Africa geographic August issue!
Aug 1st, 2006, 12:07 AM
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Africa geographic August issue!
Hi! I know it's only August 1, but, i just received the August issue....
There is a long cover-page article by Ian Michler, "Hwange bounces back". Can't wait to read it tonight, but, right now.....back to work.
Hari
There is a long cover-page article by Ian Michler, "Hwange bounces back". Can't wait to read it tonight, but, right now.....back to work.
Hari
Aug 1st, 2006, 09:06 AM
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Hari,
I cannot wait to read this...hopefully my copy arrives this week.
Here is my likely final itinerary for May/June 2007:
Matetsi Water Lodge (halway between Victoria Falls and Chobe) (2)
Vundu, Mana Pools (2)
Ruckomechi, Mana Pools (2)
Musango, Lake Kariba (2)
Somalisa, Hwange (2)
The Hide, Hwange (2)
Pamushana, Malilangwe Game Reserve (2)
Medjumbe, Quirimbas Archipelago (2)
Quilalea, Quirimbas Archipelago (2)
Marlin Lodge, Bazaruto Archipelago (2)
Benguerra, Bazaruto Archipelago (2)
---Please, no further mentions of pizza...I would rather look like Matthew McConaughy in Sahara while donning my swimming trunks in Mozambique rather than Jack Black in Nacho Libre!
Somehow I think that the pizza will win so I had better work on my physical comedy if I am going to be looking like Jack Black.
I am sure Dennis (Matnikstym) will be excited to read this article if he is a subscriber as he is the first known Fodorite to be visiting Somalisa in Hwange. He leaves in a couple months.
I cannot wait to read this...hopefully my copy arrives this week.
Here is my likely final itinerary for May/June 2007:
Matetsi Water Lodge (halway between Victoria Falls and Chobe) (2)
Vundu, Mana Pools (2)
Ruckomechi, Mana Pools (2)
Musango, Lake Kariba (2)
Somalisa, Hwange (2)
The Hide, Hwange (2)
Pamushana, Malilangwe Game Reserve (2)
Medjumbe, Quirimbas Archipelago (2)
Quilalea, Quirimbas Archipelago (2)
Marlin Lodge, Bazaruto Archipelago (2)
Benguerra, Bazaruto Archipelago (2)
---Please, no further mentions of pizza...I would rather look like Matthew McConaughy in Sahara while donning my swimming trunks in Mozambique rather than Jack Black in Nacho Libre!
Somehow I think that the pizza will win so I had better work on my physical comedy if I am going to be looking like Jack Black.
I am sure Dennis (Matnikstym) will be excited to read this article if he is a subscriber as he is the first known Fodorite to be visiting Somalisa in Hwange. He leaves in a couple months.
Aug 1st, 2006, 09:28 AM
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Hari, is it the one with the leopard on the cover? I received that issue yesterday, but I'm saving it, along with a lot of other magazines, for two flights to Europe this month (next week to Germany for business and on August 25 I leave for Sarajevo, Bosnia to make an overland journey through the Western Balkans until finishing in Tirana, Albania).
Rocco, that's a great itinerary -- what's the transfer like between Zim and Moz?
Also, much different than my itinerary for May 2007, when I fly into Almaty (Kazkhstan), then overland to Bishkek (Kyrgystan), fly to Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and overland to Samarkand and Bukhara (both Uzbekistan), with a side trip to Penjikent (Tajikistan), and then on to Merv and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)(three new World Heritage Sites to add to my list).
Rocco, that's a great itinerary -- what's the transfer like between Zim and Moz?
Also, much different than my itinerary for May 2007, when I fly into Almaty (Kazkhstan), then overland to Bishkek (Kyrgystan), fly to Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and overland to Samarkand and Bukhara (both Uzbekistan), with a side trip to Penjikent (Tajikistan), and then on to Merv and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)(three new World Heritage Sites to add to my list).
Aug 1st, 2006, 10:22 AM
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Thit Cho,
It will be a chartered transfer but will save me from returning to Joburg for the night and a couple subsequent flights from Joburg.
Pamushana is located in the southeast part of Zimbabwe near the Zim/Moz/SA border and it does not appear too far from the Bazaruto Archipelago, maybe about 300 miles?
Hopefully I will be able to fly to the Bazaruto Archipelago for a reasonable price and then catch a scheduled connection up to Quirimbas. I don't see any other way as Quirimbas must be nearly 1,000 miles away. I may have to start with Bazaruto and end with Quirimbas but for ease of travel back to Joburg and my onward flight home, I am hoping to end in Bazaruto.
