Getting Ready

Hank's Aero Adventures has sent a large packet of "homework" including charts of Southern Africa, a treatise on South African Air Law, a cross country to plan, and a CD recording of South African Air Traffic Controllers speaking what may well be English. It takes a bit of practice to understand it, hence the CD.



We fly from LA to Paris on the 14th of September. We will take a few days to see Normandy, a part of France we have never spent any time in, before flying to Johannisburg on the 19th. The other advantage to the stopover in France is that it give us time to adjust to the time difference. Johannesburg is almost due south of France, so there is not much time difference. On arrival, after a nights sleep at our hotel, Toadbury Hall, Ron has to take a written examination and two flight checks. South Africa requires that all pilots in command of South African registered aircraft be licensed by South Africa. Bev will tour the Jo'burg area for the two days it will take to complete the examinations.





On September 22 we set off for the bush. We will be traveling to 5 lodges over the next 12 days. The lodges are located in the countries of South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia. The map above give a general reference. We will post individual maps of each country as we travel.

From Johannesburg to Cape Town-Vineyard Hotel

Must do:

• 10 minutes from town Mount Nelson hotel for tea



• Table Mountain, cable car ride to top



• Constantia wine region -20 minutes



• whale wathcing on the western cape?



• Harbout House restaurant (window seat)

Oct 1-2, River Club, Livingstone Zambia

• ten chalets amongest lush riverbank over looking the Zambezi River and National park


• evening sounds of hippo and lion calls


• Colonial style main lodge with tin roof, dining room, lounge, drawing room and library


• Croquet lawn stretches towards River. Wide varandas where tea and breakfasts are served


• pool built to seem part of the river


• ten luxury thatched chalets completely open to the river


• 18 km from Victoria falls


• Sunset cruises


• Livingstone museum


• game drives


• aromatheraphy massage

September 29-30 Savuti Camp, Suvuti Channel, Botswana

• Savuti Channel, legionary wildlife region. All the predators occur here, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Best elephant viewing .


• Camp has largest water hole in area


• isolated area, 5 large tents, each with open air bathroom


• pool and reed and thatch dining room.


• borders on Chobe Nat. Park

Baines' Camp-Okavango Delta, Botswana

• 5 suites on elevated platforms with wooden decks offering expansive views over the Boro River



• 3 nights



• Spring, dry and peak game viewing months



• muted colors suitable for Safari (animals see black and white)



• elephant interaction


• inland delta has been called the world's largest oasis. An ecosystem the size of Switerland, floodplains, lagoons, channels and islands. A magnet for wildlife and safari connoisseurs. this is the untamed Africa. Elephants, zebras, buffalos, giraffes and hippos.


• Traditional mokoro dugout canoe.

Botswana, Masgatu Lodge

• elevated around a waterhole


• dining room, stunning day lounge and "Gin Trap" provide diverse game lookouts


• sumptuous dinners served under the African sky around a blazing fire


• 2 nights

Monday, Chapunga Lodge

• 2 nights


• luxury tents with airconditioning and fans


• dawn and dusk tours in open landrovers

Toadbury Hall, Johannesburg South Africa September 19

• We arrrive in the evening



• The next three days Ron spends getting his South African pilot license and flight planning for the trip, checking out in the Cessna 182,



• Bev tours museums, Soweto, botanical garden