sherry:
It sounds great; I like PB's add-on. Good luck with the booking.

Sherry,

If there is some animal species denning, mating or just running around in ND at the time of your Italy trip, then I think that would be a fine move.

Hee hee! No whining, and NO KEENS .... at least on bush walks!

Cybor,

You need to team up with that client of yours who runs around dressed for a safari and is writing an African love story. Then your upcoming trip could be written off as research for her book!

Sherry,

Sorry....havent been able to log in to get upto speed with this thread...

But, i'm with the others....very happy for you to narrow down your choices and get cracking to finding the dates for your choice of camps...

Go Sherry!!!!

Let me confuse you even further.....how about India safari for the dessert portion. See the African wild dogs and then head here to see the Indian dogs and then you can head back home??? Sound like a plan?

Cheers
Hari

Fodorites:

user tanzania_honeymoon is obviously a shill or tout or whatever we call them:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgUser....on&start=0

Pred,

I dont remember from your report (it's about time i re-read it)...did you do the all day drive into the Central Kalahari while at Deception lodge? If so, how was the experience.....i hope to do a mobile safari one of these years to experience the CKGR.

The bushman walk at Jack's camp did incorporate all those things you mentioned in your above post......very good, i highly recommend. In addition to the bushman walk, the guides at Jack's camp are fantastic.....usually people who do research and are very very knowledgeable....we had a british bloke (Pete) who was our guide.

Hari

You're all wonderful,wise and encouraging!

FYI Update:
As we all thought, my wish listed places for July &amp; August <b>07</b> are about mostly <b>sold out</b> (no surprise there). There is some limited availability for mobile camping.

So onto plan B. See below for a copied response from one vendor;

In August 2008 Chitabe is fully available, Chitabe Trails is fully booked the 17-19, Little Vumbura is fully booked 11-13, 18-20, Zibalianja is fully booked 5-6. Data hasn't been loaded yet on the Mana Canoe and Walking Trail. It departs Monday and Thursdays.

shame about Zib. as that's the week I wanted - oh well.

So <b>08</b> it is. For anyone thinking of going - hop to it!
Thanks;
Sherry
p.s. Lynn, I thought I heard there's room in your jeep for Lady Keeenya

Sherry

Have you considered Zambia

Sherry,

What about Sept/early Oct 07? or June 07? There isnt a reason for you to put your trip off to 2008.

I think you should ask your agent to give you possibilities of openings for those months and see if you can work something out........

Hari

That's amazing how far out they book. Sherry, would you send me an email barbatt at gmail dot com

Matt,
No - got to stay focused

Hari,
Isn't Oct. called suicide.... (something???) due to the heat? 08 is actually better for $$$$ for me. I'm secretly glad that I can wait to sell Waldo's soul - mines gone.

Bat,
Will do.

Sherry - see my wild dog post....

How exciting for those going to Zambia quite timely, I must say. You sure you haven't been sitting on that email to get me back for the Keen's barb.
Those elusive pups could take a sharp right and head to the delta. ((&amp)

Sherry - I would never sit on news like that! However, it is the end of the season now so it's anyone's guess where they'll go and be seen next.

Sherry: my pics from Deception Valley Lodge is here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...852bo&amp;Ux=1

They are lumped in with other Botswana and S.A. locations but most of the DVL pics are in the 3rd row from the bottom.

Hari: I did not do the drive into Central Kalahari G.R. and will do it for certain on my next stay. My guide and the other at the camp who is the son of the owner both say it is a must do and that the wildlife is tremendous.

PB,
The drive in sounds interesting. Would you start in Maun? Also,would the road in be one of the same that you'd take for game viewing from the camp?
Thanks;
Sherry

Sherry,

Lady Keenya may be preferable to Spa Girl for a jeep-mate. Good one, though.

If you go in 08 does that leave 07 open for an adventure whether African or elsewhere?

Sept / Oct takes you out of prime wild dog denning season, so go for 2008.

So far winter 07 Honduras in search of whale sharks,ruins in Copan and be beach bums. And trips to see family - that doesn't count as entertainment or any form of mind expansion, though.