Southern Africa Tour -- Is it worth $40,000? | FerrariChat

Southern Africa Tour -- Is it worth $40,000?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by RotKopf, Jun 16, 2008.

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  1. RotKopf

    RotKopf Karting

    Jul 27, 2004
    208
    I've been back and forth whether to proceed with a 17 day trip through various parts of Southern Africa, and I'm looking for opinions, advice, and general feedback from anyone who may be able to offer it...

    My girlfriend and I have booked the trip through Orient Express Safaris. It will cost around $40,000 (i.e. $20,000 each, including airfare, OUCH). It includes travel through, I believe, South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana.

    My concerns are as follow:

    1) Is this trip actually worth $40,000?
    2) Is it worth the risk of acquiring malaria, and various other diseases to which we might be exposed?
    3) What vaccinations should I get?
    4) Are these areas safe to travel from a geopolitical perspective?
    5) I do like animals, but not nearly as much as my gf, as she is fascinated with them. Am I going to be bored?

    Here's the itinerary:

    02.09.2008 -- Arrive in Johannesburg on SA235 at 07h10, Meet & Assist on arrival, Private transfer to The Westcliff Hotel, One night in a luxury room at The Westcliff Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis

    03.09.2008 -- Private transfer to OR Tambo International Airport, Regional scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Maun, Light aircraft transfer from Maun to Camp

    03 – 06.09.2008 -- Three nights at Eagle Island Camp inclusive of a spectacular helicopter game viewing experience

    06 – 09.09.2008 -- Three nights at Savute Elephant Camp including a private dinner on your deck on one evening

    09 – 12.09.2008 -- Three nights at Khwai River Lodge including a Soul of the Earth Massage

    12.09.2008 -- Light aircraft transfer from Khwai River Lodge via Kasane (customs) to Livingstone, Private transfer to The Royal Livingstone Hotel, One night at The Royal Livingstone on a bed & breakfast basis including a tour of the Falls & sunset cruise

    13.09.2008 -- Private transfer to Livingstone Airport, Regional flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg, Domestic flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Private transfer to The Mount Nelson Hotel, Four nights at The Mount Nelson Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis

    14.09.2008 -- Half day City & Table Mountain Tour

    15.09.2008 -- Full day Winelands Tour

    17.09.2008 -- Private transfer to Cape Town International Airport

    Any feedback, including opinions and your own travel stories, whether positive, negative, or in between, would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
  2. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    Oct 31, 2003
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    DrS
    I had a full 11 month Africa tour and they paid me appx $90k!


    :p


    BTW I say no, it is not worth $40k. Pay down your house or car first!
     
  3. Dcup

    Dcup F1 Veteran

    Jan 3, 2005
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    Claude Balls
    oh christ, robbies dream vacation.
     
  4. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Probably depends on your financial situation. If $40K barely makes a dent then this would be worth it. It doesn't sound like you're all that psyched about it but you're now committed to a degree. And, is it worth it if you add up the costs? The answer to that is no. They're catering to wealthy retirees that have had this as some lifelong dream and who will pay $20K per person. I doubt safety is any concern.(BTW, part of that $40K probably goes to greasing some Government official/s) Enjoy it if you go.
     
  5. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
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    Dirty Harry
    You can do it for less than half that price;

    Go by yourself

    Change booking to stay at The Westcliff Hotel throughout stay

    Surround yourself with Halle Berry lookalikes

    Download pictures others have taken of South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Eagle Island Camp, Savute Elephant Camp, Khwai River Lodge...

    Have time of your life

    Return

    Lie to Girlfriend, as you share with her your downloaded photos, while mentioning various fictional problems associated with trip

    Share photos with us of aforementioned Halle Berry lookalikes in various stages of undress [Important; you do not have to be in any of photos]
     
  6. ItaliaF1

    ItaliaF1 F1 Veteran

    Aug 28, 2005
    5,083
    Nashville,TN
    Full Name:
    John Burrow
    I would say no. If I had $40k to spend on a vacation, it would go a little something like this...

    -First class tickets to Nice
    -Helicopter into Monte Carlo
    -Suite in the Hotel de Paris
    -F1 Paddock Club GP tickets
    -Rent a Ferrari
    -Drive to, and all around, Italy
    -Visit Maranello
    -First class tickets home

    That's just me.

    Either way, have fun.

    John
     
  7. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Apr 21, 2003
    15,111
    Gulf Coast
    Haven't been down that far south in Africa, spent most of the time in Kenya. Malaria can be avoided by taking a course of doxycycline while there and for a couple weeks afterwords topped off with primaquine at the end. I'm pretty stocked up on vaccinations so I didn't worry too much about the rest.

    It sounds like a pretty well orchestrated tour so you probably aren't in much (if any) danger as long as you don't do anything really dumb/illegal. I had a great time walking through the markets and back alleys of Nairobi. Had a driver provided by the US Embassy which was nice to get around though a couple weeks after I left he was gunned down along with his passengers in a robbery a few weeks after I left.

    I absolutely loved Africa :)
     
  8. BigDog

    BigDog Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,316
    under the sea!
    no great white sharks breaching?!

    no... spend less, enjoy a better trip in the same place :)
     
  9. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    Jul 2, 2003
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    Sparky
    If you have to ask "is it worth it", it probably isn't to you! Don't go........
     
  10. gblogger

    gblogger Formula 3

    May 2, 2004
    1,612
    N.E. Florida
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    Gee Blogger
    1) Is this trip actually worth $40,000?

    Yes.

    2) Is it worth the risk of acquiring malaria, and various other diseases to which we might be exposed?

    Just because you may get exposure, does not mean acquiring it.

    3) What vaccinations should I get?

    Malaria, and whatever the State Dept recommends.

    4) Are these areas safe to travel from a geopolitical perspective?

