South African Explorer with Victoria Falls Add-On

[BGray]

Just returned from the most amazing holiday of my life! This is an expensive tour, but it is well worth it. There were so many highlights and each day was special. In a nutshell, we saw stunning coastal scenery in South Africa, had a great tour of the winelands (including the world famous Nederburg vineyard, great fun!), went whale watching at Hermannus, had numerous game drives and we saw all the Big Five and many more (including a few Specsavers moments, Marlane!!). A township tour at Knysna was inspiring, especially meeting the children at the primary school; staying at thatched game lodges, with zebra, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and monkeys not far from your door is an incredible experience! The food and accomodation throughout were of a very good standard. The Vic Falls add-on was wonderful, great to experience another part of Africa (Zambia) and the excursions were amazing - a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, an elegant gourmet meal on a steam train similar to the Orient Express and watching the most incredible sunset while on a cruise on the Zambezi are just some of the memories that will stay with me forever. Our tour manager, Zoe Ireland, was brilliant - she made time for everyone every day, was always in good humour and keen to help; the local guides Sophia and Shaun were fantastic too. The mosquitoes were not a major problem, once sensible precautions were taken and the weather was glorious. Overall, a truly wonderful holiday and one I will never forget!

[mikethesaint]

(13/10/2011 09:15 AM)BGray Wrote:  Just returned from the most amazing holiday of my life! This is an expensive tour, but it is well worth it. There were so many highlights and each day was special. In a nutshell, we saw stunning coastal scenery in South Africa, had a great tour of the winelands (including the world famous Nederburg vineyard, great fun!), went whale watching at Hermannus, had numerous game drives and we saw all the Big Five and many more (including a few Specsavers moments, Marlane!!). A township tour at Knysna was inspiring, especially meeting the children at the primary school; staying at thatched game lodges, with zebra, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and monkeys not far from your door is an incredible experience! The food and accomodation throughout were of a very good standard. The Vic Falls add-on was wonderful, great to experience another part of Africa (Zambia) and the excursions were amazing - a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, an elegant gourmet meal on a steam train similar to the Orient Express and watching the most incredible sunset while on a cruise on the Zambezi are just some of the memories that will stay with me forever. Our tour manager, Zoe Ireland, was brilliant - she made time for everyone every day, was always in good humour and keen to help; the local guides Sophia and Shaun were fantastic too. The mosquitoes were not a major problem, once sensible precautions were taken and the weather was glorious. Overall, a truly wonderful holiday and one I will never forget!

Bob,
You beat me to it.
Agree with everything you have said although you didn't mention having our photograph taken with a cheetah, the elephant ride and what about the helicopter flight over Victoria Falls, even if it did take you 2 go's!!!
It was my birthday whilst on the tour and I will always remember having 'Happy Birthday' being sung to me in total darkness whilst in Cango Caves.
Great holiday, great fellow travellers and a great Tour Manager. Well done Zoe.

[Trish 2]

I agree with everything Bob and Mike have said. It was a truly remarkable holiday. The itinerary always promised to be fantastic but our guide Zoe was brilliant at bringing the group together and looking out for everyone. This was my first JY holiday but most definitely will not be the last. In addition to all the highlights that have already been mentioned, there is also the opportunity to do a microlite flight and abseil down the falls, you couldn't ask for morew from a holiday. Thank you JY and to our guide Zoe

[MarlaneH]

Hear Hear - also the lovely meal on Livingstone Island, under canvas, above the Falls and also the flock of baby penguins within touching distance on the beach taking in the sunshine whilst their sea proof feathers grew. For me, one of the absolute delights was walking in the bush, holding on to the tails of two young lions and afterwards cuddling three cheetas and leading them on leashes.
I would like to re-iterate how well we were looked after by Zoe, Josie and Shaun, not forgetting our lovely drivers Greg (Trevor Macdonald's double) and Donald.
I wouldn't have missed this trip for the world - it was simply (as the Americans say) Awesome. Can't wait to do the next one.