Expert: Ruard Ganzevoort - 5/17/2009

Question
my son is a peace corps volunteer in Mozambique. We (me, my husband, and our other son) can visit for 31/2 weeks mid Dec.'09 to early Jan.'10. We need to visit our son in central Moz for a couple of days,  He thinks we should fly from Joburg to Beira, rent a car, see where he lives, then go back to Joburg and travel from there.  

Question 1- Considering the season, what do you think would be best to do?
(On our wish list is namibia red desert sands, some safari-type experience, capetown natural sights.  I'd also like Victoria Falls and Botswana.  I know we can't do it all.  Our family usually does intense road trips (we try to see a lot of the natural beauty in areas in a relatively short time).  We usually stay in fairly basic accommodations (a step above hostels but hostels will do).

Question 2- what is a good, reliable travel company to work with?  

Answer
Question 1

Tough choice... Botswana you can combine with Namibia. Northern part.

Remember December is very very hot. Up to 45 degrees celcius in December. Namibia (Etosha) is a very beautiful wild park - but at that time it is ecstremely hot as well as Botswana. Game parks Etosha(Namibia) and Chobe(Botswana) is the best in the region. If you don't mind the heat . Namibia and Botswana is the better choice for safari type. If you need more information on places to stay. contact me again, it is 'cheap' camping type bungalows. They cater mostly for that kind market. Victoria falls is very close to Chobe (85km). But remeber you are far away from Johannesburg. Namibai is a lot of driving(approx 350km a day from dunes to northern part including sight-seeing

Cape town weather in December is excellent. Best weather of the year is December in Cape town. Of course Cape town has a lot to offer. But not really any safari experience. You need to go to Kruger park to get a decent safari.(1500km away) You can fly there for a couple of days with a cheaper airline.

Question 2

I would recommend drive yourself, if you can. Specially Namibia. If you would like to go in a group there are option, but generally they are not so cheap. You can also hire a camper for Namibia, so you safe on accommodation.

I hope this will help you, if not write back and I would like to assist you further.

Bottom line of Namibia/Botswana OR Cape town

= Namibia/ Botswana more safari (wild life and dessert experience)
= Cape Town - cosmopolitan city beautiful.

Main question ---- Heat in Namibia? Can you cope with that

Regards