http://tinyurl.com/w5zsy (photos from my trip, also with Tundra Buggy, to see the polar bears at Churchill, Manitoba).

As between the polar bears and Namibia (if it includes Etosha, which I'm highly confident is malaria-free for substantial portions of the year), I would select Namibia (it was one of my favorite African destinations). But, hopefully you can do both, and its possible to make a short trip to Churchill (Tundra Buggy runs "weekender" trips, which is what I took, since I thought two days of viewing would be sufficient). I have saved my "black bear trip" to this year, and I am visiting Brooks Lodge, Alaska in July (also Denali NP and Kenai Fjords NP).

I worked with Natalie at Tundra Buggy, and she was very helpful.

Apples and oranges, polar bears and sand dunes, .....

You can't go wrong with either selection (but you wouldn't be disappointed if you did both). I visited the polar bears in the same year (2005), that I took trips to Colombia (Bogota and Cartegena in February), Madagascar (in May), Ukraine (in August), Churchill, Manitoba (in October), London and Dublin (to see Bob Dylan in November) and Tunisia (in December), and the polar bears were in my top two (with Madagascar), and, at least for someone in the US, its a very easy trip (can easily be done over a four-day weekend).

Have a great trip, Michael

WOW Michael, did you ever get off those planes in 2005!!!! That was SOME amount of travelling! I really wish we could do both but I'm thinking it will have to be one or the other as we live in Ireland and Churchill would have to be done as part of a bigger trip ... there's no way I we could cope with a short trip and that jet lag (We got back from NYC & Boston last Thursday and Deck is STILL on US time - he has the sleeping tabs tonight though ).
I'm envious of your Black Bears trip this year, that's on my list too ... we did an Alaskan cruise in 2005 but timed it wrong and missed the bears - that definately won't happen me again!

Anyways, back to more questions ( I did warn you didn't I ?! ... hope you don't mind), have you any idea where I might find information on Etosha's malarial status and also what time of year would be best for Namibia do you think?

Thanks again,

Imelda

PS - Those are GREAT photos - love the 'sprawled' bear!

http://www.etosha.com/malaria.htm

It looks like Etosha is in a low-malaria zone, but I expect that its much lower, if not absent, at certain times of the year -- a Namibia specialist would have a better idea. I would not visit Namibia if I was not able to visit Etosha -- its an amazing park, with one of the best, and largest, collections of animals in Africa.

I understand that if coming from Europe you'd want a longer trip in Canada, and the polar/black bear combination looks terrific.

I spent much more time on the road, I think, in 2006, and I have even more trips planned for 2007 (including the five former Soviet Stans in May and the three Guyanas in August). I'm currently planning trips for November and December, but I'm torn between several destinations, including New Zealand, Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, French Polynesia and Sri Lanka in December (and someplace new in Europe in November, but I've been to most of the major places, and am now looking at Andorra, Mallorca, Corsica or Sardinia).

Imelda - you can't go on another trip until you post your Africa pics.

Oh, alright, go, but really, get to work on those pictures. (unless you posted them and I just missed it?)

Ok then, just go and have a good time and forget the pictures!

I loved Dennis' suggestion for a name -at the very least you should use it for a middle name.

Happy travels wherever you end up going.

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Thanks for the link Micahel, I gusee my next step is to conatact some outfitters in Namibia and check the malarail status of Etosha with the ... fingers crossed I get a positive!
It looks like you have your hands full with all those trips to plan ... they sound amazing ... it makes me wish I had more vacation time.

Cyn, I SWEAR I haven't forgotten about posting my photos. I actually tried a couple of times at home but with my slooowww dialup it just won't work . I promise I will stay late at work one evening and have a shot at it there ... I DEFINATELY will post them, I'm just struggling for time at the moment I'm afraid (but whats new!).

And yes, Burundi would make an unusual second name wouldnt it

Imelda

Namibia is a perfect Malaria-safe destination. In October my wife and I traveled to Okonjima, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, and Etosha. No malaria risk in any of those areas. Minimal risk at Etosha exists Nov-Feb. Here are some photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...svi7m&amp;Ux=0

Great photos, MisterAviator! Thanks for sharing these.

Have you posted your itinerary or report somewhere? Did you fly everywhere in Namibia? Where did your ballooning take place? Thanks.

HI MisterAviator, thank you very much for your advice. I haven't gotten through all your photos yet (I have slow dialup ) but those I have seen look amazing!

Can I ask a few questions?

First off, did you and your wife take malaria pills? Where did you get your advice on Malarial requirements? Hope you don't mind me asking but there are MANY conflicting websites on the malarial issue in Namibia.

I see a couple of photos of your guide using some sort of radio device - was it a tracking device for wild dogs?

I also see a sign for a cheetah conservancy, can you give me some more information on that?

Also, like Patty I would be very interested to hear your full itinerary and also the outfitter you used (if any).

