klock03

“Trip of a lifetime,” seems like a cliché but our recent safari to Botswana and Zimbabwe was truly an adventure of a lifetime. Having been on incredible trips to Alaska and Costa Rica, our group of three families (6 adults, 8 children ages 11-17) had sky high expectations before our African safari and those expectations were blown away. Mark Nolting and the Africa Adventure Company just did an amazing job. We were on safari July 26 to August 6, 2009. We stayed in Moremi Game Reserve, Kings Pool, Victoria Falls and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. Happy to share more information for those who are interested.

atravelynn

You have a blockbuster of an itinerary to begin with. The cliché may prove to be a misnomer for some of those 14 because I bet they'll be back. I did my trip of a lifetime in 1994 with The Africa Adv Co and knew on Day 1 I'd return to Africa.

Why don't you share some photos? It's easy to put in a link to sites like Kodak Easyshare Gallery, Snapfish, Picassa, etc. I use the Kodak one--real simple.

scruffypuma

As Lynn mentions, you have a great itinerary. Would love to hear some day to day details and see some photos. I did my
Africa trip of a lifetime 20+ years ago and have been back multiple times(several w/ AAC), have another trip planned for Dec., and know it won't be the last!

christabir

Sounds amazing. Not everyone goes on a second trip with others, much less a third!! I salute you and hope it's not your last trip together or your last adventure to southern Africa. You are very lucky to have those experiences with your kids - or maybe the other way around!! Would love to hear a bit more.

tockoloshe

Would love to hear more, about Mana Pools in particular!

klock03

Hello

Thanks for I have never really posted before but the trip was so amazing I wanted to share information with others. You can go to this site for full trip report and photos:

http://klock03.smugmug.com/gallery/1...12177217_naPY2

Really, this trip went off with out a hitch. With 8 kids and 6 adults, we all just had the most incredible time. Mana Pools has got to be one of Africa's better kept secrets-what an adventure!!!!!! I am happy to answer any questions. Thanks for letting me share and for all the awesome information on this site.

atravelynn

Some great shots and very close ele encounters on land and in water. Nice job on the honey badger!

cary999

Thanks for your report on smugmug, what a fantastic time with family and friends!!!

"Nick even invited our entire group to “crabwalk” within a few feet of small pack of wild dogs". Did not see any photos of this? Curious, how close did you get, how did the dogs react?

regards - tom

twaffle

Lovely report and photos, thanks for making the effort. Love the dog jumping the water.

klock03

Tom (cary999)

I added a few more photos at end of site, showing group approaching wild dogs. We got within 10 feet or less. They were largely disinterested in us. They played with each other, rested and just sometimes looked at us. We were there for at least a half hour. They are beautiful to watch.

scruffypuma

Some very nice photos, thank you for sharing. I am partial to the warthog portrait!! I am always curious about the camera gear, what others drag along in hopes of getting "the perfect shot". In one of the dog photos it looks like a fairly large telephoto?

cary999

thanks klock03, now that is interesting-
http://klock03.smugmug.com/gallery/1...112_KtcQm-L-LB

Did your guide say why you had to "crabwalk" and not just approach walking very slowly? Did you try this with lions? That would redefine AWESOME!!!!

regards - tom
ps - a video clip of the group crabwalking could be a big hit on youtube!!! Do you have any???

klock03

We have video clips of wild dogs, but probably none of group crawling out to dogs or showing perspective. Clips are of dogs taken by kids with their point and shoots!!

Someone asked about camera(s) used. Canon 40d and Xti, with 70-200 and 100-400. Both lenses were great to have. Wildlife at times was so close that had to really back off on any kind of zoom.

Paul

surkamp

Glad I missed out on this one , 8 kids what a nightmare!

klock03

surkamp

I cannot speak to your experiences. But based on your comment, I can only assume you have had some bad ones with kids. That is too bad. However, these kids are fortunate to be well travelled and truly appreciate nature and how to respect it. They have an amazing amount of enthusiasm to see wildlife that is contagious and never once did any of them complain on the entire trip. May be that is unusual- I don't know. This is not their first rodeo. I just received an email from one of the guides who again reiterated what a special group we had. Personally, I cannot imagine a better experience with a family. Having travelled with this group to Yellowstone, Costa Rica, Alaska and now Africa, it is my experiece that more often I see adults that are disrespectful to nature and how to behave and or observe it. I had never posted before here and wanted to share a perspective about a safari or eco-traveling with families-in hopes of encouraging others to contemplate such wonderful experiences.

DJD_Texas

klock03,

Thanks for your report. Judging from your report and your photos, I for one would LOVE to end up with a group such as yours! I'll be traveling alone to Tanzania in February and I look forward to blending in with the rest of my group (who I haven't met yet). I can only hope that it turns out to be as much fun as your group sounds . . . but then, I love kids!

Thanks again for your post.

Deborah

cynstalker

klock03:

I just tried to access your report and it's asking for a password? I'm very interested in your report as next year I'm taking my 2 nephews to Botswana. They'll be 15 & 16 when we go, and I'm a little nervous about them getting bored. At any rate, are your report & photos still available?

Cyn

atravelynn

To help maintain their interest, maybe a bird book for each of them or bird apps. Also a Setswana dictionary to translate a few words. Their own 10x or greater optical zoom camera with lots of memory cards will add the photographic element without requiring a huge investment in equipment. Plus a journal, which should be a requirement of the trip--not to just occupy their time, but because it will be a future treasure to them.

I know your question, Cyn, was simply meant to ensure a good trip and ward off problems up front, and I am sure your nephews are great young men. But I can't help but admit that my blood boils when potential boredom on gifted a safari is even raised.

cynstalker

Thanks for your answers atravelynn - and so sorry to make your blood boil! I have the greatest respect for your contributions to these forums, and would never want to aggrivate you - or anyone.

My nephews - as are most kids now-a-days, I think - are incredibly active. They play a variety of sports, and participate in all kinds of school activities. There is never a moment when they have nothing to do. They are constantly on the move, and my concern stems from the length of time spent in the safari vehicles. I remember spending more than an hour watching a lioness with her two cubs, and being completely enthralled. I don't know if a 15 & 16 year old's attention span can handle that - do you know what I mean? And there will be times when we are on a drive and don't see anything - will that make them crazy?

Ah well - I don't want to take this thread off target - I'll start a thread when it gets closer to get some more input for my concerns.

Klock03 are you out there?

atravelynn

Cyn, it is not <u>you</u> that would boil my blood, just the general concept of boredom on safari.

Your concerns are reasonable and make perfect sense!

DJDTexas, you should be off soon!