I booked my flight tonight- Honolulu-South Korea-Hong Kong-Johannesburg and return. $ 1700. and only 30 hours, shortest amount of time ever for me getting to AFRICA!
Booked 10 nights with African Bush Camps in Zimbabwe. Somalisa in Hwange, Kanga in Mana Pools and a mobile canoe trip down the Zambezi in Mana Pools. Only problem is I have to wait until October.
SO, it's official.....I AM GOING BACK TO AFREEEEEEKA!

Yeehaaa! And congrats! A great start for 2010.
That's a great price for 30 hours worth of air fare too!
I'd love to try Zim,but when I mention it to my Africa travel companion she gets the heebie jeebies.
I'm already looking forward to your trip report-always a fun read!

This came from out of the blue.

That's only $56.67 per hour of travel. Like Liliipets, I'm looking forward to your humorous account of the trip, which looks fabulous.

Hey, Lilli, I don't get the heebie jeebies when Zim is mentioned but my heart goes pitter patter!

I'm working on it. It seems that everyone including my friend is convinced that if we go to Zimbabwe we'll be coming home in more than one piece!

Wow Dennis, what a great present you've given yourself.
Sounds great............. Go Afree-kah!

Sounds like a terrific trip you've planned! I know what you mean about those 10-month waits---ugh. Just the price we pay to get back. Best, Steve

Way to go, Dennis! Some day, I'll get back to Zimbabwe. Until then, I'll live vicariously through you.

Should be a fantastic trip. Another heart here that goes pitter-patter for Zim!

Speaking of Hwange, here's an unsettling article about the local coal mining company's desire to mine coal within the park's borders, damaging the water sources in the process:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091227...mentenergycoal

This would be a disaster for Hwange and the surrounding communities!

Congrats, Dennis!

Now there is a GOOD Xmas present,great to hear you are going back! Don't forget the stapler!

Posting from the freezing cold prairies and wishing I was in Africa,
Lynda

Great news, congratulations!

I guess "Happy New Year" to you is a little redundant since you have already booked a safari. It sounds like a great trip, Dennis. Congrats!

Fantastic! Wish I were going with you.

Sounds fantastic-especially curious about the canoe trip. We loved our few days in ZIm-the people were incredibly friendly. Wish we had seen more of the country. Enjoy the next 10 months of waiting and day dreaming. ;-)

nj

Woohoo, good on you, nothing like making an African trip booking. We are having a great time in Zambia, pity our paths did not cross this time around.

I know Bwino, the timing was just off a bit. Someday....

Packing the Speedo, Dennis?

yes Lynn, for when I have to outswim the hippos and crocs when the canoe tips in the Zambezi.

Of course and speed would be of the essence.