Finally, finally everything is booked for our upcoming safari.

This trip has been a couple of years in the planning, but finally its almost here. This is my third trip to Africa and for my traveling companions, a first safari. We start out as a party of 4 in Arusha – my aunt and uncle and a fabulous friend I have known for over 30 years.

Everyone is very excited about this trip, and really, really looking forward to setting out on the big adventure.

I’m using frequent flyer point for the Australia-JNB flights, and my local travel agent made other international flight bookings with the exception of the Mashatu connection.
Land content was all self-booked or booked through local operators.


14th June – depart Hobart (overnight Perth)
15th June – depart Perth-JNB (overnight Metcourt Laurel)
16, 17, 18 June – Rivertrees Inn (nr Arusha); day trip to Arusha NP (private vehicle)

Northern Circuit safari (Good Earth Tours; guide is Raphael)

19th June – Lake Manyara, overnight Kirurumu
20th June – 6am start in Lake Manyara NP, overnight Serengeti Serena
21-22 June – Western Serengeti, overnight Mbalagheti
23rd June – Return to Seronera, overnight Serengeti Serena
24th June – Drive to Crater, overnight Sopa
25th June - 6am start in Crater, lunch at Gibbs Farm, overnight Tarangire Safari Camp
26th June - Tarangire NP, overnight Tarangire Safari Camp
27th June - Arusha, overnight Impala

DA and DU depart for South Africa

Tanzania Southern Circuit (booked with Foxes)

28th June-2nd July – DF and I fly to Ruaha NP, overnight Ruaha River Lodge
3rd-5th July – Selous Game Reserve, Rufiji River Camp
6th July - depart DAR for JNB (overnight Metcourt Laurel)

Botswana (booked with Massons)

7th July – depart JNB for Gabarone, overnight Cresta Lodge (day in Gabarone)
8th–9th July – fly Maun, fly Magadagadi Camp
10th-14th July – Mobile Camping Safari with Ewan Masson. 2 nights Boteti River; 3 nights CKGR
15th July – return to Maun, overnight Maun Lodge. DF departs for Mapula Lodge

16th July depart MUB for JNB (overnight Metcourt Laurel)

17-20 July – Mashatu Tented Camp
21st July - depart Mashatu for JNB, transfer to De Wildt Sanctuary, overnight Cheetah Lodge
22nd July – Morning Cheetah run and tour, Hartebeesport Elephant Reserve, depart for JNB (overnight Metcourt Laurel)

Namibia

23rd - 25th July – Windhoek, overnight Safari Court
26th–29th July – Swakopmund, overnight Brigadoon B&B
28th July – day trip to Sandwich Harbour with Turnstone Tours
30th July – Walvis Bay, overnight Villa Weiss
31st July – Desert Camping
1st–2nd August – Hobatere Lodge
3-4th August – Okaukeujo, overnight Waterhole Chalet
5th August – Halali
6th August – Namutoni, overnight Onguma Lodge
7th August – Return to Windhoek, Overnight Safari Court
8th August - depart for JNB (overnight Metcourt Laurel)
9th August – start of home journey (boo-hoo)


Cheers,

Pol

Hi Pol

I also leave 14 June from Brisbane by I go via Singapore so that I am gameviewing pm 15 June.

You should have an amazing trip as you are away quite a while and visit an amazing number of places. Wishing you and your travelling party a fantastic trip and gameviewing experience!

Kind regards

Kaye

Sounds like a wonderful trip you have booked there!

Wow! That sounds like an amazing trip! Your traveling companions will be left speechless and absolutely spoiled for any future vacations!
I'll be at Mashatu a couple days after you.
I look forward to hearing about your experience with Masson's. The daughter and son in law of my guide in 2006 own Massons and I've been considering them for a future trip.
Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!

KayeN, Kavey and Lillipets thanks for your good wishes.

KayeN - that 48 hours in transit is a killer first up, however, it will be worth it when I get to Rivertrees. I'll think of you gameviewing already on the 15th when I'm somewhere over the Southern Ocean.

Lillipets, yes I will report on Masson's as I'm really looking forward to the mobile camping, the pans and the deset.

Cheers,


Pol.

Wow~! That is one amazing itinerary and you are just about on your way!

Have a terrific time &lt

I am speechless, Treepol. Two months, and such an amazing itinerary! No wonder it was two years in the making. Have the most wonderful time of your life, and please post when you return.

Treepol,

Your trip just goes on and on. Wow!

Good for you. You'll all need a cultural reorientation course when you get home!

And with all the differnt places you're staying, you'll be quite a Fodor's resource for years to come

Dana_M, CarlaM, Lynn and Kimburu

Thanks for your good wishes and encouragement. I finished work today, have purchased the cashcards and am now into some heavy duty packing and last minute arrangements.

I was telling people at work today that this time next week I will be in Arusha NP!

Cheers,


Pol.

What an amazing itinerary! I'm totally jealous of the amount of time you get to spend in Africa and on safari. You are going to so many wonderful places I'm sure you'll have sensory overload. The Makgadigadi Pans and mobile camping in the middle is a good choice. Like Lillipets, I went on a mobile safari with Ewen's father-in-law, Nick, in 2003 and loved, loved it. I look forward to hearing about Masson's also. I hope you have the best trip ever and if things don't go perfect, just remember TIA (this is Africa) and it will all work out.

Cindy
(leaving for Mashatu and MalaMala on the 30th)

Hello again Treepol,

Hope you have a fabulous trip and please say hello to Raphael for us (Marilyn and Brian - you could remind him about the warthogs that chased my husband!)

I am really jealous about the Cheetah Lodge part. They are the most glorious animals.

I also second the 'TIA' comment!

Will be looking forward to reading your report.

Wow! what a fabulous itinerary, Pol. It must have been really fun to plan. You're going to have a hum-dinger of a trip report to give us upon your return. Have a wonderful time!!

Another Wow! here. Have a safe journey and a wonderful time.

Have the BEST time Treepol!!!

What a fantastic trip. I was looking at your itinerary and it just kept going and going. I had to do a double take and look again when you left. WOW!!! Looks simply fantastic.

Have a wonderful time

Shane

Thanks so much for the positive comments.

Calo, it was fun to plan and book, although there were a few moments when I wondered what I had got myself into.

I expect to have the BEST time, after all there will be something wrong if I don't!

I've bought 2 notebooks so that I can make meaningful jottings to form the basis of a trip report. It took me 2 years to write up the last trip, however, I aim to be much more prompt this time around.

I have my new FZ18 fully charged, memory cards packed, I've done a test run on the cash card and it works locally so thats a good sign.

Apart from loading up the money belts and throwing in a few last minute toiletries, I'm 'outta here' at 3 pm tomorrow!

Cheers,



Pol.

What a fabulous trip of a lifetime you have planned. I'd most likely go into shock with all the planning and packing involved for that.
Please report back when up to it.

Enjoy and be safe!

Have a wonderful time!