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spotlight on south Africa
Just returned on the "spotlight" tour. Absolutely the best. Have not seen any posts on this tour so thought I would give a chance for anyone going soon to ask questions. Hotels and food were all really good. You can skip the bathing suit for now since it is wintertime. all the hotels had pools but none warm enough to swim. Bring some warm cloths - gloves, ski hat, warm coat! Unless you just want to - leave the dressy cloths at home and same room for souvenirs. My travel backpack was pretty big, but no one ever weighed it. had to gate check it on a couple of flights. Get this tour on your bucket list.
Greg
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Hi Greg!
I’m leaving on Tuesday for this tour. I can’t wait. I spoke to Tauck and they said there are only 17 guests.
What type of souvenirs did you buy?
I have layers, scarf and gloves and a hat for the safari.
How were the mosquitoes and did you all take the malaria medication?
Thanks for posting about the trip! I know many think when people mention the spotlight tour that they are talking about the elegant South Africa trip so it’s hard to get info on this specific tour.
Open for any other suggestions you’re willing to share.
I'm a doctor, so I took malaria medicine but did not see any in south Africa- too cold, but in Victoria falls there seem to be some since it was warmer. We bought stuff everywhere, scarfs, carved animals in kapama area. Airports are full of things. The game drives get up at 5:30 so a flashlight would be a good idea they end in the dark since the days are short and the lions hunt at night. We saw all the big 5 up close it was spectacular. Great pictures just with iphone. We took a helicopter the last afternoon over the falls on our own. I would really recommend that. Zambezi helicopter. We took a short flight from Kapama airport to the international airport at Kruger national. 25 minute flight on a 12 passenger cessna 208. Pretty tight but much nicer than a long bus ride.
25 on our tour so 17 will be even better. someone to meet you at airport and you will not really touch your big bag again.
Helicopter in cape town is only 10 minutes. Very smooth even for motion prone people.
I was hoping to get carved figures so I’m happy to hear about that. No problems using USD correct?
Did you stay longer after the tour ended?
I’m only arriving the day before, but late as my flight lands around 9:30pm.
I know there is a helicopter ride on the tour.
Lots of carved figurine's- wood and soapstone. we went straight back from Joburg- then home. Some in our group stayed an extra day in Victoria falls and our friends stayed in Johannesburg 2 more days and enjoyed it. The west to east travel seems harder so the first day is for rest for you.
On the last day, what time did you get to the airport in Johannesburg? My flight home isn’t until 11:15pm.
I’m going to have to make sure I have room in my suitcase for souvenirs!
we arrived in joberg about 3 pm. It is a nice airport. We had a lounge access to wait till our 10pm flight
The flight home we could carry more in our big suitcase -so we loaded it up. Actually, brought a duffle that we checked as a second bag.
the stores in Johannesburg airport were really great.
I was planning on using a medium size suitcase, but will see how much room I have after I pack or I might switch to my larger one.
Thankfully I’ll have lounge access on the way home.
When you fly to Johannesburg, is your bag checked all the way through to home or do you have to recheck it there?
you will have to pick it up and recheck it for your other flight, so you can put stuff in it before the trip out of Johannesburg.
Ok, thanks for answering my questions!
I might have more, but that will wait until tomorrow.
I did take a malaria pill today and will tomorrow just to test any reaction and thankfully today I was fine.
Have a good night and thanks again!
My favorite thing to buy in South Africa are the decorated ostrich eggs. The painting varies in quality. I found the best ones in the craft center in Cape Town rather than at the airport. You can also get carved ones and buy decorative stands to place them on for display.
I’ve been to Vic Falls three times and always seen mosquitoes. We have only had a bad reaction to malaria meds once in all the years we have had to take them on different trips. It took about three of four days before terrible diarrhea kicked in.
Thanks British. I'll definitely look for the craft center in Cape Town. I read that Cape Town doesn't take USD and to rely on M/C or Visa, has that been your experience???
gregm - what about laundry?? Was it free at any hotel or a nominal fee?
How long were the game drives approximately?
I'm really looking forward to the elephant encounter.
I also rec'd an email from Tauck a few weeks ago saying that Table Mountain would be closed when we're there so they have an alternative set. I checked and they will still be open so I'm hoping we still get to Table Mountain, but will see when we get there.
Visiting Table mountain is totally dependent on weather conditions and so is the whale watching boat ride if that is on the itinerary.
You probably won’t need to get laundry done on such a short tour as this. We never had any done but I’m sure at five star hotels it will be five star prices.
We used credit cards. You certainly don’t want to get any Rand.
FYI - the Table Mountain website advises that the Aerial Cableway will be closed for annual maintenance from July 27 to August 9.
Yes, I saw that, but we’d be going on either the 24th or 25th so I’m hoping we get to go up there, if not, I’m sure the alternative will be fine. Thanks!
The game drive are 2-2.5 hrs. Sometimes depending on how much you are seeing
We used laundry a couple of times. Pretty inexpensive and one day turn around
The only thing I used cash for were tips and they were fine with dollars