Hello Leony,
Even the persistent winter chill in the Netherlands does not prevent us from enjoying the memories.
It really took us some time to fully come back down to earth after the amazing impressions we gained in South Africa. From 3rd to 20th February, we travelled along the route you planned from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
In a Volkswagen Polo, we drove via Gods Window, Blyde River to the border of Kruger Park. After the Rondawel on the macadamia plantation in Hazyview, we are sleeping here in the authentic Thornhill Safari Lodge with the top chef Sunrise amidst zebras and giraffes. The rangers who accompanied us during the Gamedrive and the walking safari provided us with a wealth of information. Truly ”Out of Africa” here!
From Swaziland, where we slept in an original Beehive, to the Wetlands near St. Lucia. Along the Indian Ocean to Salt Rock and another guesthouse so original that we've felt at home away from home for weeks. The pace of half a day's drive, a full day for the surroundings, and then on to the next challenge suits us well as 60-plussers. Without navigation, we drove without problems according to your directions. In terms of nature and people, Africa offers so many challenges. For us, it surpasses the other continents we have visited.
In Salt Rock, we flew via Durban to Cape Town. We picked up a new hire car and after 2 days in Cape Town, we explored and tasted the wine regions around Stellenbosch ;-).
Again, we had a stay at guesthouse Kleinbosch, where we were so wonderfully spoiled by our creative host.
Leony, we only have one little drawback. We've overlooked so much to the left and right of the road. There's nothing else for it but for us to come back as soon as we have the opportunity. Thanks for putting it all together, for answering all our questions, and for the nice feeling that you were always nearby.
Have a fantastic time in your world of travel in beautiful South Africa and goodbye!
Add and Trude
Breda
Sent from my iPad
Hi Leony,
Just wanted to let you know everything is great here in Mozambique!
Will we get an email to check in online for the return flight?
Kind regards, Judith and Sander W.
Leonie,
We arrived home without any problems after a smooth process at the airport and an equally smooth flight.
Regarding the trip, I'll still think about some details, but in broad strokes, here is my initial, perhaps only, comment.
In all cases, the B&Bs and lodges were of excellent quality, exactly what we wanted. Excellent welcome everywhere and the hosts were very helpful with booking restaurants, trips, golf tee times, etc.
Unfortunately, Buffeldrift was unavailable and we ended up at the new location. It was luxurious, but much less personal. Unfortunately, the shortest route to Buffeldrift was also closed due to repairs, meaning you had to take a significant detour over a partially paved gravel road. Not pleasant, especially in the dark. We did go to Buffeldrift for lunch and it looked very good there.
The programme, with first a week in Gordon's Bay and finally another week in Stellenbosch, was perhaps a bit too much for this area. Although we did something every day, it could perhaps have been a bit shorter, and perhaps done the Addo Elephant Park and/or a stretch of the east coast.
But our final week at Hans's in Kleinbosch was truly special. A good location from which many excursions are possible. A kind host who senses the atmosphere well, with often mixed company. The accommodation was also excellent.
All in all a successful trip, partly thanks to your organisation. By the way, an excellent travel description!
Our thanks and who knows, maybe see you next year.
Casper and Monique
Bruinisse
Leonie,
We arrived home without any problems after a smooth process at the airport and an equally smooth flight.
Regarding the trip, I'll still think about some details, but in broad strokes, here is my initial, perhaps only, comment.
In all cases, the B&Bs and lodges were of excellent quality, exactly what we wanted. Excellent welcome everywhere and the hosts were very helpful with booking restaurants, trips, golf tee times, etc.
Unfortunately, Buffeldrift was unavailable and we ended up at the new location. It was luxurious, but much less personal. Unfortunately, the shortest route to Buffeldrift was also closed due to repairs, meaning you had to take a significant detour over a partially paved gravel road. Not pleasant, especially in the dark. We did go to Buffeldrift for lunch and it looked very good there.
The programme, with first a week in Gordon's Bay and finally another week in Stellenbosch, was perhaps a bit too much for this area. Although we did something every day, it could perhaps have been a bit shorter, and perhaps done the Addo Elephant Park and/or a stretch of the east coast.
But our final week at Hans's in Kleinbosch was truly special. A good location from which many excursions are possible. A kind host who senses the atmosphere well, with often mixed company. The accommodation was also excellent.
All in all a successful trip, partly thanks to your organisation. By the way, an excellent travel description!
Our thanks and who knows, maybe see you next year.
Casper and Monique
Bruinisse
Dear Leony,
Here is a short report of our Namibia trip from 2-24 October.
The flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg went well. We find KLM's service to be good.
The transfer in Johannesburg from the airport to the Safari Club did not go as planned, but this is already known to you.
The Safari Club shuttle bus did come to the airport, but the driver didn't have us on the list and our luggage was very late.
So he left without us and we had to take a taxi. The journey then starts off a bit uncertain.
The Safari Club is a good place to use as a stopover. Quietly located, good rooms, excellent breakfast and friendly people.
The flight to Windhoek and the transfer to Casa Afrikana went well, and we received a very warm welcome at the hotel.
The next day we had an explanation about the safari tour.
The organisation of the Jenman Safari tour was very well looked after and punctual.
An extra compliment for the driver, tour guide and cook is in order!
Chantel van der Linde's knowledge and experience, her dedication and pleasant manner, made a significant contribution to the successful journey, which we look back on with great pleasure.
Casa Vondel was a cosy little hotel. Nice rooms and a great breakfast.
The rental car was delivered punctually and was even bigger than what we had booked.
The Kaliombo Safari Camp Lodge comes highly recommended! The lodges are quietly situated in a beautiful nature reserve near a farm. They look clean and cosy and have a lovely view of a watering hole where animals naturally come to drink. The people are warm and helpful and go out of their way to make guests feel welcome. We went on game drives there and had a delicious meal.
The Wabi Game Lodge was fully booked, but here too the people were friendly, the food was good, the rooms were excellent and there was a nice swimming pool. We were able to go on a beautiful game drive. There are many animals there, including rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses.
The Terra Africa Guesthouse in Windhoek was a nice end to the trip. Cosy decor, excellent rooms and lovely people.
The only downside we found was that it is very far from the city centre, but luckily we had our hire car and driving in Windhoek is not difficult.
All in all, we look back on a lovely holiday trip.
Our sincere thanks for putting together the programme. We found the relaxed week, after the intensive safari programme, to be very enjoyable. We also found the collaboration pleasant, for which we thank you.
We enjoyed this trip!!
Kind regards,
Wim and Klaasje S.
Your
Dear Leony,
Now that we've been back in the Netherlands for a few days and are still thoroughly enjoying the memories, here's a response.
The trip was amazing in every respect. Nice, comfortable accommodation in very diverse environments.
The restaurants were also of very high quality, cosy, and offered excellent value for money.
What really struck us was the friendliness and politeness of the people, a breath of fresh air compared to the Randstad in the Netherlands!
Thank you very much for all your help in planning the trip! We'll be talking about it often. And who knows, perhaps we'll go back again.
Kind regards,
Robert V. – Bussum
Dutch 
English