Now here are a couple fascinating weekly reports from Pamushana. It seems that they have just started a newsletter two weeks ago and as you will see, with not only the Big Five but also wild dogs and cheetah (the Super Seven), it is a fascinating game reserve (also boasting both black and white rhino)
http://www.ndunasafarilodge.com/cont...ies-2006-1.htm
http://www.ndunasafarilodge.com/cont...ies-2006-2.htm
Pamushana is a Relais & Chateaux property and is very luxurious...I only wish I had more than a couple days available to spend here but I really do need to see as much as I can of both Zimbabwe and Mozambique...two countries that I really feel are going to (re)emerge on the map for luxury safarigoers.
Did I mention that Pamushana has a wine cellar that is 7,000 bottles strong and built to resemble the Great Zimbabwe?!
Who would have thought that Zimbabwe and Mozambique could offer such luxury, but other than the rustic looking Musango, there are quite a number of very nice properties.
Here are the websites:
MATETSI WATER LODGE
http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-9
VUNDU CAMP
(I have been told this camp has recently been refurbished)
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/vundu.htm
RUCKOMECHI
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ca...mp;method=menu
Here is the latest report from May/June 2006, the same time I will be visiting next year:
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ca...mp;method=menu
MUSANGO
www.musango.com
SOMALISA
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/somalisa.htm
THE HIDE
http://www.thehide.com/
PAMUSHANA
http://www.pamushana.com/content/acc.../pamushana.htm
MEDJUMBE ISLAND
http://www.raniresorts.com/resorts/medjumbe.php
QUILALEA
http://www.quilalea.com/
MARLIN LODGE
http://www.marlinlodge.co.za/
BENGUERRA
http://www.benguerra.co.za/
Definitely, I am going to need to get myself SCUBA certified before this trip...to visit these Mozambiquen destinations and NOT go diving would be TRAGIC.
I am almost more excited about this safari than I am my upcoming November safari to Earth Lodge, Mateya, Kwara, Lebala, Lagoon, Chiefs Camp, Baines Camp and Sydney, Australia. While November is going to be HOT, May/June should be pretty chilly, at least during the Zim early mornings and nights.
Thit Cho...have fun on your upcoming travels...you are visiting a lot of interesting places...for the time being, I am a (very willing) captive of Africa...my next major (non-Africa) trip will probably be something like Argentina and Antarctica in early 2008 if I am lucky, giving me all seven continents.
It will be a chartered transfer but will save me from returning to Joburg for the night and a couple subsequent flights from Joburg.
Pamushana is located in the southeast part of Zimbabwe near the Zim/Moz/SA border and it does not appear too far from the Bazaruto Archipelago, maybe about 300 miles?
Hopefully I will be able to fly to the Bazaruto Archipelago for a reasonable price and then catch a scheduled connection up to Quirimbas. I don't see any other way as Quirimbas must be nearly 1,000 miles away. I may have to start with Bazaruto and end with Quirimbas but for ease of travel back to Joburg and my onward flight home, I am hoping to end in Bazaruto.
Now here are a couple fascinating weekly reports from Pamushana. It seems that they have just started a newsletter two weeks ago and as you will see, with not only the Big Five but also wild dogs and cheetah (the Super Seven), it is a fascinating game reserve (also boasting both black and white rhino)
http://www.ndunasafarilodge.com/cont...ies-2006-1.htm
http://www.ndunasafarilodge.com/cont...ies-2006-2.htm
Pamushana is a Relais & Chateaux property and is very luxurious...I only wish I had more than a couple days available to spend here but I really do need to see as much as I can of both Zimbabwe and Mozambique...two countries that I really feel are going to (re)emerge on the map for luxury safarigoers.
Did I mention that Pamushana has a wine cellar that is 7,000 bottles strong and built to resemble the Great Zimbabwe?!
Who would have thought that Zimbabwe and Mozambique could offer such luxury, but other than the rustic looking Musango, there are quite a number of very nice properties.
