rsnyder

Also, thanks for the report. And, your sense of humor in dealing with all the quirks of the trip was appreciated. I trust you will be back. Looking forward to seeing photos if you are gonna share. Dick

sallysaab

twaffle, that's a damn good question, we'd like to go next year, but with current economic situation I can't see that happening, so maybe '11.
Where, Amboseli, Tsavo, Tarangire, 50 visit's to Sheldricks, it's up for a heated discussion, because there's also Botswana and I really enjoyed the "freeness" of the Timbavati.
Where are you off to next year?

sallysaab

Dick for you there will be photos. It's an awesome task sorting the 3 lots out, and being a smarty I thought I'd put say Samburu in a folder and then sort them according to the time the picture was taken, WRONG! The 3 cameras were all on different times.The girls took about 700+ and I 2800, I had the camera on rapid shoot as we drove through some of the little towns etc, so there's been some serious culling.
But hopefully in a week or so if I havent gone nuts!

twaffle

Next year I am hoping for Tsavo East & West (Ithumba to go walking with the orphans), and then Amboseli. Drive to Mara via Lake Naivasha to do some birding. Mara for 6 nights if I can manage it. Nothing North of Nairobi this time. Hopefully all driving in our own 4x4 with Ken driving.

Then Southern Tanzania the following year and Botswana the year after. Do you think Kevin Rudd will introduce another stimulus which will pay for all this travel?

sallysaab

Take me take me!
Can you actually go walking with the eles?
We met a woman who said she going on an exclusive private visit, just her, the keepers & the babies, at a cost of US$500, awesome, have you heard of it?
Have you been to Lake Naivasha before?
Well you've certainly got the next couple of years organzied.
And Kevin747, nope he wont, we're now in debt to our eyeballs!

twaffle

I am pretty certain the woman you met would have been going to Ithumba. Patty is going later this year so she will be able to report more. It is $500 per night to book the whole camp. You self cater and can spend all your time with the keepers and the elephants (I believe). I suppose it depends a bit on what is going on. As you have your own vehicle (you need that to get there) you can do game drives around the place as well.

This is the link which Patty posted before describing JanGoss's trip there. You might remember reading it once you see the report.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...--feb-2006.cfm

Haven't been to Lake Naivasha for many years. We had friends who farmed on the Lake shore, dairy, not flowers. In the days before the hyacinth took over the lake.

I also had a close friend whose father and brother were killed by hippos on Lake Naivasha so it holds mixed memories.

Patty

I've read a report from someone who accompanied the orphans on bush walks and I've also read reports from those who didn't. Perhaps it's a case by case thing or depends on the length of your stay. The person who did go on walks had a longer stay. Regardless, I believe you get to spend time with the orphans in the morning, around noon for their mudbath and again in the evening. Whatever we end up doing will be fine with me. We plan to do game drives as well. I don't think game is plentiful in the area but figured we'd have a look around.

sallysaab

Wow, okay so now we have to do some very serious saving. I knew you could stay at Ithumba.
twaffle I'm sorry to hear about your friends family, what a tragedy.
Have you decided on where to stay in the Mara?
I wish there was a site that listed accommodation and the number of guests.

twaffle

Still considering the Serena/Bush Camp split but I have time up my sleeve still to consider options. Always worried that I'll chose the wrong place as I really wanted to stay at Serian but can't afford it for the whole family.

MyDogKyle

Thanks again for a great report! You made me laugh out loud more than once. Sounds like a wonderful trip, and you gave good feedback on some popular lodges, so I'm sure it will be helpful to others planning their own trips. Hope you make it back to Africa in 2011!

sallysaab

MDK, thank you, I was wondering if it was too long and uninteresting. We took your report that pertained to where were going with us as a reference.
2011 will happen because I'm winning Lotto on Saturday night!
Can I ask, photos, I have "street" shots of towns we drove through would they be of interest, but we cant put names to them, it would be "on the way to Samburu"?

MyDogKyle

Definitely not too long (if you read MY 10,000-page report, how can you even ask such a thing?!), and very interesting, sallysaab! You have a great sense of humor -- I bet you're a fun person to travel with.

Speaking for myself, I love to see those out-the-window street shots, even if you're not sure what the names of towns are. It's always interesting to see glimpses into everyday life in these countries, especially since we don't get much exposure to that as tourists. I'm happy to look at whichever photos you think capture the spirit of your trip best.

twaffle

I agree with MDK, post some street view shots as they are not so often posted and would be interesting in the context of your journey.

sallysaab

Thanks. The photos are a bit daunting, confusing and could turm me into a raving lunatic. But I'm working on it and it seems Picasa will be the way to go. I'll post details here when it's done.
MDK, thank you for your kind words, you must have known I needed a boost.

rsnyder

sally, I too welcome seeing candid local shots. And, I appreciate the efforts by the taker to label ones re:lodges/camps, unique settings, key wildlife and the like. I know I don't ask for much!! But, loads of us are looking forward to seeing yours as much as we enjoyed reading about Lin, Biddy and Sally. Dick

Leely2

<i>But there was so much of interest to see along the way, I think driving at least once is essential.</i>

I totally agree. I have just caught up with the rest of your report--and, like Dick, am eagerly looking forward to photos.

Was this trip really 3 years in the making? Wow, I admire your patience.

Thanks again, sallysaab. It's reports like yours that sustain me during the many years between African safaris.

sallysaab

Yep Leely, my first question was July 16 '06. I first went to Africa with my Mum(with Alzehiemers) and my sister(her idea) in April '05. Cape Town, Timbavati, Vic Falls & Chobe and was totally smitten.
I think the count started at 660 days!
The itinerary changed many times, the trip cost a fortune!
But we learnt heaps, next one will be planned very differently.
And the photos, I'm now feeling the pressure!
Actually I was just thinking back on the trip and somewhere we passed bananas and all burst into that, I Sesame St song Ban nanna na or whatever, much to Francis's delight.
Did I tell you about the not so good looking Asian guy who thought he was ultra cool! On his damn mobile at the Mara lodge the whole time, loudly so we all heard, and then out on the game drive he and his kids were probably heard back in Nairobi, grrrrrrrr

atravelynn

No pressure, but do post photos at some point. Your report is not too long at all.

sallysaab

A small miracle has occurred, a selection of photos for family, friends & Fodors, I hope it is at:

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/sr...Sag&feat=email

No they are not enhanced in any way & they've been taken by 3 different basic camera', and I hope I never see another damn photo again!!!!!
Twaffle thanks yet again for your help.

joeyi

Thanks for taking the time to figure out how to post your pictures. Enjoyed your trip report and seeing your pictures.