TRIP REPORT- ROAR 2

Not sure how to do this as this is a first for me.

Carol and I had the following itinerary.
CPT- two nights
Birkenhead House-two nights
Cape Town- four nights
Madikwe Hills- three nights
Leopard Hills- three nights
Lion Sands- two nights.

As I had no frequent flyer miles to use we did air using the AMEX platinum buy one get one free. Did business on LH.
Itinerary was LAX-FRA-JNB-CPT. Return was JNB-FRA-LAX. In my opinion this was as good a way to get to So. Africa as
Any from So. Calif. Flights are long aprox 11hours, except JNB-CPT which is about 2 hours. Most are overnight flights.

I rate LH business class one of the best I have been on. Better than American Airlines business. The seats are the flat seats that are at
An angle but a good bit of room. Service was good. Food quite acceptable , had german influences.

We arrived CPT two night ahead rather than one night. I would highly recommend this approach unless going direct to Birkenhead. If direct to Birkenhead would do at least three nights their and maybe four. This would add to the cost I believe.

We met Pat and Ray from Toronto in CPT and had dinner with them at Beluga Restaurant. I would recommend this restaurant. Very good food and wine.

Birkenhead House is a special place that is over the top. Want to stay there for more than two nights next time. We missed the shark trip due to weather hence must return.

Cape Town tours were excellent. This is a must for first time CPT visitors. The Radisson is the hotel to stay at. Very nice accommodations and location is excellent.

On our last night in CPT we enjoyed a most memorable dinner at 95 Keerom with Pat and Ray and Fred and Pat. The food and wine was some of the best I have ever had. I would not go back to CPT without going to this restaurant. For future reference they have a web site. www.95keerom.com



SAFARI CAMPS-

The experience of going to the safari camps and doing the game drives is UNBELIEVEABLE. It is the best experience Carol and I have ever had. Well when we were younger maybe there were a few experiences that would equal but this is not an x rated report.

Madikwe Hills is in the Madikwe Game Reserve which is very large and newer than Sabi Sand so the experience is different. Not better not worse just different. I would recommend this experience to all. We saw lots of game and met some wonderful people. Our room was very large and the only wish we had was that we spent more time in the room but there is so much to do that you are too busy.

During a game drive we had a most memorable experience. Carol rode in the front next to the driver/ranger as it was easier on her knee when climbing in the Range Rover. During a viewing of a herd of elephants, about 20 + there was a large female that was not pleased that we were there. She all of a sudden charged the Rover full tilt speed only stopping about 10 to maybe 15 feet from the Rover. It turned out to be a mock charge but if you were in the Rover you had no way of knowing what was happening until the elephant stopped.
The elephant continued to give us quite a look and we were not sure what she was going to do next. As Carol was in the front she had the most “FUN” if you call that fun.

Leopard Hills is in the Sabi Sands area which is about an hour and a half flight from the Madikwe area. Our room at Leopard Hills was unbelievable. It had a 180 degree view of the water hole below the lodge and while smaller that Madikwe was just as nice and in many ways I liked it better. There was an excellent sitting area large bath area, with outside and inside shower. Deck was large with lounges and a plunge pool. I could sit there all day and just enjoy. Again we wished we had more time to enjoy the room. This room was only about 50 to 60 feet from the main lodge area down a board walk. The board walk is raised above the ground level as the ground is very uneven in this area. From the room there were about three steps up then a 20 feet walk to a bend in the walk way , after turning left for a few feet there were three steps up to a walk then you were within 10 feet or so from the main room with the kitchen to the left. Why all this detail well for this reason.

