I was just about to copy your very thorough packing list when I lost the thread. Please tell me where I can find it

Pamlg- I posted these on your other thread, but here they are as well-

Before I left for my first safari, I posted a VERY comprehensive list, which all of the experienced people on the board helped me fine tune in this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34802443


Then, when I came back, I posted a what worked and what didn't work in the first part of my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34822022

And, then, once I had time to really think about it, I posted a 'really only things that you need' list at:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34902894

Hope this helps!

LyndaS
Sorry I posted twice. I'm new to this, but that was probably a no-no. Thanks again for your help. Your packing list is great - there were some things I would never have thought of, and some things I thought of but will now eliminate.

LyndaS
Hi
firstly what a great Index really helpful for the first time traveller
just one thing
I have been looking for solitaire11
trip report and cant find it perhaps I am looking in the wrong place

<b>YASER TANZANIA SEPT 06</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34879078 (report)

http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/users/yaser/AFRICA06/ (pictures and brief report)

This is a unique report from Yaser on their self-drive through Tanzanaia! Renting a car in Arusha, they drove to:

Katavi National Park – Riverside Camp
Ruaha - bandas at the Ruaha headquarters
Selous – Mbega Camp
Kilwa Masoko – Kilwa Seaview Resort
Arusha – Colubus Mountain Lodge

His website has many wonderful photos, and there is some good information in both his Fodors report and his website on self-driving

<b>BANKER123 KENYA SEPT 06</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34871408 (thread)
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...8AbNGjJu0btWFF (pictures)
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNGjJu0btWFU (Lamu pictures)

Jordan has given us two links to his wonderful pictures in this thread from his recent trip to Kenya; along with answering some questions in the thread. He visited:

Mt Kenya – Mountain Lodge
Lake Nakuru – Sarova Lion Hill
Maasai Mara – Sarova Mara
Lamu – Kizingo

<b>SAFARIDUDE KENYA SEPT 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34880203 (part 1 report)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34882078 (part 2 report)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34880683 (part 3 report)

This is Safaridude’s really detailed (as we all like) report on his trip to East Africa. It is chock full of really cool, historical background information and stories; a great report to learn things from. He has also given us some great thought-provoking ideas on hunting concessions and photo concessions. He really does make you step back and think about it. And besides all that he has great descriptions of animal sightings and the properties he stayed at too! His unusual itinerary took him to:

Near Tsavo – Campi Ya Kanzi
Mt Meru – Elsa’s Kopje
Ngorongoro – Crater Lodge
Serengeti – Kirawira Camp
Ugalia Game Reserve (accompanied bird-shooters)

<b>CARY999 SOUTH AFRICA, ZAMBIA AND KENYA SEPT 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34881694 (REPORT)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/tdgraham/main/safari_2005 (photos from last year)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/tdgraham/main/kruger_2006 (photos Kruger NP)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/tdgraham...mala_mala_2006 (photos Mala Mala)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/tdgraham...sefu_Tena_2006 (photos Nsefu &amp; Tena Tena)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/tdgraham...ttle_Governors (photos Maasai Mara - Governors)

Here is Tom and Carolyn’s wonderfully detailed trip report on their incredible trip that spanned much of our favorite continent. It was their second safari, starting with a self drive in South Africa from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park, and then on to Male Male. There are tons of details of camps, lodges, animal sightings, &amp; camera equipment – enough to satisfy all of us in this report, along with a choice selection of some pretty incredible photos. Their itinerary took them to:
Hazyview , SA – Africa Idle &amp; Wilde B&amp;B
Kruger National Park - Mopani and Satara Camps
Mala Mala, SA
Lusaka, Zambia – Holiday Inn Lusaka
South Luangwa, Zambia – Nsefu and Tena Tena Camps
Lusaka, Zambia – Holiday Inn
Nairobi – Norfolk Hotel
Maasai Mara – Little Governors Camp
Nairobi – Norfolk Hotel

And a special thanks from us, Tom – I told Jim about the ProShow Gold you mentioned and he said it was EXACTLY what he was looking for.