    Safer.

    5) I do like animals, but not nearly as much as my gf, as she is fascinated with them. Am I going to be bored?

    If she's happy, you'll be happy. :)

    Be lucky you are not actually doing a hunting safari. ;)
     
  11. jk0001

    jk0001 F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2005
    6,706
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    Jim
    Your going to spend 40K to go to South Africa? I had a vet that came from there and he was fantastic, he finally closed his business and moved back. For 40K I'll go to Monza for the F1 race and then a 70" Flat screen for the man cave. Best to start out a marrage on the right foot.
     
  12. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    Someone please explain to me how this trip is worth $40K?
     
  13. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sep 11, 2004
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    Robbie
    If you are even considering it, then you have the funds to do what you wish--Go for it!! My upcoming vacation costs me $2K and that was plenty....
     
  14. JasonMiller

    JasonMiller F1 Rookie
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    Jul 16, 2004
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    Co Springs/ Texas
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    Jason Miller
    Please dont spend that much, I used to live in Jo-burg and after my return consulted Americans and even guided a few people over there for safaris. Remember the Rand is 7 to 1 so you are paying close to 280k Rand.. If I had a buck for everyone in SA that commented on ripping Americans off by charging them so much I would be rich. Keep in mind they are simply offering a product for a price and if American pay for it so be it. I cant blame them for making as much as they can but 40k is steep.

    I have a ton of brochures I brought back printed with Rand for the locals and Dollars for the tourists. For example a room somewhere was 150Rand for a night and $150.00 for a night, 150R is $21.00.


    With that said, please do visit South Africa, Ive been 11 times and find it the most beautiful country in the world. Travel to Zambia, Zimbabwe (be careful) Botswana etc can all be done by hiring a private driver. We drove ourself across Africa east to west multiple times on the cheap. If you want email me I would gladly help if needed.
    [email protected]
     
  15. AustinMartin

    AustinMartin F1 Veteran

    Mar 1, 2008
    5,445
    Los Angeles/Idaho
    or... you could go to all the F1 races in a single f1 season!
     
  16. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,437
    FL
    No, not $40k. I went to South Africa for 3 weeks back in July 2000. That time is their "winter," but it really isn't that cold even though SA is close to the South Pole. There are fewer mosquitos that time of year so the chance of getting malaria is less (we still had to take pills for that stuff on our trip). We went to Kruger National Park for both the day and night safaris as well as other parks. I'd recommend everyone to visit that place once in their life. The jetlag sucks though, hahah.
     
  17. mvtm

    mvtm Karting

    Apr 19, 2008
    159
    Venezuela
    Full Name:
    Maria
    My brother has been to South Africa several times and he loves it.He says its really beautiful.But i dont think its worth 40k.I may say so because 3 years ago or so i visited 12 European & Asian countries in 3 months.Airfare was Business,Hotels were 4-5 stars,it included a private executive bus,all meals and it included almost everything.The trip was amazing,all was organized.
    It cost 10k at most.The best part it was a gift.And i enjoyed it a lot!
     
  18. RotKopf

    RotKopf Karting

    Jul 27, 2004
    208
    Thanks for the feedback everyone! The actual breakdown in cost is roughly $15,000 each for the tour, which is an all-inclusive cost for everything -- food, lodging, local transport, etc. The round trip airfare is $5,000 each.

    My girlfriend did look at several other tour companies that had a lower cost. But based on some of the perceived risks of traveling into some of these areas, she made the decision to go with the most reputable firm, as her research proved out. Also, she had a few friends who went with Orient Express, and they said that everything was top-notch.

    Based on how much this trip means to her, I'll probably proceed. At this point I'd lose about $4,000 in pre-pay deposits if I were to pull out. But I don't like to do anything half-hearted, so I was looking for some excitement and inspiration from those of you who may have done similar trips, and had some positive things to share.

    I have to admit, I'm still not 100% on this trip, but I'll probably do it. As it is, some of my best trips have been those that I did without extremely high expectations. High expectations have a funny way of disappointing!
     
  19. RotKopf

    RotKopf Karting

    Jul 27, 2004
    208
    Been there, done that. :)

    Everything except the helicopter ride and Paddock Club. Also, Lago di Como and Villa d'Este are must-adds for the trip you reference!
     
  20. LordRage

    LordRage Karting

    May 31, 2006
    100
    Durban, South Africa
    The Rand is 8 to 1, that sounds very expensive. Personally I do not think it is worth it. You are spending something like R21000 a day on a 15 day tour. Unless you are being chartered around in private planes, going to the BEST hotels etc etc I would say you are not getting a good deal (I could be wrong, but it just sounds ridiculously expensive).

    Anyway if you do come, I hope you have a great time.
     
  21. RotKopf

    RotKopf Karting

    Jul 27, 2004
    208
    Did the trip... It was awesome! The safari was incredible, as we saw just about every kind of animal you could imagine. It was worth every penny!
     
  22. teak360

    teak360 F1 World Champ

    Nov 3, 2003
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    Scott
    Penguins?
     
  23. troy144

    troy144 Formula Junior

    Sep 27, 2008
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    Las Vegas
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    Troy Harris
    I think its worth it.
     
  24. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    How were the Pandas?


    :p
     
  25. RotKopf

    RotKopf Karting

    Jul 27, 2004
    208
    We did see the penguins at the Cape of Good Hope. I've posted some videos on YouTube of the MANY animals we saw in Botswana. If you do a search on "JayStaceSafari," you can check them out. Saw a baby elephant that was born with no trunk, saw a snake eagle with a fresh python kills, saw a lion get chased away by an elephant, saw a leopard eating some type of prey at night, spent an afternoon with 4 lions while they stalked and hunted a herd of a few hundred water buffalo. Good stuff!
     

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