Countdown...please post how long before you leave for Africa and your itinerary!!!
Apr 17th, 2004, 02:46 PM
#41
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Sandi:
It will be elephants the entire time!!
From Nairobi I go to Samburu. Then I fly from Samburu to Nairobi's Wilson Airport. Transfer to JKIA and fly to Moi Airport in Mombasa and stay at the Tamarind Village, a lovely condo complex overlooking the harbor area. I have stayed here five times before and each time I have been put up in a truly lovely apartment. I'm not a beach person so this is perfect for me. Then the next morning I am driven to Tsavo East where I stay at Satao, this time for five nights. Just got an email from the camp manager yesterday. They had been having floods and the men had been sandbagging. The camp is almost surrounded by what is usually a dry river bed. You have to drive over two bridges to get into camp. The manager told me that Wednesday morning a Mama cheetah and her two almost grown cubs walked over the two bridges into camp -probably hoping for an impala or bushbuck dinner! How I would have loved to have seen that. He said the noise from the torrent of water under the bridges was tremendous, and all the employees were amazed that the cheetahs would make the crossing. Just wish I could have seen it!
Next month Daphne Sheldrick will be moving 16 of the older elephant orphans from Voi way up to northern Tsavo near Ithumba. Most of them will walk up except for one female Mweiga who has a heart condition and will have to be driven. My oldest adopted orphan Imenti has been in Ithumba for a year now, all alone except for the wild ele. herds and several keepers. I would dearly love to see him when he sees his orphan friends showing up. He will be so excited. In the past whenever any new babies came to the orphanage Imenti would lie down and encourage the babies to crawl all over him.
Imenti is the one banished to the north when a careless safari driver threatened all of the orphans by almost hitting them with his vehicle as they were crossing the road and then revved his engines. Imenti realized his "babies" were threatened and proceeded to tusk the windshild of the vehicle. Instead of banning this poor driver, Imenti was sent north with his keepers. He will be absolutely elated when he sees his friends.
I am looking forward to Samburu and Elephant Watch Camp and will be sure to post a trip report when I get back. Frm what I have read, Samburu is hot most of the time and I am also told malaria is prevalent. Guess I'll have to get those Malarone tablets out this time!!
Jan
It will be elephants the entire time!!
From Nairobi I go to Samburu. Then I fly from Samburu to Nairobi's Wilson Airport. Transfer to JKIA and fly to Moi Airport in Mombasa and stay at the Tamarind Village, a lovely condo complex overlooking the harbor area. I have stayed here five times before and each time I have been put up in a truly lovely apartment. I'm not a beach person so this is perfect for me. Then the next morning I am driven to Tsavo East where I stay at Satao, this time for five nights. Just got an email from the camp manager yesterday. They had been having floods and the men had been sandbagging. The camp is almost surrounded by what is usually a dry river bed. You have to drive over two bridges to get into camp. The manager told me that Wednesday morning a Mama cheetah and her two almost grown cubs walked over the two bridges into camp -probably hoping for an impala or bushbuck dinner! How I would have loved to have seen that. He said the noise from the torrent of water under the bridges was tremendous, and all the employees were amazed that the cheetahs would make the crossing. Just wish I could have seen it!
Next month Daphne Sheldrick will be moving 16 of the older elephant orphans from Voi way up to northern Tsavo near Ithumba. Most of them will walk up except for one female Mweiga who has a heart condition and will have to be driven. My oldest adopted orphan Imenti has been in Ithumba for a year now, all alone except for the wild ele. herds and several keepers. I would dearly love to see him when he sees his orphan friends showing up. He will be so excited. In the past whenever any new babies came to the orphanage Imenti would lie down and encourage the babies to crawl all over him.
Imenti is the one banished to the north when a careless safari driver threatened all of the orphans by almost hitting them with his vehicle as they were crossing the road and then revved his engines. Imenti realized his "babies" were threatened and proceeded to tusk the windshild of the vehicle. Instead of banning this poor driver, Imenti was sent north with his keepers. He will be absolutely elated when he sees his friends.
I am looking forward to Samburu and Elephant Watch Camp and will be sure to post a trip report when I get back. Frm what I have read, Samburu is hot most of the time and I am also told malaria is prevalent. Guess I'll have to get those Malarone tablets out this time!!
