VeeR

The Lion Walk.

I know there has been a lot of discussion on the boards about this activity. When I booked it I thought I was booked with the group that is affiliated with Antelope Park and that I could ask some burning questions and come to decision on my own. All I can say that I have never come away from something so conflicted.

We were picked up by Shearwaters and headed out of town to the Lion Walk Area.
Given a short tutorial on how to act around the lions we took a stroll down a dirt path and told to line up so the lions could get a sense of us. Then they were called out of an enclosure by a whistle. An eleven month old female and seven month male and female siblings came trotting out from a side lane. Off we went on a walk with the lions leading the way. We posed and petted the beauties. I was falling a little bit in love. Someone asked about bottle feeding, I caught part of the guide’s answer “….when we take them from their mothers…..”

I asked then “Aren’t you affiliated with Antelope Park?”
“No - that is our competitors.”

Another question from someone else “How do you keep them from roaming away?”
“Electric fences.”

Then came the big question “What happens to them next?”
“They go to TV, the movies, breeding programs, game farms….”

Just quoting the man everyone.

VeeR

Victoria Falls the End of the Journey


When we got back to the hotel from the Lion Walk we had a light breakfast then took off on a hot, sweaty soul cleansing walk to the Falls. The staff at the hotel urged us to take an umbrella because the Fall were so wet. By the time we got to the Main Falls Viewing point I was ready for that wet. I stood there until I was drenched.
Devil’s Cataract truly earned its name that day. I ended up using the umbrella as a parasol on the walk back to the hotel.

We went over to the lawn by the pool to enjoy some of the hotel’s homemade lemonade and to watch the warthogs trim the lawn. We tried to follow one across the grounds and were asked if we were lost since we ended up behind the hotel in the maintenance area. We explained about the warthog and he said we weren’t the first to end up a bit lost as we were led on a merry chase.

We had a great buffet supper with dinner show at Jungle Junction that evening. The music was fantastic, as were the dancers - food and service impeccable. The whole setting was candlelight and low key. A fitting last night in Africa for us.

The next morning we were all packed for our return trip. But first a short helicopter ride. I ended up in the middle backseat - but that’s okay since Eric is really the photographer. I did get to see my only zebra, from in the air. We’ll be posting photos on the Photobucket Site once I get done editing them. For those of you who know The Zambezi I think seeing just how wide it was will be a surprise. The river was running so wildly that they had suspended the rafting activities.

After that it was on to Victoria Falls Airport for the first leg of our journey. British Airways to JoBurg. Economy was more comfortable than American’s First Class. When they brought lunch I was excited “Look Eric - a burrito!!” Ended up being a delicious Asian chicken noodle wrap - but I pretended it was a burrito and knew I was only forty eight hours, give or take a day from home.

I did blow it a bit as far as transfers and ease of travel. I truly thought that since we were coming from one country, Zimbabwe to another, South Africa, that we had to go through customs so I didn’t check our luggage through to SAA from the BA flight. That cut significantly into my shopping time at Out of Africa. Plus I read our tickets wrong and didn’t watch the departure board. I happily left Eric talking with a gentleman in the SAA lounge and said I was going shopping. He caught up with me in Out of Africa with only half of my major purchases done saying our flight was boarding NOW. Well I wasn’t leaving without my STUFF so he did the un-happy dance while I checked out.
It all worked out and we didn’t miss the flight.

We made it our goal to get some sleep on the way home. Tylenol PM for both of us.
At Dulles we slipped back into old habits fairly quickly - first stop - $bucks. Then onto American’s terminal. We had to hop across the U.S. more bad planning on my part - but it made for shorter flights and a bit of shopping at Dalles/FtWorth (they have a great Mexican Import Shop), then onto Los Angeles.

While waiting for our last flight to Carlsbad from LAX we noted that it was 5:00pm and sighed - “Its nearly dawn in Africa”



Photos can be view at:http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r153/travelinV/?

atravelynn

I loved your account of the school visit.

The elephant action at Chobe was outstanding. Your river cruise had to be a highlight with the quantity of eles. Did the guide mention anything about the number of elephants that time of year? I would think it was a little unusual to have so many. Oh well, luck you.

