Where to next? | WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

In early September of last year, I took an informal poll of potential destinations for future WOW! Travel Club journeys.

The two most popular were Patagonia and South Africa as I wrote about in the Sept 16 blog titled, “What’s Next?” Here’s an update about those plans:

Patagonia: In April, I’ll be traveling down to Patagonia (my first big trip since last June!) on a fact-finding mission/industry trade show in order to figure out the best possible itinerary and lodging options for a WOW! journey to operate sometime next winter. More about this one after I return in late April!

Can’t wait to share my findings about Chilean Patagonia!

South Africa: I’d hinted that I’d be leading a WOW! trip to South Africa later this year. I’d done all the research and blocked all the space a few months ago and then a couple of things happened to throw things off course. 1) The news that I need to continue chemotherapy when I assumed I’d be finished, and 2) Stringent new policies with lodges and hotels that would permit me to cancel only one room of my contracted room block without penalty. That last bit is a significant impediment – since I always have to speculate how many rooms I’ll need. Obviously, they’ve been burned by some unscrupulous group operators who stuck hoteliers with unsold rooms – and so the policies have become unreasonable and onerous.

I’m not going to let either of those factors preclude me from offering this trip. So here’s the workaround:

This will be offered as a WOW! “Indie Adventure.” As long as there are a minimum of 3 couples, this amazing journey will happen – with as many WOW experiences and surprises as I can manage to pull off without physically being there. I have great connections and resources who love the WOW! concept, who will take care of you and “wow” you every step of the way.
The itinerary will include Cape Town and a wildlife experience at Timvabati Private Nature Reserve.
Pricing will fluctuate slightly depending on the final number of people, but you can anticipate between approximately $5,000 – $5,500 for the land package (based on double occupancy). Includes 4 nights Cape Town, 3 nights Ngala Safari Lodge, daily breakfast, five lunches, five dinners, transfers and transportation, private guides and excursions, taxes, Conservation and entrance fees, porterage, gratuities and, of course, “wow” experiences. Exclusions: International airfare, domestic airfare, visas, travel insurance, and the “creative queen” as your trip leader. 🙁
I’m holding 5 rooms for another few weeks. Dates are Oct 21 (arrival into Cape Town) – Oct 29. If you have more time, extensions can be coordinated to Victoria Falls, Sabi Sands or other great places. If you’re interested, please let me know ASAP by email (mmurphy@wowtravelclub.com) or phone (818-444-2707).

Here’s a sampling of the itinerary I’ve planned:

Day 1: Sat, Oct 21 – Welcome to Cape Town!

You’ll be met and transferred to the 5-star Vineyard Hotel where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the forested slopes of Table Mountain. Unpack, relax and later, learn about the country’s dramatic history of Dutch and British rule, slavery and apartheid, freedom and democracy on a walking tour of the old city. And, of course, you’ll get a ticket to ride the cableway to the top of Table Mountain.

The Vineyard Hotel in a leafy suburb of Cape Town

Day 2: Sunday, Oct 22 – Explore the scenic Cape Peninsula

Travel toward the Cape of Good Hope on Africa’s southernmost tip, seeing stunning panoramic ocean vistas, pristine beaches, towering cliffs, wild bays and quaint seaside enclaves. Key sights along the magnificent coast include Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, fishing towns and affluent coastal suburbs.

Boulders Beach, with the famous penguins!

Day 3: Monday, Oct 23 – Free day for you to decide among options

You have the option of going on a township visit in the morning and/or a Robben Island tour in the afternoon. Tonight – a WOW! surprise!

Day 4: Tuesday, Oct 24 – Tour the famous and picturesque Winelands

Enjoy a free morning to sleep in or do some shopping or independent exploring of Cape Town. Then you’ll head out to South Africa’s most famous wine regions – Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch.

The stunning winelands region near Cape Town.

Days 5/6/7: Wed, Oct 25 – Sat, Oct 28 – Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

After breakfast, you’ll fly to Hoedspruit where you’ll be transferred into the Timbavati, a “Big Five” Game Reserve: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo roam freely as do many more species of predators and antelopes. Timbavati Private Game Reserve shares a common, unfenced border with Kruger Park and is best known for the ‘white lions of Timbavati’, two unusually pale lion cubs discovered here in the 1970s, their color due to a rare recessive gene.

A couple of local residents of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

You’ll enjoy three nights on safari at the luxurious Ngala Safari Lodge, an old-world haven in the midst of the African bush with colonial antiques, silver cutlery, and crystal glassware. Each of Ngala’s 20 thatched cottages features a deep soaking tub and comfortable verandah. During your stay, embark on morning and night off-road game drives in a private vehicle and enjoy walking safaris while settling into life in the South African bush.

The cozy lounge at Ngala Safari Lodge.

NOT your average safari lodge!

Day 8: Sunday, Oct 29 – Departure

Bid farewell today as you board a hopper flight to the airport at Kruger (this short flight is included – saving a 3-hour drive). You can either end your trip or add an extension – perhaps to Victoria Falls where you can enjoy an experience like this!

At the edge of Victoria Falls is the ultimate infinity pool! (That’s me in the middle – making the “w.”) This is one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve ever had! If you’ve not been there, I highly recommend it!

p.s. And one more thing! Gabriel Haigazian is finalizing plans for another incredible WOW! Travel Club journey to Armenia! His dates are September 18-29, 2017.

It breaks my heart to not be accompanying this journey to South Africa – but it’ll be an absolutely extraordinary experience – I promise!

Comments? Questions?

2 Comments

Urvashi Bawa January 28, 2017 at 2:48am

Is south africa trip only for couples? I would like to go but i will come alone as my husband is not interested…i will pay extra for a room to myself.
- Marilyn January 28, 2017 at 3:43am
  
  Depending on the final “count” I can probably take a single, as long adding one more person doesn’t require that I charter larger vehicles for transportation and tours. I’ll keep you posted. Urvashi, I don’t recognize your name – how did you hear about The WOW! Travel Club? Did someone refer you? Thanks for your interest!