Less than 2 weeks to safari!!!
 

Wow! Almost a year from the time I began planning and we are about to leave on our journey! Thanks to ALL of you who shared your expertise and experiences to help me plan!

Gifts for kids--I have pencils, and pencil sharpeners, inflatable beach ball globes and beach ball soccer balls; crayons. Any other suggestions? Our guide, Sulemani, has 10 kids!

Clothes -- I am pared down to the minimum, wearing a pair of pants and packing two. T-shirts, a fleece, a long sleeve shirt.

Tipping -- I HATE this subject! People are all over the place on suggestions, which leads me to believe there is no right answer. We are with Sulemani for 8 days, so he gets the biggest gratuity. As for everyone else, I will do the best I can with $10 and $20 bills.

Any last minute suggestions? Hints? Ideas?

I am SO PUMPED AND EXCITED!!!

you might want to break some of those 20's into 5's and 1's - at least $50 in 1's if you don't already have it.

have a fantastic time!

I could be wrong about this, but you sound pumped and excited!!

I agree that knowing how to tip is a major pain. It sounds like you'll be OK though.

Possible gifts could include matchbox cars and books.

Have a great time!!

Best-

Steve

Girl gifts--little hairclips.
Stickers.

I like the smaller bills suggestion for more flexibility.


Have a fantastic time.

A lot of African girls (and women) keep their hair close-cropped. They may not be able to wear hair clips. Bracelets might be an alternate idea, something cute for the girls. American magazines are always popular... women's mags, news mags, even "gossip" mags. The guys really enjoy car mags. Also, on our Tanzania safari last year, we introduced our guides to the wonders of duct tape!

That's funny - duct tape :-D

regards - cary
ps - on those $1, $5, $20 etc. make sure they are in good condition and of recent mint date

Have a fantastic trip!!!

I got home a year ago yesterday. Can't believe it has already been a year, but what AMAZING memories.

I would "second" the idea to take the smaller bills. More than once we wished we had had smaller denoms.

Again, hope you have a MOST WONDERFUL time!!!

Shane