Thanks Dennis, that's good to know. I was just reading your hellacious "flight plan". Makes all the others look like a walk in the park.

Hi Carla

I have only recently started this, but to avoid any nights in Johannesburg, I now leave MM the day of my departure, do a little morning gamedrive, then fly on a small plane to KMIA, about 30 mins by air, then catch a plane to Johannesburg then the plane to get me home.

This way I get an extra gamedrive in the evening, a small one in the morning, and miss a night in Johannesburg.

Kind regards

Kaye

Thanks Kaye. I do remember you mentioning that recently, that would be ideal. I went through JNB 4 times on my last trip which got old real fast.

I do like that "Out of Africa" store at the JNB airport and could easily kill a few hours there on the way home.

The flights I have had on BA and SAA leave JNB after 6pm. So at MM I do the morning game drive, leave MM about 12 noon on SAA, SAA to JNB with plenty of time before the flight back home.

regards - tom

I've always enjoyed a full morning game drive at MM, get the 12:30 flight back to JHB then an evening flight to LHR. Always lots of time to hang around. We usually get a room at the Sun, have lunch, relax, then shower and change before the night flight to London.

My Delta flight leaves Johannesburg at 4:10PM so if I was flying from MM to JNB, I could catch the flight home the same day.

This trip I'm flying from Maun to JNB and schedule-wise I should be able to catch that 4:10 flight. But I don't trust Air Botswana to get us there in time so I'm wasting an overnight in Joburg. I am using a FF ticket and don't want to take a chance on missing the flight home.

Cindy,

The Air Botswana departs Maun only at 3 PM arriving JNB at 4 30 PM. Or, is there an earlier flight in the morning that you are scheduled to fly?

Hari

Thanks everyone, very helpful info.

Check out the latest baby pups and cubs at Mala Mala

http://www.malamala.tv/diary.htm

I don't think I am going to be able to put this off much longer. MM is calling me.

You are right, Hari. There is no way to make that flight connection.

I was remembering what we did in Oct05 and the Delta/SAA flight was a little later. The Air Bots was delayed (which I understand is typical) and we barely made the Delta/SAA flight. There was no time for shopping!

CarlaM, CarlaM, CarlaM

Hey, did you hear that? I think Mala Mala is calling Carla!

Carla, DH posted here our trip report a couple of weeks ago. It was pricey to go from Phinda to Mala Mala.

We also did what the others did, took a morning game drive and flew SA to JNB in a nice big plane (with only 4 of us on it), then had three hours in JNB before flying back on SAA. It was a long day but it worked.

If Mala Mala calls, you must answer.

carla, carla, carla, carla ... Yes, I hear it too!

Ahhh! I hear you Mala Mala! My passport just arrived today with lots of empty pages to fill &lt

If you love lions and cubs check out these photos that were sent to me:

http://tinyurl.com/yuo9xq

I love the look on the adult male (4th photo down)and his gorgeous eyelashes.

Mala Mala has added a new video to their website. It takes a bit to load but is worth the wait:

http://www.malamala.com/video.htm

Makes me want to get on a plane today!&lt

Clematis1, I still cannot find your trip report. I give up. The search function on Fodors is horrible.

I am leaning towards an all Mala Mala trip but was hoping to try a permanent tented camp on my next trip (Ngala?)Just don't want to sacrifice my game viewing experience to stay in a tent though. Anyone done the MM/Ngala combo?

Carla, oh dear, I found it before but it took a long time. I will email you.

Hi Carla

Do not recall how long your next trip shall be, but I certainly love being at MalaMala the whole trip. My next trip in December is all MalaMala though we do change camps midway as my nieces like a change. When I go by myself, hopefully in June 2008, I shall love being in the Main Camp for my entire stay.

I cannot imagine a gameviewing person, not enjoying it!

Kind regards

Kaye

Hi Kaye,

What is the summer game viewing schedule? Morning start time for the drive? thanks.

Hari

Hi Hari

I believe, you are woken at 5.30am and coffee at 6am. Then you leave when your group is ready, which I like to be at 6.05am.

Kind regards

Kaye