Here's your copy of our latest book: Safari, So Good!

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Last month 5 intrepid (okay, strike intrepid, insert "fun-loving") travelers from the US went on safari in Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. This bestseller (do 3 copies make a book a bestseller?) is available for your viewing pleasure...Safari, so very, very good!

5 Presidents greet the Kings in Zambia!

  
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From Botswana the Fab 5 flew to Livingstone, Zambia with a quick stop in Kasane, Botswana, to clear immigration. Departing Kasane by air you can see the spray coming from Victoria Falls, whose local name translates to "the smoke that thunders".

Our guide, Fred, explained that the Presidents of Zambia, the Congo, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe were holding a meeting at our hotel, The Royal Livingstone. He added that all were staying at the hotel except Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who was staying at an adjacent hotel (a good thing---I am not a fan of Mugabe at all!)

When we arrived, we found dozens of men in suits with a coiled cord attached to their ears and unusual lumps bulging from their suit jackets, a fleet of Mercedes Benz sedans, hotel staff thick as swarm of bees, and many junior  dignitaries, some with attitude.

I was amazed the hotel wasn't closed to regular guests. But, then again, because we're known as The Traveling Kings, the resort probably thought we were on the official guest list!

Some quick tips:
Skip the Zambezi River cruise-touristy! "Well duh," I heard you mutter! The view of the sun setting was great, the crocodile we saw was huge, sitting in the exclusive Captain's suite (thanks to our friends at Wilderness Safaris) was the only way to travel; however, do you really need a multiple hors d'oeuvres, all you can drink environment to see the sun set? I think our clients enjoyed the event, but nobody said it was something they would rush to do again.
When you tour Victoria Falls, DO take a knowledgeable guide. You will miss so much rich background information if you DIY. Also, prepare to get soaked. The water is warm and we joked we should have brought some shampoo with us. Depending on your hotel, you will be given or rented a rain poncho. While it may keep some parts dry (like your camera-if you tuck it on your side), you will still get wet. Finally, wear shoes that firmly grip the pavement. The walkway is very slippery at times. This was my 3rd visit to Vic Falls and I love it more and more.

The last word:
While we enjoyed knowing the hotel hosted this meeting of political power brokers, we suffered from some lack of service. The staff was friendly but their  priority, as it should have been, was to make the politicos experience seamless. They apologized profusely and we found it completely understandable. So, all things considered, we would stay at The Roval Livingstone again.

Join Great Getaways' Michael and Barbara King on Safari!

 

On Safari in Southern Africa 

 

 Barbara and I have had a love affair going with Africa and we want to share some of our best experiences.  To that end we have worked with one of the great Southern African companies – Wilderness Safari and Londolozi to offer a unique experience in safaris – we are traveling to the game parks in Botswana and South Africa and stopping along the way at one of the wonders of the world – Victoria Falls – the “Smoke that Thunders”  We are planning to leave the last week of March 2011 (dates may change a bit to try and insure we have the lodges we want).  The areas of these lodges are rich with wildlife and in Botswana we will probably not see other tourists at all – the lodges are that remote.  Please check out the websites for the properties we have selected – these can be found at the bottom of the email.  We can also help book air and of course you MUST have trip insurance and we can also handle this for you. 

 

Because we are only taking five couples we expect to have a full group within the next 45 day to 60 days..  Please call us with questions or comments – but please – if you can – do not pass up this unique opportunity.

 

Day one arrive Johannesburg – spend evening at Intercontinental Hotel at the Johannesburg Airport (we are met and greeted to South Africa by a Wilderness rep who will assist us to check in at the hotel)

Day two – Meet in lobby where a Wilderness rep will take us to check - in for our flight to Maun, Botswana; arrive in Maun and transfer to Sefofane for light aircraft transfer from Maun to Duba Plains; afternoon game drive at Duba Plains

Day three – full day at Duba Plains where we have sole use of the camp

Day four – after morning game drive and breakfast – transfer to air strip for light aircraft transfer to Savuti Camp; afternoon game drive at Savuti camp

Day five – full day at Savuti camp where we have sole use of the camp

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Elephants near Savuti Camp

 

Day six – after morning game drive and breakfast, transfer to air  strip for light air craft transfer to Kasane Airport; then again light air craft transfer from Kasane to Livingstone Airport; clear customs – purchase visa, then we’ll be met and transferred to the Royal Livingstone Hotel and in the evening take a cruise aboard the African Queen – sundowner cruise – on the Zambezi river above the falls.

Day seven – meet in the lobby after breakfast for a private tour of the falls; then collect luggage and private transfer to Livingston Airport; Commercial air flight (South African air) from Livingston to Kruger Airport – clear customs and transfer by light aircraft to Londolozi air strip.  (not sure if we will arrive in time for game drive)

Day eight and nine – spend at the Londolozi Varty camp

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A Leopard near Londolozi

Day ten after morning game drive and breakfast – transfer to air strip for flight to Johannesburg (those who are not going to Cape Town)

 End of these services

 

Total price is $10,968 per person plus $1790 internal air fights and air transfers

 

Deposit is 20% of the landed costs and in Africa, since most of the lodges book their rooms 6 to 9 months in advance – with very little chance of rebooking cancelled rooms – the deposit is non refundable.

 

Does NOT include:

  • INSURANCE (Mandatory)
  • STAFF GRATUITIES
  • ANY NEW GOVERNMENT TAXES, LEVIES, FUEL OR INDUSTRY INCREASES BEYOND OUR CONTROL
  • VISA FEES WHERE RELEVANT – VISA FEES MUST BE PAID IN U.S.DOLLARS (ZAMBIA)
  • INTERNATIONAL AIR (U.S. TO SOUTH AFRICA AND RETURN), DEPARTURE TAXES NOT INCLUDED IN TICKET PRICE
  • ZAMBIAN INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE TAX OF $25 PER PERSON AND $8 SOUTH AFRICA DEPARTURE TAXPER PERSON
  • ANY ITEMS OF PERSONAL NATURE.

 

 

Here are the websites for the camps and Royal Livingstone Hotel

 

Duba Plains – www.dubaplains.com

Savuti Camp – www.savuticamp.com

Londolozi – www.londolozi.com

Royal Livingstone - www.royal-livingstone-hotel.com

 

 WE HAVE A THREE NIGHT EXTENSION TO CAPE TOWN, A FOUR NIGHT EXTENSION TO CAPE TOWN AND THE STELLENBOSCH WINE COUNTRY; A TWO NIGHT EXTENTION IN JOHANNESBURG; AN EXTENSION TO THE SEYCELLES OR TO MOZAMBIQUE – PLEASE JUST REQUEST THIS FROM US.

 

Sincerely,

Michael & Barbara 

Michael and Barbara King

Email michael@greatgetaway.com or barbara@greatgetaway.com for details

 

 

 

A to Z of the greatest journeys on Earth - News & Advice, Travel - The Independent

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Stroll through the alphabet of places to see in this entertaining article!
http://bit.ly/AtoZtravel