I just today booked flights to Madagascar, returning home from Kenya for August-September using Continental FF miles. Now I need to start working on the details--almost my favorite part of a trip!
Jane

Chuck,
Would you send me your email or phone number so I could ask you a couple of questions?

Thanks
Keri
[email protected]

I feel like a jerk posting this in this economy, but I have two trips planned. Feb/March in Tanzania/Kenya and September in Kafue, Zambia. I am hooked, and I can't help myself.

It is incredible how much oil prices have fallen. I don't know about international flights (there are other issues like capacity), but charter and scheduled intra-country flights are going to be much cheaper.

Unfortunately, I think you will see many camps close in the next couple of years. It may not matter how good a place you have, if you are indebted, you may be forced to shut down.

Jane,
How long will you be in Madagascar and do you know where you're going yet? We'll be in Kenya for 8 nights, then Madagascar for 7. I'd love to hear more about your plans. Feel free to email me [email protected]

Cindy - C'mon, Tom. Where's your sense of adventure? :)

I'll be first in line - after you :-)

regards - tom

I should be heading back to Bots next year -

Tom, I don't have unlimited time ((O)) and money $-) like you do :-" so I have to make every minute count.

We leave in a little over a week for Kgalagadi and Botswana and cannot wait!

We also just booked our flights from Washington to Joburg for next August-Sept. and are thinking of Namibia and maybe Chobe and Savuti but haven't booked accommodations yet. In the past we have only been to southern Africa in November-January so I am keen to see it in the dry season.

I'm booked for Zambia for 9 nights next May, although it seems that I now need to add another night as the BA flight schedule has changed. I booked this some time ago.

I'm also pining for the Mara at some point next year, but it is now 25% more expensive due to the weakening £ against the $ compared to my visits this year. Some winners, some losers I guess on currency fluctuations, and my winning run has now come to an end!

Keri,
email sent.
Chuck

We are heading out on our first safari February 6th, 2009. Needless to say we are getting very excited! I am sure that, given the current economy, I overpaid when I booked back in March, but that's ok. I refuse to get upset or be sad about that. I'm going to Africa!!!

We're still leaving in March for Kenya/Tanzania, but the price has skyrocketed.
Our quote was done when the Aussie$ was high against the US$.
Div how did you go at Sth Luangwa?

Jozo, that's the spirit!

No planning as we are allready nearly fully booked for 2009. We may try for a mobile in October next year as we are determined to get up to 365 days on safari as soon as possible!

Ken,

I bet you find that elusive aardvark on your 365th day! Btw, you really been counting? Pretty impressive......

Or on your first day back on safari. That's the fun of it, your just never know.

I am going back in May 2009 to Sabi Sands and Thornybush. I also have prepaid because of the strength of the dollar. My trip costs dropped between $2500-3000 from the time I booked.

mytoss - nice savings with dollar stronger. Myself likewise. Are you paying now (for May) or waiting to see if ZAR weakens more? My safari is Sep and I'm taking the gamble of paying later versus putting out all now.

Where in Sabi Sand are you going? And have you been to Thornybush before? I see Thornybush next to Timbavati Reserve where I'm going (and have been too) Kings Camp.

regards - tom

That business of showing up in Maun and heading over to the Wilderness, Kwando, or other offices to see what's available last minute is something I hope to do someday. Not in the next couple of years, but someday. It will be an adventure compared to knowing where you'll be staying before you leave home. Now whether it is a money saving adventure or not remains to be seen.

I am not going to roll the dice to see if the dollar gets stronger. I paid now for a sure thing in savings.

Mike