Sorry for bombarding with questions but any advice is greatly appreciated,
many thanks,
Imelda

Imelda,
Most of Namibia is much to dry and windy for mosquitos to be a big problem. In October, we didn't see a single one! We did not take any malaria pills, and no one we encountered along the way mentioned taking them either. All of the camps we stayed at claimed to have no malaria risk, except for the camps at Etosha that have a low risk only during the rainy season.

We booked our camps and flights in Namibia with The Cardboard Box travel agency. www.namibian.org
Rachael was extremely helpful in planning the perfect itinerary.

We stayed at Okonjima (home of the Africat cheetah rescue facility). This is a must-see camp. You will see cheetah, leopard, and wild dog up-close. The food, the rooms, the service, and the activities are all outstanding!

www.okonjima.com

Next stop was Kulala Desert Lodge at the edge of the massive sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Spectacular landscape. This is where you would want to take your balloon ride.

http://www.eyesonafrica.net/african-...sert-lodge.htm

Then we visited Mowani Mountain Camp. Another spectacualr setting. This is where the desert-adapted elephant wander through vast areas.

http://www.mowani.com/mowani.html

Our final stop was the Ongava Tented Camp next to Etosha. This is where you will see amazing concentrations of wildlife in an other-worldly setting.

http://www.eyesonafrica.net/african-...ented-camp.htm

Good luck with your plans!

Congratulations Imelda! I hadn't read this post before (I should have known the green was you!). I hope all goes well for you on the new family front!

Were it me, I'd suggest Capetown again. We were in SA (Capetown, Durban and Richards Bay) and we didn't have to take malaria pills for any of those areas.

The Garden Route sounds lovely - how abou the train that goes through there? You could do some game runs on the way through as well I would think. We went to a private concession called Tala Game Reserve by Durban, it was really nice - and they had a really nice lodge there. No predators (chicken ranch next to them more or less precludes that) but the rest of the animals were plentiful and very close up to you.

And of course the cheetah visit at Spiers is a must!!

Thanks for all the details MisterAviator. I finally got through all your photos - they look absolutely amazing and just the kind of thing we would be into (except for the tented camps - hubby has a 'thing' about having solid walls and creepie crawlies ..... I konw, I know, it's unfoundeed but try telling him thet ). Can I ask how long your trip was and how many nights you spent at each location? And would you change anything if you were replanning?
It also looks like you took private charters - recommended or not? Also, in Okonjima, did you find all the animals by radio or was it used as a 'last resort'? I'm a major worrier about how animals are treated / held - what was your impression of the rescue facility?
Again, apologies for so many questions, hope you don't mind!

Lynda, I suppose I should make posting in green my trade mark ! Actually, our last trip was supposed to be our 'final fling' before we 'settled down' but at the moment there's 'nothing stirring' (as it is sometimes put here in Ireland ) and I can't resist one very last fling ... Africa can't just be forgotten that easily!
I was actually considering Cape Town again as we absolutely LOVED the place but then Namibia was suggested and so I'm looking into that (and that cheetah and leopard rescue facility is a big draw) - either way I will be very happy to be returning to Africa! And yes, if we go back to Cape Town Spiers is a definate MUST, and I promise I'll try not to kick the cheetah (sorry , I couldn't resist). What was your itinearey in SA? Hope you don't mind me asking but at this stage all ideas are VERY welcome (you know me and my second guessing!). Are you planning anything at the moment? Do I remember reading your India trip falling through or am I dreaming?

Imelda

Meant to add that I have contacted Cardboard Box regarding Namibia and the malaria issue in various areas along with requesting some help with a suggested itinerary - haven't heard anything back as yet.

Imelda

I also worked with Cardboard Box, and I found them very, very professional -- they will be able to answer all your questions. I planned my itinerary (which included Ongava and the three camps in Etosha), and Cardboard Box was able to secure my reservations. I think a lot of others on this board have similar, positive experiences.

Imelda,

I'm glad you enjoyed the photos! But, they really don't do justice to the spectacular sights in Namibia. The concentration wildlife (except at Etosha) is not as dense as you'll find in South Africa or Botswana, but the overall experience is truly outstanding.

Most of our flights were booked by Cardboard Box on Sefofane (the airline owned by Wilderness Safaris). By placing us on Sefofane's regularly scheduled &quot;circuit&quot; flights we saved lots of money over regualar charter flights. These flights allow you to put together a loop itinerary that will get you to many of the must-see locations. Okonjima will require a stop that is not on this scheduled circuit, but it is well worth the drive or the flight needed to get there. Self-driving is certainly possible in Namibia, but I would not recommend it. The distances are too great, especially for a shorter trip. My Itinerary in Namibia was only 11 days. We had 2-3 nights at each camp. We don't mind moving a lot, and generally found 2 nights to be sufficient at each location.

