Ok, here we go;
Length of the trip
5 weeks was enough for us, we were weary and ready for some time at home. But, any shorter and we would not have covered so much ground, seen so many different things and places.
Communications
We used Maya eSim’s – $49.99 USD for 30 Days worldwide cover. Worked a treat everywhere except Zimbabwe where couldn’t pick mobile signal from over the river in Zambia. Hotel wifi was a backup everywhere. ( Zimbabwe is not included in their worldwide cover)
WordPress – for my blog
Organisers
Shadows of Africa in Tanzania organised the trip (after the TripaDeal bit at Sebatana in South Africa), their guides were brilliant (Ken in Kenya and Dennis in Tanzania) and Alona did the planning with Graeme ( and Genelle & Cheryl)
Accommodation
Was 5 star mostly, only issue was landing Joberg and our hotel having an issue with the booking. It was resolved, but should never have an issue if the hotel and booking agent had been proactive.
The luxury rooms at Sebatana, the brilliant luxurious safari tents in the Masai Mara and Serengeti, then the final chill out on the beach in Zanzibar, all were fantastic.
Itinerary
1. TripaDeal – we did the 5 Star Africa trip – included the flight’s Sydney- Johannesburg-Sydney and about 8 days at Sebatana Private Reserve in Limpopo in northern South Africa. This worked well and set us up for the rest of the trip with safari etiquette and long days in a Landcruiser Troopy with minimal toilet breaks, lots of dust and shitty roads.
2. Shadows of Africa (Alona) did Cape Town, Zimbabwe ( Victoria Falls), Kenya and Tanzania ( inc Zanzibar) was brilliant. We stayed at a number of their own properties and their guides were exceptional
Tipping
We struggled to get the hang of it, probably because as Aussies its not generally “a thing” here. We went with the Shadows of Africa guidelines.
Hotels we preferred to do the Tip Box so its shared amongst all staff, but in some hotels porters hands are out for a tip, so keep a supply of $1USD or small local currency equivalent to hand over folded up.
What to take
Camera – for Africa take a good one, if not a camera, take a good phone (quality resolution for long shots important)
Safari clothes – you just need a few sets, wash on the go ( pack in a travel stretchy clothes line x 2)
Shoes – Scarpa boots, The Navigator had Oboz low cut hikers
Soft trolley bags 50 litre and 15- 20 litre carry on backpacks ( easy fit for overhead storeage)
Hats are important
Torch or head torch – don’t take both. Most remote places have torch in the room anyway.
Security
Take it seriously in Africa. If you’re told “it’s not safe” then don’t go there.
Joburg – not many places where you can go without security
Cape Town – pretty safe except for a few of the shanty town areas
Nairobi – be careful, tourist areas ok, don’t drive with windows down and mobile phone in your hand. I was warned.
Tanzania ( incl Zanzibar) – pretty safe everywhere, even where it’s remote and a Masai warrior/ herdsman is hidden behind every bush (or so it seems)
Animals – most safari camps are unfenced – lions, elephants, buffalo etc walk through. Use the security usually a Masai man with a knife and/or a ranger with a serious gun to walk to and from your room
The People
Our group at Sebatana was great. We met so many other travellers to share stories with. The standout people were the locals everywhere in accomodation and restaurants, always a smile and genuine joy at providing good service to visitors to their country.
Currency
We got some SA Rand at Sydney airport by trading some other surplus currencies we had sitting at home, we took some US dollars, a few Euros that were at home, the rest we drew out of ATMs for local currency and if possible we used a CBA Travel Card or a Wyse Card
Electric plugs
South Africa have a 3 round plug, our cubes didn’t have this but we bought one for a few bucks. Our cubes covered nearly everywhere.
Best Things
Cape Town – well worth a visit
The great Aussie group we met and enjoyed the company of at Sebatana in SA
Tamu Tamu Kogatende & Serengeti Camps
Huge male lion that rested in the shade of Genelle’s window after eating it’s share of a wilderbeast.
To see a baby giraffe born in the wild.
Watching the theatrics and false starts before the wilderbeast finally do a mass crossing as part of the Great Migration.
Zanzibar to finish the trip.
What we could have done better?
Even though we went with between 11-12kg in check in bag, we still could have done less. Some clothes were not worn.
A day or two in Stone Town before the beach in Zanzibar would have been good.
Accom in Johannesburg – maybe could have stayed in the city centre where security is maybe not needed to walk to a shop.
Taken a spare camera – my new camera stopped towards the end.0
Ciao until we leave for India in 6 weeks time
Pauolo
