Hi All,
We are in the lucky position to have won a trip to Zambia this May/June. We fly into Johannesburg and then travel to Zambia the next day. We stay at the Royal Livingstone and do various outings there (Zambezi River canoe safari and Chobe National Park in Botswana safaris). We have some time on our own also. I am unfamiliar with anything Africa and have to make some decisions in about one week so I thought I would try here.

We have the option of several "add-ons" to this trip.
We can arrive 1 day early for an extra day in Johannesburg, We can add on 3 days in Cape Town with tours of Cape Town and Table Mountain or we can add on 2 extra days going to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge with 4 game drives.

I am sure the answer is to do everything and see as much as we can, but all things put into the pile- money, time off and child care - we have to make some hard choices!

Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Ellen

How long is the trip before the add on options?

When we went we did not go to Cape Town either, time and money. But it suppose to be really good.

Once you start into the camps/safaris you will be busy. You talk about time on your own, do you mean while in the camp?

Congratulations!
I suggest you narrow down the optional choices to either Sabi Sabi (tres elegant and one of the premier safari places in South Africa) and Cape town/Table Mountain which are impressive as well. I guess for me would be the answer to: do you want to see more of the animals, or do you want to take in more of the city sights, museums, etc.? Look up some of the sights in CapeTown and see what interests you.

Thanks for helping. The trip is only 1 week before the add-ons. Pretty much a whirlwind trip. I have looked at both places/hotels and they offer very different experiences. Cape Town looks very cool, but again will we get enough animal stuff around the Falls? The time we have on our own is 1/2 day here or there, but mainly in Johannesberg or at the Falls. Decisions, decisions!
Ellen

If I were going to spend an extra 1/2 day it would probably be at the falls. A big city is a big city to some extent. With a week, then seeing the animals and falls would be higher on the hit list to us.

Eric,
I tend to agree with you about the city thing, but the pictures of the cape look really cool! We won a trip from this company a few years ago to Australia and really enjoyed Sydney. We didn't think we would like it as much as we did. Oh well I guess I just have to make sure that I don't go all the way to Africa and not see any animals (4 legged kind!)
Ellen

Another thing to consider with Cape Town is the time of year etc. They have a rainy season and also it can get cold. So you might want to check on that also because if it normally pours all day long then it would really limit your site seeing.

The animals are amazing and you will not get enough. Take every tour that is offered by the camps, you will be running, but it is worth it.

I know we took over 3,000 pictures. We have around 1,000 on the homepage and our trip report, but it is very long. We spent our entire time in Botswania with the exception of the first day or two at Victoria Falls.

I'll look into the weather thing - good point! Did you do anything at the Falls that you would put on a must-do list?
I believe after the Fall/bridge/river gorge activities we can pick from elephant safari, white water rafting, bungee jumpimg (no thanks!), flying fox and gorge swing. Not sure what all of them are - some sound "interesting".
Ellen

Actually we did the walk around the falls and everything. It was maybe a 3 hour trip, maybe a little more, and could have spent more time. That 3 hours was at the falls also, not transportation, etc. but just at the falls.

We saw the elephant safari and the others that you mentioned and did not do it. Sounded sort of fun (some of them) -- but we also used the day or so at the falls to adjust to the time change. It is more than you think it will be. By the time we left the falls we were ready to rock and roll. So keep that in mind.

We also did some water excursions around the falls. Boats for the view of the hippos, birds, crocks, etc. I am sure they probably have that available also, but probably not high on your hit list. With 5 days you are pressing really hard to see what you need/want to see and the distances involved with each change in location.

Did you read our trip report or look at any of the pictures?

I browsed it before I knew the particulars of this trip. I will read it more thoroughly now. Thanks for all your help.

EllenS, Congrats on your trip! My wife and I have been to South Africa about two years ago. You should no doubt take in Cape Town. There's so much there to see/do. Many tours in and around Cape Town. Do a google search on Cape Town and you will see what I mean. Also, if you can take a drive down the coast. Simons Town, there's penguins there. You must go down and walk to "Cape of Good Hope" The beaches are priceless in southern South Africa. We went in December and the weather was wonderful. Remember this, South Africa is as far south of the Equator as the Carolinas are north of the Equator, but with opposite seasons. There's so much to tell you. Did you know that South Africa has two snow ski areas, they ski in July and August.

Enjoy your trip.

Greg, A proud owner of an Island Spirit 401 Cat.