Africa Family Safari Review: South Africa, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Madikwe Private Game Reserve, Hot Air Balloon Ride

The safari was the highlight of our trip.   We stayed at the Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge.  The accomodations are top-notch and the staff was superb. 

The hot air balloon trip was a close 2nd.  Although we had to get up very early in the morning, we had a great hot air balloon trip and the breakfast buffet afterwards was great!  They even gave out certificates to everyone.

The hotels that were booked for us were all 5 star. After nearly an entire day of travelling, it was a pleasure to be greeted at our hotel in Johannesburg by the manager and 2 other staff members.  We were given hot towels and a glass of sparkling juice when we went into the lobby; we didn't even need to do the usual checking in -- after drinking our juice and resting a bit, we were guided to our rooms with our suitcases already at the rooms.  They were even nice enough to keep the hotel restaurant open so we could get dinner.  I believe they were supposed to have closed at 9:30 pm, but had a full wait staff there until almost midnight after we had dinner and dessert.

The transportation from place to place was seamless.  From the moment we stepped off the plane in Johannesburg, there was a gentleman at the airport who guided us through passport control and customs efficiently.  He then "handed us off" to another gentleman who drove us to the hotel.  The same driver picked us up the next morning and drove us around Johannesburg.  We also had a very delightful driver during our 3 days in Cape Town--he was part chauffeur, part tour guide and part gracious ambassador of South Africa.