Dear Deb,

Hi Deb! Made it back early yesterday morning and SAA got all of our luggage back as well! Thanks again to you and Sue for all the help chasing our luggage. I am 100% that my bag never would have made it back without Sue's involvement! Thanks.

We could not have imagined how great the trip turned out to be no matter how much we anticipated what it would be like. Spending the time with Richard and Geoff was like being with old friends - especially Geoff. Their knowledge of S Africa and wine - even Geoff's knowledge of wine : ) - gave great perspective and their easy-going and friendly manner made us feel like friends were showing us around and never like we were being "guided". We loved hearing the stories of Geoff's experience as an African farmer and all of the great adventures he has had. It was truly time very warmly and fun spent together. With as amazing a time as we had, the experience was really made by the warmth of Geoff and Richard.

The accomodations in CT, Franschoek and Jozie were all perfect for us. Just what we like and find comfortable. Great choices!

Vic Falls was majestic to see and Zambia such a contrast to what we had seen in S Africa. To see black Africans living in villages where subsistence is the objective of everyday life is something that should be seen by everybody fortunate enough to be able to travel to Africa. I would encourage you to encourage people who have never been to Africa to make that a part of their trip.

Lion Sands is an incredible experience. Anything any more luxurious and accommodating is overkill and fluff. They have to be one of the true greatest destination luxury accommodations in the world. The food was incredible and the staff on site made us feel like we were visitors and not just people being accomdated. They were truly glad we were spending time with them. What an experience! Again, the experience of seeing the animals was made even more incredible because of our ranger, DJ. Incredibly knowledgeable on multiple aspects and it never seemed like he was "talking to us", he was talking with us and showing us his country as a friend would. Completely made seeing the animals, birds, trees an experience as opposed to a "tour".

Deb, we could not have had a better trip and a better experience and it was really made because of all the thought and effort your family put into making this an incredible experience for us. Thank you.

Have a nice Christmas and safe and fun travels home for the Holiday.

Todd (New York 2008)

Good news from Fort Lauderdale, Fla today: South African Airways announced that it will operate a new non-stop service from New York JFK to Johannesburg beginning May 1, 2009. Flight SA204 will now depart at 11:35AM and arrive in Johannesburg at 8:45AM the following day. This opens up a host of connections taking more travelers to more of Africa through SAA’s Johannesburg hub.

Roar Africa is excited about this addition as it will benefit both business and leisure travelers. It means we can ensure you are enjoying a cocktail on safari or a swim at the beach at one of many southern Africa destinations on the day of arrival. Same-day connections will take you to Cape Town, Durban, Indian Ocean islands, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and many other destinations in some cases by mid-day.

The schedule change has also been hailed as wonderful news by other SAA travel and business partners from the US and from other African destinations already served by SAA.

South African Airways features the only nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures from Washington, D.C. (until April 30th, with a stop in Dakar commencing May 1), and daily direct service from New York (operating non stop effective May 1). While SA204 will operate non stop to Johannesburg, South Africa, flight SA203 returning from Johannesburg to New York will continue to make a brief stop in Dakar, Senegal, and will continue to depart from Johannesburg at 7:05PM arriving into JFK at 7:40AM the following morning.

Travelers in premium class enjoy 180° fully flat-bed seats, and in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors. Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit. SAA’s unrivaled network makes the airline the “gateway to Africa.”

For more information call us at Roar Africa (+1 877 ROAR AFR) or contact South African Airways.