For once, you don’t have to sit through…”why didn’t we do this…why didn’t we do that…I hated this hotel, etc….” The “Adventuring in South Africa” tour put together by Wilderness Travel was as close to perfection any trip could possibly be.

- The South African game reserves and animals sightings were fantastic. You are almost 100 percent guaranteed to see all of the Big Five in these private reserves;

- Incredible and over the top (to my unsophisticated thinking) luxury hotels. If our hotels weren’t luxurious enough for you, there are camps in South Africa where individual accommodations are the size of small houses with your own swimming pool, etc. if you so choose;

- Food and wine is excellent throughout South Africa; and

- So very glad we added on the Victoria Falls extension and I still recommend visiting despite President Mugabe and you’ll probably have an added bonus – viewing the falls in relative solitude.

- If you like to hike, do take one of the many trails up to the Table Mountain plateau;

- There is no comparison between Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and South African safaris. One is not like the other, each has its own personality, is different and unique, and try to visit all these countries but not in one fell swoop. I, personally, get “animal overload” after a few safari days in a row unless you are a die-hard animal person and never become tired of sitting in a 4 x 4 staring at lions. Our big mistake in Kenya was two weeks of game parks only. Pu-lease…enough animals to last a lifetime;

- Book a tour like this with variety. Learning about Zulu history was fascinating and something we would never have thought of including; and

- South Africa is very casual. Prepare to live in shorts, t-shirts and tevas.

Other than that, enjoy the multitude of South African experiences, towns and people. Don’t forget to book the Robben Island tour on the Internet before arriving in Cape Town to avoid disappointment, and watch out out for snakes falling from trees…

Have a great time.