Our next trip is Africa. Specifically we are going to Southern Africa. We will be visiting South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, and possible a half day trip into Zimbabwe.
There are several parts of Africa to which to travel, but we have chosen the southern area for the following reasons.
Safaris - If you want to go on Safari your choices are either East Africa or Southern Africa. East Africa consists of Kenya, Zazania, and Rwanda. East Africa is home to the famous Serengeti. There are plenty of interesting things to see. Southern Africa has the Okanvago Delta in Botswana and Kruger in South Africa. Don't forget Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namimbia. All of these areas boast big game experiences as well. We chose Southern Africa primarially for the Okanvago Delta Experience.
Okavango Delta - We first saw the Okanvango Delta on a TV show. An amazing place where a major river runs into the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and just ends right there. It does not make its way to the ocean. It sits in the desert and dries up during the dry season. The delta area is a vast wilderness area that attracts a lot of wildlife due to water's life giving attributes. But guess what!? We are not going there!! It may be a mistake, but we were talked out of it. We have been convinced that Kruger National Park in South Africa is a better deal.
Kruger National Park - Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the most popular Safari destinations. Kruger puports to have all the animals that consist of the Big 5. The Big 5 refer to lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. Although clearly we like to tick things off a list, that is not the most important reason for visiting Kruger. We have been told that the wildlife is easier to find and that the experience is more intimate. The lodging is facilities are supposed to good, especially in the Sabi Sands area and much less expensive than the Botswana Okanvango lodges. The Okanvango is supposed to be a more wilderness experience. We have chosen Kruger over Okanvango. Hopefully it is the right choice.
Chobe National Park - Located in Botswana, the Chobe river is just NorthWest of the Okanvango Delta. One of the main attraction here are the elephants. It is easy access from Victoria Falls where we will also visit. There are also guided boats on the river for viewing Hippos. We will spend three nights at a safari lodge.
Other Sights - Our first stop in Africa will be Livingstone, Zambia. We will be taking in the view of Victoria Falls. This is a massive waterfall and one of the "must see" sights in Africa. We will be visiting Cape Town, South Africa and the nearby Winelands for guess what?? Winetasting! Our final stop in Africa will be one of Mozambique's subtropical white sands beach.
| Africa June 10 - July 4 | |||
| Date | Activity | Overnight | |
| Jun. 9 | Depart SFO 2:00pm | ||
| Jun. 10 | Arrive in Amsterdam 9:00am | Amsterdam | |
| Jun. 11 | Amsterdam | Amsterdam | |
| Jun. 12 | Travel to South Africa | Johannesburg | |
| Jun. 13 | Travel to Livingstone | Livingstone, Zambia | |
| Jun. 14 | Victoria Falls | Livingstone | |
| Jun. 15 | Travel to Chobe, Botswana | Chobe National Park | |
| Jun. 16 | Safari | Chobe National Park | |
| Jun. 17 | Safari | Chobe National Park | |
| Jun. 18 | Travel to Cape Town, South Africa | Cape Town | |
| Jun. 19 | Table Mountain | Cape Town | |
| Jun. 20 | Township Tour/Robben Island | Cape Town | |
| Jun. 21 | Cape Good Hope | Cape Town | |
| Jun. 22 | Travel (by Car) to the Winelands | Franschhoek | |
| Jun. 23 | Winelands | Franschhoek | |
| Jun. 24 | Travel Cape Town to Kruger D:08:10 A:14:45 | Kruger National Park | |
| Jun. 25 | Road Trip | Kruger National Park | |
| Jun. 26 | Great Ocean Road | Kruger National Park | |
| Jun. 27 | Travel to Mozambique | Benguerua Island | |
| Jun. 28 | Beach | Benguerua Island | |
| Jun. 29 | Beach | Benguerua Island | |
| Jun. 30 | Beach | Benguerua Island | |
| Jul. 1 | Depart Vilanculos 11:00am | Red Eye Flight | |
| Jul. 2 | Arrive Amsterdam 10:30am | Amsterdam | |
| Jul. 3 | Amsterdam | Amsterdam | |
| Jul. 4 | Travel Home, D:09:50 A:11:50 | ||
