Looks like we will do Cape Town for New Years 2003/2004. FF tickets become available 1/29 (for our 12/25 departure), so we need to come up with our planned stops, sidetrips, etc. by then so we can reserve the air. (We'll be doing AA to LHR then BA from there.)

We know we want to do Capetown. We'd also like to do a safari. And maybe get up to Victoria Falls.

So our question is: how many days would you plan for Capetown? What other places should we consider going to? And how long in each of these other stops?

Any advice, opinions, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Eric and Al

I was just in South Africa last year for 2 weeks. Spent about a week in Capetown, 3 days in Jo'burg, and a long weekend on Safari on Krueger. Capetown is hands down, the most beautiful city (in terms of landscape and geography) I have been too. Still, it's like a lot of other vacation spots and if you are at all interested in getting a real sense of what South Africa is like for those living there, Capetown will not easily give you that experience. The ride in from the airport, though, is an eye-opening experience.

As for myself, I was there studying/doing research so my experience with "touristy" things to do is a bit limited. Still, here are some ideas. .

In Capetown itself, be sure not to miss going up Table Mountain. You can be lazy (like myself) and take the cable car up or you can do a nice day hike up. The views down into the "city bowl" are stunning especially at sunset. A more adventurous way back down, is to abseil off the side!

Also be sure to take the tour of Robben Island. Tour guides are all former prisoners on the island. Boats leave out of Victoria Wharf.

Not sure how long you have, but around Capetown, there are lots of wonderful things to see and do. Renting a car might be a nice way to take any of the following in, though you can always arrange pre-packaged tours.

Among the things to see are Cape Point/Cape of Good Hope (which, contrary to popular belief, is not quite where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet but is still beautiful nonetheless). I can't remember the names of the places off-hand, but on the trip down to Cape Point, there are two places people stop off at to see penguins and seals.

Another place, recommended by a friend, is Hermanus. You can go whale-watching and diving with great white sharks.

If you are interested in touring wineries, there are some excellent choices in Paarl and Stellenbosch.

You also mentioned Safari . . . the big park in South Africa is Krueger. I had a wonderful time. In just 2 days, we were able to see 4/5 of the big five game. Aside from doing typical night/early morning drives through the park, you can take bush walks with experienced guides. My one complaint about Krueger, though, is that it is a bit too overdeveloped and sometimes feels just like a really large zoo.

Have a great trip!

Sorry, just wanted to add one other thing: travelling in South Africa is quite economical. When i was there, the exchange rate was about 10 rand to the dollar. A three course meal at a nice restaurant (wine included) would run $10/person! Shopping, needless to say, is also inexpensive.

Thanks for the great reply. Doing some research last night, I found that Toto Tours did a nice trip several weeks ago to South Africa - the exact time frame we are looking home (like leaving the day after Christmas or even very late on 12/25). Doesn't look like they are offering that tour again in 2003 :-( We very much enjoy small group tours (did VentureOut and loved it, but AtlantisEvents-type things are too big). Anyone have ideas on gay group travel in Africa?

I am also plannning a trip to Cape Town in October. Only planning to go to Cape Town. Should I go for 6 or 9 days?????


Brent

How is the "personal safety" issue in South Africa? I always read stories about high crime rates there, but I never know what to make of them. Is it really that bad, or is it a simple matter of using common sense, just like traveling anywhere in the world?

Was in Capetown a year ago and the city itself felt generally safe (with the usual common sense precautions in any city). The townships would be another matter.

Not been to Jo'Burg personally, but, from second hand accounts, I would expect it to feel more threatening from this perspective.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Morrissey:
How is the "personal safety" issue in South Africa? I always read stories about high crime rates there, but I never know what to make of them. Is it really that bad, or is it a simple matter of using common sense, just like traveling anywhere in the world?</font>


This is such a hard question to answer. On the one hand, crime is a real problem in South African. On the other hand, I think a lot of stories get blown out of proportion and we often let our fears get the best of us.

One little interesting anecdote - I attended a Brai (barbeque) in a township in Paarl. Afterwards, we went on a drive through of the surrounding townships. One was named Chicago. So named, according to our host, because of Chicago's reputation for high-crime.

