Having sorted my self and others out I find I have 2 weeks in October to use as a holiday. I really wanted to do Route 66 but that is too long for my circumstances so I decided on America's Golden West. Have already done Southern USA, Texas & New Orleans, National Parks and Canyons and Canadian Rockies. Then I suddenly came across 'South African Explorer' and am very tempted. If I do South Africa it means altering my plans slightly but what I really need is to find someone who has done both Americas Golden West and the South African Explorer or some reviews on both. Is it worth changing my plans away from America (which I love) to go to South Africa to see scenery and animals. Just a few recommendations will do.

Thanks

Steve

i can't really make your mind up for you but i have done americas golden west which as with any tour of the usa fab, grand canyon las vegas san francisco LA etc all very worth doing and even that overnight stay here and there are intersting, i also did South Africa back in 2005, the game viewing is an exceptional experience, the scenery is lovely especially along the ocean front and garden route, Cape Town is especially nice, Joburg was rather scary and not a place to go about at night but Cape Town very safe, hopefully somebody whos done both more recently and with JY as all tours do differ can give you a better insight

good luck

Dave

I have done both trips and enjoyed them both but if I had to choose between the two then South Africa would be my choice every time.

Regards the US trip, I loved San Francisco and visited Alcatraz which was very interesting, Universal Studios was great fun. When I did the tour, you could fly down into the Grand Canyon by helicopter and then ride in a boat along the river but you cannot fly down into the canyon now. It's a choice of flying over it in either a helicopter or a plane.

Las Vegas was fantastic. I didn't go to any shows but just spent the evening(s) walking around looking at the free entertainment like the fountain show at the Bellagio and wondering around the different casinos soaking up the atmosphere. You have to go to Fremont streeet and see the light show! All in all it's a great trip.

The South Africa trip as a whole was brilliant! I had a great time and everyone in my group thoroughly enjoyed it. I must admit the main reason I went was to see the animals. I did all the game drives I could! We saw the big five and lots of other game. I recollect one evening sitting down to dinner and watching hippos having their dinner on the riverbank below us. Amazing!

If you can afford it then the Victoria Falls extension is fantastic. The hotel is in a game reserve, I woke up the first morning and there were zebras on the grass outside my room, and you are only 10 minutes walk away from the falls. As a hotel guest you have free access to the falls. Flying over the falls in a microlight is an experience I will never forget.

Regards

Jim

I agree with every word Jim has said! I've done both tours and I loved the Golden West (especially San Francisco, Vegas and the Grand Canyon). However, I did South Africa with the Victoria Falls add-on two years ago and it was my best holiday ever! I loved Cape Town - the scenery in the area is amazing. The game drives were everything I'd hoped for and much more. The excitement of seeing lions (and even the glimpse of a leopard) in the wild for the first time will live with me for ever. Zambia was even better still - flying over the Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park in Botswana, sunset cruise on the Zambezi - so many wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Go for it, if you can!

Cheers,

Bob