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Who Plans and Packs for Your Bucket List Travel (Safari)

Who Plans and Packs for Your Bucket List Travel (Safari)

Old Apr 11th, 2014, 01:04 PM
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Who Plans and Packs for Your Bucket List Travel (Safari)

We were sitting around the table last night having dinner with friends, and the subject of "bucket list" travel came up. To a person, the men said their spouses had a long list of places they wanted to visit and the wife dragged them along. My husband said, I make all our plans, shopped for the trip and told him when we are leaving and what to pack (essential debriefing would occur once the int'l. flight was in the air) The men all agreed!! That really surprised me!

So I am curious, when you go on safari, who does most of the trip research and who does most of the travel goods purchasing in your home?
Happy travels,
Khakif
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Old Apr 11th, 2014, 03:49 PM
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Because we're going on safari with another couple, I browbeat DH into doing some reading and participating in the conversations.

Normally, we decide together where we want to go and I do all the planning. I like it and he doesn't, so we're a perfect fit.

Except for electronics and cars, I do all the family shopping; for travel is no exception.
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Old Apr 12th, 2014, 09:52 AM
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Me, all me, for research and buying travel items for safari. But my husband doesn't go on nature trips.

We share planning for other destinations.
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 04:50 AM
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I (the wife) do all the planning for vacations. His input is limited to destinations and specific activities. I do the purchasing but I tell him first. I'm pretty frugal but I think it's fair to run major purchases by him.

He really wouldn't travel if I didn't want to and just has no interest in looking at travel guides and developing itineraries. He's a lovely travel companion but I do the nitty gritty. I enjoy the planning and organization, though, so it works just fine.
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 08:07 AM
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I (wife) do all the travel planning. He will suggest places he wants to go. We are headed to Tanzania for our first safari in June. He definitely does most of the purchasing of specific travel items for the trip - electronics, camera gear, any kind of technical gear or items that we will need. He tends to be a gear head so kind of likes that part - but usually only starts researching this maybe a month or 2 at the most before we are set to leave. Also, while I do all the specific planning once we arrive he is the navigator on how to get where, when we are driving or walking. (I take care of all train/plane arrangements).
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 09:07 AM
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My husband and have created our bucket list together. I typically do the planning as I am more picky and have more " must have requirements" on topics such as lodging. I usually make a formal presentation to him/sell him on it, then book. I am mindful of the budget and he loves the trips - so it works for us!

We leave in 4 weeks for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, I have a spreadsheet of all the things to purchase, pack,etc. planning is the key to an easy safari.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 11:50 AM
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I do ALL the research, planning and navigating for ALL our trips and while I enjoy doing everything, after 30+ years it sure would be nice if someone else would do what I do, as well as I do it, and whisk me to somewhere wonderful where I don't have to worry about a thing. Sigh!

I loved planning last year's African safari adventure. It as the trip of a lifetime. You can read all about it here, including packing tips, if you're interested. http://bit.ly/13YVlDL
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 08:01 PM
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Looks like I'm in a minority so far !
I (husband) do all the travel planning & arrangements. It's a hobby and passion. See my trip report beside.
My wife is the expert packer however, but as for shopping I admit to being a luggage-oholic !
We're a team though, I give her regular reports during the planning to make sure she's on board and as well the destinations are agreed upon in advance. Perhaps I should say negotiated !
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Old Apr 15th, 2014, 11:29 AM
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Like Christo,as the husband I do all the planning and travel arrangements and as he stated it is also a hobby and passion of mine.A couple of months after we get home from our last adventure,I am busy researching the next destination.My DW usually knows when something is up,so I come clean and let her know what I have in mind.Some trips she is on board for ,others not so much,but when she decides to go with me she is an incredibly good sport,and a good traveller.She really dislikes the packing part of the trip,and needs lots of encouragement,but things always go off without a hitch.
My next destination is back to Tanzania this fall to do a week long walking safari and for this trip she is staying in the comforts of her own home,so I'm trying to twist the arms of a couple of friends to come along,otherwise,I'll go it alone.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 01:23 PM
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I don't know why, but I find all your comments really interesting. So far the gals are in the majority.
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