If you do not mind the long trip there, few places compare with the unblemished beauty, above and below the surface, of the Maldives. We found a selection of top properties on beautiful (if small) atolls, with comfortable, even luxurious accommodations, good food and excellent service for a good price. Malé has the distinction of being the only capital in the world which is an entire island.
If you have traveled the globe in search of an unspoiled destination, are indifferent to creature comforts, customer oriented service staff and good food, and have lots of money to burn, the Seychelles may be for you. We were highly disappointed.
We enjoyed our visit to this quiet, sleepy southern Africa country of 11 million souls known for Victoria Falls, copper mining, and unspoiled abundant game viewing in its national park system. Because of limited road systems we used charter planes to get to our remote destinations. We were impressed by the quality of meals especially considering the remoteness of some of the camps we visited. We found our guides and the staff in the lodges we visited to be knowledgeable, friendly, courteous, gracious and very helpful.
Johannesburg can be an excellent point of departure for game viewing and South African tours. It offers excellent shopping and nearby attractions including Sun City, the gold mines museum, and Pretoria. Visitors should use caution when driving (left hand side) and be aware of the high crime in certain parts of the city. The nearby Sterkfontein Caves, South of the Hartbeespoort Damcontain a rich collection of fossils, and what is believed to be the oldest human skull ever found, over 2.6 million years old! Many believe this area to be the true cradle of mankind.
The 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Reserve contains one of the finest collections of private game viewing lodges and properties in the world. With the fences removed between Kruger National Park and the reserve, animals are free to move into the prime terrain within its boundaries. Big Five game viewing seems to dominate in the reserve and the quantity and viewing quality of African mammals, birds and reptiles is excellent in many of the properties we have visited. Because it is managed as a private reserve, it is possible for guests, in many of the smaller reserves within the Sabi Sand Reserve, to experience night drives and go off-road to view the Big Five mammals up close.