Greystoke?
 

Greystoke was on my wish list for next year, but other than tracking the chimps, the activities seem pretty slim. It does look beautiful, but since I live in Hawaii, I can beach or snorkel 365 days a year so that would not interest me. Is there another destination to see chimps? Or would I be better off thinking of gorilla treks?
Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis,

Mahale Mountains is the best place to watch chimps in their natural environment. And it's really worth a visit.

If you're looking for additional activities at Mahale Mountains, you should check other operators such as Flycatcher Safaris (www.flycat.com). These people are working very closely with TANAPA and the local communities at Mahale Mountains and offer 'cultural encounters', with visits of local villages and dance performances.

Mitch

You can see chimps in Uganda.

Ngamba island, off of Entebbe, is a refuge for over 20 adults and young chimps that have been rescued from bad situations. These are no longer truly wild animals, but they spend their days roaming the island at will. You can visit for a day, half day, or longer and observe feedings or you can volunteer on the island for several days or more. I first went on a half day trip and then a few years later volunteered there. In 2004 you could walk with the young chimps in the forest, and they would climb up on your back or head and around your waist. If this is still allowed, it was quite amazing.

Also in Uganda is Kibale where the chimps are completely wild. You can observe them for about an hour or spend the day with them and watch them make their nests for the night. I hope this all day program is still available as it was in 2002 when I was there.

In Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda there is a forested area called Chambura (Chymbura--different spellings) Gorge and you can track chimps there with about a 45% success rate of seeing them per visit. I enjoyed the visit but found Kibale much more exciting. However Kibale requires a 2-3 day commitment and is a ways north near Fort Portal, while Chambura is a convenient morning visit if you are in Queen Elizabeth, a common and lovely destination in Uganda.

You can never be wrong thinking gorilla treks, but that is a different experience than the chimps. Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda are easily combined with chimps for a primate intensive safari.

Though I have not been, Greystoke is supposed to be one spectacular destination that you may not wish to pass up.

I consider another option: lowland gorillas in Gabon and Congo.

Mitch

I have gone gorilla treking in both Bwindi (Uganda) and Parc Nacional Volcans (Rwanda) and its great, but there's not a lot to do after your morning trek. I was unsuccessful spotting chimps at the gorge in Queen Elizabeth NP, although we heard them.

Mitch: Gabon is on my secret wish list! Have you been reading Mike Fay's reports in National Geographic?

Sharon,

No. I take my inspirations from the following book:
http://www.safari-shop.de/CoffeeTabl...#1-59258-040-8

Mitch

Bwana-saw on your website the movie "Nowhere in Africa" so watched it last night-excellent and the scenery was spectacular...amazing website you have there too! So much info, thanks again for your expertise!
sorry to hijack the thread but it is my thread! :)
Dennis

Dennis - I'm not positive, but I think it's OK to hijack your own thread. ;-)

On another subject, can you tell me a bit about your plan to go to Chobe from Zambia? Who are you going with, or who is taking you there? Thanks!
Sharon

Sharon~there are two tour companies I am looking at, basically the same thing. Pick up at hotel in Livingstone (Stanley Safari for us) @ 7:30, morning river cruise on the Chobe river and an afternoon game drive in Chobe, return by sunset. From the Zambia side it's $171.00 pp and from the Zim side $130.00 pp. www.safpar.com/chobe.htm or www.afrizim.com Haven't booked yet, my traveling partner wants to spend time at the falls and recoup after the elephant back safari, but we will probably end up doing it, what's another $342.00 + tips??!! :)

"Hmmmm...., " she said, with a misty gleam in her eye, "maybe a couple of nights in Botswana ARE an option...."

so many options....ching, ching

...sounds like Rocco. ;-)

Sharon, I associate this quote more with the Mara.

It's OK! I suppose I DO sound like Rocco! Oh well, it's all good... one day I will have a REAL trip itinerary with which to dazzle everyone. Hell, hopefully I'll be dazzled myself - rather than frazzled!!! :-D

In the not so far future we share the same - NO itinerary! :`(

Dennis,
are you telling me that you saw 'Out of Africa' for the first time?! :-o

cooncat,

I'm the last one who should be giving advice, but...

There's no such thing as a perfect trip/itinerary. The less money you spend this time, the more you'll have for next time.

And there WILL be a next time.

Good luck!!!

Dennis--I haven't done chimp or gorilla tracking, but my 2 cents: gorillas, gorillas, gorillas.

Leely,

if you ever have been half a metre next to a free living chimp I'm not sure if you still will telling this.

