Dear Gayle:
Linda and I have just returned from our incredible trip to Africa. Our stay in Cape Town at the Cape Grace Hotel was perfect in every sense. The hotel’s ambiance and staff are the best we have encountered anywhere in the world. The food and wine both in Cape Town and the adjacent Wine Country was memorable in every sense.
Our safari actually began in Nairobi, Kenya at the Norfolk Hotel. We were met at the hotel by Jayne Pinto, the owner of Micato Safaris, our tour operator, and spent a lovely afternoon with her. The following day we flew to Tanzania to Lake Manyara and entered the game park. Our lodge, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge was located at the opposite end of the entrance, (42 km) approximately 2 ½ hours by vehicle over very treacherous roads. One way in and one-way out. The jungle was alive with animals, you name we saw it and photographed it. The Tree Lodge was great; however, we were the last to check in and therefore, were the farthest from the dining area. We needed a Masai warrior to guide us to and from! The accommodations up in the tree were great including the outside shower. The dining experience was also very interesting. Dinner was served in the central courtyard surrounded by wooden fencing and burning torches, very surreal. Linda celebrated a birthday at the Tree Lodge and on the day we left, we were taken to a nearby lake where our butler had prepared a table and chairs. The chef from the lodge was there with a complete cook station prepared our breakfast as well as a birthday cake. During breakfast, the rest of the hotel staff came charging out of the underbrush chanting and banging on different instruments.
Two days later, we left for the trip to Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and the crater. The crater is 12 miles wide. 9 miles long and 600 meters deep. The lodge was breathtaking, not only in location (the rim of the crater) but in interior design. Fabulous place, good food and wonderful staff. However, the crater is what takes your breath away. Once on the crater floor, the abundance of wildlife is astounding. What a great day until we had to take the trip back up. I have never been on this type of rutted path with a vehicle going over all types of rock and boulders, truly hair raising. Returning to the Lodge, we were advised that our third camp, Klein’s Camp in the Serengeti was closed due to heavy rain. Micato worked through the night to locate another appropriate camp and found one in the far Western Serengeti, called Mbalageti. This camp was so beautiful that we gave our guide and driver off for three days and we just lounged around the pool. We were given the Presidential Chalet that consisted of a lounge area, dining room, two bedrooms and baths as well as another lounge area overlooking the Serengeti. All openings were screened facing the Plain. Yes, we did a game drive going to and from the lodge to the airport, 3 hours distance.
Our fourth game park was located in the Masai Mara at Baleleur Camp at Kichwa Tembo. We spent three wonderful days game viewing and hot air ballooning. The Mara River flows through the Mara and is filled with crocodiles and hippos, what a sight! Our hot air balloon ride was thrilling; we were only 50 to 100 feet above the plain with lots of animals running below us. After the ride, we were treated to a champagne breakfast at the landing site and met many lovely couples from all over the world. We visited a Cheetah and her cubs daily and were present when they were feeding on a fresh kill, a baby gazelle. The birds are spectacular in variety and color; we have enough photos to make an album of just birds.
Continued