The main motivation of this second trip to Africa is to witness the second solar eclipse in a row in Southern Africa.
Itinerary: Nov 29-Dec 7, 2002
The itinerary was as follows:
Day 1. Depart evening from Newark International Airport, in the New York City metro area.
Day 2, Arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa. Relax and rest for the balance of the afternoon. Hotel is the Intercontinental Sun.
Day 3. Pretoria. Relaxing Sunday. Hotel Holiday Inn Garden Court Pretoria-Hatfield.
Day 4. Depart for Aan-de-Vliet Lodge Hazyview via Middelburg, Machadodorp the breath taking Schoemanskloof, Nelspruit and Whiteriver. Visit the Farm Halls market outside Nelspruit. Lunch at the Botanical Gardens, along the way.
Day 5. Depart to Hoedspruit – Visit the Cheetah project. Visit the Bombyx Mori, silkworm farm. Tour through the Lowveld. Take a scenic route and visit God's Window, Mac Mac Waterfalls and other notable sites before moving on. Enjoy pancakes at Sabie. Return to lodge – take a dip in the beautifull swimming pool.
Day 6. Eclipse Day. Experience the eclipse at viewing location. Enjoy a champagne toast back at the lodge later in the day. Travel via Witrivier to Nelspruit – visit the Emnotweni Casino in Riverside Mall.
Day 7. Tour through the National Kruger Park – enter at the Numbi gate – drive through the Kruger National Park to Opren Gate. View most big animals, including giraffes, elephants, buffalo, rhino, hippos, lions, and an assortment of antelopes.
Day 8. Return to Pretoria.
Day 9. Depart South Africa in the evening, arrive in New York the next day. Intriguing the security personnel for EL-AL at Johannesburg airport just for being suntanned with sunglasses and with a great vantage point over the check-in counters.