I was lucky to have the opportunity to head to Dubrovnik a few days before the cruise. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Park which was really well located. The drive from the airport to most places and hotels is about a half hour. The cruise company can arrange a private transfer for about 40 Euro (as of 2022) and the taxi ride was about the same price.
The Grand Hotel Park is close to a lot of fun things that are in walking distance. There is a boardwalk that is the length of the peninsula that has shops, restaurants, gelato, and swim stops along the way. As a single gal, I felt comfortable to walk any time of day or night on my own. The hotel had a pool and was also a 5 minute walk from Lapad Beach. This area had sun chairs and a pebbly beach that was perfect for swimming.
Grand Park Hotel from the poolside view (Franny Friesz)
One of my favorite things about Croatia was the food. The first meal I had the evening I arrived was an octopus dish. You can find meals that are between 15-25 Euro, depending on the restaurant and what you order. I ate my weight in gelato and there were several places on the boardwalk. Some of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik were in Old Town which was about a 10 minute drive from the hotel and a 15 Euro cost. I had my first and best black risotto at the Jesuit Restaurant right at the steps of the Church of St Ignatius.
Black risotto was my favorite dish I enjoyed during my time in Croatia. (Franny Friesz)
There are a few things to do in Dubrovnik, but not a whole lot to fill more than 2-3 full days. I enjoyed wandering through Old Town on my own (in the morning before the droves of people arrive by noon), reading a book on the beach, and walking the boardwalk at the sunset. If you want lots of tour options, you won’t find many. You can tour the walls of Old Town, go up the tram to get a view of the city, explore the museum at the top of the war that happened in 1991, or do a tour of Dubrovnik and Montenegro. I also saw a lot of people kayaking in the areas near old town during the day and sunset. If I went back, I’d absolutely set up a kayak tour.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