The following link will give you an outline of how the circuit flights operate:

http://www.sandscapes-namibia.com/a2...y_circuit.html

As for your question about the radio collars at Okonjima, I can tell you that most of the animals at the facility would have been shot by farmers if this center did not exist. Only a small number of the animals have collars, and the radio tracking is actually a fun experience offered as an activity to all of the guests. The largest part of the reserve covers a huge area, and it can take hours to find the cats even with the tracking technology. Smaller enclosures hold the animals who need extra attention or are unable to exist on thier own in a truly wild environment.

As for your husband's tent fear, let me explain that the word &quot;tent&quot; means something totally different at these camps. They are generally luxury suites, built with canvas walls just so they can be marketed as tents to adventure-seeking safari-goers. You will feel totally safe. Ongava offers solid walls at the Lodge which is a neighbor to the Ongava Tented Camp. This is the only place where you might be happier at the Lodge rather than the tents. At the other places we stayed, you can barely notice that the walls are canvas, and I guarantee you will feel quite secure. Bugs will be a minor (sometimes entertaining) annoyance regardless of what kind of room you're in.
Good luck!

Hey Imelda. You joining Patty and me in Namibia are you then? Excellent...

(Well okay we'll all be there some months apart, but you know what I mean...)

I had the samne thoughts about Aricat/Okinjima, but it is totally above board and I think they care about the welfare of the animals WAAAAAAAY more than you or me! Find the Africat Web site and you'll see what I mean.

You can easily self-drive in Namibia if one or both of you is up for it. Private charters can put the prices way up!

If you can't get Deck into those places without proper walls, there are lots and lots of farmstay and small hotel options in Namibia. Whereever you want to go I am pretty sure there is a walled option. Even Africat has the partially walled Bush Camp and the fully (I think) walled Main Camp.

So those obstacles keep on falling away..... looking good!

Also, you can view some of my Namibia video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGkEwRnhM0

Hi GUys and Gals,
Well I'm still waiting for Cardboard Box to get back to me and am keeping my fingers crossed re malaria in Etosha so in the meantime I'm going to keep planning....

MisterAviator, Thank you so much for all your help and information and the info on flights is just what I'm looking for. Deck drives as part of his job so on vacation we try to avoid self drive is at all possible so I think we'll be taking the easy way out ... gald that we can avoid paying for chartered flights....I do however have one more question (whats new!!) ... are all the Sefofane planes the tiny two seater type? ... the reason I ask is that I am claustrophobic and don't know if I could cope in one of those.
Looking at your trip, it 'looked' longer than 11 days - definately another plus for us as it's hard to get Deck to agree to much longer than about 10 days. Re the 'tents issue', while I know his 'issue' is completely irrational there's absolutely no moving him on this point. On our very first safari in SA we stayed at the Honeyguide Tented Camp which was really lovely but Deck definately wasn't keen on the tents (which were roofed and en-suite I might add)..so if it means getting him back to Africa and sacraficing tents then sacraficing tents it will have to be

I'm glad to read so much positives about Okonjima - I support saving / rescuing wildlife (I have two Ellie foster babies in Nairobi) but sometimes those rescue centres have some very sad animals and it really upsets me when I witness these things, that's why I asked about the collars. And now I have one more question about Okonjima - are ALL the gamedrives radio assisted or is it just some of them?

Kimburu, I didn't know that you and Patty are off to Namibia (but I have been off the boards quite a bit lately - unfortunately there never seems to be enough time for everything). When are you off?? And Patty, when is she off do you know? And please tell me what your itinerary is. Did you book with Cardboard Box too?

OK, I think that's enough of questions for now. Again, sorry for bombarding.

Imelda

Imelda,
My trip is in September. Itinerary as follows -

4 nts Capetown
1 nt Windhoek
2 nts Erongo Wilderness
2 nts Stiltz
2 nts Kuangukuangu
2 nts Desert Homestead &amp; Horse Trails (going on their campout ride the second night)
2 nts Wolwedans Dune Camp
2 nts Kiripotib Guest Farm

We're self driving in Namibia and I reserved our car rental and accomodations directly.

www.sefofane.com has a list of the aircraft they use and I found per seat rates here http://www.namibweb.com/sefofane.htm

I think kimburu's going in April.

Hi Patty,
That itinerary looks comprehensive (I haven't been researching long enough to know very much about Namibia ... Yet!). I see you're horseriding again too.
Thanks for the Sefofane price list - I had looked for it but hadn't managed to find it.
Did you find that by booking accomodations and flights (am I correct in that you booked flights independently as well?) independently rather than going with a TA?

Imelda

Imelda: glad to see your trip starting to come together -- Namibia is wonderful!! I'm not going to make a big deal about it but just so you are aware Okonjima does do a nightly feeding of scraps that draws in a fair number of honey badgers and porcupines. I did not stay there on my trip and I have heard very good things but since you say some of those things bother you (me too) you should be aware of the baiting and be sure it doesn't disappoint you, I'd hate for you to spend the money and have that upset you.