Jan
Apr 18th, 2004, 03:39 AM
#42
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Jan - yes, Samburu is getting closer to the northern area, but we found that the days weren't much hotter than when we had been south in Amboseli or the Mara. Besides the camp is on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, from where you'll probably see the ellees coming to drink at least twice daily. You'll also notice how the colors of the earth and the bush are different then down Amboseli way.
Elephant Watch is a small camp and eco designed, so you've got to take pictures of this camp which is part of the Bush Homes group. Your mornings and nights will be cool so it should still be lovely. Do enjoy!
Elephant Watch is a small camp and eco designed, so you've got to take pictures of this camp which is part of the Bush Homes group. Your mornings and nights will be cool so it should still be lovely. Do enjoy!
Apr 22nd, 2004, 07:08 AM
#43
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I leave on Sept. 1st and fly and will be staying at the Royal Livingstone Hotel for a couple of days. I plan on giving white water rafting a try---sounds like a rush. From there, I will be heading to the Okavonga Delta where I will be staying at the Shinde Camp for 3 nights. Afterwards, I am going to the Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge for 3 nights. Finally, my trip will end in Cape Town for a stay of 3 nights at the Table Bay Hotel. I plan on taking a tour of the cape, a day of shark diving, and finally some shopping for gifts for friends and relatives. This will be my first trip to Africa. I can't wait!!!!!!
Apr 22nd, 2004, 11:46 PM
#45
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noelm,
Just an observation. It seems like in your 11 nights that you will spend at least four of them travelling travelling. Let's see:
Day 1 - Fly into Joburg? Transfer to Victoria Falls for two nights. Travel Day #1.
Day 2 - full day at Victoria Falls.
Day 3 - Transfer to Shinde for three nights. Travel Day #2
Day 4 - Full day at Shinde
Day 5 - Full day at Shinde
Day 6 - Transfer to Maun or Kasane and then onto Joburg and then onto Sabi Sabi? Wow, tough day. Three nights at Sabi Sabi. Travel Day #3
Day 7 - Full day at Sabi Sabi
Day 8 - Full day at Sabi Sabi
Day 9 - Transfer back to Joburg and then onto Cape Town? Three nights at Cape Grace. Travel Day #4.
Day 10 - Full day in Cape Town
Day 11 - Full day in Cape Town
Day 12 - Return home
Not to be condescending, but it seems like you will need a vacation after this vacation. I don't know where you are travelling from but if it is the USA or even Europe, you may be dead tired halfway through, especially after that Day 6, if it is even possible to get from Shinde to Sabi Sabi on the same day.
I think either a night in Joburg in the middle (on Day 6) or choosing a second lodge in Botswana instead of Sabi Sabi would make this trip go a lot smoother, as well as possibly a fourth night in Cape Town.
Best of luck.
Just an observation. It seems like in your 11 nights that you will spend at least four of them travelling travelling. Let's see:
Day 1 - Fly into Joburg? Transfer to Victoria Falls for two nights. Travel Day #1.
Day 2 - full day at Victoria Falls.
Day 3 - Transfer to Shinde for three nights. Travel Day #2
Day 4 - Full day at Shinde
Day 5 - Full day at Shinde
Day 6 - Transfer to Maun or Kasane and then onto Joburg and then onto Sabi Sabi? Wow, tough day. Three nights at Sabi Sabi. Travel Day #3
Day 7 - Full day at Sabi Sabi
Day 8 - Full day at Sabi Sabi
Day 9 - Transfer back to Joburg and then onto Cape Town? Three nights at Cape Grace. Travel Day #4.
Day 10 - Full day in Cape Town
Day 11 - Full day in Cape Town
Day 12 - Return home
Not to be condescending, but it seems like you will need a vacation after this vacation. I don't know where you are travelling from but if it is the USA or even Europe, you may be dead tired halfway through, especially after that Day 6, if it is even possible to get from Shinde to Sabi Sabi on the same day.
I think either a night in Joburg in the middle (on Day 6) or choosing a second lodge in Botswana instead of Sabi Sabi would make this trip go a lot smoother, as well as possibly a fourth night in Cape Town.
