HRE-VFA and Chobe
Jun 28, 2006 | 2:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Programs: AA2MM
Posts: 1,754
HRE-VFA and Chobe
Just wanted to get thoughts on the following:
I'm currently planning a medical mission trip to Old Mutare for next May, staying in that area for ~7-8 days. After which a group of us are planning on spending 5-6 days to (probably) go to Vic Falls and safari.
Couple of questions:
1) Any experiences driving HRE- Old Mutare? An affiliation with Africa U will be providing this transport.
2) Since I'll be on an OW award, I was thinking of flying HRE-JNB, overnight, then fly to VFA the next day on as part of the award, due to concerns that HRE-VFA on Air Zim isn't gonna fly/I'm not that much of a risk taker to fly them! Should we consider a private flight HRE-VFA to avoid the overnight in JNB?
3) Should we forget Vic Falls, fly into JNB and visit KNP and other SA areas?
4) If we do Vic Falls, thoughts on Chobe (specifically Chobe Chilwero) vs other areas/parks?
Thanks, I'm sure I'll have many more questions on the way!
I'm currently planning a medical mission trip to Old Mutare for next May, staying in that area for ~7-8 days. After which a group of us are planning on spending 5-6 days to (probably) go to Vic Falls and safari.
Couple of questions:
1) Any experiences driving HRE- Old Mutare? An affiliation with Africa U will be providing this transport.
2) Since I'll be on an OW award, I was thinking of flying HRE-JNB, overnight, then fly to VFA the next day on as part of the award, due to concerns that HRE-VFA on Air Zim isn't gonna fly/I'm not that much of a risk taker to fly them! Should we consider a private flight HRE-VFA to avoid the overnight in JNB?
3) Should we forget Vic Falls, fly into JNB and visit KNP and other SA areas?
4) If we do Vic Falls, thoughts on Chobe (specifically Chobe Chilwero) vs other areas/parks?
Thanks, I'm sure I'll have many more questions on the way!
Jun 29, 2006 | 7:46 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR / BHX / MAN / ATL
Programs: DL DM 2MM - IHG Diamond
Posts: 4,075
I did a few days in CPT & JNB in December followed by 2 days at VFA and one more in JNB. A couple of thoughts for you:
1. I don't know anything about this.
2. I would ride in an un-air conditioned taxi for hours before I would ever consider getting on Air Zimbabwe. The 732 that I saw on the tarmac at JNB looked like it had been thru a hail storm. I try not to be shrill about the maintenance of a/c, but there is no way I would get on one like that. If at all possible, take SAA flights. They fly relatively new A320s and provide very professional service. If you book from an agent within South Africa, I undertand that you can get better deals. I sat next to a South African pax that purchased a "vacation" from a travel agent in CPT that included my same flights and my same hotel for about half of what I paid for the flights alone.
3. No. Victoria Falls is one of the great wonders of the world. It would be a shame to get that close but not see it. It is hard to describe the magnitude of the falls. Just do it.
4. I did the Chobe daytrip out of Vic Falls and I would def recommend it. We saw virtually everything except cats in December. I made the mistake of taking the "sunset cruise" on the Zambezi the night before the Chobe trip. What a waste the cruise was in comparison.
1. I don't know anything about this.
2. I would ride in an un-air conditioned taxi for hours before I would ever consider getting on Air Zimbabwe. The 732 that I saw on the tarmac at JNB looked like it had been thru a hail storm. I try not to be shrill about the maintenance of a/c, but there is no way I would get on one like that. If at all possible, take SAA flights. They fly relatively new A320s and provide very professional service. If you book from an agent within South Africa, I undertand that you can get better deals. I sat next to a South African pax that purchased a "vacation" from a travel agent in CPT that included my same flights and my same hotel for about half of what I paid for the flights alone.
3. No. Victoria Falls is one of the great wonders of the world. It would be a shame to get that close but not see it. It is hard to describe the magnitude of the falls. Just do it.
4. I did the Chobe daytrip out of Vic Falls and I would def recommend it. We saw virtually everything except cats in December. I made the mistake of taking the "sunset cruise" on the Zambezi the night before the Chobe trip. What a waste the cruise was in comparison.