pdxtravelgirl

Hi there--I leave in a week to spend two weeks the Makalali reserve--thanks for sharing your experience. Just wondered if you have any travel/packing tips that aren't included in the normal 'packing lists?' Thanks!

graemy

@ llbwolf
Hi there! I have followed a lot of your posts with great interest. Especially your posts on Makalali and Hwange (going back a couple of years but on which I didn't see any feedback)
Could you send me a mail so that I can ask some extra info.(interesting hints and tips could still be shared afterwards on the forum!
Anyone else with positive ecovolunteer experiences in Africa is welcome to write : graeme.barnes at free.fr (no spaces)
Many thanks

llbwolf

Packing tips:

1. It's hot, of course (although I don't know exactly how hot this time of year) but nights can cool off. I really regretted not bringing a sweatshirt.

2. Long sleeve lightweight shirts are a good thought, both for mosquitos at night and for hiking (wait a minute bushes can hurt on bare skin).

3. Closed toe shoes. You don't necessarily need hiking boots or even running shoes, but at least tevas or keens with the toe guard would smart.

4. Day pack; water bottle. I found I wanted to bring certain things with me on the rides, including water, a snack and somewhere to put a long sleeve shirt when it warms up.

5. A good flashlight.

6. Sunscreen. You can get this sort of stuff in town, but remember that you will only be in town once a week.

7. Binoculars. Really wish I had brought a pair. They have some, but then you end up passing them around.

8. Sleeping bag. You may, and probably will, camp out.

The rest is pretty obvious, I think. Note: No one I know likes deet. If you want bug repellent, use an alternative 'cause that stuff is no fun.

llbwolf

Oh,travelgirl, if you are going on a safari and not the volunteer program, I am not sure whether my list applies. You may not need shoes for walking around, or a sleeping bag. The other stuff you will probably still want.

badrani

Hi llbwolf,

today I found your Makalali-editorial here on the net and thanks for all the information you've posted!
I've signed up for a 4 weeks program which in October and I'm really excited.

Did you spent one night in Hoedspruit, before the program started or do you know the Blue Guesthouse, which they recommended on their website?

Bye for now,
*badrani*

badrani

It's me again!
....is it possible to see some pictures?!
Could you send some to my E-Mail: [email protected]?!
That would be great!
*badrani*

bmueller

Ilbwolf,
Thank you for your response. I have officially signed up to go to Makalali for two weeks this next August and I am so excited. Did you need to bring a sleeping bag? or was there a need for one? I don't want to haul anything that big if I can help it. If you did camp where you in a tent or just outside? I would appreciate any info you or anybody else that has done the Makalali could give me.

llbwolf

Badrani,

I did stay in Hoedspruit for one night, because my flight came in one day before their pick-up. I stayed at the Blue Cottages, which was great. The owners are so sweet and all meals are included. Mostly I slept. The one person who came in during my stay that did not stay over a night ended up having his luggage delayed and so forth and had to do without for a few days, so I would plan to come in the night before. I will send you some great pics.

B Mueller,

I DID NOT bring a sleeping bag and thus had to buy one there. BIG hassel. Between the lion recapture (on the night we were first supposed to sleep out) and the rain, we slept out only once, but it can be as much as once per week depending on how the people in your group feel. If you don't want to, you can sleep back at camp, but I thought it was great. Note: You sleep (or at least we slept) under the clear blue sky, on a tarp, in your sleping bags. No tent. It probably doesn't sound as nice as it is... I absolutely loved it.

badrani

Hi, I just stepped in an had a short look: Beautifull pictures!!!! Thanks a lot! I will have a longer look tomorrow...and in exactly 1 week - I will see it 'live'!! Thanks for now, *badrani*

bmueller

IBwolf,
I would love to see some of your pic's.
I am going to Makalali next year and I am so excited.
Badrani is going soon and also promised to write upon her return.
Please send me some pics - [email protected] Thank you.

bmueller

LLBWOLF,
Tricia thank you so much for the incredible pics of Makalali on snapfish - they are just awesome I cannot wait till August to go there.

llbwolf

Glad you all liked the pictures. Can't wait to hear your trip reports-I hope they are beyond!

tcanetti

Hi all !

My wife & I are considering going to Makalali at the end of January/beg February. Your posts are exciting ! I have a few questions :

1. llbwolf, I can't wait to see your pictures, could you send me the snapfish link or pics on [email protected] ?

2. I heard it was the wet season. Does it actually rain a lot ?

3. If all the people (badrani & others) who were planned to go there have returned, I'd be curious to get their feedback !

Thanks to you all. We haven't heard back from rrobert123, I guess we'll never know what was so bad about his experience ;-)

Cheers
Thomas