Thread: South Africa Report

Well, another nonrev experience to the Dark Continent!
Started out w/pocketful of zeds/ID's, overnight in ATL and relaxing few hours in the SkyClub prior to the late flight to Johannesburg. Slept fairly well in our pod beds on the 777LR in BizElite. We were prepared to fly to Dubai instead and take Emirates the next day, but the loads were decent. The few nonrevs listed got on.
We slipped right thru immigration and customs--only a single stamp--no visa required for Americans and met our driver for the hotel. (Pickup included in our pkg) We passed Mandela's home and hit The Westcliff in time for a short bar/snack visit and off to bed.

Mgr asked about our room next day; I said it was small w/iffy view and POOF--we were moved to a HUGE suite with a monster bath and 2 terraces. They aim to please at this joint!! They had a free shuttle to nearby malls/restaurants and the zoo (close) whcih was really a great plus.

We just relaxed and enjoyed this 5 star hotel for a few days and went back to JNB for our next leg. Took SAA Express to tiny airport of Richard's Bay (more car rental booths than gates!) Our zeds were $65 each way on Dash8 prop--nice enuff hour plus flt.
2 2/1 hours later (past 120kph trucks) we arrived at Mkuze Falls Lodge.
Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve Vacation Packages - Luxury Link
Awesome place--super friendly staff and good food! Rustic thatched luxury chalets with private plunge pool and outdoor shower. Temps were pretty high so both were welcomed!
Our game drives were early am and late afternoon and saw plenty of game--cheetah kill, elephant and cape buffalo herds (we parked in the middle of that one!) and spent some time in an open lion den by a waterhole. At one point, a lion was eye level to me on a dirt mound--barley 5 feet away! I moved to the center of the jeep for that stop...The ranger was so well educated in bush sciences---it was a joy to learn from him. The usual rhino, giraffes, baboons--alas, no leopard--must return...

SAA Express was kind enough to update us via phone for loads and we returned to JNB to connect immediately to DL for home. BUT--no nonrevs on this flight, SO--off to Dubai on zeds.

I chose Emirates for their service reputation--WOW was this NOT the flight to test that theory. Crappy seats (777 with weird recline/raised seat thing) were so uncomfortable. I got the half space underseat legroom ARGHHH and at one point I actually told a lazy FA that the service was very disappointing. Her reply, "sorry". Exactly!! Sorry, like the almost frisbee throwing entrees and sitting for 30 minutes ringing call buttons to remove food trays. The guy next to me finally held my try so I could climb over the sleeping aisle eat pax and took all the tray to the galley right behind us. FA was just standing there. Everyone was ringing the buttons and they did nothing. I was so appalled. They had a dozen coach FAs and as talented as Houdini.

Our stopover in Dubai was uneventful because we were so exhausted. We checked into the Arabian Courtyard (I will certainly plan to go back there!!) and slept for hours. But Dubai is another short story!