skibumette

At long last, after more than a year of planning and lots of guidance from Fodorites, we are off tonight after one last check of Lynda's fabled packing list. (My suitcase is absolutely jam-packed and weighs in at 22# plus a 7# carryon bag; this is IT for the next three weeks!)

I've been mainly a silent participant in the forum, except for my field of expertise (travel medicine), but everyone has been a font of information on everything from photography to ATMs -- THANK YOU! Hubby knows better than to take issue with any advice from you all!

I'm posting our schedule in hopes that we might cross paths with other Fodorites:
8/3 depart Washington
8/4 transit London
8/5-7 Capetown - Cape Grace hotel
8/8-10 Mala Mala Main Camp
8/11-12 Victoria Falls Hotel (Zim)
8/13 transit Jo'burg
8/14 Nairobi - Norfolk hotel
8/15-17 Amboseli - Tortilis Camp
8/17-20 Masai Mara - Mara Explorer
8/20 Nairobi - Giraffe Manor
8/21-22 Rwanda gorilla trekking -Gorillas Nest
8/23 Kigali - Serena hotel
8/24 Kigali/Nairobi/London
8/25 home

In any event, I'll be making notes for a trip report (which will reflect my newbie status, Tom!) to be posted after we return.

Jed

Looks like a wonderful itinerary. We'll expect a great report.

LyndaS

22# - WOW! I am impressed indeed - especially for 3 weeks with such varied places - cool!!! Are you in a duffle or suitcase?

Have a GREAT time, (you guys will anyways...) and we will look forward to your trip report when you get back!

skibumette

Soft-sided duffle without wheels; wouldn't take the risk of added weight! The wheeled duffles invariably weigh close to 6-7# whereas my LL Bean medium-size Adventure Duffle comes in around 2#

cox2

I just returned from a 26-day trip to Africa (hunting S. Africa, photo safari in Botswana, plus Vic Falls & Cape Town). You will LOVE it! Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. Try to get a room on the 4th floor at the Cape Grace as they are recently updated. We had a great time: Peninsula tour, winelands tour, Robben Island, V&A Waterfront. There are many fantastic restaurants; we loved Baia in the Waterfront Mall (seafood). Also, La Columbe was highly recommended. Look forward to your trip report (especially on your thoughts of the tragic state of affairs in Zimbabwe). Keep in mind that distribution is sketchy in Vic Falls - take plenty of bottled water. Don't bother exchanging money; pay for everything in dollars (Zimbabwe is a 3-hour economy). We stayed at the Royal Livingstone in Zambia, but I gazed longily at the Vic Falls Hotel many times! Ask your pilot to do a "fly over" of the falls - it is magnificent from the air. Also, a helicopter ride is a must! Post a reply if you need any more info. I've got the name of a great guide if you need one in Cape Town.

tripgirl

Have a great time!!!!!

Write a fantastic report upon your return.

Hope my report was helpful!

Still working on organzing those darn pics thugh...

Have the best time!!!!!!

divine54

cox
i would be interested in your hunting experience in south africa.
which provider/outfitter did you use and which lodge did you stay at.

would appreciate your information.

thx.

div

skibumette

Tripgirl: I'm carrying your wine pages with me!

LynnieD

Have a wonderful time. I'm right behind you (September 1st) and the goal is 20# including carry on. I just weighed the already packed carry on and it is 8#, plus my backpack is 2#, so 11 for clothes and misc.

Cant wait to hear the details of your adventure.

Lynnie

divine54

@ ski
have a great trip! itinerary is fantastic!

happy landings!

div

cox2

Divine - we hunted with Garry Kelly Safaris at his ranch northwest of Johannesburg, Bonwa Phala. He is without a doubt one of the best PH's in Africa. This was our first hunting safari, and we'll definitely go back. He can take you anywhere in Africa that you want to go. Mainly depends on what you want to hunt. Call or email them directly. There is no need to go through an agent on this; in fact, it is better to plan your trip directly since Garry would put together a hunt specifically for you. (Too difficult to go through a 3rd party.) I am happy to share more info if you like.

Here is a link to his website. http://www.gksafaris.co.za

Queenie1000

So what happened on the trip? I am thinking of booking both Mara Explorer, and def. Giraffe Manor...

Tell, tell!

napamatt_2

Never quite figured out the one day I'll shoot it, the next I'll photograph it mentality.

spassvogel

cox
I just had a look at all these great hunters with their rifles kneeling behind their innocent victims smiling............

I am missing "mission accomplished" sign.

Adult hunters are disgusting. What drives me crazy is when I see these children who grow up in this kind of violent households being kind of brainwashed. How are the parents going to explain to them why they did not prevent species being wiped out by hunting them down?

I never comprehend

SV

Patty

Queenie,
Here is skibumette's trip report http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35153086

NickyJamesonkenya

Wonderfully planned trip! You will have a great time - nicely balanced between east and southern africa. Have a great trip. Oh and if you are in a shopping mood you might want to look into buying Tanzanite or Tsavorite whilst you are in Nairobi. My husband and I purchased from a company called Lapigems who do all their own cutting and were very pleased - you can research them here: http://www.lapigems.com/tanzanite.asp