That being said, I woudn't necessarily worry about traveling there. Still, just be on the alert and remain more aware of your surroundings in South Africa then you might be elsewhere.

Speaking from my own experience, I had no problems- both in Capetown and Jo'burg. Bu there are definitely areas (particularly in Jo'burg) which are no-gos. Lonely Planet/Rough Guide discusses this. You also would not want to go into the townships alone or without someone who lives there and knows where they are going. There are tours of some of the townships - I assume those are ok.

StudentExplorer, thanks for a very helpful and informative post!

As a South African now living in the UK, I would suggest that as long as you don't spend too much time in Jo'burg you'll probably be OK.

Jo'burg is the spot that really has high crime rates.

My hometown - Durban, seemed incredibly safe to me on my most recent visit back.

Eric & Al, you're so lucky! My partner and I spent 2+ weeks in South Africa last November and absolutely adored it. We're still poring over the photos & showing them to friends, talking about it longingly, and counting up our frequent flyer miles hoping to go back. (The prices recently dropped, incidentally, on both Star & SkyTeam, to 120k for business class and 160k for first.) We flew in SWISS First via Zurich -- our trip report appears here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003358.html), mostly detailing the flight segments.

As to what you should see & do, I think it depends on what you hope to get out of your vacation. What I think is so great about South Africa is that it has all the regular tourist stuff -- big city arts & culture, restaurants, etc., gorgeous scenery, wildlife viewing in the game parks, the garden route through Napa Valley-like wine country, warm Indian Ocean beaches, etc. But in addition to all that is the recent political, social, and racial history of the country, which is also fascinating. Some people find that stuff depressing or boring, but I think visiting South Africa and not learning about it is a real shame, especially for us Americans with our similar racial and cultural history.

