2010 Safari Roster

Thanks Patty! Hope you have a great time!

Mid January - Tanzania (Crater/Serengeti) with Nomad Tanzania - flying in and out of Nairobi. Just now considering adding back the Rwanda portion that I took out due to cost. Nothing financially has changed on my end but it seems the right thing to do!
February - 3 weeks in a rental house in Simons Town south of Capetown - day trips in the area and overnight trips in the general area
Late February/early March - 3 week self drive in Namibia, ending up in Botswana and at Vic Falls

Very excited!

January - 4 nights Mala Mala Main Camp, 5 nights Rattrays - aiming for 200 birds...and the odd Leopard or two.

6 nights at Serian, Masai Mara in January ... main camp plus their mobile camp in the Mara reserve.

Wish I had a trip as long as Elizabeths! Wow.

I'M NOT GOING AND NOT HAPPY! Seriously depressed might even slit my wrists. Hope you all have a great time.

Tragically, looks like no 2010 safari for us. But I'm excited for you guys!

Botswana (3 camps, 9 nights), Vic Falls (2 nights) and Zimbabwe (2 camps, 7 nights) - booked and ready to go.

oop - late August through early September 2010

Dry season Kenya.

Thanks Patty for starting the thread!

I'm moving this one over from the 2009 roster as it is for May 2010: (even though it is not me going - darn!)



Old_dude on Sep 23, 09 at 10:21am
May 2010 it is, Thank you to LyndaS and the wonderful posts by all the others that helped us decide. Daniel at DK Grand is doing the trip for us.
Here is the itinerary (abreviated)
May 18, 19 Giraffe Cntr., Sheldrick -Norfork Hotel, Nairobi
May 20 Day trip to Lake Nakuru
May 21, 22 Drive to Amboseli -Amboseli Serena
May 23 Fly to Samburu- Samburu Larsen's Tented Camp
May 24 Samburu
May 25 Fly to Masai Mara- Bateleur Tented Camp
May 26 Masai Mara
May 27 Fly to Serengeti -Serengeti Serena Lodge
May 28 Serengeti
May 29 Drive to Ngorongoro- Ngorongoro Sopa
May 30 Ngorongoro
May 31 Drive Lake Manyara- Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
June 1 Depart Nairobi- STL
Old-dude

June to NBO then off to Rwanda for gorilla and golden monkey trekking.
Then to Ithumba in Tsavo with Patty, Mark and ??? Ithumba's self-catering so I'm looking forward to lots of oatmeal, candy bars, avocados and wine.
Then who knows, have several days in Kenya before returning home. I'm confronting a little bit of "how to get there from here" but, hey, it's East Africa, right? Hakuna matata.

Forgot to mention that I'm spending a day with Kennedy when I'm in Nairobi thanks to all the superlative recommendations here. Really looking forward to meeting him.

March-
3 nights Jo/berg
3 nights Pafuri
8 Day self drive in Kruger NP
1 night Flat Dogs, South Luangwa NP
2 night with friends in the valley
8 nights Africa Geographic & African Wild Dog Conservation Society 'Wild Dog Week' paticipating in field research.
Only 115 days to go! Yippee

October -
Our first safari
1 night Johannesburg
3 nights Botswana - Mashatu Main Camp
3 nights S.Africa - Pafuri Camp
5 nights S. Africa - King's Camp

6 nights Grumeti early Feb 2010 followed by a couple of nights in Samburu and Massai Mara.

May 2010 2 weeks South Africa - one week Londolozi and one week splitted between Mateya/Madikwe and King's/Timbavati.

Oct 2010 - India again for 2 weeks.

SV

Sv, I've always wanted to see Grumeti, cant wait to hear about it.

For me- planning on Sept. 2010 - waiting for JW (Laughoutlowd) to send my quote

FP

Hey, Twaffle, you'll really enjoy your time with Kennedy! Say "Hi" for me.

Botswana in September 2010! I'm booking with some friends (including perhaps some fellow Fodorites) through Predator Biologist (The Wild Source).

3 nights - Xaxanaxa Fly Camp
3 nights - Mapula Camp
3 nights - Savuti Fly Camp
2 nights - Ichobezi River Boat (Chobe)

The fly camps are coordinated by Footsteps in Africa and look to be an interesting alternative. I've been to WS and Kwando camps and enjoyed them, but the fly camps seem to be an option somewhere between these camps and mobile camps. They are set up and run by local guides and you fly between them.

