Sabi Sands

Most people dream of traveling to Africa to go on a Safari. Last night in my World Destinations class we learned about South Africa, and after class was over I decided one day I was definitely going to make a trip there. We learned about all three capitals, a very, very, very high class luxury train called the Blue Train that can run you about twenty four thousand round trip from Pretoria to Cape Town and back, to many of the game reserves and which type of animals you can see.

One thing that interested me the most I actually saw from a episode of the Bachelor (yes I'm obsessed). That last three women and the bachelor traveled to Sabi Sands Game Reserve. At first it looked like any other safari park but then when they showed the accommodations I knew it was much more than that. One of the girls had a room that was literally open to the wilderness, the only thing that protected you from getting eaten by a tree-climbing lion was a mosquito net and a wooden gate, literally. Another girl had a beautiful in door/outdoor room. You could be protected but still be one with the elements if you wanted to be. The last girl had a fully enclosed room, no lions or monkeys can come for a visit but it was still a very elegant room, definitely luxurious.

Unfortunately unless you save your money for quite a while or you are or apart of a pretty affluent family, an African safari doesn't look like it would be happening for you for quite a while. I picked out one of the many different packages you can choose from on their website : http://sabi.krugerpark.co.za/Exclusive_Safari_Lodges-travel/londolozi-private-granite-suites.html

Its called the Modern Elegance Package, 3 days/ 2 nights. It includes a transfer from Johannesburg Airport to the Sabi Sands game reserve by air. All meals and drinks daily, your accommodations, two game drives in open land rovers, nature walks, yoga class, a fitness room, activities for children, emergency medical evacuation and VAT.

Obviously the next question is what does something like this cost? Well the answer is $3,830 per person sharing. Its very expensive for only 3 days and 2 nights but for whats included it almost makes up for the high price tag. You do get fed daily, you're pampered, and you get to experience a once in a life time opportunity to see carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores in their natural environment doing their everyday thing. Also, you must get to South Africa somehow. Using cheaptickets.com and flying out of Los Angeles International Airport to Johannesburg will run you about $1,575 per person. So for a grand total for two people is about $10,810.

If you have the money to spend and it's not gonna put a dent in your check book, I would definitely recommend this vacation as well as some other sights in South Africa. However, for the people like myself and the middle to lower class, this vacation would take quite a while to save up for and you would have to weigh whether or not you want to spend $10,000 for a 3 day vacation. Yes it is an amazing opportunity and the sights you get to see are phenomenal, but you could also use $10,000 for a used car or towards a new car or for school tuition, etc.

From the video I watched in class, South Africa seems like an amazing place to visit and it seems like there's so much beauty and historical things to see. Even if you can't afford a safari, definitely try and visit sometime in your lifetime, I know I will and you should too!