Southafrica

Our big discovery trip was in October 2004 - a magical trip to South Africa and Zambia. - an very
memorable but exhausting adventure. We selected the highlights and Ina Roehr of Roehr
Travel in Marion, Mass made it all possible - with flawless results.

After a flight to London and then south to Johannesburg we stayed at the Grace Hotel in
Rosebank, a lovely traditional hotel in the western suburb Jo'burg. If you must pass through
Jo'burg ( and all flights seem to ) we would highly recommend this hotel - handsome big rooms
with a great staff and many amenities.

The next day our responsible transfer driver put us on a flight eastward to Singita Safari Resort,
Sabi Sand Reserve, in the southeastern part of the Kruger National Park. We choose to stay
within resort at The Ebony - a very luxuriously designed resort village. The main building and
its nine dependant chalets reminds one of the British/African Colonial period - animal skins,
Georgian furniture, native shields, and large mounted game heads.

After a very warm and informative greeting we were shown our large individual chalet (#4) we
dropped and explored the chalet's rambling space - a hall, sitting room, large bedroom with
huge king size bed with netting. a large claw and ball foot tub, separate glassed shower, large
toilet room with sinks, a dressing room, and a gloriously huge deck with dipping pool, outside
shower, and views of the Sand River below and the bush veld beyond. The air-conditioned
chalet can been viewed on the Singita, Ebony site.

Our game drive guide was Reckson Mastaba and under his very professional hands we saw
Lions, a Cheetah, Leopards, Giraffes, Zebras, Elephants, Rhinos, Cape Buffaloes, Wart Hogs,
monkeys, etc. We not only went on the early morning drive but also the evening sunset. We can
still vividly recall the muted colors and smells of the bush. Reckson carefully brought us with
several feet of the wild animals. We felt safe but must admit that our hearts were pounding -
many memorable moments under the African sky.

The next move was the north through Zimbabwe to Zambia and finally Victoria Falls. Our stay at
The River Club, which is beautifully sited above the Great Zambezi River, was a most pleasant
surprise. It looks very much like a British Colonial African plantation house with several
outbuildings. Again, another gracious welcoming. It was the dry season the Victoria Falls had
less than half the usual water cascading down its steep cliffs. The temperature was very hot (in
the high nineties) and the whole experience exhausting. However, the nights at The River Club
were comfortable after eight o'clock. Good food and lively conversation made the evenings a
rather enjoyable time.

Then next stop was south to Jo'burg and then to Pretoria where we checked into the Illyria
House - a real find. Our suite consisted of five rooms all decorated in shades of white - it was
like slumbering on a huge white swan. The next day we left early for the famous Blue Train and
onto Cape Town. The 28 hour trip rolled across the central plains of South Africa with vistas of
flat fields and distant mountains. Our accommodations were quite comfortable with a small sofa
table and arm chair, The bath had a tub with shower and all was immaculately prepared with an
attending butler. The food and service was first class with very professional attention. We
would highly recommend the Blue Train.

Upon arrival at Cape Town were swiftly transferred to the Cape Grace Hotel in the Victoria and
Alfred waterfront area. We were ensconced in a large handsome room with French windows
overlooking the harbor and Table Mountain. Our very competent guide Pamela McColie
(Capetownian resident) chauffeured us around to Constantia and then south down the
Peninsula - all the way to its end. The beautiful weather enhanced our day with spectacular
vistas, rare flora and faunas, hairpin curves on this corniche like mountainous route. One could
easily entertain the thought that Cape Town could be a part of ones yearly ventures but
remember it is so far away.!

The next day we were taken one hour north to the small village of Paarl. This charming hamlet is
the site of the luxurious resort La Grand Roche, This 70 room resort was original an 18th
Century farm and was completely done over and enhanced about 12 years ago. Our
accommodations were in a white washed stucco, thatched covered cottage with a large sitting
room, full-featured bath, a king size bedroom and a rose covered pergola terrace with views of
the working vineyard and mountains beyond. We spent several days exploring the wine-lands
and just soaking up the fertile valleys and mountainous scenery.

At the nearby village of Franchoek, we lunched at La Petite Ferme (famous for their smoked
Trout) and dined at La Quarrier Francais. This is definitely a foodie area. There are so many
tales to tell but we will leave that for possibly another time. We can reassure you that someday
we will return to this very special place.

We have been to Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and possibly our next African jaunt will be to
Kenya. Well, at least let us dream for now.