jerrytufts

First I would like to thank all you Fodorites that contribute to this forum. Because of your contributions I and countless others have been saved countless hours of worry and aggravation. I started this report, tale, account, whatever it’s called, on February 2nd 2008 even though our safari isn’t scheduled to leave until May 11th. It is more of a “play by play” rather than just a trip report. I wanted something different from the many trip reports I’ve read and enjoyed. I knew that if I didn’t start as soon as I could I would forget many of the details since I’m not that good a rememberer, if that is a word, which it isn’t, but should be. To make it easier to maintain I’ve created a blog for this report. Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, questions, whatever. My blog is jerrytufts.blogspot.com.

atravelynn

Your antagonizing over the decision- making up front will ring true with many people and make them feel at ease about their own handwringing on what company to choose and whether to go private or group.

Explain to me the acronym for your wife. She has an MBA and is sweet? SWMBA? Or do I have that all wrong?

Your comprehensive packing list this far out is most impressive. I bet you have an MBA too, specializing in accounting!

How encouraging that your previous health troubles propelled you to do an Africa trip. And how nice you are allowing your son to get a taste of Africa much earlier in life.

The countdown is part of the overall fun!

ekscrunchy

It is SWMBO, not MBA!!

Sweet Wife Mother.......?????????

Nyamera

Jerry, you’re an exemplary Fodorite! Starting your report months before your trip! Some could learn a lot from you… Whatever SWMBO means, she’ll regret her decision.

jerrytufts

In reference to SWMBO. She Who Must Be Obeyed. Thanks for the comments.

luangwablondes

Thats 10 points for jerrytufts. Now, who can give us the origin of SWAMBO.

llorear

Jerry, I really enjoyed your pretrip report (here & via blog) & look forward to further installments. We will be going June 6 - 22. Thanks.

atravelynn

I love She Who Must Be Obeyed. I am reintroducing myself to my husband as SWMBO Wife!

I bet when you return and rave about the trip, the wonderful food, the great accommodations (be sure to take pics of these for her), SWMBO will be interested in going. If you play this right, you'll get yourself a return trip to Africa! Maybe for a significant anniversary or something.

Now for SWAMBO, I believe that is a prospecting term that refers to a site with uranium that is rich in yellow squat crystals. (I got some help from Google.)

Or is it a Single White Athletic Man with Body Odor?

Back to Jerrytufts and your extensive pre-departure prep. Since you are so enthused and thorough (or as you put it "anal") have you developed a reading list or are you interested in any suggestions?

Anyways, you have found the place to engage in your pre-trip excitement and to ask any questions that arise.

atravelynn

I just got done being impressed with a list of pre-trip websites another first time traveler to Tanzania put together. Although this guy had traveled extensively in other parts of Africa.

Thought maybe they would be of interest to you too. Something to help wile away the hours until the big day.

www.bwanamitch.com For overall info

www.andybiggs.com He works with Thomson’s and is a great photographer who recommended
Kinésis Beanbag http://www.kgear.com/r/

http://mwanasimba.online.fr/E_index.html to learn some Swahili.

http://www.hillmanwonders.com/safari/index.htm#_vtop for migration info

These next two may have been part of your 27 (or whatever) favorite bookmarked sites and offer general info

http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/index.php

http://www.safariweb.com/tanzania/attract.htm


http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/safariafrica.asp for videos of accommodations

http://www.go-safari.com/safari_Tanzania.htm. Great maps for use with GoogleEarth so you can see where you are going

For those who remember Skimmer, that’s who compiled this list.

jerrytufts

Thanks for the sites! That should while away a few hours! I did order the following from Amazon:
HOW TO PLAN AND SURVIVE SAFARIS, CAMPING TRIPS, AND EXPEDITIONS IN AFRICA
Tanzania Safari Companion (Safari Companions)
Tanzania Travel Map (Globetrotter Travel Map)
I'm also going to the library and see if I can find the following titles:
My Serengeti Years - Memoirs of an African Game Warden
Into Africa
The Tree Where Man Was Born
Among the Elephants
Swahili Phrase Book
Silent Footsteps
The Secrets of the Savana
The serengeti Shall Not Die
I'll post my final list.

pixelpower

Hey Lynn,

About your resource list (two posts above this one);

It's not Skimmer's, it's mine! ;-)

The full trip report is here: http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1741&st=0

For the record; I am not Skimmer. Skimmer is Johan. I am Jochen.

We are good friends though; we're in the same photo club (www.xposed.be) and in september we're gonna pay a visit to Botswana together.

Ciao,

J.

Wingi

She Who Must Be Obeyed - Rumpole's wife from 'Rumpole of the Bailey'.

Books by John Mortimer, made into British TV series in 1970s or 80s.

atravelynn

Oh, thanks Jochen. So sorry to get the two of you confused. That's also probably why I was so surprised you were married and you snuck off to Tanzania. Not that you snuck off to Tanzania to get married. Don't want to give more false information than I already have.

A clue to me should have been your Pantanal trip since I knew you were going there.

The fact that your outstanding photos are of Skimmer quality is a compliment and threw me further.

I certainly wish to give credit where credit is due. Sorry for any confusion or misinformation on my part, PixelPower.

The websites are very helpful! Thanks for sharing them.

jerrytufts

Received the welcome package from ADS today! In the package were two t-shirts, a DVD about ADS, and a 3-ring binder. In the binder are two maps, one of the Serengeti and one of Ngorongoro, and a welcome brochure. There’s also our itinerary, photos of our accommodations, a description of the National Parks and what animals we can expect to see. There is also a “Useful Information” section containing information about vaccinations, international flights, visas, climate, what to bring, water, wild animals, money, tipping, communication, electrical appliances, photography, binoculars, wildlife viewing recommendations, language, culture, gifts, shopping, bush bathrooms, safari annoyances, reading list, and an animal checklist. Looks like I’ll be reading for a while! Do most companies do this? Is this the industry standard? There seems to be a lot of helpful information!