Cape Town: Table Mountain As someone else said, you can take the cable car (http://www.tablemountain.net) up & down or hike -- either way, plan to spend a couple hours or more wandering around the top. (Bring a warm jacket -- it can get very cold and windy up there.) There are trails that go off in all directions and spectacular vistas, not only of Cape Town but of the other mountains, the ocean, etc.
..........You'll want to have a rental car in Cape Town, so you can explore the region (including the winelands, the peninsula, Hermanus, etc.), but you don't need one in Johannesburg, Soweto, or Pretoria. There, you should take a guided tour. And no rental car is required in the bush -- Hertz doesn't rent open-top Range Rovers anyway. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif
..........We stayed right downtown at the new City Lodge V&A Waterfront (http://www.citylodge.co.za/cl10.htm), walkable to the Waterfront and very close to downtown and the gay neighborhood. The hotel was also close to the freeway & the airport, with lots of free parking, low price, etc. Cape Town: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront This is the touristy center of town (http://www.waterfront.co.za)... there's a big mall there, just like you'd find in a U.S. suburb, with a dozen chain resturants whose patios overlook the harbor. It's also a working harbor, though, with ships from all over the world dropping off cargo (including enormous just-caught fish) and stopping for repairs. The ferry to Robben Island departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway (http://www.robben-island.org.za/gateway), a gorgeous new building in the heart of the V&A Waterfront. Cape Town: Robben Island Robben Island (http://www.robben-island.org.za) is famous for the prison where Nelson Mandela was detained for 27 years, and a tour of the maximum security prison where he and other political prisoners were held is the highlight of any visit. (There's also a medium-security prison on the island, which was for murders, rapists, and thieves.) But the island is also home to an enormous colony of penguins, a battery of World War II artillery, and the first European settlement at the bottom of Africa. The tour is good, although there's not enough time to talk to the former political prisoners -- contemporaries of Mandela -- who lead the tours of the maximum security cell blocks.
..........Don't miss all the artifacts, stories, and photographs in the Nelson Mandela Gateway building. Most people stand in line for the ferry outside, never going into the waiting room, but the exhibits inside are almost more informative than the tour itself. Spend some time going through the computer exhibits, and pull open all the drawers in the cabinets in the center of the room. Each drawer contains a fascinating artifact of life in the maximum security prison -- an improvised eye shield so the prisoners wouldn't go blind while mining white limestone, a report card from the 'university' set up by more senior political prisoners to teach the youngsters, letters from the prisoners to the warden and guards, etc. Cape Town: District 6 Museum For me, the District 6 Museum (http://www.districtsix.co.za/welcome.htm) was the most moving and powerful tribute we saw to the horror of apartheid. District 6 was a region of the city of Cape Town, like an arrondisement in Paris or Greenwich Village in New York. District 6 was a vibrant neighborhood, home to scores of small businesses, half a dozen churches, a small college, and thousands of working-class people of various races. In the late 1960s, however, the government declared that it was too close to downtown and should be reserved for white South Africans only.
..........Eviction notices were issued to everyone in District 6, and as families vacated their homes, the buildings were bulldozed. Everything was destroyed -- even the grid of streets. The only buildings spared were the churches, because the apartheid government didn't want to cause trouble with the international headquarters of the churches abroad. Today, the churches remain the only buildings standing. The rest of the district is grassy fields -- nothing has ever been built on most of the land -- and it is today a silent memorial.
..........The museum contains an enormous map of the district, including each building and alleyway. Former residents have come to the museum to sign their names where there homes were, and to record their stories. The neighborhood has been preserved in this way, with various exhibits chronicling the life and times of District Six and its residents. Tours are led by former residents who share their own experiences. Cape Town: Peninsula & Cape Point Almost more beautiful than Cape Town itself is the drive down to Cape Point (http://www.capepoint.co.za). The waterfront is at the very top of the peninsula and Cape Point is at the very bottom, so you can start out going either clockwise or counterclockwise. We went west and then south, along the Atlantic coast. We stopped at Sandy Bay (http://www.capetown.tv/hot_spots.htm), the purported gay beach, but saw only a few obvious homosexuals and not a grain of sand. Instead, the waves crash against enormous house-sized boulders. Maybe it gets busier later on?
..........The scenery is spectacular -- a lot like the California coast along the Pacific Coast Highway. The road ends at Chapman's Peak just past Hout Bay, however... a landslide several years ago closed it down, although it's rumored to be reopening soon as a toll road. We then cut across and countined down the east side of the peninsula. The Cape of Good Hope itself is gorgeous -- you feel like you're looking off the end of the earth. Don't miss the baboons, but try not to let them grab your food or climb into your car. And if you have time, take a drive around the remainder of the nature preserve. We saw various species of antelope, a family of ostriches, and other wild animals just by turning off the main road. We also came upon a spectacular sandy beach! Leave yourself plenty of time to explore.
