Last updated on January 20th, 2017 at 04:01 am
I am writing this post from the Skydeck in the International Terminal at ATL Airport where I have around two hours to kill before boarding one of the longest flights of my life (Atlanta to Johannesburg which is scheduled or 15 hours and 13 minutes and 8,434 miles).
Unfortunately, I will only be able to enjoy this flight in Economy Comfort, as booking a business class ticket to Johannesburg with Skypesos is nigh on impossible. I am hoping that if I can get at least a few hours of sleep the flight won’t seem nearly as long. One can hope, right?
No matter how quickly the time passes as I traverse half the globe, I am looking forward to an awesome week in South Africa with my father, who we will call Papa Jeffsetter from now on.
This trip is exciting to me for so many reasons that I can hardly count them all. Let me give it a shot, though:
1) First of all it’s a nice mileage earning opportunity that should net me 18,977 Medallion Qualifying Miles + ~38,000 redeemable miles for a $1,672.50 ticket price. Not bad for a vacation.
2) I’m traveling with my dad and we always enjoy our trips together. We have gone to Alaska, Key West, Chile, Argentina, Greece, Turkey and Queens (for the US Open Tennis Championship) and it’s always a good time.
3) We will be staying in a suite at the Vuyani Lodge and doing twice-daily safari drives each day of our stay. It is also all inclusive.
4) In Cape Town we will be staying at the Westin, which is rumored to have an awesome executive lounge with great views of the harbor.
5) There will be a mix of tourism (Robben Island, Table Mountain) and wildlife/relaxation that I am looking forward to balancing throughout the trip.
6) I get to test out the GoPro Hero 3+ camera I recently purchased while on our safari jeep and during other aspects of the trip.
7) My DJI Phantom quad-copter made it through the TSA pre-check line without being examined, so I will be able to shoot aerial videos with the GoPro and do other awesome things.
8) This visit will include the city that the New York Times considers the #1 place to visit in 2014 – Cape Town.
9) I hear that the wine in South Africa is bountiful and improving all of the time.
10) It’s a freaking safari, dude!
11) I will take a picture of the crazy planes that Kulula Air uses to haul passengers around South Africa.
12) The return flight routes through Paris on an A380, which means I’ll be on the upper deck of an AF A380 for the second time this year (unfortunately this time it’s just in economy class).
13) From a photography perspective, there will be all kinds of amazing opportunities to shoot wildlife and landscapes throughout a beautiful country.
14) We are spending a night in Johannesburg before leaving and might check out the World of Beer while there.
Can you tell that I’m excited for the trip? I asked my friend Jeff Cammack, who runs the Safari Guide Africa website for what I can expect in South Africa. Here is what he said:
“South Africa offers a fantastic opportunity for families to experience an African safari as there is a wide selection of lodges that cater for families. This in combination with the fact that South Africa can offer safaris in an accessible and malaria free environment, as well as a favorable exchange rate makes it the ideal family safari destination in Africa.”
Just got back from Cape Town. Try a restaurant called Pot Luck Club. You need reservations in advance, but the food is AMAZING. Hope you have a great trip.
Thanks for the suggestion. I might have to hold onto this tip for next time, though, as my free time has been limited and I leave tomorrow morning
Will you post a review of Vuyani? I’ve seen it on Jetsetter (close to Jeffsetter!) but would love an honest review. Have a great trip!
I definitely plan on reviewing the lodge. I actually booked it on jeffsetter and agree it could benefit from some less biased reviews.
Err, you are staying in Cape Town and wasting points/money on a hotel? You would do so much better in terms of comfort, location, experience and local experience staying at one of the many top notch guest houses. Your loss!
I would hardly call what I am doing a loss. It’s been a tremendous value and experience to spend $0 and have free breakfast and happy hour 3 days. My gain!
Have a great time!
Cape Town and South Africa are great – just got back from there with my family and parents too. Great breakfast place in CT — Euro Haus, Continental Bakery & Bistro @210 Loop St. And a superb hole in the wall fish place right on the pier in Kalk’s Bay and you can watch the seals in the harbor while waiting for your food… Kalky’s @ the pier in the Harbor – perfect for a stop after seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach
I just don’t think we’re going to have the time on this trip to visit half of these awesome places. Makes me want to come back and spend a month or two here!
If you’re a foodie try for lunch or dinner at The Test Kitchen in CT. Sounds like an amazin trip! Look forward to seeing the rest of your posts.
So many places I need to visit, so little time. I appreciate the recommendation!
I have a phantom and a hero 3+ .. Check out my YouTube channel Jlouderb … I am looking forward to your drone flights over the savanah!!
Got some good ones, although my DJI Phantom has been acting up quite a bit. Not sure what was wrong, but almost lost it in the bush 3-4 times!