cary999

300mm, 400mm lens. Not really that much difference and you can make up the difference by cropping the 300mm image.
If you're not working with your digital images to improve cropping/composition, color, sharpness, etc., then you are not realizing half of the capability of using a digital camera. Doesn't matter whether it is a DSLR or P&S.

regards - tom

YvonneM

Just a thought... at the end you could fly from Joberg to Pemba in Mozambique and relax on the Northern beaches there which are meant to be amazing and there is a connection Pemba to Dar

GDKSS

Since you have the time, you should consider taking the Rovos Rail from Capetown to jburg. It is a two day trip and well worth it. The train is just wonderful. It is quite luxurious and brings you back in time. The service is exceptional and the countryside is beautiful. We took the trip last August in between Safaris and it was definitely a highlight! We also stayed at Boulders Singits; the pinnacle of luxury and service. Hope this helps-

atravelynn

I think you may need to extend to 2 months to include all these interesting activities.

CarrieT

LyndaS: It's my first time on a safari too - Tanzania in October (coming fast!). I just booked a hot air balloon safari! I'm very excited about it, but I did read a post of yours about the balloon that concerned me a little...how high would you say the basket is that you have to jump in an out of? 3 feet, 4 feet? I guess I just assumed it opened on one side or that they had a step ladder. I'm a larger lady and worried about the weight limit already (trying to lose some before I leave of course), but I wasn't worried about hoping over the basket until I was searching the posts here and read your description.

LyndaS

Hi Carrie-

Not to worry about the balloon ride! I know how you feel though, because I agonized for months - for the same reasons, as I am a plus size lady.

For our balloon ride, we had to get in the basket as it was standing upright - and get out as it was standing upright also. It was about up to my shoulders, there is a foot 'hole' in the side, but that didn't help me much. I got my foot in there and just could not swing my leg over - it's quite a hoist. But, not to fear, two guys came over from the ground crew and more or less 'hoisted' me in. Once I got up on the side of the basket (sitting) it was easy to get inside as the seat is there for you to step on.

In the reverse, getting up over the side was not a problem from the inside - because the height of the seat is perfect for standing and throwing your legs over - but once I was up there, I was sure I was going to break a leg if I jumped down. Again, two guys saw me and came over and helped me out.

Don't worry about the weight issue - the pilot eyeballs every one and tells you who to stand with, in each section of the basket. Hubby Jim is a lot smaller than I, so we were a perfect match in one section of the basket!

To put it in perspective, see this picture of Jim and I infront of the basket, we are standing about a foot in front of it:

http://www.pbase.com/lyndas/image/96253159

Hope this helps! It was a fabulous experience, I reawlly enjoyed it and will do it again someday!

CarrieT

Lynda, thank you so much! This does help me know what I'm in for. I think I'm going to need help too..it's higher than I thought. I'm sure it will work out and I'm looking forward to it!

ggctheworld

Looks like we have the start of our itinerary:
3 nights Cape Town
1 night Blue train
Overnight Johannesburg

Now a decision to be made.
Do you think we are better off for 5 days in the Okavango Delta (Vumbura and Savute) and then to Victoria Falls
or
3 nights in a lodge like Exeter and then to Matetsi and Victoria Falls?
From there we would head up to Kilimanjaro for the Tanzinia Safari and finish up with Zanzibar for a few nights.