..........On the way back up the coast, we stopped at Kalk Bay (http://www.go2africa.com/south-africa/cape-peninsula/kalk-bay/) and had a drink at the Brass Bell, a local institution right on the water. They don't serve froofy drinks, but they do have a great view out across the bay. We also went across the street to have dinner and see a play -- a joint venture of a small restaurant and a community theatre. (It's not really "dinner theatre" since you eat first at dining tables, then go into a small blackbox theatre to see the show.) The play was interesting and timely (a story about a post-apartheid white truck driver getting to know his black mechanic) and the meal was the best we had on our entire trip -- a trip marked by spectacular meals. Dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine, coffee, dessert, and tip, plus 2 tickets to the play, came to US$40. Unbelievable.
..........We also went to two gay clubs in Cape Town (http://www.outuk.com/outgoing/africa/southafrica/index2.html), both of which were around the corner from our hotel. One, called "Bronx," was a typical neighborhood bar, like Roscoe's in Chicago or Splash in New York. It had old wood paneling, a small dance area, throbbing music, and one-of-everything-as-long-as-you're-white clientele. There were gay waif boys, muscle queens, high-cheekbone beautiful boys, the occasional lesbian, and one preppy guy with glasses wearing a fleece jacket and drinking red wine. (I bet if I lived in Cape Town, he and I would be friends.) Nobody talked to us, the bartenders were obnoxious, and it was very smoky & loud.
..........We then went across the street to "55" to watch the worst drag I've seen in years. Maybe the earlier acts were better, but we saw two girls... one who didn't sing but tried to lip-sync to a U.S. comedienne's spoken performance, and one who 'performed' the wailing/shrieking Star Wars character with the silver mylar suit and the thick tentacles. The club itself, however, was gorgeous, with several levels, an outdoor upstairs patio, and racially mixed patrons. Once the drag show was over, the DJ played great music, although there was hardly anyone there and the lights were way too bright. Game Reserve: Sabi Sands OK, enough about Cape Town! The other thing every visitor to South Africa must do is take a safari or go to a game lodge in search of wild animals. You'll hear about the Big 5: elephant, rhino, water buffalo, lion, and leopard -- they're a lot easier to remember once you've seen them all in person. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif
..........There are many nature preserves in South Africa, but Sabi Sands is the nicest. It's private land that's connected directly to the huge Kruger National Park with no fences or boundaries. Within Sabi, there are several game lodges, with prices ranging as high as US$500 per person per night! The expensive places have gold-plated bathroom fixtures, Italian silk sheets, and 1,000-bottle wine cellars, but most people go to to Sabi to see animals... and all the lodges share the same animals. So we stayed at the cheapest place we could find, and it was fantastic! It was still extremely luxurious, and its small size (maximum of 10 guests) ensured attentive, personalized service.
..........We stayed at the Chitwa Chitwa Safari Lodge (http://www.chitwa.co.za/Safari_Lodge/m_safari.htm) for 3 nights, which we think should be a minimum. Most people stay less time, but they can never really relax and they often don't see all the animals, since game drives can be so unpredictable. All the lodges operate on the same schedule: dawn and dusk 3-hour game drives in search of wild animals, a 1-hour nature walk, 3 meals a day, and total pampered relaxation in between eating and driving. My favorite part: at sunset, your ranger and tracker stop the Range Rover in a safe, open part of the veldt. You get out and stretch your legs while they unfold a small mahogany table. After a table cloth is put on, they serve you a cocktail! On our first afternoon in Sabi Sands, we found ourselves standing in the African bush, just uphill from a pride of 7 lions, watching them and the spectacular sunset, drinking a gin and tonic, and thinking "this is the life!"
..........I'm getting all misty-eyed just typing this. It's such a spectacular experience... honestly, spend as many days in Sabi as you can. Our dream is to find 8 friends and rent out the entire lodge for a week. Johannesburg, Soweto, & Pretoria There's so much to see in & around Jo'burg, but many tourists never even leave the airport. For me, however, to truly understand life in South Africa today, we had to learn about the history of the white people too. Like everything else in South Africa, the more we looked, the more complicated we realized everything was. Not even white people are monolithic in South Africa -- the English and the Afrikaaners still don't get along!
..........The greatest insight into the Afrikaaner mindset can be seen at the Voortrekker Monument (http://www.voortrekkermon.org.za/Structure/S01.00_frameeng.htm), a shrine to the first Afrikaaner families to leave Cape Town (and the British) behind and build a new life for themselves inland. Like U.S. pioneers setting out across the great plains, these people left the safety of their cities on the coast in search of freedom as they understood it. Afrikaaners have always feared being "overwhelmed" by the native Africans -- feared their culture & civilization would vanish. This monument helps you understand that, even in its design: it's squat, beige, and fortress-like.
..........After visiting the Voortrekker monument, you should also jump to the very-recent past by visiting the moving and marvelously curated Hector Petersen Museum (http://www.safrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/history/hector.htm) in Soweto (which you should also tour -- it's not just a big slum) and the comprehensive Apartheid Museum (http://www.safrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/history/apartmuseum.htm) in Johannesburg, which was designed by the same team as the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.