Here are the websites:
MATETSI WATER LODGE
http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-9
VUNDU CAMP
(I have been told this camp has recently been refurbished)
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/vundu.htm
RUCKOMECHI
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ca...mp;method=menu
Here is the latest report from May/June 2006, the same time I will be visiting next year:
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ca...mp;method=menu
MUSANGO
www.musango.com
SOMALISA
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/somalisa.htm
THE HIDE
http://www.thehide.com/
PAMUSHANA
http://www.pamushana.com/content/acc.../pamushana.htm
MEDJUMBE ISLAND
http://www.raniresorts.com/resorts/medjumbe.php
QUILALEA
http://www.quilalea.com/
MARLIN LODGE
http://www.marlinlodge.co.za/
BENGUERRA
http://www.benguerra.co.za/
Definitely, I am going to need to get myself SCUBA certified before this trip...to visit these Mozambiquen destinations and NOT go diving would be TRAGIC.
I am almost more excited about this safari than I am my upcoming November safari to Earth Lodge, Mateya, Kwara, Lebala, Lagoon, Chiefs Camp, Baines Camp and Sydney, Australia. While November is going to be HOT, May/June should be pretty chilly, at least during the Zim early mornings and nights.
Thit Cho...have fun on your upcoming travels...you are visiting a lot of interesting places...for the time being, I am a (very willing) captive of Africa...my next major (non-Africa) trip will probably be something like Argentina and Antarctica in early 2008 if I am lucky, giving me all seven continents.
Aug 1st, 2006, 12:19 PM
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I really need to add one of those Moz resorts to the end of my next African trip (my schedule is pretty full through next August, so I'm not sure when I will next have time to return). But, all of those places look spectacular, and you really should get certified (but if you don't, I'm sure the snorkeling will be fantastic).
Your November trip also looks great -- Sydney is a great place to break up the long trip to Africa (I mentioned this before, but the desserts at Rockpool, right in the Rocks area of Sydney, were great -- you will definitely walk past that restaurant while your in Sydney). And don't miss the Toranga (Sydney) Zoo!
Your November trip also looks great -- Sydney is a great place to break up the long trip to Africa (I mentioned this before, but the desserts at Rockpool, right in the Rocks area of Sydney, were great -- you will definitely walk past that restaurant while your in Sydney). And don't miss the Toranga (Sydney) Zoo!
Aug 1st, 2006, 12:23 PM
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Rocco, the Hwange lodges look very nice (I considered a visit to Hwange for my most recent trip and was also looking into the Hide -- but I changed that trip to focus on Kgalagadi). I'm looking forward to your reports on Hwange -- its the southern African park that I'd most like to visit!
Aug 2nd, 2006, 07:18 AM
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Hi CW,
Briefly touches upon hunting issues in the Umbabat region (near Timbavati) where a well known pride male was recently shot. This pride male was well known to all the lodges in the Timbavati and the on-going issues of hunting concessions close to photographic ones!!!
It shouldnt affect your trip to Ngala!!!
Hari
Briefly touches upon hunting issues in the Umbabat region (near Timbavati) where a well known pride male was recently shot. This pride male was well known to all the lodges in the Timbavati and the on-going issues of hunting concessions close to photographic ones!!!
It shouldnt affect your trip to Ngala!!!
Hari
Aug 10th, 2006, 09:55 AM
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Rocco,
What are the low season rates at those Zim camps and how much do flights cost between Vic Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools, etc? I assume these are all charters? I'm considering Zim for next November (unless I decide to go to Antartica). Do you think it will be unbearably hot then?
What are the low season rates at those Zim camps and how much do flights cost between Vic Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools, etc? I assume these are all charters? I'm considering Zim for next November (unless I decide to go to Antartica). Do you think it will be unbearably hot then?
Aug 10th, 2006, 03:28 PM
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Patty,
I will come back to you on the rates but about the weather...I will be in Botswana this November and I would expect temperatures to be similar, so I will let you know in three months time!
However, given this nasty weather we have been having in L.A., I am not too concerned about November anymore...it cannot be as bad as this.
I'll get back to you soon with those rates.
About the August Africa Geographic, I swear I just received my July issue on Monday or Tuesday!
I will come back to you on the rates but about the weather...I will be in Botswana this November and I would expect temperatures to be similar, so I will let you know in three months time!
However, given this nasty weather we have been having in L.A., I am not too concerned about November anymore...it cannot be as bad as this.
I'll get back to you soon with those rates.
About the August Africa Geographic, I swear I just received my July issue on Monday or Tuesday!
Aug 10th, 2006, 05:12 PM
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Patty,
Here are a couple to whet your appetite (2006 pricing)
Somalisa Camp, Hwange = $265 pppns (November 2006 to March 2007)
The Hide = $225 pppns (Nov. 2006)
Makalolo Plains, Little Makalolo or Linkwasha (all Wilderness Safaris camps), Hwange. Nov. 2007 pricing:
$360 pppns. Dec. 2007 pricing: $250 pppns.
