Author Topic: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report  (Read 43510 times)

Offline ponash123

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #60 on: September 03, 2015, 12:02:52 PM »
Celesete at Celafrica:
Tel : +27 11 887-5262
Fax : +27 11 885-3097
E-mail : reservations@celafrica.com

David at Kosher Expeditions:
Toll Free USA - 800-923-2645 or USA 310-237-0122
Fax : USA (888)589-6498
E-mail: info@kosherexpeditions.com

Offline ponash123

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #61 on: September 03, 2015, 12:13:09 PM »
Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls:
DSC00731 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC00389 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC00391 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC00397 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC00678 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC00686 by ponash, on Flickr

Offline Ergel

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #62 on: September 03, 2015, 12:17:16 PM »
I love how people here judge how others spend their money.
It was a dream trip for her.
She had the cash to afford it.
Leaver her alone.
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Buruch

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #63 on: September 03, 2015, 01:03:33 PM »
I don't think anyone is criticizing her. Just looking for cheaper alternatives. That's the point of the site after all.

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #64 on: September 03, 2015, 01:05:57 PM »
I don't think anyone is criticizing her. Just looking for cheaper alternatives. That's the point of the site after all.

+1 no one is criticizing. were thankful for those that take the time to post TR's and share info so our trips can be better..

Offline Yehuda57

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #65 on: September 03, 2015, 01:13:42 PM »
I love how people here judge how others spend their money.
It was a dream trip for her.
She had the cash to afford it.
Leaver her alone.
+1 no one is criticizing. were thankful for those that take the time to post TR's and share info so our trips can be better..
I don't think anyone is criticizing her. Just looking for cheaper alternatives. That's the point of the site after all.

In case my previous comments about the potential price of such a trip were seen as criticism, let me say clearly that was not in any way my intention, and I was merely mentioning that these trips CAN be done for less (if you are willing to forgo at least some of the benefits an all-inclusive guided tour and do some of the stuff on your own).

Looking forward to the rest of the TR!

Offline ponash123

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #66 on: September 03, 2015, 01:16:49 PM »
In case my previous comments about the potential price of such a trip were seen as criticism, let me say clearly that was not in any way my intention, and I was merely mentioning that these trips CAN be done for less (if you are willing to forgo at least some of the benefits an all-inclusive guided tour and do some of the stuff on your own).

Looking forward to the rest of the TR!

No worries, I did not feel any judgement. We knew all our options and chose this for various reasons, fully aware that it's expensive.

Offline Yehuda57

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #67 on: September 03, 2015, 01:19:35 PM »
No worries, I did not feel any judgement. We knew all our options and chose this for various reasons, fully aware that it's expensive.

Looks like you chose wisely. I've been on dozens of safaris and I've never seen crocodiles so close and from such a vantage point.

Offline ponash123

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #68 on: September 03, 2015, 01:22:42 PM »
Dozens?? WOW

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #69 on: September 03, 2015, 01:26:03 PM »
Dozens?? WOW

Thanks @yehuda57 for the TR's  ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Offline Yehuda57

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #70 on: September 03, 2015, 01:42:57 PM »
Dozens?? WOW

I grew up in South Africa, and try do one whenever I go back, even if it is just Pilansberg.

I've taken that SAA flight in economy dozens of times too!
Thanks @yehuda57 for the TR's  ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

I do have one TR from my most recent trip (the only one since I've been DDFing) It's on the SA Master Thread.

Offline ponash123

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #71 on: September 03, 2015, 01:47:05 PM »
Yes I read it before I went. Thanks!

Offline stbaum

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #72 on: September 03, 2015, 02:18:43 PM »
Yes I read it before I went. Thanks!

it's really great when one TR brings another! TR goreret TR?
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Offline Ergel

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #73 on: September 03, 2015, 02:26:12 PM »
it's really great when one TR brings another! TR goreret TR?
Is TR feminine? Or is it because this TR was written by a female?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline stbaum

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #74 on: September 03, 2015, 02:27:48 PM »
Is TR feminine? Or is it because this TR was written by a female?

goreres? goireres? goireret?
My greatest achievement? I am fluent in FRIENDS quotes

Offline Ergel

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #75 on: September 03, 2015, 02:28:15 PM »
gorer would be the masculine form
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Offline ponash123

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #76 on: September 03, 2015, 02:36:16 PM »
Day Four: Zimbabwe/Cape Town

We woke super early to cram in some last minute actives before flying out to Cape Town. Incidentally, this afforded us with the opportunity to get some amazing shots of sunrise over the falls:
DSC01131 by ponash, on Flickr

We did a (very) early morning elephant back safari. We each rode elephants through the bush and were able to get pretty close to giraffes, zebra etc. After that we were able to interact and feed our elephant. They then served a big breakfast, which of course we couldn’t partake in.
DSC01144 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01150 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01152 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01186 by ponash, on Flickr
IMG_2796 by ponash, on Flickr

The Zimbabwe currency was so devalued that that it’s no longer used. Some dollars laying around:
DSC01227 by ponash, on Flickr


We had told our driver that we’d be interested in visiting a local village and asked if he could arrange it. So after we got back from the elephant back safari, he took us to his own village and arranged a tour with his village headman.
The village headman took us around his homestead and showed us how they built the bricks and thatching for their houses. He explained casually that they respect the women a lot because they’re very smart and work so hard. They do everything including building the homes and only sometimes do the men help. (Interestingly enough we noticed all over that the females, animal and human alike, work like dogs while the men do basically nothing.)
DSC01231 by ponash, on Flickr

DSC01269 by ponash, on Flickr

He showed us his mother’s kitchen and said they bury the women in the field near their kitchen:
DSC01246 by ponash, on Flickr

The village headman with the dish drying rack:
DSC01247 by ponash, on Flickr

Bathroom, inside and out:
DSC01268 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01267 by ponash, on Flickr

Village headman’s house:
DSC01266 by ponash, on Flickr
20495443573_035a584917_o by ponash, on Flickr

After that we went back to Victoria Falls Airport where we caught a flight to Joburg and then straight to Cape Town. On the way to the hotel we stopped by Avrons to pick up some food, which was really excellent.
We got to our hotel, The Clarendon – Fresnaye, a beautiful boutique hotel located right near Avrons and the Chabad shul. The staff were amazing, super friendly and helpful in every way.
IMG_1898 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01603 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01294 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01296 by ponash, on Flickr
DSC01287 by ponash, on Flickr
IMG_1894 by ponash, on Flickr

To be continued...

Offline Ergel

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #77 on: September 03, 2015, 02:39:55 PM »
Awesome
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #78 on: September 03, 2015, 02:44:23 PM »
wow, hotel looks nice.. I think I see a Washington Redskins superbowl champion cap that town mayor is wearing...
We are spoiled the way we live...........

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Report
« Reply #79 on: September 03, 2015, 02:44:27 PM »
Wow, excellent pics. Keep it coming.