Feeling deflated.........
 

Hi all!

I know I shouldn't be, as I've just booked my first safari and also I will be getting married on this safari, but am feeling a bit deflated at the moment.

Our wedding/safari will not be until May 07 and I am really, really missing the excitement of planning, am missing the inevitable but necessary reading up about certain lodges, am missing the narrowing down of the lodges, am missing the posting of questions/receiving feedback on forums, am missing the going to and fro when narrowing down the final choice of lodges, am missing the making of the ultimate choice of lodge (I was really happy when we did decide!!)

Now we've taken the plunge I feel I am left twiddling my thumbs!!! Of course, I spend my spare time reading all the fantastic trip reports coming in which are inflating me somewhat and are inspiring me to plan a 2nd safari in my mind if not in reality!

Anyway, thankyou to those who commented on my previous posts and also to everyone who posts here on Fodors as I think I've read almost everything written and viewed so many fantastic photos that I feel I've already seen those images with my own eyes!!

My final itinery for those as nosy as me is:!!

4 nights Simbambili (wedding day - just the 2 of us - 16th May 07 - yay!!) we got this for R2800pppn (not incl wedding!) - apparently not a bad price? - infact don't tell me if I was done!!!
1 night Johannesberg Airport Continental hotel
5 nights Rocktail Bay (for scuba diving)
4 nights Phinda Forest Lodge (looking forward to Hari's report in August - have a great time by the way!)

Never fear. You can figure out my trip! <g> Just wanted to mention that we stayed overnight at the Intercontinental in jnb and it was perfect for heading out early the next morning. The chef there was fantastic and they have a nice locked room if you need anything held for you while you go on safari. I wouldn't spend my money on a massage there... that was the only disappointment. I've never had such a bad one before ever. Have a wonderful, memorable wedding.

NO need to be bored between now and May 2007. I also felt as you did immediately after I booked my trip. But, there is a lot you might want to do, depending on your interests.

-read a non-fiction book on the area, its history, people, economics. I just read Dark Star by Paul Theroux while on my trip.

-read a fictional book

-get a book on the animals you will see. You will likely find that is way more interesting to know about their habits than to simply check them off a list.

-figure out what camera to take. Get familiar with it...really familiar. Figure out how to use some of those features you never figured out.

-work on your packing list. If you find Lynda's list on this forum, you will see how careful planning can be. If you have any internal flights, you only have 15 kg, so no bringing five pair of shoes and a heavy wedding gown!

-buy the right binoculars. That can be quite a research project itself

-figure out how to pay for this expensive trip :-0

-evaluate that to do at your various stops. Lay by the pool? Hike? Cultural tour?

-get your long list of shots. Pack your medicine cabinet. You don't wanna be sick on your honeymoon!


Congratulations. You will create memories for a lifetime. I just returned from TZ with my wife of 8 years. I told her I sure wish she had been along on my solo trip to Nepal, years before I married, so I could relive the memories with her.

Oh yeah, and start figuring out how to not get into marital conflicts on this adventurous trip, cuz travel can be stressful. How nice that the two of you have this shared safari interest.

Now, I hope this list will help keep you occupied until May.

Something else I did was check out all of the videos and DVD's from our library that had anything to do with Africa. I found lots of cool National Geographic videos, as well as some jewels on Tanzania and Zanzibar. Definitely check out the Africa IMAX movie. Oh, and you'll probably be checking this forum an obsessive amount looking for trip reports.

I completely understand how you feel! Just last night, my husband and I finalized our safari plans for May 2007. And today I said to myself, what can I search for on the web today, when we have already made our choices??? But I also decided that I would take some portugese language classes to keep me busy before our Mozambique trip. The other Fodorites have given you some great suggestions. And just remember, you can hang out on Fodor's and travel vicariously with the rest of us!

mancfi,

First of all congratulations!!! and a wedding at Simbambili would be amazing!!!

For sure....will post a trip report on Phinda Forest lodge from my visit next month.

Hari

Congratulations! You can start planning your 1st Anniversary trip....

just a quick thanks for all your tips and congratulations!! Would have thanked you all earlier but have been away for a couple of weeks (to lovely Scotland). Am now enjoying reading all that I've missed, and boy, this forum moves fast!!