Just got back from South Africa-Trip Blog and Picture link!!! Finished!!!

[Forever a Princess]

Your Welcome! I enjoyed answering them!!!

Renee

Ooops Transportation to the Elephant place was about 80 Rand per person (not dollars, LOL)!!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Wow, this trip looks amazing! I loved seeing all the pics. We did the ABD Australia trip, which was so wonderful, but the Africa one has been on my radar. After seeing the pics, I think it's a must-do!

My kids are ages 7 and 9. I had one question....were the younger kids allowed on the safari rides? In reading up on this ABD trip there were some disclaimers about younger kids possibly not being allowed on the rides. Realistically, my kids will likely be a few years older before we are able to do this trip, but just wondering what restrictions were placed on the kids.

Thanks for sharing your amazing pics!

You're Welcome!!!

Yes the Junior Adventurers do go on the Safari Game Rides. Our Junior Adventurers were 8 and 9 y.o and turned 9 and 10 y.o respectively on the trip. They had a blast!!!!!

Your kids will be old enough when you go. They will have no restrictions to all of the great activities!!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thank you so much for your answers! I'm getting excited already and I still have a year to go!

Please keep coming back here because I know I'll have more questions.

I will do just that!!!

 

[beachbunny]

A few more questions: Did you purchase your airfare through ABD? What route did you fly and with what airlines?

I'm flying from Honolulu so I'm thinking about booking two separate flights. Honolulu to London and then London to South Africa. I don't want to fly direct because it takes three days and it'll take me just as long to recover from the jet lag (day 1 Honolulu to anywhere on the mainland; day 2 mainland to London; and day 3 London to South Africa). So I may layover in London for 2 or 3 nights and arrive a day early. Boy, that's going to be a long vacation!

 

[beachbunny]

Okay, so I found the second page of your blog and know that you flew from Atlanta to Jo'berg. OMG! Would you do that direct flight again? Or would you break it up, like I'm thinking about doing?

What airlines did you fly?

 

[Forever a Princess]

A few more questions: Did you purchase your airfare through ABD? What route did you fly and with what airlines?

I'm flying from Honolulu so I'm thinking about booking two separate flights. Honolulu to London and then London to South Africa. I don't want to fly direct because it takes three days and it'll take me just as long to recover from the jet lag (day 1 Honolulu to anywhere on the mainland; day 2 mainland to London; and day 3 London to South Africa). So I may layover in London for 2 or 3 nights and arrive a day early. Boy, that's going to be a long vacation!

Yes, as you saw we flew Atlanta to Joberg. And flew back Joberg to Atlanta. Trip going was 15.5 hours. Back was 16.5 hours.

If we had the vacation days we would of stopped in London for a few days coming and going. However we just don't have the vacation time to do this.

Hope this helps!

 

[beachbunny]

Hello fellow shopper. Did you use cash or credit card for all of you shopping? I'm trying to figure out which would be the better choice.

By the way, I love the carved door.

Did you encounter mosquitoes or tsetse flies while on safari? Don't want to pack repellent if I don't need to.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Hello fellow shopper. Did you use cash or credit card for all of you shopping? I'm trying to figure out which would be the better choice.

By the way, I love the carved door.

Did you encounter mosquitoes or tsetse flies while on safari? Don't want to pack repellent if I don't need to.

Hello!!!

I used mostly cash as I was charged a surcharge every time I used my credit card. It wasn't much but still... I took along my bank card to withdraw cash from the ATMs. If you do this make sure you notify your bank before you go.

Thanks for the comment on the door. I love this piece!!!

We did not encounter mosquitoes or tsetse flies while we were on safari. No need to pack the bug spray though. There is a can of this in the room at the Kapama Lodge (they think of everything there!).

Have a great trip!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Hello!

We got our ABD photo CD last week on Thursday. Over the weekend I have been adding pictures to each Day of the trip.

Enjoy!!!

 

[beachbunny]

Okay, I've read the entire blog (except for the last section you're working on). Loved it! Thank you for taking the time to put it together.

One more question: What otc and prescription meds did you take with you? When we went on safari on our own we had a big bag of meds with us. Is that necessary with an ABD tour?

 

[Forever a Princess]

Okay, I've read the entire blog (except for the last section you're working on). Loved it! Thank you for taking the time to put it together.

One more question: What otc and prescription meds did you take with you? When we went on safari on our own we had a big bag of meds with us. Is that necessary with an ABD tour?

Thank You for reading my blog!!! It was my pleasure to put this together!!!

We took Advil, Tylenol, cold medicine, Immodium etc. I think it was necessary as none of the Hotels have gift shops. Also besides Cape Town we were not near any pharmacy or grocery store.

 

[Forever a Princess]

My Blog is now done. Safari days and pics have been added. Happy reading all!!!

 

[Tozzie]

My Blog is now done. Safari days and pics have been added. Happy reading all!!!

I read it, the pictures are fabulous and it looks like you had an amaing trip. I never thought about going to SA but this trip report and the photos makes me want to take the trip.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Sorry for any inconvenience. I had a problem with getting my last page (Best of the Best) of my blog to "stick." I think I have this fixed. Happy reading!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

I read it, the pictures are fabulous and it looks like you had an amaing trip. I never thought about going to SA but this trip report and the photos makes me want to take the trip.

Thank you for reading my blog! SA is a beautiful country. I would highly recommend that you go!!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

What wonderful pictures. I think I may have had trouble with the food...looked fairly 'exotic'. How was it in person? It was a very small group. What are the normal numbers for SA?

Thanks for sharing,
TK

 

[Forever a Princess]

What wonderful pictures. I think I may have had trouble with the food...looked fairly 'exotic'. How was it in person? It was a very small group. What are the normal numbers for SA?

Thanks for sharing,
TK

Thank You!

Remember that John and I are foodies!!!! That means we are adventurous eaters and we eat all of the "exotic" stuff. There is plenty of "regular" food to eat at each location.

This was a small group at 10 Adults and 2 kids. I do not know what the usual numbers are but the guides mentioned that this was one of the smaller groups.

Renee

 

[tiggrbaby]

Thank you thank you thank you for such a wonderful blog! My sister and I are on the 7/31 trip, and you have made the anticipation so much more exciting! I would not have budgeted for the elephants without your info.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thank you thank you thank you for such a wonderful blog! My sister and I are on the 7/31 trip, and you have made the anticipation so much more exciting! I would not have budgeted for the elephants without your info.

You're Welcome!!!!

July will be winter time in South Africa. I think I recall hearing Tina or Craig say that some of the previous Adventurers whilst on their trip in the winter months purchased long john's in Cape Town before going on the rest of the trip.

I would suggest bringing a warm jacket and a pair of gloves at the very least. The evening game drives on the Safari can be quite chilly!!!

Enjoy this beautiful country!!!! If you have any questions before you go please let me know!

Renee

 

[Forever a Princess]

My blog is now listed in the Trip Report section. A big Thank You to Say Hello for helping me make this post!!!!!