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spotlight on south Africa

gregm

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

Comments

Kathy0529

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.

gregm

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.

gregm

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.

Kathy0529

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.

gregm

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.

Kathy0529

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!

gregm

we arrived in joberg about 3 pm. It is a nice airport. We had a lounge access to wait till our 10pm flight

gregm

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.

Kathy0529

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?

gregm

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.

Kathy0529

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!

British

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.

Kathy0529

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.

British

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.

Lotusgirl

FYI - the Table Mountain website advises that the Aerial Cableway will be closed for annual maintenance from July 27 to August 9.

Kathy0529

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!

gregm

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

SandyFeet

I found the best shopping in Cape Town to be Tribal Trends. The hotel concierge arranged a car for me. The Watershed on the Victoria and Albert Waterfront is where I purchase my painted ostrich egg. I agree with the post about the Joberg airport - the shopping there is excellent.

Kathy0529

Do the stores wrap the fragile pieces for you well enough or do you wish you had bubble wrap with you?

I have some bubble wrap and it doesn’t take up my space so just wondering if you’d suggest bringing some.

Thanks!!

OurTravels34

I also went to Tribal Trends and I took an Uber from the hotel. The owner of tribal trends insisted to wait outside of the store with me after my purchases to make sure I was safe getting back into the Uber.

British

They have bubble wrap. But I always put those in my hand carry

OurTravels34

I purchased a big ostrich egg also and it was packaged in a box. I also carry a duffle inside of my bigger duffle for these kind of purchases. I purchased strings of beautiful beads at Tribal Trends and made my own South African necklaces. I learned on you tube. FYI it’s a nightmare getting the VAT at the airport in Capetown. They literally want to see everything that was purchased.

SandyFeet

Kathy, I did not take bubble wrap. My purchases were securely wrapped by the merchants. OurTravels, that’s a good thing to know about Tribal Trends; Long Street is not like the V&A Waterfront.

Lotusgirl

I did some shopping at the Watershed in Cape Town. On the waterfront, within walking distance from the Hotel. Many local vendors, and they did use bubbles wrap.
For casual lunch or dinner, there is a very good food court area near the Watershed. I do not recall the name.

Kathy0529

gregm - how dirty did you get on these game drives?? I was going to bring up back up sneakers to basically wear on the plane home, but my packing situation is not that great at the moment, please don't judge, and I'd love to leave something home if I really don't need them. I have grey sneakers that I'm going to wear during the tour, and they definitely hide the dirt better than white would so trying to figure things out. I have a pair of jeans for Cape Town and am bringing dress slacks and shoes for the welcome dinner. I also have the safari clothing too, obviously.

Regarding my backup sneakers, I also was thinking I would need them if the sneakers I was wearing got super wet at Victoria Falls????

Also, is the fleece jacket enough for the drives or do I need a puffer jacket on top of that! I did not plan on bringing the puffer jacket but will add it if needed. I do have a light rain jacket packed.

British

I almost always take a backup pair of suitable walking shoes on trips.
We rarely take denim jeans on vacation as they are too heavy.
You just get dusty on safaris rather than dirty.
A puffer jacket is sufficient, weighs far less and can be rolled up in its bag and take up less room in your suitcase. Easier to take on and off than a sweatshirt .We also take a vest puffer which can be worn under or over a puffer jacket in some adventure tours.
In the winter months the safari vehicles have blankets to supplement hat and gloves on the early morning drives.
Kathy. You will love the tour and be fine.

Kathy0529

Thanks British!! I agree about the jeans but read that safari type of clothes are frowned upon in Cape Town. I could probably get away with the black pants I planned on for the welcome dinner and leave the jeans at home.

I had to go with my large luggage piece but am trying to keep it under the 44lbs that Tauck is requesting. The measurements Tauck wants is 62 inches and mine bag is 60.5 inches so all good there.

I have a tan/cream colored fleece jacket that I got for the Safari so was leaving the puffer at home. I planned on taking the fleece on the plane with me to avoid packing it.

I'm going to keep thinking about what I'm bringing. I'm a horrible packer!!! UGH.

OurTravels34

Just wear black pants and a nice top in Capetown for dinners. Switch your tops if you want. I’m telling you that’s all you need. Toss the jeans - completely unnecessary. I seldom see people wear jeans in Africa - too heavy. My clothes are usually easy to wash by hand and drip dry. Yes, your shoes will get dirty. I also did bring an extra pair of flats or sandals for Capetown. Enjoy this fantastic adventure.

British

Kathy, your tour is only nine days. You can’t possibly require more than 44 lbs of clothing, nothing near that. Perhaps you have a heavy empty suitcase, if so find a lightweight one, that’s what we use, very lightweight.

Lotusgirl

Kathy - we have not needed spare gym/walking shoes on our Africa trips. I did bring light flats and flip flops.
When we took this tour (during June), we did get quite wet at the Falls. A hair dryer was great for drying our athletic shoes.
Also, we did fine with a fleece and a decent rain coat, which we layered.