It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch. I needed a little break after the Holidays, I’m back now.
Part One
I had another incredible trip to Africa. This time it was Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Johannesburg. My first trip, 6 years ago, almost to the date, was Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Botswana.
The most common remark people make after visiting Africa and going on safari, is that it is life changing. I would have to agree and it is the same after a second visit. I’ll let you know after my 3rd visit, this October to Kenya, if that holds up. I suspect it will.
Cape Town has changed a lot and all for the good. It’s so much like San Francisco. They could have been twins separated at birth. Down to both cities having freeways that ended to nowhere. SF’s was torn down after the ’89 earthquake, Cape Town’s is still standing. Both cities are on the water, have fog, are home to amazing chefs, diverse ethnic populations, very liberal and arts oriented and an hour’s drive from breathtaking wine country, with many boutique wineries to visit.
What’s new in Cape Town is the food scene. So many wonderful restaurants, cafes, bakeries and coffee shops. Cape Townees are coffee crazy! And the hotels! There are so many wonderful new boutique hotels. The Silo, which is built on top of the Zeitz Mocca, the new Contemporary Art museum has the most amazing 360 degree views. My best recommendation is to go a day or so early and adjust to the jet lag at the 12 Apostles .It’s a fabulous boutique hotel away from the crowds with breathtaking sunsets, incredible service, a wonderful spa, delicious food and the best place to do nothing and catch up before you take off on your African Adventure.
We left Cape Town for Victoria Falls, locally know as Vic Falls. You may have heard the Falls are dry. Nothing could be farther from the truth. They are exactly the same as I saw them 6 years ago. It’s the dry season. The rains are just beginning, the rivers are low and some parts of the falls that time of year, are not flowing. However, the main fall is as robust as ever. 550 million liters of water drops 305 feet every minute over the cliff at the falls. In the wet season the falls is a mile wide.
Going in the dry season has its advantage You can walk along the viewing paths and not be soaked from the mist. Only at the main fall section which is going strong. That allows you to take beautiful photos. In the wet season your camera would be soaked and you might slip on the slippery wet paths.
We stayed in a safari camp this time. Last time I was at a beautiful old grand dame hotel with giraffes and monkeys on site. This time, the camp was built between the elephants’ path to the river. Since the attitude is the animals were there first, spaces were left, where the natural paths were, so as not to disturb the elephants. And it did not. The elephants would come through the camp, eating whatever tree in site, on their way to the river. On my last morning there, my tent was surrounded by elephants. I couldn’t leave. They had to send a jeep to get me. As we drove off, one rather large lady, turned around spread her ears, raised her trunk and blasted a very loud sound. My heart was beating, the jeep felt the size of a matchbox car. The driver laughed. He said she was only telling us not to come any closer.
Off to Zimbabwe. If you are uncomfortable in small planes, this is the safari itinerary for you. We drove from Vic Fall to the camps in the Hwange National Park.
To be continued.....
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