matnikstym

Thanks Leely! Sometimes I even surprise myself!

sundowner

What a thoroughly enjoyable trip report, Dennis. It sure makes me want to follow in your footsteps. (Except the beginning of your trip since all the animals are now in Angola.)

Great pics, too. I laughed when I saw Beaven's sundowner setup with the wooden animals. You sure have some stunning pictures.

I want to go on a game drive with Foster and meet his elephants!

Thanks for sharing your trip!

Reading about the lions reminded me of a camp where I spent 2 nights in South Africa (2003). They did have a group of lions that they were reintroducing to the wild. They were in a huge fenced area (I don't remember how many acres but really large) and there was plenty of game for them to kill and eat. They did feed them when they were first brought to the property but the lions had been surviving on their own for past two years (if I remember correctly). So it's entirely possible that the lions you saw will be successfully reintroduced into the wild.

Africa

Thanks Dennis - what an ammusing and enjoyable report. From now on, the word "Angola" will bring a smile to my face. I've been away and am slowly trying to catch up with the forum.

Regards

Gaurang

atravelynn

Dennis, You've driven into our psyches an urge to chuckle everytime we hear Angola, similar to the Queen of Diamonds in the Manchurian Candidate.

matnikstym

yes, Angola has creeped into my everyday life. When my dog is misbehaving (which is almost always) I now tell her, "Pack your toys, I'm sending you to Angola"

LyndaS

Hi Dennis-

What a wonderful report you have written! I read it pretty well in one bus-ride, when the snow hits Vancouver - wow, the traffic backs up! I laughed so much I think I was irritating everyone else on the bus!

And thanks so much for writing so eloquently about the Lion Walk, I definitly look forward to doing it myself one day. I have faith I am helping them by doing that.

atravelynn

LyndaS,

If you had shared the source of humor with your fellow bus riders, then Angola could become a hit in Vancouver.

FionaT

WOW, it has just been pointed out to me that Foster is being chatted about on this Forum. I met Benson - Foster's youngest brother - a number of years ago when he was training guides at Kings Pool Camp in Botswana. He was such an outstanding guide and amazing person that I ended up abandoning my career in investment management to set up in business with him! I believe that we saw you Dennis when we were on a 3 week educational with Benson in November. We had a night at The Hide before coming to Somalisa and we crossed paths with you and Foster in our vehicles. Next day we had the treat of being guided by the two Siyawareva brothers - only to be charged by a rather large ele whilst on foot. Benson had realised something was going to happen and dropped back to take photos - and once the ele spotted that it was Foster he was charging he quickly backed off and retreated in a very embarrased manner! Anyway, Benson and Foster are meeting up this week and I am going to email your report to Benson so that Foster can read it. I know he will love it - and begin with a big laugh and "Oh My God...". If you ever need to get hold of Foster in the future (other than by snail-mail) then please get in touch as I can normally get a message to him.

uhoh_busted

Thanks for topping this. I think I read it before, but imagine I would have commented -- OH, I read it elsewhere. TOTALLY enjoyed reading it all over again. It is quite inspirational. Not that many of us need inspiration to return, but good laughs are always a blessing to find these days!

Diane

sandals

Your story made me remember that old cliche'-- travel is not about the destination--rather the journey. I'll be a little more laid back than I might have been had I not read your post. I hope we meet people like you and Omigod on our safari in two weeks.

I did learn something about that a few years back when an all-inclusive in Mexico did not even take us to the same AREA of Mexico we were promised. And it was NOT an upgrade, lacking, for example, a beach. All the managers I came in contact with in my day of trying to FIX the situation gave me DIRECT EYE CONTACT and said, "Enjoy your vacation, madam." After three of these stares, I decided to forget which part of the country we came to see and to ENJOY MY VACATION. We had a great time! (Also, I got a big chunk of money back when I got home!)

travel_addict

Marking to read this weekend...

matnikstym

How cool is that? My trip report got a mention on Fodor's News page!
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3500.html

uhoh_busted

TTT...for my Dh to find more easily. We're going to Zim for 10 days in October. The last 4 nights in Hwange!

atravelynn

Your husband may decide to book Angola after reading this classic!

DebitNM

Just read this for the first time; made me smile to hear you talk of memories so special to you and made me LOL too!

4 months and counting~