<b>PURPLE KENYA &amp; TANZANIA SEPT 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34882614 (thread &amp; mini report)
http://WWW.kodakgallery.Com/Slidesho...wnil2&amp;Ux=0 (pictures)

This is Sharon’s pictoral essay on their first trip to Africa. Although she didn’t write much, she packed a lot of information in the pictures, and it tells an incredible story, her album is all you will need to get the whole picture! In every place Sharon has taken pictures of the signs, the animals, the rooms, the lodges, the people – all sorts of wonderful things that we all see when we are there – but sometimes just don’t notice!. Her and George visited the following places:

Mt Kenya slopes – Serena Mountain Lodge
Samburu – Intrepids Camp
Maasai Mara – Governors Camp
Arusha – Impala Hotel
Ngorongoro – Serena Lodge
Tarangire – River Camp
Amboseli – Tortilis Camp

<b>CINDYSAFARI KENYA SEPTEMBER 2006 </b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34882956 (REPORT)

This is Cindy’s trip report of her very first trip to Africa with her husband and 4 of their friends. This is not only a private safari – they even had their own private plane to take them to the camps they visited! Booked through <b>TIM LAPAGE/SAFARI EXPERTS</b> out of Utah, with <b>BUSH HOMES OF EAST AFRICA</b>, Cindy dragged her reluctant husband (with his new camera as a bribe) all the way to Nairobi to start their trip. Herself a little reluctant at first to fly on small planes, they transited to Wilson Airport to their awaiting Cessna to:
Lake Baringo – Samatian Island Camp
Samburu – Ol Malo
Laikipia – Borango Lodge
Maasai Mara – Richard’s Camp

At this time, Cindy’s report is still not finished, and with good reason. A tragic incident at the end of the trip, heartfelt by all of us back at home, occurred at Richard’s Camp, and we all know how difficult it is to deal with something like this in a trip report. Being a trooper though Cindy has been working on completing the report for us; which we all appreciate, we all know how hard it must be for her. But, Cindy we are all dying to know if your husband did enjoy Africa after all!

<b>Addendum to Purple's Photo Essay:</b>

I just found the name of her agent/outfitter in a recent thread!

Purple booked with <b>AFRICAN SERENDITY</b> in the US.

Sorry, Sharon please forgive me for not seeing this and posting in the right place!

AND: ADDENDUM for David987:

Thanks for alerting me to solitaire11'as report - I know I have read it, but I did miss it in the trip report index! I am re-reading to refresh and then will post a link in this index - my apologies solitaire11 as well!

LyndaS - I can't thank you enough for putting this together. For a first time Africa traveller, it is an incredible wealth of usable information.

<b>WISTMAN TANZANIA OCTOBER 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34895099 (REPORT)

This is a report from Roger, on his trip along with his wife, Julie and daughter Lizzie (13) on their first safari. Booked through <b>AFRICA TRAVEL RESOURCE (ATR) </b> Roger and his family visited the following:

Arusha - Moivaro Lodge
Tarangire - Mawe Ninga Tented Camp
Lake Manyara – game drive
Ngorongoro Crater Area - Gibbs Farm
Serengeti – Ndutu Lodge &amp; Lobo Wildlife Lodge
Zanzibar - Pongwe Beach Hotel.
Stonetown - Dhow Palace

Roger has written a wonderfully detailed report on their trip, supplying us with all kinds of great details of the parks, the lodges, the animals, the food, and the costs; as well as their overall impressions.

<b>SOLITAIRE11 TANZANIA MAY/JUNE 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34842202 (thread with link to report)

http://sashasolitaire.smugmug.com/So...20Picks/203178 (report and pictures)


Aarthi has written a wonderful report, with a great layout of pictures and scads of information on her and her husband, Sashi’s amazing first trip to Africa. Booked through <b>EASTCO</b>, God Bless was their hearty companion and driver/guide for the trip. This report is full of descriptions and great information, both written and visually, on the following itinerary:

Arusha – Outpost B &amp;B
Serengeti – Tumbili Campsite
NCA - Olmati Crater – hike to the top
NCA - Empakai Crater Campsite
NCA – Acacia Campsite at Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai
Lake Natron – Lake Natron Campsite
Tarangire CA – Naitolia Lodge
Zanzibar – Pongwe Beach Resort
Stonetown, Zanzibar – Emerson &amp; Greene

You will feel you are right there with Aarthi as she writes about their adventures, and you will feel her heartbreak and disappointment along with her as she tells their guides and Sashi that she just can’t make it all the way up on their hike up Ol Doinyo Lengai. Sashi, who had broken his toe the day before and didn’t mention it, was probably quite relieved! But, to me, anyone that can hike even halfway up any mountain is a hero in my eyes, it’s 100% more than I could even attempt!