Best of luck.
Apr 23rd, 2004, 04:41 AM
#46
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Thank you all for some helpful tips and advice. Roccco, I forgot to mention that in between Shinde Camp and Sabi Sabi I do have a night spent in Johannesburg to rest up for the second half of my trip. I am travelling from NY but will do my best to overcome the jet lag from my 18 hour flight.
Apr 23rd, 2004, 05:53 AM
#47
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noelm,
18 hours sounds like a piece of cake!
Could be a lot worse. I figure that by the time I go from LAX - Atlanta - Johannesburg - Lusaka - Jeki, that I am looking at nearly 30 hours, and over 30 hours from the time I leave my home to the time I step foot in my room at Kulefu. Makes me wish I could just be in Star Trek and step in one of those really cool little machines and be beamed over to Kulefu in a matter of a few seconds.
18 hours sounds like a piece of cake!
Could be a lot worse. I figure that by the time I go from LAX - Atlanta - Johannesburg - Lusaka - Jeki, that I am looking at nearly 30 hours, and over 30 hours from the time I leave my home to the time I step foot in my room at Kulefu. Makes me wish I could just be in Star Trek and step in one of those really cool little machines and be beamed over to Kulefu in a matter of a few seconds.
Apr 23rd, 2004, 05:57 AM
#48
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Roccco,
do you have any tips on trying to deal with such a long flight. I read about some pointers in National Geographic Traveller Magazine but I would love to hear what you have to say. From what I hear spending 30 hours en route to Africa is definitely wothwhile.
do you have any tips on trying to deal with such a long flight. I read about some pointers in National Geographic Traveller Magazine but I would love to hear what you have to say. From what I hear spending 30 hours en route to Africa is definitely wothwhile.
Apr 23rd, 2004, 06:10 AM
#49
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noelm,
Having been to Africa and back twice in the last two years, I would say that there really is no way to effectively deal with it, other than just to keep reminding yourself that you are in for possibly the best holiday ever.
Honestly, after about 12 hours, it all becomes a blur and you feel like a zombie. At least you probably have a direct flight to Joburg. That alone should make it easier, because trust me, it is very hard to fly five hours, deboard, wait around for a couple hours and then want to get back on the plane for another 14+ hour flight.
Coming back is the worst, however, because you can probably add about 10% to the flying time due to flying against the winds, I suppose? So, now instead of 18 hours, you are dealing with 20 hours, or in my case, instead of 30 hours, I am dealing 33 hours, as I will go from Mfuwe-Lusaka-Johannesburg-Atlanta-LAX.
Take a good book, watch a few movies (the SAA planes have personal DVD players built into the headrest in front of you), play Tetris or other video games on the same DVD player for a few hours, and if you are in economy class you will be very lucky to get a couple hours of sleep.
I am lucky enough to have a different route this year, flying to Italy for 11 nights first, then flying to London to spend the whole day there, before boarding SAA on Business Class for an overnight flight to Joburg. I was just reminded of that now, so that should make my trip this year A LOT easier, as I will also enjoy business class all the way back to London before hopping in economy class for a direct flight from London to LAX. Not bad at all, compared to the last two years.
I do wish that I could be comatose, however, for the next three weeks, and just wake up about five days before I leave to get entirely ready. This wait is just killing me!
Having been to Africa and back twice in the last two years, I would say that there really is no way to effectively deal with it, other than just to keep reminding yourself that you are in for possibly the best holiday ever.
Honestly, after about 12 hours, it all becomes a blur and you feel like a zombie. At least you probably have a direct flight to Joburg. That alone should make it easier, because trust me, it is very hard to fly five hours, deboard, wait around for a couple hours and then want to get back on the plane for another 14+ hour flight.
Coming back is the worst, however, because you can probably add about 10% to the flying time due to flying against the winds, I suppose? So, now instead of 18 hours, you are dealing with 20 hours, or in my case, instead of 30 hours, I am dealing 33 hours, as I will go from Mfuwe-Lusaka-Johannesburg-Atlanta-LAX.
