This was my first big trip alone other than Europe. I did an Abercrombie & Kent tour I certainly did not want to go to Africa alone, 18 hours away. I do love all their tours, I do the small group ones, never more than 18 people.  I have never had more than 16. The people I meet are wonderful and I do stay in touch with some of them. Richard our head guide was great.

I did a pre tour to the wine country but my flight going was 24 hours delayed. Hence I always go a day early on all of these trips.  I flew to Johannesburg, we didn’t arrive till 11P.  They put us up in a hotel next to the airport. I was afraid to go to sleep because I didn’t think I’d ever wake up after a 16 hour flight and the delay. I showered and got ready for the next day. The flights to Cape Town don’t start till 6A, about a two hour flight.

 I took the 6A flight landed, got my luggage, went through immigrations, and met my A&K representative.  We drove to Frankschhoek.  I checked in, at this point I had missed my relaxing day and one night at the Leeu House which is a boutique hotel, beautiful property.  I went to my room, dropped my bags and began my tour.  We went to three vineyards, I did three tastings, I really don’t know how I was still standing. After the tour I got back to my room, showered you think I went to bed? No of course not I had made a reservation at a restaurant a short walking distance from where I was staying. I ate at a French restaurant Le Bon Vivant, it was excellent. I walked back after my meal and finally went to sleep. Very Very long couple of days.

 I didn’t know at the time I would keep going back for my love of Africa, all of it.  I especially love the Safari’s, I cried my first one we were in the bush in Krueger National Park and I burst into tears.  Everyone said what’s wrong?? I just said I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d be in Africa, traveling alone and just being so awe struck over all of it.  Africa is life changing I’ve heard many people say this.  To see the animals in real life, to see a lion kill, a leopard finishing eating an impala in a tree, to see the babies nursing, hyenas, lions and ostrich mating all is just mind boggling to me.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go to another zoo unless my children one day have kids and they want to go.

I loved this trip, my second favorite Kenya and Tanzania being my favorite so far.  South Africa is beautiful, the mountains, cliffs, ocean, the penguins on Boulders beach.  I always thought penguins, Alaska cold weather.  

Table top mountain is just magnificent looking out when you are on the top.  Cape town is beautiful.  Great food everywhere. 

Greater Krueger private reserve is not crowded because this is a private one, reserve is managed by the lodges within, park is public.  I think for a first time to Africa this is a wonderful trip.  I didn’t know how I would react to the animals and was a little skeptical on how the lodges in the bush would be.  Never could I have imagined the luxury of camping, amenities and the delicious food. Yes it is “Glamp Camping.”

We flew to Livingstone Zambia and crossed over to Zimbabwe where our hotel was. We were going to see Victoria Falls the next day.