It's a hard trip but well worth it.

Went to Lake Navaisha, the Masai Mara and the coast. Each place was extraordinary in it's own way.

The cities are nightmarish and the roads/traffic terrifying. The degree of poverty will humble you beyond words. It was a life altering experience for me.

Let me know if you decide to go to Kenya, and I have give you more specific info.

BTW, I flew Turkish airlines (non-stop LA to Istanbul, no kidding!) and spent 4 additional days in Istanbul at the end of my trip. I have nothing but the highest praises for Istanbul as a tourist destination.

We will be in South Africa and are tooo old to rough it.
I am looking into flights but dont think I can endure a flight over 10 hours. How long was your flight to Istanbul?
Tell me more about Istanbul if you will. We are looking for another stop to enjoy on our trip.

was around 10 hours.

Istanbul is fantastic and the complete opposite of East Africa.

Incredible infrastructure and public transportation. Appears to be close to full employment. The best combination of old and new I have seen anywhere.

If you go, try to stay in the Sultanahmet (the old walled city). I stayed in a small boutique hotel:
http://www.hotelamira.com/

Walking distance to the major sites and the trams. Wonderful restaurants and night life.

The people love tourists and treat you very well. Despite language barriers, everyone really tries to help you.

The blue mosque, the spice market, boat ride in the Bosphorus, the long street in the new section with side streets full of fish markets, cheese markets, etc.

A very friendly and easy place for women traveling alone. The calls to prayer from all the mosques is magical.

I have not one negative thing to say about it.

Here is an article I used as a guide and it's great.
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/48-hours-istanbul-2367150.html

Even ignoring the fact that the price was $100's less than anyone else, they made the dreaded 14 hour flight an actual pleasure.

When the chef greets you on the way into the cabin, you know that something is very right.

I used to run marathons when I was younger and I was in awe of the Kenyan women. I have always wanted to see that country. Do you have any photos you could post?

Maybe your request will be the kick in the pants I need to get to it.

I'll try to do that in the next few days and post a link. It was a once in a lifetime trip.

They recommend Cape Town and Robben Island, which is where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner.

You should see if there are tourist-friendly ways to go hear some live music, too. Black South African music, especially vocal, is fantastic.

I've heard, however, that the street crime rate is regrettably high. I would suggest not wandering around on your own but only in the company of someone with local street smarts.

Cape Town is a nice city. The hike up Table Mountain is great, even when still flight fatigued. I did the Garden Route via Baz Bus to Port Elizabeth, from where I did my game viewing. Some nice stops along the way.

My videos from the trip, 9 of them can be found here:

http://veloroo.blip.tv

Would you recommend car or tour?

What sites in Cape Town do you recommend?

Are there sections of the city to stay out of at night?

Thanks again.

I travelled independently and I don't drive. Most say self drive (they drive on the left, by the way). It's a personal preference. The Baz Bus runs from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in a day - both directions. It's basically door-to-door with hostels and hotels. It saves time, rather than finding you way from a bus station to wherever you're staying. Not a tour, but they do offer them. You choose where you're going to stop (along their route) and how long you'll stay. I did use their tour for the Cape Peninsula.

To do the Garden Route in a day would be spending the whole day on the road. I hopped along it over several days.

In Cape Town, I stayed in Green Point. It's a short walk down to the waterfront. I never felt like I was in a dodgy area around there when I was out after dark. Party people tend to stay on Long Street. Things do tend to happen to heavy drinkers, so if you're going out for the piss take some company. Always check with your accommodation about the local no-go areas, if there are any.

Robbin Island tends to sell out. They have a website so you can see what days are available. I lucked out, seeing a day with tickets unsold, walked down an hour before departure and nabbed a ticket. Excellent tour. If you're going walk-about, Bo Kapp, the Muslim enclave is nice to walk through.