Looking forward to reading about this trip, ShayTay! Sounds very interesting.

twaffle, say Hi to Kennedy for me too. I plan to get in touch with him once I determine which days I'll actually be in Nairobi.

Are you booking your safari with Kennedy or just the Nairobi day tour? You know that Kennedy is a tour operator, well connected and will give you a most competitive price on your entire safari. In case you didn't know!
I've booked entire group safaris through Kennedy and he's never disappointed me. He's awesome!
My two cents worth,

Aug-Sept: Southern Tanzania.
I'll post possible itineraries on a separate post as requested by Atravelynn, but looks like:
Selous, Katavi, Ruaha (3 or 4 nights each)parks, followed by Vamizi island resort in Mozambique so my newly re-certified diver husband can dive.
Stoked!

Safarimama, I am only spending the day with Kennedy as I didn't need to use a TO for this trip. I booked my Mara portion directly and likewise for my Nairobi accommodation. Maybe for my next trip if I have more time and combine parks and reserves. I will carry lots of good will messages from Fodors.

Patty, Leely~waiting on a quote for Zim. Really thinking about it though. Loved the pics of Ithumba.
ShayTay~email me please with info on your trip

ShayTay
When I asked for a TO for doing transfers/daytours Nairobi you suggested Kennedy and provided his email addresses.
I never got a response from him

Just for the record

Again - THX for trying to help out here.

SV

April 2010: Botswana- Kwara and Lebala
February 2011: Tanzania- Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Ndutu

flowerpower

Just to get the info across: Singita Grumeti has a 6for5 special from mid Jan to June and Sep to Dec 2010.

I will inform you on "how it was"

SV

SV, Take LOTS of pics! I tried an itinerary to Grumeti a few years back but got stopped by family issues. Will be on my list for sure.

Have a great trip. I am still trying to finalize mine. If it falls apart I will look at Grumeti!

FP

SV, I know that Kennedy has had problems getting e-mails, as noted by other Fodorites. I used him for a Nairobi visit and had that same problem on occasion. That's why he has several e-mail accounts... he hopes he'll get your e-mail on at least one of the accounts. I've also had that problem with another tour operator in Nairobi not getting e-mails. Even my outfitter in Dar for the southern Tanzania trip had problems with their e-mail. Hey, TIA!

I appreciate your input, too!

Got an email from Kennedy yesterday--and it took a few days for him to respond to me, for which he apologized profusely. Anyway, he said to "Say Hi to the Fodor's people and tell them to visit Kenya, it is very safe!"

I did add Rwanda to our itinerary above - very excited about that!

Working on the final details of a trip to Zim before deciding. So far:
4 Nights Somalisa
3 Nights Kanga Bush Camp Mana Pools
2 Nights Mobile Canoe Safari on the Zambezi
1 Night Lusaka visiting friends

Received our Tanzanian visas by Fed Ex today. Depart January 2010 to celebrate our 40 years of marriage.

Depart U.S. via Amsterdam for Dar -- Business Class (yahoo!)
2 nts. Southern Sun in Dar to recouperate from the flight.
Fly to Ruaha via Coastal Air
4 nts. Jongomero
Game drive transfer.
4 nts. Mwagusi
Fly to Selous
3 nts. Selous Safari Camp
Game drive transfer.
4 nts. Sand Rivers
Fly to Mafia Island via Dar
4 nts. Pole Pole on Mafia for whale shark diving.
Back to Dar and depart for the U.S.

22 Days in all. Its our second trip to Africa and we've been waiting a long time to return. I planned the entire trip via Internet with loads of good advice from my Fodor friends and booked with Lenny at Africa Travel Resource in the U.K. He was a jewel to work with. Only six more weeks to wait!

To each and every one of you -- have an amazing trip.

Dennis, so good to see you are going to Afreekah next year, looks like a great itinerary!

TC - are you the same person that went on an African safari in 1999 - the number one in my trip report index? If so - I loved your report! It was so detailed, I loved it - can't wait for the new one!

Can someone give me more information on this person/guide Kennedy? Thx.

Yes, LyndaS, its me again. Hopefully I'll have lots to tell come February. Thanks for asking.