One day I left the room early to go to the tea before the game drive so I could give our dinner preferences and Carol would not have to walk to the place we did tea. I left about 3:20pm. Game drive started about 4:00pm. It was still very much day light. As Carol left the room shortly before 4 she stopped at the door locked it then went up the three steps and proceeded up the board walk. As she reached the place where she was to turn left she looked down and about 3 to 4 feet below the walk way was a LEOPARD. The Leopard was looking at Carol with a curious look. Carol could hear the people in the kitchen and the main lodge area talking. Carol was speech less at this point. They both just looked at each other for a bit of time and then the Leopard went under the walkway. Carol proceeded the next few feet and called to a person passing between the main lodge and the kitchen that there was a Leopard. That person called security immediately and before long there were several people there. Another record book experience for Carol.

One aspect about the Sabi Sands area that is different then Madikwe is that the Rover can go off road. Carol and I did not know this until the very first days afternoon game drive. Leopards were spotted and the ranger went to find them as we go close all of a sudden off road we went over small trees , up small hills, down small hills, twisting and turning and hanging on for dear life. What a hoot. Did we see the Leopards. Yes they were quite a distance away. About 10 feet at many times.

The Sabi Sands area has tons of game. You get very close and see all the big animals.

Another treat during our time at Leopard hills was getting to see wild dog. There was a family of 9 spotted and we got to visit them on 3 different times. Very neat experience. The only disappointment is that Ngaire was still at Madikwe Hills and missed the sighting. Hopefully next time she is there she will get to see the wild dogs.

Lion Sands was again a wonderfull experience. The rooms are the biggest and the view from the room unbelievable. It sits on the Sabi river and the game can be seen from the room.

The best part of the trip. GAME , PEOPLE, GAME, PEOPLE , GAME, PEOPLE.

Would Carol and I do this again? IN A HEATBEAT.

I know I need pictures but have not got to that point yet. Will get to that in a few days.

EDITING TO ADD: At no time do I think Carol was in serious danger. The Rangers understand Elephants and the Leopard is very familar with people and the camp. She is well fed and would not attack a person for food. If a person misbehaved that might be another issue but Carol reacted in the appropriate manner.

Ralph, your report made me smile! I can just see Carol and a leopard in a stare-down! I am so glad that you had such a good trip and that you made memories that will last forever!

I really loved your report, Ralph - yikes Carol and the leopard - what a story - oh and the charging elephant, too - sounded like an over the top trip for you both - thanks for posting - look so forward to seeing you and Carol in March wish FUN was just weeks away - Joanna

Carol and the elephant becoming close acquaintances, from our vantage point in the Rover behind them:

and here's a picture of Ralph & Carol's land Rover arriving at the Madikwe/Mateya sundowner get-together right after the elephant charge; their ranger (sitting next to Carol) looks a bit shaken...

All pixs are great and thanks for taking time to post them - ranger looking nervous???

Actually these mock charges the rangers are used to and elephants do it from time to time. They can tell from the body language if they are serious or mocking. Ears out head up - mock charge. If there ears are back and their head is down then the ranger reverses immediately. I have been in a mock charge numerous times and now quite used to the event but it is a really exciting the first time. The ranger was telling us all along not to worry the elephants was doing a mock charge. He had to calm the guests down more than the elephant and handled it very well with us all.

Oh Ngaire I was kidding about ranger looking nervous - everyone seems to love those little scares - in the very best way - makes for an outstanding adventure

Fantastic, Ralph - what incredible experiences! You and Carol will no doubt cherish those memories for the rest of your lives.

I wondered that about the rooms, too - they look so sumptious and have EVERY luxury imaginable in the perfect setting - but you don't get enough time to enjoy them. It'd be nice to spend about a MONTH there, methinks! ;)

Fabulous reporting Ralph !! You made it all come to life for us.

Loved your report Ralph. Sounds like you had a fabulous time. It really is the trip of a lifetime and one that I would also do again in a heartbeat. Even though the reports are all great, nothing beats being there in person. All of us on ROAR I said that it could never be topped.... but at least one person who was on both ROAR and ROAR II has told me ROAR II might have been even better... hard to believe!

Wonderful report, and thanks Pam and Leslie for the pics. What wonderful experiences!