Once in a Lifetime Trip!
South Africa
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May 9 - May 16, 2024
![Sharron](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/7578d582cc407824a8c4c29dcd40e66cff5629b1/original-f92014140755951eda8aaaee6ea2c02e.jpg)
We began our planning with Debra months prior to our trip and she was always helpful with information and flexible for our requests about the area and what was the most important places for us to visit.
Our hotel, Queen Victoria, was gorgeous and right next to the waterfront. The transportation from our ship to our hotel and to our different destinations was impeccable. We did have one problem with a lost credit card and they took care of that. Our guide to the cape and to the wine country, Christine was fabulous! We had a rainy day at the cape and honestly it made it more fun. The vineyards chosen for us to visit were first class. No one should miss Table Top Mountain. What a fantastic view. From there we went to Umkumbe Safari Camp and had a fabulous five days full of game drives where we saw all the big five. Again transportation was right on point. The staff at the camp were fun. The luxury tent accommodations were nice. All in all, you expect a great experience when you go that far and that is what we had!! First class.
Hotel Reviews
Amazing hotel in a perfect location next to the waterfront dining and shopping center. Daily breakfast was more than you could ask for and gorgeous. But what made it was the staff. They were so friendly, helpful and professional. Loved this hotel and would recommend it to anyone.
The staff here are what make it. The game drives with Charne and our trackers were great and we saw all the big five! The food staff, reception staff and the food were also terrific. Abagail and Sharon were particularly wonderful. If it weren’t for the staff I would rate the accommodations at a four, as we had a toilet that ran even after they tried to fix it. Lighting in the tent was poor and we never could regulate the shower temperature. However, the beds were very comfortable, linens first rate and we even got hot water bottles in the bed at night!!
Activity Reviews
![Dinner at GOLD Restaurant](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/5835e9deb3dcf735fd78dc565af1491121346e4c/medium-39c9ad94b7344809102287fa6a8361c3.jpg)
This is obviously for tourists but so amazing we were blown away! The entertainment fabulous and the sixteen different food items were simply delicious! The decor beautiful and the staff terrific!
![Cape Peninsula & Penguins](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/c18ad8a0d685532a793a7e51064a57bc2b010a5d/medium-a9fcff57fe5856511646f3ce2aa00d16.jpg)
It was windy and pouring rain that day but we still had a fabulous time. Christine was great and the scenery perfect. Loved the funicular.
![Full-Day Wine Tour](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/3ae6941bf664909cfa0b06a240114c5d13bda7d9/medium-13f5b446a08171a7fdb831b19a7d6543.jpg)
Napa Valley move over because the vineyards in Africa were fabulous. Our favorite was the Babylonstroen, but we liked the two others for professional knowledge of wine, staff and different wines paired with chocolates as well as the views. A day that should not be missed!
![Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/2e7d8456cd40ac92ccebadcb72a81928b77ac20c/medium-d56ebbdce669bddf61d96dc809a052ff.jpg)
Lovely arrival and we were greeted by a drink and warm staff. We jumped right on the safari jeep and took off for gorgeous and peaceful scenery. Luckily we saw lots of animals and then had our sundowner drinks in a perfect setting.
![A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Private Game Drives](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/3b93367864527c39d26a6a573a89d6829739166e/medium-fd24090f02aa5f1d541bb390dfc495b8.jpg)
Fabulous game drives. We ended up seeing all the big five and the elusive Cheetah and Leopard. The animals were often within ten feet of us. Each day was different but you had the same ranger. Chantae was very interesting and a great ranger. She knew exactly where animals would pop out. The scenery was beautiful. It did rain on one drive but we still saw animals. Ponchos were provided.
![Another Day in the Kruger with 2 private game drives](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/585013f1384b7309ac38a540fec684d415286910/medium-7c8b1e04789c2f9699be4a8b9e79c5b9.jpg)
Another awesome day viewing lots of animals!
![Final morning game drive & next stop](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/7e9004b3b890a98678367fda11719328ae12e7a6/medium-a4b4d853a2eaa60c446e9b4316f8427e.jpg)
We had not yet seen lions and hoped to see them on our last drive and voila - we did.
![Deborah](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/235b1a8cf8fe4ce4d47d4e4ba4de743df0ef1616/thumb-bf94c4b44760cdec9738ce0fd5b7cb92.jpg)
I will send the feedback to all the relevant properties and suppliers as everyone loves to receive the positive feedback. Apologies again for the drama with the transfers to GOLD. We have now kept Gold in our itineraries, but we are... Read more