SV,
Just saw your reference to Singita Grumeti - darn, will have to wait..We are going to Kenya -Sept.- final itinerary to come!
yay, been waiting for years to get there!

Will look forward to your trip as it will come way before mine!

FP

Hi tinydancer-

You can contact Kennedy at:

Ken@waymarksafari.com

If no answer on that one, try his personal email at:

ispear4@hotmail.com

He is dependant on internet service at the office (which is sporatic sometimes) on the first address, so if he doesn't answer in a day or two, try again on his personal email, as he can pick that one up from any computer.

He's a wonderful guide - you will love him!

TC - so sorry for referring to you as a 'he' in the trip report index! I'll make sure it's right for the next one....

August 24th through Sept 15th, 3 nights Djuma Vuyutela, 5 nights Granite Londolozi and 6 nights Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.

Only 23102565 seconds to go!

Mike

No worries, Lynda. He/She...whatever. If I cared, I wouldn't have used such an ambigous profile name in the first place. Too late to change now. Just happy if my input helps someone.

TC, hope you will post a trip report since we are going to Southern Tanz, and diving, in Aug. and would love to hear your experiences. Here's our itinerary, now looking quite firm:

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/proposed-southern-tanzania-itinerary-your-thoughts.cfm

My first trip EVER to Africa will be in 2010!
2 weeks in June: Arusha, Mayanara, Ngorongoro Crater and Highlands, Serengeti.
Can hardly wait

No itinerary yet but we're heading to Kenya for 1.5 weeks at the end of August, into September.

Just booked 2 weeks in Kruger and Timbavati, very excited, woo-hoo!

Got all flights booked and camps have been confirmed. End September Hilo-Honolulu-Seoul-Hong Kong-Johannesburg-Victoria Falls. 4 nights at Somalisa Camp (return visit) in Hwange National Park, fly to Mana Pools and stay 3 nights at ABC's new camp Kanga deep in Mana Pools, then 3 nights mobile canoe safari along Mana Pools and Zambezi River. Fly to Lusaka for a night, then reverse direction back to Hilo. Shortest and cheapest flights so far out of (this makes) 6 trips to Africa.

Not going to Africa 2010 <sob> But I will get to sleep with the lions roar. I won an overnight campout at a Big Cat Rescue site near San Diego.

MyDogKyle on Nov 2, 09 at 6:53pm
Tragically, looks like no 2010 safari for us. But I'm excited for you guys!
Mongolia will make up for it!

VeeR, trip report or at least sleepout report, please.

New Vistor..
First trip to South Africa, it's our 4oth wedding ann'y.
My wife's a keeper...
Here goes:
Leave JFK to Jo-Berg.
Jo-Berg to Capetown.
Staying at the Steenberg Hotel ( 4 Days )
Continue to Kruger Park ( Exeter Leadwood Lodge ) 4 days
Then to SunCity ( Cascades Hotel )
Leave for home February 14.
My wife promised to do a trip report...
Was a Chrimas present for my wife. She still can't believe it.
I also gave her a Nikon D90 camera. Now she has to practice taking pictures before we leave..
Will mostly drive to Pilanesberg National Park from SunCity.
Booked the travel via African Travel Experts ( Janine Krook )

50th birthday in Kenya in early June!
Still finalizing but looks like:
3 nights Lewa
3 nights Samburu or Loisaba
4 nights Bateleur
1 night NBO

Can't wait! Makes me want to turn 50 faster...can that be?

nj

I have to wait until 2011 for my next safari fix, but in order to fulfill my husband's dream, we are going to Egypt this March.

I'm going to be searching for wild horses in Mongolia in July 2010... does that count as a "safari"??

Departing in 4 days! This email just in from one of our camps - Sand Rivers. Can't wait....the excitement is fever pitch at our house now.

"The Selous in beautiful at the moment. We have had lots of rain, so the trees are a lush green and the grass a manicured lawn – so you can still see the animals quite easily. Everyone has been seeing lions every day and we have had daily leopard sightings recently too.

The rains have cooled down the Selous, so recently it has been around 30 degrees (FYI, that's still 89F), which means the early mornings and late afternoons are pleasant. The river is magnificent, racing past the lodge, although the islands have all but disappeared. Guests are still enjoying trips to Stieglers Gorge.

There are plenty of all the regular folk about – wildebeest, impala, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, eland and the birding is terrific with all the bee eaters/rollers etc."