Hope that's helpful. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to Email the address in my profile. I came home from the trip astonished that no U.S. airline flies to South Africa and horrified that so few Americans have been. We can learn so much there, and have a great time too. Can't wait to read your trip report!

Fondly,
David

[edited to fix broken links]

[This message has been edited by IndyDavid (edited 01-27-2003).]

IndyDavid: Thanks for a great write up on South Africa! I'm hoping to go this year and I really appreciated the time you took to share your experiences with us.

My sister, a frequent world traveler (much more than me) and I were just talking about Sout Africa last night. (As we ate in a South African restaurant. Joubert's in San Francisco!) Now, my sister has spent a year in malaysia(teaching) and months at a time in other parts of Asia and Europe. I've been thinking(wishing?) about a trip to South Africa but she said it is too dangerous and dirty. (Lots of angry people).

I'm glad to hear all the good words. My cousin (female, same age as me) is a sort of "clean slate". (Isn't there a psychological term for that?). She has NEVER traveled without her kids, husband, a bf or family except when she visits me. And that has only been for the past 3 years! We put her at the Ritz-Carlton in SF for a few days so she can have her only alone time. She and I are the ones talking about South Africa. Looks better and better!

Have fun Eric and Al! You guys are so lucky!

------------------
"Waiter? May I have another latté, please?"

I kept hoping that some good GLBT travel tip info would come out of this thread, but IndyDavid's fantastic post has pushed it over the top to where we have to share this in the Africa forum.

You're more than welcome to start another post specifically focused on gay group travel or particular sights for GLBT travellers.

The only serious challenge you will face during your trip will be finding affordable accomodation upon arrival. The South African summer holidays this coming year will last until 11 January 2004 and rates shoot up in all holiday destinations. Probably the only cheap place to stay will be Jo'burg (not advised!).

Whatever you do, lock in your accomodation for your first 2 weeks well in advance.

I was in Capetown several years ago and agree with a former comment on it being the most beautiful city I've even seen(and have seen a LOT) but I also highly recommend going to Stellenbosch and the surrounding winelands. There are wonderful places to stay like Lanzerac Manor and smaller B & B's all with the Cape Dutch architecture.

As for a safari, try Botswana. It's supposed to be the ultimate experience and the most unspoiled wilderness. We're heading there in August. Check out wilderness-safaris.com.

IndyDavid -
WOW! What a trip. Surely, I hope my partner and I can post a similar report. We are SA-bound in September - nearly the whole month.

I'm taking a photography class so that my pictures won't be disappointing.

We'll be in Namibia for a week on a camping Safari. From there, we fly to George, then explore the Garden Route all the way to Cape Town. We'll be in CPT for a week, staying in Sea Point, exploring more of the cape, Table Mountain, Robben Island, the wine country, etc. After Cape Town, we fly to Sabi Sands. While we VERY NEARLY booked 5 days at Chitwa Chitwa (what a coincidence), we ended up booking that time at Ulusaba, which we have heard is tremendous. I cannot wait.

Wondered if you and your partner felt safe being "out" in areas outside of Cape Town? We think Namibia will actually be fine, but is there any other helpful advice you can give? I hope our trip is as great as yours sounded.

Cheers!
K & K

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pdxasflyer:
After Cape Town, we fly to Sabi Sands. While we VERY NEARLY booked 5 days at Chitwa Chitwa (what a coincidence), we ended up booking that time at Ulusaba, which we have heard is tremendous. I cannot wait.</font>

Yeah, our friends in Jo'burg stayed at Ulusaba on one of their trips to the bush (booked on the cheap at http://www.mtbeds.co.za in fact). Said it was great but way over the top... we figured we'd already had that experience IAD-ZRH-JNB in F!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Wondered if you and your partner felt safe being "out" in areas outside of Cape Town?</font>

Yes, we felt very safe all over the country. South Africa has a lot more legal & constitutional protections for gay people than the United States does (hello Rick Santorum?) and a lot bigger problems to deal with too. I actually asked the Chitwa Chitwa people explicitly, before we came, whether it would be a problem for us being a mixed-race gay couple, and the person who wrote back was almost offended I asked. "It is absolutely no problem," she wrote. In fact, the staff (both black & white) loved us, especially since we stayed longer than all the other guests. You will too -- you're so wise to spend 5 days there.

We liked it so much we're talking about a return trip this year, to do everything we missed (wine country, whale watching, Durban) and to go back and relax in the bush. Too bad the rand is down to 7 or so now -- it was especially nice at 10. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Jealously yours,
David

Thanks for the info David.

