[KookyCat28]

We did this in August last year 🙂 we chose not to self drive so that we could both fully enjoy it as it was our first safari.

We used Wild Planet Safari, a local company from Hoedspruit, for the week in Kruger which included 2 days on the Panorama route to break up the game viewing. It was delightful to have our own private safari truck and knowledgeable guide. We chose camping (they had excellent gear and did all the work) because that’s our style, but easy to choose the accommodation in Kruger as well. We spent our money on a private guide and staying inside KNP (so no long drives each AM & PM) plus the private lodges and reserves are all quite expensive.

We flew into JNB then Airlink to SZK. After Kruger we flew Airlink MQP to LVI and spent several days around Victoria Falls, both Zimbabwe and Zambia sides, with many fun activities like microlite and Devils Falls swim. And a day trip to Chobe in Botswana. Then flew South African VFA to JNB and home.

It was an amazing trip and we enjoyed every part of it. Happy to give more detail if you’re interested in anything.

[KookyCat28]

Thanks for the helpful replies 🙂

@NorthernLass that is encouraging to hear, if I fork out for these seats we will indeed get to sit in them, fingers crossed. Glad to hear you survived the journey with a kiddo, I hope I can say the same when I look back on this trip haha!

@AndrewT yes we’d have the 3 seats but likely with a crying neighbor, hey ho. I’ll make sure to follow up with a claim if we do end up getting bumped for another baby.

[KookyCat28]

May I jump in on this topic too please?
I need to book 2 adults and a 4yo DOH-MEL on a QR 777-300ER in Sep/Oct. (no hope of affording J or even EK PE for 3 pax). The best I can do to improve a 14h flight in E is to pay for the extra legroom bulkhead seats which gives nice extra room for the wiggly kid too (no exit row with a kiddo).

There are a total of 8 bassinet seats in E on these planes, but selecting those bulkheads costs over €500 each flight. Is that too risky and a bad idea? I’ve no status these days. 14 hours in E with a 4yo is a solid definition of hell but it’s for my sister’s wedding so it’s gotta be done.

thanks for any input x

[KookyCat28]

UPDATE with resolution from BA:

-I submitted my complaint on 26 Aug.
-I received an auto email on 21 Oct saying ‘we’re really sorry you’re still waiting for a response from us…’
-Finally on 11 Nov I had two calls from a number I didn’t know (I was busy and didn’t answer). Turns out it was BA. They emailed on 12 Nov apologising for my bad experience, passed on the feedback, and gave me 80,000 Avios (which took a few days to appear in my account).

I’m pretty happy with that amount of Avios. This was a 241 companion voucher booking for 2 adults return in CW to JNB in August, and I had paid 137,500 Avios plus £1614 (I don’t think I had enough Avios for the ‘cheapest’ points price). So one way Avios was 68,750 and I got back 80,000. Fine with me!

[KookyCat28]

I’m from San Diego 🙂 it’s a lovely city, as people have already mentioned places like Balboa Park, world famous Zoo and further out the Safari park, lots of beaches and coastal areas are fun to explore with restaurants, shops etc. Driving is easy, sometimes traffic but nowhere near as bad as LA. Most British tourists I’ve spoken to since agree that LA is a bit of a sh*thole – traffic is horrible and the sights aren’t as wonderful as you imagine them to be. SAN airport is also a lot nicer than LAX and right in the city, Little Italy with great restaurants and the marina are right there. Please try some Mexican food, I like Don Carlos taco shop in La Jolla, and Casa Guadalajara in Old Town for the full ambiance and margarita experience. Enjoy 🙂