Have fun TC. Curious: Did you get yellow fever shots?
Looking forward to hearng all the details sdince were doing a similar itinerary in Aug.

TC, safari njema!

Welcome to the Africa board, Hippobreath!

And MDK, can't wait to hear about the Mongolian horses. Have you ever looked at the galleries Chris in ATL (think that's his screen name) has posted. They took a fantastic trip to Mongolia, if I haven't gone senile.

LAleslie, Yes, to yellow fever shot and will take malaria pills. Our travel clinic also advised having a polio booster, but we had already taken this last year. Also a booster for typhoid, but we had already taken the oral two years ago - the oral is good for 5 years. We chose to add the H1N1 vaccine since we will spend so many hours on planes. Not sure what others might need, we've had so many vaccines for previous trips to remote areas. If this is your first trip, you should check early with your travel clinic as I recall some of the vaccines take a few weeks to acquire -- they are a series with a week or so in-between. Our travel clinic is also the source for prescriptions to take along, such as antibiotics for travelers diarrhea, sleep aids for jet lag, etc. TWO DAYS TO GO!!

Thanks, Leely, I did see his pictures -- gorgeous, and very inspiring. So was atravelynn's awesome Mongolia trip report. It was really tough deciding on a follow-up destination for Africa, but I'm excited about seeing more of Asia too. And of course, I'm looking forward to reading all the trip reports about these 2010 safaris! Especially your gorillas...

Hippo-
Great for you and what a nice gift...I went on a trip through African Travel Experts in 2007 and stayed at Exeter Leadwood - we loved it..I have pics that will make your wife breathless - it was incredible (though I know there are people who did not have a good experience but we did!) ASK AT to request Room ONE for your anniversary; it is incredible. If you pm me I will reply with lots of pics for you to drool over...and an ellie peeking in my window as I packed to leave. left me in tears...
FP

TC, from previous trips we're up on all our shots (and of course will take malaria meds) except yellow fever, and that's easy to get in L.A. But we'll probably pass on the typhoid.
Hope your flight makes it out of this nasty weather up there.

We know how to deal with nasty weather here. Unfortunately, its a standard. I think we're actually getting a "heat wave". Could get up to 30F.

Just returned from Botswana in December and already have another safari scheduled for May, 2010. We will visit Chitabe, Vumbura Plains, Selinda and Savuti. Hope O finish processing my last images before we leave again. The World Cup sure fouled up our timetable for 2010. The Africa posts are sure down?? the economy, World Cup, or has everyone found another Forum?
Chuck

I just booked my flights to/from Nairobi; my only other trip to Africa was 20 years ago - too long!
Arrive NBO Thursday, Feb 11 late evening
Feb 12-14 - ? Need to decide
Feb 15-Mar 1 - Earthwatch research expedition at Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Mar 1-3 - ?
Mar 3 - leave NBO at 11:30pm

I'll start another thread asking for advice on what to do with my free time and how to plan it. I'm traveling alone (husband can't make it, and I can't wait to go back to Africa any longer!), but may be able to hook up with some other volunteers from the Earthwatch group.

Kathy

Finally our bookings are complete. Our itinerary:

- 3N "Africa On Foot", Klaserie GR, Kruger
- 3N "Shindzela Lodge", Timbavati GR, Kruger
- 3N "Elephant Plains", Sabi Sands GR, Kruger
- 3N "Pungwe Lodge", Manyeleti GR, Kruger
- 4N "Nyati Beach Lodge", Mozambique

2nd half of September 2010.

Flowerpower..
Would love to see your pic's. Don't know how to PM you.
I'm a newbie..
My wife can't wait to get to Africa.. She is already packed. Still 18 days away.. When we get back from Africa,
only have 2 days and we are off to Las Vegas. My widowed sister is getting married again and since I gave her away 45 years ago, she wants me to give her away again.. then its off to Scottdale to play some golf.. But as I mentioned earlier my wife will do an African trip report..
She's a great writer...

Flowerpower?? LOL!

Hey HippoBreath,

My pics from Botswana are in these albums:
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T036.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N031.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T037.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N032.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T038.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N033.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T039.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N034.php
Albums with T: travel-related (vehicles, landscapes, people)
Albums with N: nature shots

And a trip report is here:
http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat/viewtopic.php?t=37455


I also have some albums online about Tanzania:
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T023.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N018.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T024.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N019.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T025.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N020.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T026.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N021.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/TRAVEL/T027.php
http://www.pixelpower.be/NATURE/N022.php

And a trip report is here (pics have gone though):
http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat/viewtopic.php?t=21459

Enjoy!