Take a good book, watch a few movies (the SAA planes have personal DVD players built into the headrest in front of you), play Tetris or other video games on the same DVD player for a few hours, and if you are in economy class you will be very lucky to get a couple hours of sleep.
I am lucky enough to have a different route this year, flying to Italy for 11 nights first, then flying to London to spend the whole day there, before boarding SAA on Business Class for an overnight flight to Joburg. I was just reminded of that now, so that should make my trip this year A LOT easier, as I will also enjoy business class all the way back to London before hopping in economy class for a direct flight from London to LAX. Not bad at all, compared to the last two years.
I do wish that I could be comatose, however, for the next three weeks, and just wake up about five days before I leave to get entirely ready. This wait is just killing me!
Apr 28th, 2004, 03:33 PM
#51
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Roccco this was a great idea - looks like we have some great trip reports to look forward to between now and Christmas!
I think Wulfstan is the next to depart (if you haven't already gone - I've no idea what time zone anyone is in!!). Anyway have a great and safe time. What a wonderful mix of cultures and experiences you have ahead of you!
I think Wulfstan is the next to depart (if you haven't already gone - I've no idea what time zone anyone is in!!). Anyway have a great and safe time. What a wonderful mix of cultures and experiences you have ahead of you!
Apr 28th, 2004, 11:10 PM
#52
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Wulfstan sure is travelling a long way for eight nights in Southern Africa! Glad to see that Wulfstan was also able to get Bali and Hong Kong in, as well.
I will definitely be looking forward to his report on Savuti and Tubu Tree, although Botswana may be on hold for the foreseeable future now that the Dirty Tricks Department at Conde Nast Traveler had to go and put Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni in their latest issue!
I will definitely be looking forward to his report on Savuti and Tubu Tree, although Botswana may be on hold for the foreseeable future now that the Dirty Tricks Department at Conde Nast Traveler had to go and put Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni in their latest issue!
Apr 29th, 2004, 01:22 AM
#53
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Rocco
How funny... I was just thinking how fun this thread is and how it reminds me of one I started on Fodors Europe a few years back:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1300849
And so I went to have a nostalgic look at it and discovered that I started it just before I left for Botswana and Namibia.
You might wonder why I started it in that forum instead of Africa but at that time there was a very strong community there which was friendly and quite cohesive most of the time. This board was quieter and I didn't know people here so well.
What a blast from the past!
How funny... I was just thinking how fun this thread is and how it reminds me of one I started on Fodors Europe a few years back:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1300849
And so I went to have a nostalgic look at it and discovered that I started it just before I left for Botswana and Namibia.
You might wonder why I started it in that forum instead of Africa but at that time there was a very strong community there which was friendly and quite cohesive most of the time. This board was quieter and I didn't know people here so well.
What a blast from the past!
May 2nd, 2004, 06:40 PM
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Hello All:
This is my first post on Fodors after lurking for about a month getting great info from you all. Here goes. About one month and counting!
June 2,2004 LAX-LHR-JNB BA first (using miles)
upon arrival in JNB take CE to LVI 2 nights in the Royal Livingston.
Back to JNB one night at the Westcliff.
JNB-HDS on SA and then private flight to Chitwa Chitwa Safari Lodge.
2 nights Chitwa Chitwa.
2 nights Thornybush Main Camp
HDS-JNB and transfer to Pretoria train station.
2 Nights Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town.
3 nights in Cape Town at Victoria & Albert.
CPT-LHR-LAX.
This is my first trip ever to Africa and I hope that I can get a good taste with this Itinerary.
This is my first post on Fodors after lurking for about a month getting great info from you all. Here goes. About one month and counting!
June 2,2004 LAX-LHR-JNB BA first (using miles)
upon arrival in JNB take CE to LVI 2 nights in the Royal Livingston.
Back to JNB one night at the Westcliff.
JNB-HDS on SA and then private flight to Chitwa Chitwa Safari Lodge.
2 nights Chitwa Chitwa.
2 nights Thornybush Main Camp
HDS-JNB and transfer to Pretoria train station.
2 Nights Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town.
3 nights in Cape Town at Victoria & Albert.
CPT-LHR-LAX.
This is my first trip ever to Africa and I hope that I can get a good taste with this Itinerary.
