We pulled into Kruger Park with no reservation, hoping to find lodge accommodations inside the park. Unsurprisingly, there was no room. On the way in (via the Numbi gate) we had noticed a lodge just outside the park grounds...
A Safari in Kruger National Park
What trip to Africa is complete without a safari? Though Heidi had been to Kruger National Park outside of Nelspruit, South Africa on three past occasions, I had never been and she suggested we check it out. The trip...
Setting Up Shop in Pretoria
Heidi made arrangements for us to stay at an Airbnb in Pretoria for our first few nights in South Africa. This would allow us time to request the police clearance certificate in person and become acclimated to the new...
Review: Lagos to Johannesburg in South African Airways Economy Class
The question of getting to South Africa from North America using Star Alliance is a challenge if you want to use your miles and fly in business class. United Airlines does not serve South Africa, and South African rarely...
Review: Gabfol Lounge Lagos (LOS)
I escaped the Oasis Lounge due to poor internet connectivity, hoping the Gabfol Lounge would be better. It was. Approaching the entrance, I first thought this was a South Africa Lounge. In fact, I presented my economy class boarding pass...
Transit in Lagos: Bribing My Way Out
As we pulled up into Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) my heart was beating…not so much because I was apprehensive, but because I always get excited when touching down in a new land – this time in a region I...
Review: Houston to Lagos in United Airlines 787 Business
I flew United’s 787-8 for the first time from Houston to Los Angeles just weeks after it was introduced in 2012, but almost two years passed before I had the chance to fly it again, this time from Houston to...
The Best Part of the Tanzania Trip
We’ve now worked our way though a 24-part trip report and I have neglected to share what truly made the trip a great one. It was the company. I have taken so many amazing solo trips around the world, but...
Review: Istanbul to Hamburg in Turkish Airlines A320 Business Class
This is the final flight installment of the Tanzania trip report and it will be brief. The story of Turkish is this: a consistently high-quality experience and a superior airline within Europe. After a hearty breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Ataköy and...
Review: Turkish Airlines Arrivals Lounge Istanbul
Everyone raves about the wonderful Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge in Istanbul, but that is not the only lounge in Istanbul worth visiting. For arriving international business class passengers on Turkish Airlines, an Arrivals Lounge offers a mini-version of the acclaimed...
Turkish Airlines 737 Dar Es Salaam to Istanbul Business Class
Turkish Airlines check-in opens three hours before the flight, which was about 12:30a. If you are connecting from another flight, be sure to read this Transit in Dar Es Salaam post first. Check-in desks on the far left side...
Review: Tanzanite Lounge (DAR)
The Tanzanite Lounge in Dar Es Salaam (DAR) is not much, but it sure beats the gate area. Open to business and first class passengers plus Priority Pass members, the lounge is located one level before international departures. You can...
Transit in Dar Es Salaam (DAR)
A word of warning: it is best to avoid a long layover in Dar Es Salaam if connecting between two airlines. We ended up sitting on a hard bench for several hours waiting for our transit boarding pass. We arrived...
20-Min Flight from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam on Fastjet
Since we were connecting same-night back to Istanbul, it made sense to fly instead of take a ferry back. Tickets were $37 each purchased the day before on Fastjet. Fastjet hopes to become the African continent’s “first low-cost, pan-African airline”...
Looted But Not Livid in Zanzibar
On our second night in Zanzibar, we decided to eat where the locals eat. During the meal, a local took advantage of our trust, stealing money from us. After a great dinner at the Park Hyatt Zanzibar the first...
An Amazing Journey Through Stone Town in Zanzibar (Pictures)
I’m not usually one for guided tours, especially arranged by hotels. In Zanzibar, however, we opted for tour of historic Stone Town arranged by the Park Hyatt. It was well worth it. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage...
She Tried to Deny Me Entry Into Zanzibar!
When we left off, my friend Denny and I had reached the port of Zanzibar and were making our way off the ship. Throngs of people emerged from the boat and most were rushing out of the port through a...
An Honest Cab Driver in Dar Es Salaam
We read about so many taxi horror stories. How about a heartwarming one? I tend to be a very forgetful person. No, actually I am a forgetful person. Time after time after time I have left valuables behind, sometimes...
Introduction: A Month in Africa
For those who have immigrated to the United States, you know that the process is not easy, even for those emigrating from a rich western nation. Weighing our options and deciding that Los Angeles would be the best fit...
An Incredible Flight on SAS
If I could describe my SAS flight from Los Angeles to Stockholm in one picture, it would be this– My flight simply could not have been better. To be honest, I had some trepedation stepping onboard. Last time I...