J.

PixelPower
Only thing I can say about your pik's Is WOW.
Have to show my wife the pictures tonight, when we are home.
Love the Fish-Eye Pik's ( great idea )
Thanks for sharing...

End of December into January.... Botswana at last!!! KCGR, xx?xx pans (means we didn't decide, not I can't spell), Moremi, xx?xx for the "water experience" + ???? Still tentative, so fingers crossed.

Hippo
Sorry I was away and just saw your request. I guess we cannot pm on Fodors.
so type in your "email name at dot whatever"
and I will send you pics. they are over on dh's computer as I just got a new one and pics are not downloaded.
If I can I will send you a "share" to see the book I made.

FP

I am happy to say that this year I can contribute to this post! I'm taking my 40th birthday trip in October to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana:

10/4 - 4 nights South Africa @ Capetown/Parker Guest House
10/8 - 3 nights Zimbabwe / Iila Lodge
10/11 - 1 night Johannesburg airport / Safari Club hotel
10/12 - 5 nights Botswana / Mashatu Tented camp
10/17 - 5 nights South Africa / Mala Mala main camp

The Capetown part of the trip will include the Peninsula tour, the winelands with wine tasting - yes!, and a trip to the island prison as well as a visit to the gardens. In Victoria Falls, I will have a day trip to Chobe National park, Falls viewing (of course) and a sunset cruise. Mashatu and Mala Mala - the most important part of the trip of course - the safari!

For those of you considering Mala Mala for 2010 and want to fly in - just a heads up - South African Airways has canceled all of their flights from Mala Mala to JNB for this year. I just heard that Mala Mala management has arranged with Federal Air to take over these flights for them.

All airfare and lodging is booked (I got a great deal from Seattle to Capetown and back from JNB - less than $1,200 - I couldn't resist getting it early!). Can't wait for this trip! I hope it won't be the last...

P.S. Leslie_S, when are you going to be at Mashatu in October?

Feb. of 2009 = Kenya, Tanzi and Zanzi!

Swore I would never make that flight again..no matter what!!(West coast USA)

Oct of 2010 - Shongololo Express and a few days in Cape Town.

What flight? How long? How soon we forget!

Leanna - yeah, "that flight", I'm also West Coast USA (So CA). But thinking about my 7th trip over. After about 11 hours on the plane I'm afraid I'm going to die. After another hour I wish I would!!! I've tried every route -except- for the newest one out of ATL into JNB, Delta.

regards - tom

FlowerPower.
Thank's for the reply..
E-Mail address: nlabo123@cox.net
As I sit at this computer, my wife is downstairs checking the weight of her luggage. She's packed, I'm not..
I still have 13 days to pack..

cary999 - We too are in So CA...Have you ever gone through Dubai on Emirates?

Sept 1 to Sept 15, 7 nights Shumba in Kafue, Zambia, 6 nights Ruckomechi in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe.

Any suggestions on guides at either camp to ask for?

CC - Emirates Dubai, no. Have gone on SAA, JFK - JNB, it stops in Dakar for an hour. That hour stop in Dakar is a nuisance, just adds to the agony.

I looked up flights LAX/JNB (Orbitz). Emirates cost is decent, $1530, a little more than SAA. But the Dubai stop is like arriving Dubai at 19:35 hrs and out of Dubai to JNB at 04:40 hrs. That's a long layover, 9 hours . And coming back from JNB, 8 hour layover.

I like that Delta schedule, leave LAX 10:30am, 2 hr layover in ATL, arrive JNB 5:05pm. Then sleep the night near JNB, leave next morning for safari!!!! (We always spend night JNB, typically an Emperors Place hotel, even if arriving in morning). Delta cost is $1731 so $200-300 more than Emirates or SAA.

