tuskerdave

Hi, David from Rhode Island, USA. Going on my 4th safari this SEPT. My tour op in Kenya is setting up MIKUMI, RUAHA & TSAVO EAST. I have been to TSAVO before. But I have a few things to attend to there. Anyway, my tour op knows the FOX family in SO. TANZ so she is putting there. I am spending 3nts MIKUMI and 7nts RUAHA.Mostly because of the flights out of RUAHA to ARUSHA.
Then my personal crew from KENYA will meet me. Then off the TSAVO WEST. I think we will have to stay the night.Then off to TSAVO EAST. For 7nts. Camping at the public camp site. But also expect to stay in the ATHI / TIVA RIVERS area of TSAVO EAST. Need permission to visit here. I Have a couple of other things going on also.
Then 1nt just outside NAIROBI.
So, I will be flying into DAR ES on the night of SEPT 9TH. Fly out of RUAHA on SEPT
20TH. Drive to KENYA that same day. Fly out SEPT 28TH or 29th.
If you love the wildlife, ELEPHANTS ect. A couple of people would help this time for either part. If you want more info ect. Let me know.
Thanks, David

RuthieC

David,

I'm sure you'll have a great time at both Mikumi and Ruaha. We were hosted by a number of different members of the Fox family last year, staying at 4 of their places - they're a great bunch. This is the link to our trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

and in case you haven't got it, the link to their website is

http://www.tanzaniasafaris.info/index.htm

tuskerdave

Hi Ruthie, thanks I'll look. My tour op in Kenya knows the Fox family. What is funny though, my tour has never been to those parks. But with some luck. Her and her Husband will meet me in RUAHA!
That would be cool. Even more strange. Just over on animal planet.
WILD KINGDOM about the YELLOW BABOON research project.In all places. MIKUMI!! What are the chances of that being on.
Thanks, David

divewop

Hey TuskerDave
I just watched that baboon special too.

And on National Geographic Channel tonight at 9pm eastern time for all you leopard lovers is a special called:

Beauty & the Beasts: A leopard's story.

I know I'll be watching it!

tuskerdave

Hi, I think I saw that one. Will have to check it out again. Did you ever see:
"WALKING WITH LIONS" Very good stuff. Filmed in ZIMBABWE. I was there in 1999.
Be signing off soon.
Thanks

divewop

Yep,
Saw that one too. Was excellent.

I also have seen all the documentaries by Derek & Beverly Joubert.

Pretty much watch evey documentary on Africa & the Oceans I can get my hands on.

Pretty pathetic isn't it?!

tuskerdave

No it isn't keep it up! I just posted something on that other thread. Take a look when you have a min. Pass it on if you like.

RuthieC

Dave,

We were the only guests at Mikumi last year so we got some pretty special attention from Tim the manager and Geoff Fox - founder of their empire, who was staying there with us. We were taken one day to meet with the team doing the baboon research. The head of the research team is affectionately known as "King Bab" - I don't think we ever knew his real name.

Tim keeps in touch with them regularly - mainly I think because he's looking for a wife from amongst the young female researchers!

I'm sure if you let Tim know of your interest he'd be more than willing to introduce you to them and arrange for you to spend some time with them, depending on your schedule.

tuskerdave

Hi Ruthie, thanks so much for this info.
I will be MIKUMI 3NTS. We will see how this play out. Did you go do any walking or tracking there?
Thanks, David

RuthieC

David,
No we didn't do any walking, although I know they can arrange them. We were still fairly new to the safari experience as our only previous safari was in kenya in a large group tour in minibuses - no-one walked anywhere! Walking seemed a little adventurous to us - we soon changed and by the time we had spent a week at Ruaha we loved the walking.

Are you staying at Safari Camp or Vuma Hills (both in Mikumi & run by Foxes). We stayed at the Camp and visited Vuma one afternoon. Vuma is a little more up-market (plunge pool, larger tents) but I think the Safari Camp has the better position and atmosphere. The views of the plains from the tents are glorious and there were often ele's walking by.

tuskerdave

Hi there, I will be stayig at safari camp. we did a lot of walking and tracking in zimbabwe. great stuff. with some permission I was able to do some walking in the taita area of tsavo. Also walked with the KWS RANGERS to the poaching site in the forbidden zone of tsavo east. We also got out of my truck above the mara river. A hippo was in the bruch. Not something to mess with for sure!!!!!I have friends there now. I will have to do some of that walking in the south there. I'll bring some duct tape for my ankle area, tics ect,lol!!
thanks, david

tuskerdave

hi, one more thing. i very much want elephants walking near my tent!!!! will not be the first time.
david

sandi

tuskerdave -

your comment >>I'll bring some duct tape for my ankle area, tics ect,lol!!<<

good idea, but shave the area you plan to apply duct tape, or we'll hear your screaming all the way home, if you don't! LOL

tuskerdave

Hi, if I am able to do some walking out there. I will be wearing long pants. No need to shave. Don't even want to think about that tape getting stuck, lol.