<b>DENBASKING KENYA JUNE 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34913040 (report)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34838608 (Photo collage thread)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&amp;y=-knykj0 (photo collage)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34807800 (Camera-kit-in-a-bag thread)

Here is Den’s report on her fabulous first safari with <b>KILIWARRIOR EXPEDITIONS</b>. She has posted in a unusual format, instead of posting in order, she started with a wonderful section to thank all the Fodorites who helped her; and then posted a report on the last part of her trip, which was to see the gorillas in Rwanda with <b> GREAT LAKES SAFARIS</b>. Den has some incredible descriptions of her trek with the gorillas, and her visit to the Genocide Museum. Den’s report on the museum is a real eye opener for those of us who haven’t been, she has pulled no punches on the descriptions, and tells it like it is.

As well, Den started a wonderful thread on ‘what’s in your camera bag’ that is a wonderful thread to help out all of the people who are trying decide ‘what shall I bring in my camera bag. It’s an incredible thread!

Her itinerary (not complete though) included:

Kilimanjaro &amp; Karatu Region
Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Gibbs Farm
Mobile Fly Camping in the Serengeti
Gorilla Treking in Rwanda

Although not finished, we hope that you will come back and add to this report when you can, Den!

<b>CHINOOK KENYA JUNE 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34822095 (report)

http://www.colorsofwildlife.net/foru...action=profile (pictures)

This is a brief, but enlightening report from Chinook on their private Cessna flying safari. Booked with <b> ALEXIS PELTIER </b>, their itinerary took them to:

Nairobi - Nairobi Backpackers Hotel
Maasai Mara - Fig Tree Camp
Amboseli - Sopa Lodge
Samburu


<b>KATESY KENYA &amp; ZANZIBAR AUG 2006 </b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34898693 (Report)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&amp;y=-we9kjh (photos)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvIq_G0s4rw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol_5wPrXSPQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANZmUooC6Xs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xvCd8CJQU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdKY9MxKjcI (all above are videos)

This is a wonderfully descriptive report from Katesy and Doug on their honeymoon to Africa. Katesy has gone into some very good details and given some great descriptions of the accommodations, and the game they saw.
Their itinerary (not mentioned who they booked with) was:

Nairobi – Macushla House
Maasai Mara – Serian Camp
Shompole
Zanz&iacute;bar – Matemwe Bungalows

<b>HLESTER3 KENYA &amp; ZANZIBAR SEPT/OCT 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34892411 (REPORT)

By the time Heather and her husband are finished, they will have 2 of the most incredibly well-traveled kids the world has known. The trip of the year, this year, was to show her twins, aged 5, the animals in Africa, and they sure did see animals! Booked through <b> MANGO AFRICAN SAFARIS</b> Heather, her husband, her dad and the two twins, Robbie and Madison took in the following off-the-beaten-path places:

Samburu Complex – Sabuk Lodge
Laikipia Plateau – Shompole Safari Lodge
Maasai Mara – Elephant Pepper Camp
Zanzibar – Mnemba Island Resort
Nairobi - Giraffe Manor

Heather packs a lot of information into her report, lots of details on the camps, and tells us how it was traveling in Africa with the twins. People taking young ones will get lots of hints from Heather’s report.

<b>NANKAR TANZANIA &amp; KENYA &amp; ZAMBIA SEPT 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34898701 (report)

This is Nankar’s report from their incredible first African adventure. They booked the Zambian portion through <b>DESTINY AFRICA</b>, and the rest through <b>TAUCK TOURS.</b> This is a short report, but Nankar gives us a good overview of a group tour. The Kenya/Tanzania itinerary was:

Arusha – Serena Mountain Lodge
Lake Manyara – Serena Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater – Serena
Serengeti – Serena Lodge
Amboseli – Serena
Samburu – Serena
Maasai Mara – Mara Safari Club

Small correction to the HLester itinerary above - locations:

LAIKIPIA – Sabuk Lodge
KENYA/TANZANIA BORDER/LK.NATRON – Shompole Lodge
Maasai Mara – Elephant Pepper Camp
Zanzibar – Mnemba Island Resort
Nairobi - Giraffe Manor

<b>DRANO KENYA AND TANZANIA SEPT 2006</b>

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34939376 (report)

http://adrianoalmeida.smugmug.com/ (pictures &amp; trip notes)

This was Adriano &amp; Chris’s first safari to Africa – but we doubt it will be their last! Adriano has written a great report with his overall impressions of the lodgings, the trip itself and the wildlife. But as good as this report is, with a great discussion of Cannon and Sigma lenses, don’t miss his incredible photos – they really tell their story. Booked with <b>GOOD EARTH TOURS</b> with <b>SAFARI LINE</b> as the ground operator, their itinerary was as follows:

Nairobi - Norfolk Hotel
Samburu - Serena Lodge
Masai Mara – Serena Lodge
Amboseli - Serena Lodge
Tarangire - Tarangire River Camp
Ngorongoro - Serena Lodge