I have enough FF miles for a "free" round trip, so my next flight to Africa will likely be through Europe again (LHR).

regards - tom
ps - FWIW, I live in Orange County, Fullerton

I'm on the Seattle - Washington D.C. - JNB - Cape Town flight. Yes, I'm dreading it already and it also stops in Dakar. I agree - it is brutal from the West Coast but we do seem to forget, don't we? We forget the pain for the pleasure the experience brings us - which is a good thing I think, but it is hard for me to remember that when I'm in the middle of a flight like that. Last time I went to Tanzania, I actually broke it up with an overnight or two in Amsterdam both ways which worked well. I just couldn't do that this time because I wanted to spend more time on land there so I am really worried about this flight more than the others.

Tom-I'll let you know how the Delta flight through ATL works out. We are flying that route in May. I hate the Dakar stop allmost as much as a plane change at LHR.
Chuck

I did the DL Lax-Atl-Jnb flt in Sept. but used miles for biz class so it was pretty nice, though long. ATL-JNB was 14hrs non-stop and JNB-ATL was 16hrs non-stop. I've done it in coach on SAA from JFK with a stop in Cape Verde a long time ago-NOT fun but still worth it for Africa.

Thanks Chuck, please do report on how it compares for you.

regards - tom

Back Again on Safari.

Sept-----LAX to LUSAKA Chiawa Camp 7 days
Robin Pope KnWali 4 days
Tena Tena 4 days
Then off to Lake Malawi for some r & r (also Robin Pope)
JNB to LAX

Back To Zambia! Can't Wait.

Thanks, Tom. We were thinking of Emirates to Nairobi, with an overnight stop in Dubai on the way there and just 3 or 4 hrs. on the return. I thought I could get the 2-for-1 business Amex platinum deal, but it was ridiculously expensive. Now considering LAX-LHR-NBO on BA Premium Economy...Any mileage or routing tips from LAX-NBO or JRO?

"Any mileage or routing tips from LAX-NBO or JRO?"
Nope, no help there, but others here will.

Thanks moremiles for your reply. Business class - I wish!!

Monyline - we were at Tena Tena in 2006, liked it. Also been to Nsefu. Please report back on how you like them.

regards - tom

Kenya in February, 2010 for me!
I have my final itinerary. 16 days from now, I'll be on my way to the airport!!!

Feb 10-11: SFO-ORD-LHR-NBO (unfortunately, on American, it's a 3 flight deal no matter what. Fortunately, I had enough FF miles for 1st class!)
Feb 12-14 - Masai Mara (actually Olare Orok). Staying at Kicheche Bush Camp, arranged and transfers by Alex at All Seasons Safaris and Tours
Feb 15-Mar 1 - Earthwatch research expedition at Ol Pejeta Conservancy - "Saving Kenya's Black Rhinos"
Mar 2 - Day trip from Nairobi: Animal Orphanage, Daphne Sheldrick, Giraffe Center
Mar 2-3 - NBO-LHR-LAX-SFO; leave NBO at 11:30pm

I'm so excited! I've started laying things out pre-packing, but have no idea yet how much I'll need to whittle the pile down....

Kathy
Kathy

Tanzania (and maybe Kenya) and Zanzibar for us in September 2010. This is our second trip to Africa, and we can't wait to be back there! Itinerary still pending.

Sharon

Our first safari, first trip to Africa.

August 2010
Cairo - 1 night
Masai Mara - 3 nights camping
Lake Nakuru - 1 night
Amboseli - 2 nights

This is all new to me. I can barely wait!

Chris

I was just working on this....my 11th trip to Africa

August 27 Victoria Falls
Aug 30 Selinda Camp
Sept 2 Kwetsani
Sept 4 Mombo (my all time favorite place)
Sept 7 Cairo first time!
Sept 10 Luxor
Sept 12 head home......

Crosscheck-I've found the routing Lax-Jnb much easier than to NBO, but once was able to get LAX-ZRH(with an overnight stay at an airport hotel), then ZRH-NBO all on Swissair using UA miles. Swissair kept my bags at the airport and I just took an overnight bag to the hotel. It's an extra expense and more time, so depends on if that works for you too.

early March:

Nxai Pan - 4 nights
Little Kwara - 4 nights

Rizzuto we may be at Little Kwara at the same time - I am there March 2nd-9th.

I'm arriving 2 days after you leave, GreenDrake. Please ask the animals to be at their best.

Little Kwara seems to be popular ...

I know at least 6 people who are travelling to Little Kwara in the next month.