Vundu Camp, Mana Pools - This camp closes for the season on either Nov. 15th or Nov. 20th. No low season pricing available. $450 pppns
Ruckomechi (Wilderness) - Nov. 2007 is only $360 pppns. Closes for the season on November 30th.
Pamushana in Malilangwe Private Game Reserve is $520 per night in Nov. 2006 but I do think this must be the most luxurious property in Zimbabwe and gives some of the best appointed lodges a run for their money.
www.pamushana.com
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_malilangwe.html
Pamushana does have a sister camp in Nduna that is very comfortable but not over the top luxury...I will have to look up those prices.
Malilangwe does look like an absolutely incredible destination...perhaps by saving money by staying at The Hide/Somalisa/Makalolo in Hwange and Ruckomechi in Mana Pools, a visit to Pamushana would fit in the budget. Something like this:
3 night Mana Canoe and Walking Trails + 1 extra night at Ruckomechi = $995 + $360 = $1355
(This would be 2 nights on the Mana Canoe & Walking Trail and your last 2 nights at Ruckomechi)
Makalolo (4) x $360 = $1440
Pamushana (3) x $520 = $1560
AIR (This is the ugly part of Malilangwe but I am estimating for other Zim flights, as well) = $1625
TOTAL = $5980 per person for 11 night luxury Zim safari
However, drop Pamushana and the price is now a very comfortable $2795 for 8 nights plus about $625 per person on the air = $3420 per person sharing.
Here are a couple to whet your appetite (2006 pricing)
Somalisa Camp, Hwange = $265 pppns (November 2006 to March 2007)
The Hide = $225 pppns (Nov. 2006)
Makalolo Plains, Little Makalolo or Linkwasha (all Wilderness Safaris camps), Hwange. Nov. 2007 pricing:
$360 pppns. Dec. 2007 pricing: $250 pppns.
Vundu Camp, Mana Pools - This camp closes for the season on either Nov. 15th or Nov. 20th. No low season pricing available. $450 pppns
Ruckomechi (Wilderness) - Nov. 2007 is only $360 pppns. Closes for the season on November 30th.
Pamushana in Malilangwe Private Game Reserve is $520 per night in Nov. 2006 but I do think this must be the most luxurious property in Zimbabwe and gives some of the best appointed lodges a run for their money.
www.pamushana.com
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_malilangwe.html
Pamushana does have a sister camp in Nduna that is very comfortable but not over the top luxury...I will have to look up those prices.
Malilangwe does look like an absolutely incredible destination...perhaps by saving money by staying at The Hide/Somalisa/Makalolo in Hwange and Ruckomechi in Mana Pools, a visit to Pamushana would fit in the budget. Something like this:
3 night Mana Canoe and Walking Trails + 1 extra night at Ruckomechi = $995 + $360 = $1355
(This would be 2 nights on the Mana Canoe & Walking Trail and your last 2 nights at Ruckomechi)
Makalolo (4) x $360 = $1440
Pamushana (3) x $520 = $1560
AIR (This is the ugly part of Malilangwe but I am estimating for other Zim flights, as well) = $1625
TOTAL = $5980 per person for 11 night luxury Zim safari
However, drop Pamushana and the price is now a very comfortable $2795 for 8 nights plus about $625 per person on the air = $3420 per person sharing.
Aug 10th, 2006, 08:19 PM
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Thanks, Rocco! What does the $625pp estimate for air include (from where to where)?
I'm afraid Malilangwe is quite out of my budget range
We'd definitely want to do some canoeing and I've been eyeing some riding too www.vardensafaris.com
I'll be looking forward to your feedback on weather and Dennis's review of Somalisa.
I'm afraid Malilangwe is quite out of my budget range
We'd definitely want to do some canoeing and I've been eyeing some riding too www.vardensafaris.com
I'll be looking forward to your feedback on weather and Dennis's review of Somalisa.
Aug 11th, 2006, 03:49 AM
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Hey Rocco,
I'll be up in the Quirimbas early September: I don't have PADI certification, they offer a morning course, which makes most of tyhe dive sights accessible to the novice. So at least I'll get to appreciate some of the shallower sights.
I'll be up in the Quirimbas early September: I don't have PADI certification, they offer a morning course, which makes most of tyhe dive sights accessible to the novice. So at least I'll get to appreciate some of the shallower sights.
