Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR><BR>This will be our first time to Mombo. Our second trip to Botswana, and my third trip there. I am sooo anxious to get going. I still am thrilled about the trip, but I wish one didn't have to plan sooo far in advance. Things change, people return with different news and then you want to amend. We will be staying just 3 nights at Little Mombo. One of those things you decide and then cannot change. Oh well! Thanks for your posts. Liz

kavey

Whilst we were pleased we'd spent 4 nights at Little Mombo I think you'll be delighted with 3 too.<BR><BR>2 is too few but 3 will give the chance to see so much.<BR><BR>Our only regret, though it wasn't really a strong one, is that we didn't spend much time in the luxurious tented suites themselves - we didn't want to miss a single game drive.<BR><BR>One advantage to Mombo though is that you see so much in the day that night drives not being allowed is no hardship and at least you have time to relax in the room in the midday break and early evening just before dinner.<BR><BR>I am conscious that Mombo is getting booked up into 2004 and am really hoping to finalise and book my 2004 trip as soon as possible...<BR><BR>Kavey

RnR

Liz, you'll be at Little Mombo, not Mombo, right? If so, you'll see #9 just a short distance by the wooden walkway from LM - where we stayed in October. The two camps are joined. The water comes in toward you - at night, use your torch light and look for hippo, buffalo, hyenas, etc. Also, there are three young male lions near the camp - they hunt together, and you'll no doubt run into them just after leaving LM. Listen for them at night. When you're out for game drives, do take plenty of water - it can be hot and dry. The scenery is fabulous! We didn't see any wild dogs, but you may. I can tell you the cheetahs and leopards were falling out of the trees - lol. Keep the camera loaded and ready! You'll see the so-called steroid boys - two male cheetahs who hang out - ask them to take you for a visit. Hyenas love to attack the plastic trash cans and carry them around in their mouths. Have a great time, and you owe us a lengthy post upon return. Take notes, lol.

Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR><BR>Stop! Stop! You're making me drool. I am so anxious to go and you're making it more tantalizing. Thanks for all the tips. It makes it sooo real. And Kavey, too. Yes we will be at LM but I will look for your room nearby. I am taking a journal and plan to even keep track of all of our meals to share when we get back. I don't think I can describe Namibia as eloquently as Kavey did, but I will put down as much as I can. We will be leaving on April 13th, and returning on May 4th. I don't know how long after we return until I can post, but I remember Joey is wanting a fast report on Xigera because he leaves 2 weeks later for Botswana. What an exciting time it will be when we all get back and give you all 2004 travelers some tidbits to mull over before your trips. <BR>I should be able to post our new itinerary later today. Thanks for caring you folks. It really helps to have a support system like you all in this. Don't you agree? Just remember I will be cheering you all on in 2004. Liz

kavey

Liz<BR>I totally agree - not many people I know understand my LONGING to get back there and certainly not the agonizing over just which camps to visit. The few who look at the WS brochure I have just comment that all look good (true) and what difference will it make which ones we choose? (Hmmph!)<BR>To be able to thrash it out here with you all does make the difference.<BR>And it's even better that I got to meet some of you too!<BR>Kavey

RnR

ok, liz, it's about 11 pm, dinner is fini, you've finished the wine and the after-dinner drink, the fire is low, and your armed guard has escorted you to your &quot;tent&quot; - and you're lying there in bed in the darkness, mosquito netting down, and you hear the slushing noise in the water just below you. You grab for the flashlight and you see, holy jeeeeez .... that's when yo7u need to think of all of us here at Fodors, Botswana Central Desk. And remember, 5:30 a.m wake-up comes while it's still dark - take an alarm - I found those guys were so quite we never heard them. But hell,we were awake at 4 a.m raring to go! Now go to tea alone, no guard, just you and the sounds, and you're getting the day started right. Last stop at the potty and on to your Rover, waiting for the game drive!

RnR

... and now I will leave you alone to think about it and start packing - oh, you must do that a few times. And remember - 12.2 kg! I was livid - had to leave my tux in Maun! Take care.

Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR><BR>Too, toooo funnnny! I'll try to remember that and also to grab my camera to show you what I saw! lol <BR>My itinerary is up. I posted it. Add your comments please. Liz

RnR

Liz, is that your email address. If not, Kavey has mine - ask her, but keep it 'tween thee and me, and send me an electronic cyberish yippee. I got pictures, you will not believe - but maybe you'd better not look at them - no need to torture anymore than we already have, lol. Look, we have to make the time pass someway - 2004 is way out there!

RnR

kavey knows all - lol - post nothing. have a good day.

Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR>Yeah, Kavey has mine too. I'll wait another month or two then I'll bore you and Kavey to death with my yippees. I had posted my real (nospam) email address in the beginning, and you would not believe the spam email (yuck) I now get. A friend came up with this cute idea to identify myself. <BR>What do you mean, leave your tux in Maun? In Africa? Not for us. One small duffel apiece and we're off. Liz

RnR

No tux? Woooo. I wanted mine for the special evening drives.<BR><BR>I did post some comments at your itinerary - it looks wonderful. To say the least. The laundry service in the camps is good. BTW, immigration in Atlanta will spray your boots on your return, so you'll want to have them handy. So, that is it for my tips. Have a great day, and we'll look forward to the yippee - Kavey will give you the door key when you need it. I am familiar with spam - and how! Take care.

kav

S N O R T!<BR>(Laughing through nose sound)<BR><BR>RnR The thought of anyone in a Tux at ANY WS camp, even Mombo, is so funny!<BR>Do watch it though - didn't someone post that he thought Mombo visitors were champagne swilling types and you're reinforcing his stereotype! Shame!<BR><BR>LOL<BR><BR>Kavey

RnR

Ah, I could tell you a tale or two about dressing up in camp. I actually did think black tie might be rather fitting for the proverbial sundowner. To accompany that gin and tonic!<BR><BR>Oh, that guy's rumor about the champagne swilling - I'd like to introduce him to our resident snake at #9. Critter met me daily, on the door tread, on the walkway, on our veranda, even tried to crawl into the sala with us. The first time, he joined me in the john - comfortably seated as I was, completely at nature's mercy. Fortunately, a variagated green bush snake. He seemed longer each time - could there have been ... two, or more?<BR><BR>Liz, do walk up to #9 and report back on any 3 footers you happen to cross. And have a fab trip to LM.<BR><BR>And I shall look for that electronic whoopeee in January or so.

kavey

RnR<BR><BR>One afternoon between drives I was taking my shower - under the huge double shower heads in the indoor bathroom in my Little Mombo tent...<BR>I am VERY short sighted so without my glasses, (ie during a shower) I cannot see anything more than blurry outlines.<BR>I nearly gave myself cardiac arrest when I thought a spider (we had so many in the tent it took us half an hour some nights to Doom them all) had caught my toe in it's hairy grip.<BR>I was so startled I ricocheted around the bathroom hopping and hyperventilating and screeching...<BR>Pete came in to find me calming down slowly as I discovered that I'd caught my toe in a shower curtain ring that had falled from the curtain rail and there were no spiders in the vicinity at all.<BR>My heart has speeded up just writing about it!<BR>Kavey

kav

OK I am screeching more loudly at rereading my above several hours later and noticing the &quot;falled&quot;.<BR><BR>I was alwyas A+ for spelling and grammar, it scares me how many grey cells I've lost.

kavey

And even as I was writing it I couldnt decide whether to use speeded up or sped up in the context above.<BR><BR>Sigh.<BR><BR>I better get to Africa again quick and see it before the dementia really settles in.

Liz Frazier

Kavey-<BR>I have laughed and laughed reading the last three posts. I just knew you would type a correction, I just didn't know how many. Toooo, tooooo funny! Between you and Rnr, I have had the best two afternoons in over a week.<BR>I will say this though, after reading the last few posts about snakes and spiders, I am wondering if I really want to see either Mombo or Little Mombo.<BR>One time at a K&amp;D camp, we found a scorpion on the ceiling. Thank goodness Max has good eyesight. It was over the bed at night just before bedtime. We got the manager who came and got it.<BR>Not one of the favorite highlights of the trip. Back to laughing over you guys. Liz

kavey

The spiders are harmless and stick to the VERY high canvas roof above - it's just I really am a dreadful cowardly arachnaphobe.<BR><BR>Our tent was the only one in Little Mombo (well there are only 3) which seemed to have a number of spiders and some teeny (harmless) ants milling around the floor near the toilet but not biting ones or anything just teensy weensy things. They didnt bother me.<BR><BR>And the tent has a can of spray DOOM in it for guests to attack creepy crawlies.<BR><BR>Poor Pete doesnt mind spiders but had to DOOM them for me!<BR><BR>

RnR

Oh, Kavey, very funny!!! I could feel my BP going up! Liz, the shwoers are interesting - wooden slated floor, right in the room, and you draw a curtain around the shower are - and there are twoo head so you invite your nearest and dearest in to share. That shower ring on your toe, Kavey - how hilarious.<BR><BR>Now, Liz, you must, must keep your plans unchanged - Little Mombo is a neat place from all I hear. I could see it every day when I left #9 to walk to the Mombo area for meals and drinks. <BR><BR>Yes, you will see a few creeply crawlees, and of course baboons who hang out in the trees and like to slide don the tent canvas - and what a racket they make.<BR><BR>Your itinerary is fabulous!!!! My god, can I really wait until fall 2004! You think it's hard on you, Liz, to wait, lol - you will be there in five months. I'm looking at over 20.<BR><BR>Later, I will send you some pictures - they turned out well. Kavey, be on the lookout for yours. I tried twice/ w/o luck. We will both send them to you, probably today or tomorrow.<BR><BR>Take care, and go Liz - you have created simply an amazing trip. And just remember - we expect a journal report upon your return. Otherwise we will send the Fodors police to take away your computer!