As we crossed over the border from Zambia to Zimbabwe, a word of advice – don’t hire the vulture taxi drivers waiting outside the Victoria Falls entrance for they will rip you off. Walk past the border control and...
Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side
Victoria Falls has been a part of my bucket list since I was amazed by Igaucu Falls in Brazil and I knew the moment we discovered the need to journey to South Africa, we would visit the falls. We...
Review: Frankfurt to San Francisco in United Polaris First
With United retiring its 747-400s at the end of October, I am taking advantage of every opportunity to fly the Queen of the Skies this year. This trip, as I explained here, came about at the very last moment...
Our Humble Abode in Zambia
Although Livingstone is a tourist city juxtaposing Victoria Falls, there are no hotels to speak of—smaller inns and guests houses are the only options with the exception of the very pricey Livingstone Inn just outside the Victoria Falls gates....
The Trip Home from DC…Washington to Los Angeles via Frankfurt
As if our busy inauguration day was not enough, John and I detoured to Germany on our way home from Washington. A number of factors were to “blame”. A prefect storm brewed—procrastination and sold out flights with the specter...
Review: Mountain Inn Mbabane, Swaziland
Mbabane’s finest hotel may not be much, but I enjoyed our night at this family-run property and recommend it for a break from Swaziland while you are in Swaziland. Allow me to explain. I talked about driving through Swaziland...
Driving through Swaziland
As we drove out of Kruger National Park, my wife had one thing on her mind and I had another. The sun was precipitously dropping over the rolling green hills and Heidi’s concern was where we would stay the...
Review: Nkambeni Safari Camp
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...