The rude and amorous riders of the wrong bus were quite hilarious as you described them. I probably would not have been laughing if I were in their midst.

It's amazing what a little wine will do to someone. A mopani worm and the certificate to prove it! Tell that one to your students--at least the worm part, no need to divulge the motivation.

Thanks for the quotes and your impression of the Lion Walk.

I got a kick out of your wild warthog chase.

Eric did a lot of dancing on this trip--happy dance, unhappy dance.

Funny that you saw only 1 zebra from the air. If that did not satisfy your zebra longings, the only thing to do is plan a return trip with zebra as the focus.

If I may adopt Guide Dan's scoring system. 10 points for a wonderful and engaging report.

moremiles

I really enjoyed your report as well and am sorry to see it end! Loved the "amarula soaked tears."

julienk

Thank you so much for all the love and time you put into your reports. We are following some of the same intinerary, just different lodges so I was happy for your impressions and advice.

My back is not like yours at all, but as I approach 60, I get stiff and getting up and down, in and out of things is not easy. I am on an exercise/weight loss campaign now so that I can move quickly if needed....never know when you need to outmanuever a dung beetle.

daughterofstakerk

Thanks for sharing. any photos?

Kevin (from Thousand Oaks)

brandywine

VeeR,

Regarding the hotel you stayed in for one night at JNB, when you say the Airport Sun, is that the Intercontinental that is directly across the street from the terminal?
Thanks!

atravelynn

Kevin,

Here is a photo link.

http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r153/travelinV/?

I just noticed the croc swimming under the bridge with this viewing! A unique view.

napamatt

Great report, we met Janice at Chiefs back in 2003, a really great hostess.

VeeR

Brandwine - It was the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo - Here is the link to the hotel site:

http://www.southernsun.com/SSH/jsp/d...amp;BrandId=47

cary999

There are two (at least) Sun hotels close by. The one Airport Sun is just across the street about 40 meters, easy walk to it, and goes for about $250USD per night. The other O.R Tambo above is a about 500 meters away, short shuttle ride, and about $120USD per night.
regards - tom

VeeR

We were at the OR Tambo. It was a very nice place. The shuttle was all of about ten minutes max. Thanks for clarifying that Cary.

brandywine

Thanks VeeR and Tom. That's where we thinking of staying for one night also, since it is about half the price of the So. Sun Intercontinental. Where did you pick up the shuttle at the airport to take you to the hotel?

VeeR

Brandywine - We were fairly done in from lack of sleep and Gordon from Wilderness Safaris sort of led us to the van. I vaguely remember going out the front doors and making a left, walking down the sidewalk a ways and there they were. It was a large van, I would think/hope when making arrangements with the hotel they would pinpoint a meeting point. Sorry I can't be of more help on this - we were sleepwalking at that point.

cary999

I'm no help in finding the shuttle van - yet - ask me after May 25th. That is when I will be staying there one night.
regards - tom

Kavey

Lovely, just lovely! Thank you! Will save the photos to enjoy over the long weekend...

brandywine

VeeR,

Thanks for the wonderful report, it was a pleasure to read. I'm sure we'll find the shuttle, and glad to hear that it was a nice hotel for a one-nighter.

Tom, you'll have to let me know by May 31st because we leave June 1st for 12 nights in Botswana!

Thembi

We'l be back VeeR - just have a busy working week - looking fwd to the rest of your intersting tale

ShayTay

The hotel vans at OR Tambo are in a designated lot just outside the International Terminal. You'll find PLENTY of skycaps available to assist you to that lot. I had one that literally grabbed my luggage cart and took off for the lot, even though I knew exactly where I was going. He was really disappointed when I only had a couple of dollars for a tip (they want rands.)

VeeR...thanks for the great trip report. I've been interested in Muchenji Lodge and was pleased to read your report.

Thembi

Well, VeeR -

This has been a beautiful trip for us all.

Thanks so much for sharing your memories with us. We have just viewed your slideshow and video - You must have taken more than 22 photos! Still the ones you have posted, illustrate your story so well.

When is your next trip?
Cheers
Thembi