Travel Review: Africa Safari, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, Victoria Falls

Memorable aspects of our trip included dinner at restaurant in Cape Town, seeing the contemporary art and crafts in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cape Town, our arrival at our Zambia hotel in a speed boat, our visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and meeting the resident tortoise in the lovely gardens of our Cape Town hotel.  We visited the Rosebank shopping mall in Johannesburg and were especially surprised at seeing the “W” store, the Woolworth’s of South Africa, which is more like an English Marks and Spencer than the 5 and 10 store of my childhood.   We enjoyed the Cape Town food tour and the private guided tour of three vineyards in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.  During our food tour we ate at a food stall located on top of the train station and sampled bunny chow, Malay food, local bacon, chocolate and coffee.  The private wine tastings were special because we sampled a range of high quality white and red wines that were selected based on our specific interests.  Just as the guide books warned that Table Mountain weather could change rapidly, it did for us. We weren’t able to make our climb or cable car descent but our guide substituted another walk, which gave us a taste of the mountain.

We particularly enjoyed our stay at the intimate hotel in the village of Franschhoek.  The venue and service were exceptional and its location in the center of town with its interesting shops was convenient.