even though our youngest is still a junior. I don't know if they are doing different junior backpacks this year.

 

[travelingirlie]

How long is the flight to South Africa? My kids are in love with the website for this trip and they really want to go.

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Our flight from Atlanta to Capetown looks like a total air time of 16 hours and 20 minutes.

 

[BecABD]

As far as guides, Dusty - who did China last year, and Italy the year before - is doing South Africa this year. His first trip is starting in a day, or so, I believe....

Dusty is a good friend of my sisters. He was our guide in Italy too!! He is the BEST guide ever. You will LOVE LOVE LOVE him!! I'm doing the Australia trip this summer and hope he can find time to fly out to hang out for a bit while I'm there!!

 

[kidcoos3]

As far as guides, Dusty - who did China last year, and Italy the year before - is doing South Africa this year. His first trip is starting in a day, or so, I believe....

We received our backpacks yesterday. It makes it all more real. We are really going to South Africa!woohoo.
We did not get the shiny blue ones we have seen posted on other threads. Ours are dark green and black. They are pretty nice. We got only adult ones even though our youngest is still a junior. I don't know if they are doing different junior backpacks this year.

Dusty is a good friend of my sisters. He was our guide in Italy too!! He is the BEST guide ever. You will LOVE LOVE LOVE him!! I'm doing the Australia trip this summer and hope he can find time to fly out to hang out for a bit while I'm there!!

We also received our backpacks last week. Busy doing some pre-Africa planning right now. I'm also trying to figure out clothing and packing.

Are there always 2 guides on the trips? I noticed that our pretrip packet gives info about tipping the guides - but I'm unsure of how many guides there will be.

Also, has anyone heard of anyone going on the South Africa trip before ours (June 21st)? It would be great to see a trip report or two!.

 

[sayhello]

Are there always 2 guides on the trips? I noticed that our pretrip packet gives info about tipping the guides - but I'm unsure of how many guides there will be.

Yep, there are always 2 ABD guides. You will likely also have local specialists giving talks, leading hikes, etc, but their tips are included in the trip price. The only folks you're expected to tip are the 2 ABD guides. (And they are worth EVERY PENNY!)

(Of course, if you dine on your own, take outside excursions, other things not included in the trip, those tips would be your responsibility, too.)

Sayhello

 

[abbyjt]

I just found out that a family we met on the Germany trip last summer will be on the same South Africa Adventure as us. They have two daughters probably about 13 and 15.

 

[abbyjt]

Also, has anyone heard of anyone going on the South Africa trip before ours (June 21st)? It would be great to see a trip report or two!.[/QUOTE]

According to the ABD website, the first trip starts tomorrow May 31 (and that is just arrival day, so activities start Mon June 1). There is also one more trip starting June 15. I haven't seen anyone write that they are on either of these trips.

 

[kidcoos3]

Great to hear about the other family. It would be great to see a bit of a trip report - but we are leaving on the 12th for the 1st leg of our trip - so I guess I won't have a chance to read them anyway.

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

I am hoping for a "live" trip report since today is the 1st day of the 1st SA trip! That would be awesome. We did that last year on our China trip and it helped us remember all that we did, etc. We leave July 3rd for our trip so PLEASE give us details!

 

[HockeyHeather]

Hi Traveling Tinkerbell!

It's HockeyHeather and her mom saying hello! I just finished my school year last week. We are leaving for WDW on Friday for a week at the Boardwalk to celebrate my great nephew's birthday. Then we are leaving for Germany on June 24th to do the Once Upon a Fairytale ABD. We fly to Capetown on July 4th arriving at 9:30 p.m. I e-mailed Dusty. He replied last week and said that unfortunately he won't be our guide. He said that Tina Hyatt, who trained him to by an ABD guide, will be our guide. My mom and I are looking forward to seeing you and your family again!

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Good to hear from you HockeyHeather!!! Yes, Dusty contacted us about two weeks ago with the news. We will really miss him! All your trips sound wonderful. We look forward to hearing about your Germany trip and catching up on things since last summer. We will be arriving on July 4th around 4pm. Are you staying at Cape Grace for your pre-night days?

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Dear Abbyjt,

I know your SA trip is getting close. We hope you have a wonderful time!!! We look forward to reading about your trip when you get back. Say hello to Dusty for us (from the family in Georgia). He is a GREAT ABD guide and we are very sad that he will not be our guide for our SA Signature trip.

 

[kidcoos3]

We leave tomorrow for a week in London before our South Africa trip.
We are looking forward to the trip - both parts. This is our first ABD experience.

 

[sayhello]

We leave tomorrow for a week in London before our South Africa trip.
We are looking forward to the trip - both parts. This is our first ABD experience.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

Sayhello

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Kidcoos3,

Have a wonderful and exciting time in London and South Africa!!!! We look forward to hearing about your trip when you get back. Safe journey!!

 

[abbyjt]

Hey Kidcoos,
Have a great week in London. There are lots of free museums, so take advantage of them. The tube is really easy and there are always police who help you along. Eat Indian food, It's amazing in London.
We are looking forward to meeting you next week. We arrive in Capetown late on June 20th.

 

[abbyjt]

We are leaving today. I will try to post from south Africa on my phone

 

[wdwsos]

If you have Tina Hyatt as your guide, please say hi from Dotti! We had her for both Viva Italia and Imperial Cities (Storybook Kingdoms) and we've stayed in touch. You'll be in great hands!

I'm looking forward to your updates! This trip sounds amazing!

Dotti