Here is my trip report (short version)from my stay in December 2009:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1201154338#!/topic.php?uid=88395954021&topic=12199

Have fun,

Johan

Looks like I will bat leadoff and get those animals in place for your arrival Rizzuto. Nxai Pan should be outstanding this time of year - I will have to target that area for an extended stay on a future trip.

Johan - An excellent read and I look forward as always to see your photos. I hope my luck with the cheetah viewing will come close to what you encountered.

Our Southern Tanzania Trip Report is up. 22 days in Selous and Ruaha. Enjoy.

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/22-days-at-4-camps-in-southern-tanzania-ruaha-and-selous.cfm

Photos at:
www.tonna.zenfolio.com

Thanks for the report, Johan. I haven't seen 40F for about 10 weeks ... I can certainly do without 40C!

Hi Greendrake and Rizzuto,

We will miss you both by a few days. We miss Greendrake by ONE day. Leave LK on March 1 for Maun.

Hi Johan,

I think the count is more like 8 people we know inside a one month frame.

Greendrake and Rizzuto,

I would he highly surprised if gameviewing won't meet your expectations at LK as they are doing very well with predator sightings at the moment.

I'll be on my way to Botswana very soon and will be visiting some of the Kwando camps combined with a mobile safari to the CKGR and like you I'll hope for reasonable weather.

Greetz,

Johan

Rizzuto, I shall be at L.K. March 13-14-15. Looks like our

paths will cross. I shall miss Hari by a few days.

Botsfan

Hari

The bad news is I will miss you by a day. It would have been great to hook up there.

The good news is you are a cheetah magnet and I am counting on them still being around looking for you for several weeks after you leave.

Johan - excellent news. That sounds like a perfect itinerary - the best of both worlds.

The Green Season rates seem to have created a traffic jam of monumental proportions.

Bf, we will indeed enjoy LK @ the same time!

Shame that Air Botswana didn't get the message. (They canceled the midday n/s on the day I needed to take it.)

Safe and comfortable travel to all.

Greendrake,

Hari is more of a wild dog magnet at the moment ... and I won't be complaining if we bump into them.

I already booked a couple of cheetah sightings in golden light in the CKGR ... as I have to keep everyone happy.


Rizzuto,

It would really help if Air Botswana had some competition. I hope you find a way to sort out your problem.

I think that some of the experienced safari-goers discovered that Kwara is pretty good in green season.


Jan,

I have never met you and it looks like on this trip, I'll miss you again. Would love to have a talk with you as you have conducted so many trips to Botswana and you must be even a greater Botswana lover than I am. Have a wonderful time with Spencer and Super.


To everyone, travel safely and have a fantastic trip.

Cheers,

Johan

Greendrake,

Indeed a pity that we miss by a day ...... actually, Johan and I are hoping that Russell has done all the tracking and ground work to keep up with all the cheetahs at Kwara. Hope to hear from him soon when he gets home.

Rizzuto and Jan, sorry that we miss each other this time. I'll leave a note to say hello with Lizzie the manager.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe trip.

Regards,
Hari

Hari,
Also sorry that we'll miss each other -- maybe next time.

Johan,
Agree completely about Air Bots & competition. The Botswana gov't apparently did agree to an Open Skies arrangement, and SAA had actually added JNB-MUB flights to its schedule, but the gov't changed position at the last moment and excluded the JNB-MUB route from the deal. On this trip, I'm taking the overnight flight on Lufthansa to JNB, then Air Bots JNB to Gabs and then connecting to Maun. I'l be very pleased (maybe a bit surprised) if that all goes smoothly. Tot ziens,

Do you not get into JNB in time for the 10AM direct flight to Maun? or no seats on that day?

Nope, flight has a scheduled arrival time of 10am, so can't make the morning n/s. In northern hemi summer, the LH flight does arrive a lot earlier and the 10am flight is possible. I can hardly complain, tho.

Jan, I'm glad that you'll be at LK ... insurance that the guests won't all be from Texas.

Johan,I'm sorry that I'll miss you ,too. Just keep that

young Hari in order while he's with you. I'll be looking

after Spencer for him.


Hari, I think you did this on purpose!


Rizzuto, I'm looking forward to meeting you!


Jan

Rizzuto, I've had to do that through Gaborone flight once. The same plane actually took me via Gaborone to Maun, so wasn't a case of missed connections. If this is the same for you - should be fine.

Jan, I look forward to your report after you get home.

Hari