Dear Hilda,

The [letter below is from] an orphanage Judy and I visited last September while we visited in Tanzania. We were taken with the kids and decided to aid them. Before leaving Tanzania, we sent them sports equipment as well as some school supplies. Upon our return home, we established an e-mail dialog with the director. For Christmas, we sent them funds to celebrate Christmas and to obtain some goats and basic clothing.  We will do this again in a month or so.  Africa has given Judy and I a special feeling and by helping the orphanage it’s our way to pay Africa back. Just thought you’d find this interesting.  We will be in touch in the future to hopefully plan another trip this fall.

Best regards,

Jerry Keiser

 Dear Jerry,

Good Hope Orphanage Kiwawa Children's Home

We are very happy to write this email to you as our mother/father who [have helped] the children of Good Hope Orphanage Kiwawa Children’s Home. As well as we say… thank you for [helping] us to celebrate Christmas well and buy our [goat for milk] from the money you have sent us for Christmas day. May the Lord Bless you and keep you forever…

Good Hope Orphanage Kiwawa Children's Home

…Thank you very much for your kind heart.

Best Kindly regards,

Elisante A. Pallangyo

Good Hope Orphanage Kiwawa Children's Home

SOUTH AFRICA – I have been through Johannesburg many times on forced overnights and connections to other places that have held more interest for the general tourist, never stopping for longer than a night. On this trip I was fortunate enough visit the historical sites of Johannesburg and learn firsthand about South Africa’s history.

Liliesleaf Farm

By far, my favorite is Liliesleaf Farm. It was once the headquarters of the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the ANC and the Congress Alliance. What was once a residence has now been converted into a museum where you can experience the accounts of the struggle and events leading to democracy in South Africa. You learn about the white family that covered for the revolutionaries that met there to plot the end of apartheid. I believe that what took place at Lilliesleaf is even more significant to South African history than Robben Island. You will gain a stronger appreciation for the country you visit if you can gain knowledge of its past.

Liliesleaf Farm - Aerial view of house at Rivonia

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After visiting many cities around the world, it was time to visit South Africa. We put together a wonderful itinerary for us to see Cape Town and an awe inspiring wilderness excursion that will never be forgotten. Bushman’s Kloof was indeed this wilderness heaven on our wellness retreat, which is the subject of this letter about our marvelous trip.

On a sunny spring day, our well-experienced local ground operator and driver took us up N7 north bound route. We passed through rolling hills, golden wheat farms, lush green grape vineyards, and magnificent landscape unmatched anywhere. After a nearly 3 hour drive, we went off road and traveled 7 km on a dirt road, reaching this resort heaven called Bushman’s Kloof.

Bushmans Kloof - The Environment

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TANZANIA – The hot air ballooning company met us the night before our excursion over the Serengeti to go over where and when to meet and also what to wear/bring.  They made arrangements with our camp for an early wake up call.  The suggested clothing for ballooning is dress warm.  They probably suggested this  because when you first start out it is 5:30am and chilly, but once you’re in the balloon bucket, the heat from the burners keeps you quite warm and toasty. In fact shorts were comfortable.

The launch site was about half hour drive from Kira Wira (give or take with game viewing along the way.  We came across lions with their kill right next to the road, so we watched them for a few minutes). (Read More…)

Photo by: Nicole Ruben

“We had the trip of a lifetime, thank you for everything!! …African Travel… exceeded our expectations. Very high level of service, loved that they met us at the airports… The accommodations were great and Kings Camp was incredibly top notch. The safari was the most amazing experience. Capetown was beautiful, the shark dive was amazing, the home host dinner was a highlight which we didn’t expect to be as great as it was. We LOVED meeting the family and the others that were there too. Victoria Falls was spectacular and you won’t believe this but Nicole did the Bungee jump!!”

– Karen Ruben

Photo by: Nicole Ruben - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe