Kwando's Nxai Pan video
Jun 5th, 2011, 08:43 AM
#22
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Lynn- Your kind comment and remembering us brought tears to my eyes. We have been through the valley of the shadow etc......
I think by next year we should be able to make a simple trip with Kwando camps.
I just can't seem to say goodbye to Africa. There is always something we missed.
I think by next year we should be able to make a simple trip with Kwando camps.
I just can't seem to say goodbye to Africa. There is always something we missed.
Jun 5th, 2011, 09:11 AM
#23
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HariS- If we went in March, the Kalahari should be like it was in your video, right? Do you know is that was early or late March? What would the Lagoon and Little Kwara camps be like then? Would the flood be in yet? Any specific times I should aim for? Thanks.
Jun 5th, 2011, 10:35 AM
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Liz, I was in Nxai Pan and Little Kwara in March of last year. A link to my trip report (which has links to videos) is here: http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...and-videos.cfm
Little Kwara was terrific during my trip: lots of cat activity, plus dogs (briefly). Nxai Pan was less exciting, though as always it can be a matter of luck. One highlight at Nxai Pan was an absolutely amazing performance by a few hundred springbok.
Little Kwara was terrific during my trip: lots of cat activity, plus dogs (briefly). Nxai Pan was less exciting, though as always it can be a matter of luck. One highlight at Nxai Pan was an absolutely amazing performance by a few hundred springbok.
Jun 5th, 2011, 12:37 PM
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Don- Thanks for a really good trip report and photos. Your videos are spectacular. I missed the trip report because I don't stop by here much unless I have a question or two. I did see the video of the Springbok earlier and had forgotten it.
Now I wonder how Nxai Pan would be in August. I really do not care for the long grass in the Delta although it is nice in the Kalahari. It is just hard to do the 2 locations successfully. There were plenty of animals in the Delta, I just don't like missing so much because of the tall grass. The last time we went during the green season, I fell due to the high water and had back surgery as soon as we got home. I don't think I want to go then right now. May put it off till next August. I prefer the Delta in August. However the Kalahari may not be so nice then. Anyone know?
Now I wonder how Nxai Pan would be in August. I really do not care for the long grass in the Delta although it is nice in the Kalahari. It is just hard to do the 2 locations successfully. There were plenty of animals in the Delta, I just don't like missing so much because of the tall grass. The last time we went during the green season, I fell due to the high water and had back surgery as soon as we got home. I don't think I want to go then right now. May put it off till next August. I prefer the Delta in August. However the Kalahari may not be so nice then. Anyone know?
Jun 5th, 2011, 06:34 PM
#26
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Liz,
If you are looking at the green season (including March), might I suggest as early in December as is possible. Kwara shall be very good at that time. Kalahari areas might be good too after first few rains.
You talk of August - that will be very good for Lagoon/Lebala. Kwara not so much due to lack of access to areas like Tsum Tsum. Kalahari areas, I haven't been in the winter time. Historically Nxai Pan has supposed to have permanent resident Springbok herds. I haven't been there. Now with more waterholes at the lodges, not sure if they attract more game viewing during the winter months. Traditionally the animals migrate away from the pans in the Kalahari areas during the dry months....
If you are looking at the green season (including March), might I suggest as early in December as is possible. Kwara shall be very good at that time. Kalahari areas might be good too after first few rains.
You talk of August - that will be very good for Lagoon/Lebala. Kwara not so much due to lack of access to areas like Tsum Tsum. Kalahari areas, I haven't been in the winter time. Historically Nxai Pan has supposed to have permanent resident Springbok herds. I haven't been there. Now with more waterholes at the lodges, not sure if they attract more game viewing during the winter months. Traditionally the animals migrate away from the pans in the Kalahari areas during the dry months....
Jun 5th, 2011, 06:35 PM
#27
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSQjvvPmZFo
Not sure if you've seen this, Liz ...... it's from this past February.
Not sure if you've seen this, Liz ...... it's from this past February.
Jun 8th, 2011, 01:02 PM
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HariS. I agree now that early December would be the ideal time for both the Kalahari and Delta. I get free seats on the airlines, first class. You have to be early to get those. I think I already missed it for this year.
Lynn- Thanks for explaining hingting. I was trying to think of where I might have heard of such a thing and drew a blank. I don't mind hunting, just by larger predators. Lions and Leopards suffocate the game quickly. These Cheetahs were merciless. The animal was too big for them. I didn't watch the end. I've never seen Cheetahs on so large an animal. I saw enough and don't care to follow the wild dogs for this reason. To each their own as they say.
Lynn- Thanks for explaining hingting. I was trying to think of where I might have heard of such a thing and drew a blank. I don't mind hunting, just by larger predators. Lions and Leopards suffocate the game quickly. These Cheetahs were merciless. The animal was too big for them. I didn't watch the end. I've never seen Cheetahs on so large an animal. I saw enough and don't care to follow the wild dogs for this reason. To each their own as they say.
Jun 8th, 2011, 07:17 PM
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Tom- It depends on the airline you have miles with. We use AA/BA. 200k will take you from the US to LHR to JNB or Capetown and back. Business Class is a little less.
Others have done this and posted in their trip reports about it.
Others have done this and posted in their trip reports about it.
Jun 8th, 2011, 08:58 PM
#38
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I have 120K on BA, plan to use it in 2012, LAX to JNB. But think that will get me only steerage class - "the most basic amenities, typically with limited toilet use, no privacy, and poor food". Yep, that's the airlines today, nothing has changed in last 100 years !!!!
regards - tom
regards - tom
Jun 9th, 2011, 07:43 AM
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Last year I flew first class RT from Boston to Jo'burg on Lufthansa. At the time, it cost 240,000 miles, but I had a 20%-off coupon (which LH used to offer to their elites), so it was a mere 192k. Now, however, they've raised the price to 290,000, and they no longer give out coupons.
It's 100k each way using American miles. I've also done the trip in business class using AA miles, but using their excellent OneWorld award, which allowed me to stop in Europe for a while. I forget how many miles I needed, but I'm sure you could do it for 130k or less.
So, no, 24,000 miles is nothing. I'll get twice that with a credit card and a small spend.
Unless you travel inordinate amounts for business, the best way to get miles is to get credit cards bonuses, supplemented with the occasional round-the-world ticket.
(Ciao from a balcony in Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples, on a trip using LH miles.)
Don
It's 100k each way using American miles. I've also done the trip in business class using AA miles, but using their excellent OneWorld award, which allowed me to stop in Europe for a while. I forget how many miles I needed, but I'm sure you could do it for 130k or less.
So, no, 24,000 miles is nothing. I'll get twice that with a credit card and a small spend.
Unless you travel inordinate amounts for business, the best way to get miles is to get credit cards bonuses, supplemented with the occasional round-the-world ticket.
(Ciao from a balcony in Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples, on a trip using LH miles.)
Don
Jun 9th, 2011, 01:12 PM
#40
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I guess I've been lucky to get a Business Class seat to Africa for 120,000 miles (mostly Star Alliance.) I don't like the Sky Team "low-medium-high" tickets. There never seems to be any "low" tickets.
Don, I was in Sorrento last month. Enjoy! (Used my United miles). Even though I do travel a lot on business, most of my miles are from my credit cards.
Don, I was in Sorrento last month. Enjoy! (Used my United miles). Even though I do travel a lot on business, most of my miles are from my credit cards.