Mitch

BwanaMitch,

Please don't give me any more incredible experiences to put on my wish-list; my bank account can't handle it. ;)

Remember, there's always a next time... :-D

Bwana-no I saw Out of Africa many times. I was referring to "Nowhere In Africa"
Dennis

"Nowhere in Africa": I think I've seen it. A Jewish family in Kenya during the war?

Great film; I loved it.

Sorry, Dennis, my mistake.
Is the US version of "Nowhere in Africa" English-spoken, or only sub-titled?

Leely - I think you should do as I may do....some day...a week or so with the chimps and a week with the gorillas. Why limit yourself? :-D

And thanks for the advice. I'm really just messing around. I love planning trips - I've just never planned one that is this expensive. Nor have I ever planned a trip where I needed to rely on "operators." I've always been my own "operator." Much simpler that way.

Onward and upward...

mitch -

Saw "Nowhere in Africa" when it first hit the theatre in the US about 2-years ago. It's in German with English subtitles, though towards the very end (maybe last 15-20/minutes) the film it is in English.

I immediately noticed the window frames which are definitely old Kenyan... and the black/white floor in the restaurant at The Norfolk Hotel - filmed on site - no stage sets.

Excellent movie.

Yeah, funny that they did it in Kenya - but this gives the movie a very special authenticity. This last scene, where the woman is selling fruits at the train - it looks so real. I'm not sure if this was a planned shot...

Sadly, most film producers regard Kenya as too dangerous. I remember 'I Dreamed of Africa' and 'The Ghost and the Darkness' were mainly filmed in South Africa.

Mitch

... and Redford and Streep refused to sleep out in the bush, returning to NBO every evening after a days shooting! Shame on them. The movie has since lost some of it's charm! Except for the music and the scenery and.............. Hey, it's Kenya, so I guess I'll watch it again and again!

The Sundance Kid wouldn't sleep out in the bush?! ;-)

I wondered about the filming of "I dreamed of Africa." From what I'd seen in photographs it could have been Kenya, until the flyover scene and all of those beautiful red dunes...!!

cooncat -

Nope, the Kid didn't sleep out in the bush for "Out of Africa"

In "I Dream of Africa" - the ex-Mrs. Baldwin was a pain in the butt and afraid to be in Africa with her child. Guess the pay was worth it for her, but most of the filming was in which she appeared was done in South Africa.

Red dunes, sounds more like Namibia. Hey, it's the movies - one has to wonder where the "continuity" person is when they film.

Well, that's true. Because they had me believing it was Kenya until the plane flew over the coastline and then the dunes. I thought to myself, well, that was some dumb editing or filming - anyone could see they were in Namibia. I can do the whole suspension of disbelief thing, but when it's a true story "sort of" filmed on location...well, it's a head scratcher! ;-)

Well, they have some dunes there in Kenya:
http://www.tanadelta.org/tana-dune-views7.html

But these look a little different than in the movie.

Mitch

Mitch - Are you up drinking again? :-)

Hhmmm... don't know why you're asking... :-"

But that's a good idea - great time for an Amarula! :-D

I've just made 'Plan B' training.

This afternoon my sister called me and told me some terrible news about the carry-on checks at our nice small province airport we have in town. Actually it's the first time I'm using this airport, and she told me that the staff is so bored there that they check every piece of luggage extremely well.

Now my safari vest weights about 6 kgs more, and my photo backpack is only slightly about the limit. That's 'Plan B'.

Mitch

uh-oh...another "Rocco" story about overweight photo equipment! can you get amarula in the U.S? thought I would practice before I go! Since this is my first thread that passed the 30 reply mark, do I get a prize?
:-D (just had to do it!)
Dennis

Mitch - I'm only asking because it's late where you are and you're still awake! Last time, you told me you were up drinking beer and had run out... anyway it was just a silly joke!

Dennis -I'm really not trying to step on your toes in the records department! Mitch may hold that record for the thread he started about my affordable dream safari. (Which I greatly appreciated, by the way!) :-)
Off to slumberland..happy planing everyone!

Dennis,
Don't know if Amarula is available on Hawaii, but thank God, it's available in Germany - even at my local supermarket. :-D
Mitch

((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*))
TA-TA-TA-TAAAAAAAAAAA....

Dennis' thread has passed the 30 mark!

Hereby we declare him A VERY VALUABLE FODORITE! ((Y))

((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*)) ((*))

<b>THANKS BWANA!
<font color="blue">WHAT AN HONOR!</font></b> :))

Not to brag <b>BUT</b> this thread made the front page!!