"Said it was great but way over the top... we figured we'd already had that experience IAD-ZRH-JNB in F!"

We, too, are flying First on BA from PDX-SFO-LHR-JNB. And, since our first week is the "camping eco-tour safari" through Namibia, and Ulusaba comes at the end, we'll be ready for that additional first class touch.

Again, your info has made us feel very comfortable. The Ulusaba folks (both in US and SA) have been tremendous and extremely accommodating.

"We liked it so much we're talking about a return trip this year, to do everything we missed (wine country, whale watching, Durban) and to go back and relax in the bush."

While we are approaching this one as a trip of a lifetime, we never immediately dismiss the possibility of returning. We looked at Durban and the Eastern cape, KwaZulu Natal, the Drakensberg, etc., but just couldn't fit it in - would have to spend 3 months to see it the way we want to. And, even then, would probably want to see more. So, we'll just have to return. Although, we're really getting spoiled with this First travel stuff and have other destinations to get to, in that manner (Bali, Australia, New Zealand, South America), so we'll see.

Thanks again for the great info - much appreciated!
Best regards -
Kelly & Kevin

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pdxasflyer:
While we are approaching this one as a trip of a lifetime, we never immediately dismiss the possibility of returning.</font>

We approached it that way too, but Africa gets in your blood. I've been lots of places, but it's the only place I really want to go back. We've actually discussed buying an investment/vacation property on the Cape coast... wish we'd moved fast when the Rand was at 10 to the dollar. Trips back to S.A. would be tax-deductible and the house would be worth 30% more now. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Anyway, glad to be of help. Can't wait to read your Trip Report!

David

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pdxasflyer:
IndyDavid -
WOW! What a trip. Surely, I hope my partner and I can post a similar report. We are SA-bound in September - nearly the whole month.

I'm taking a photography class so that my pictures won't be disappointing.

We'll be in Namibia for a week on a camping Safari. From there, we fly to George, then explore the Garden Route all the way to Cape Town. We'll be in CPT for a week, staying in Sea Point, exploring more of the cape, Table Mountain, Robben Island, the wine country, etc. After Cape Town, we fly to Sabi Sands. While we VERY NEARLY booked 5 days at Chitwa Chitwa (what a coincidence), we ended up booking that time at Ulusaba, which we have heard is tremendous. I cannot wait.

Wondered if you and your partner felt safe being "out" in areas outside of Cape Town? We think Namibia will actually be fine, but is there any other helpful advice you can give? I hope our trip is as great as yours sounded.

Cheers!
K & K</font>I was in Namibia middle 90s, the term "remotely beautiful" very appropiate. Rnted a car and drove all over- 2 areas I loved=Etosha Nat'l Park and the {misplld}Souselevi Desert..you'll be getting a lot of dust if you go to the desert; make sure yourcamera equipment is well packed as the dust gets in everything.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rustyr:
and the {misplld}Souselevi Desert..you'll be getting a lot of dust if you go to the desert; make sure yourcamera equipment is well packed as the dust gets in everything.

</font>

Thanks. My camera bag is not a zip type, but the lids shuts awfully tight with the two buckles and a large flap. We'll be with a tour group in 4WD vehicle going to Quiver Tree forest, then through Keetmanshoop, then down to Fish River Canyon, up through Luderitz to Kolmanskop, Sesreim to Sossusvlei, onto Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, then back to Windhoek.

I wasn't sure how much of a problem the dust will be. From the sounds of your post, did you have any dust damage to your camera equipment, or was it just annoying having to clean it all the time? Am curious to know.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pdxasflyer:
[BI wasn't sure how much of a problem the dust will be.[/B]</font>

I understand you will be visiting in September, which is towards the end of the dry season, the dustiest time of year. Personally, I've never found dust a problem, and I always drive with all windows open (I can't stand airconditioning).

johan

Johan -
My query about dust was more concerning my camera equipment. Can you elaborate from that perspective?

I imagine the windows will be down most of the time on our 4WD vehicle - We're going with a small tour group on a camping safari.

Did you enjoy Namibia in September? Would you have preferred going there during a different season/time of year?