Off to Afree-kah again (Sandi)
 

It's been a long year and though I had hoped to have been back sooner... didn't happen. Better late, than not!

Believe I'm set with the following:
May 24 - Lv. JFK, via Emirates (great fare, that as soon as I saw this $200 less than a week earlier, booked in a "NY minute.")
May 25 - Arv. NBO - dinner with friend/associate o/n Panari
May 26 - Fly to JRO; w/friends - o/n Kibo Palace
May 27 - Drive to Tarangire; not ideal time to visit, but it's been a few years and have to check props; haven't seen Treetops since redone; Kikoti added new tents; River camp; no Swala or Oliver's as still closed in May - o/n Treetops
May 28 - Tarangire - o/n Treetops
May 29 - Fly to Wilson - o/n House of Waine (of course)
May 30 - Fly to Mara - o/n Saruni (of course, for great Italian food and friends)
May 31 - Transfer - o/n Serian
Jun 1 - Transfer - o/n Olonana
Jun 2 - Olonana
Jun 3 - Transfer - o/n Explorer
Jun 4 - Explorer
Jun 5 - Fly to Wilson - o/n Ngong House
Jun 6 - Fly to Tsavo - o/n Campi ya Kanzi
Jun 7 - CYK
Jun 8 - Transfer - Ndolwa House
Jun 9 - Ndolwa House
Jun 10 - Fly to Wilson; Emirates home

Busy, busy, busy, yes, but.......... Departure, can't get here soon enough. Like everyone else, I count down the days.

Sandi-
Have a wonderful time. It looks like a really nice itinerary. I'm so totally jealous.

Luca and Antonella at CYK just welcomed a new baby boy on April the 3rd, Jacopo Guido Belpietro. And since I can't be there please give him a "welcome to the world" kiss for me and give a hug to their daughter Lucrezia.

You will love spending time with them. They're a lot of fun.
And you might as well give a hug to Luca and Antonella too. Heck, hugs for everyone!

Enjoy your trip!

Sandy

Have a wonderful trip and looking forward to hearing all about it when you return!

... a new baby. How wondeful. Thanks for the heads-up.

Yes, I'm really looking forward to meeting both Antonella and Luca, and already have regards from others. Likewise Marcus and Shikha at Ndolwa. There's gonna be lots of XXXXXXs all around Afree-kah.

Well, I'm sending xxxxs to you and your friends from here. Have a wonderful time!!!

Have a great time! I have to go and look up Ndolwa House now :D

so glad you are going again. We so much appreciate the advice you give us. Your checking places out for us is very helpful.

Kevin from California

Looks a bit whorlwindish (new word) - perhaps you could consider adding an extra day here or there :)

Not really, although I do have one suggestion - I think you should bring me along to write your trip report minutes. Two problems solved in one - relief of my "I have to wait too damn long to go to Afreekah anxiety" and assurance to your fan base that your report will be turned in in a timely manner.
I pack light!

Forgot to critique... that's a lot of back to back 1 nighters, you're jumping all over the place, and the worst offence I see 3 wasted nights transiting through Nairobi :0

Just ;)

sandi - Ndolwa House & Ndolwa Wildlife Sanctuary, are these new names for Kishushe Lodge & Kishushe Sanctuary?

Lovely itinerary, Sandi. Busy, but lovely.

Have a wonderful trip.

Sandi, you lucky dawg! I have to wait until September! I bet your trip will be fantastic as usual! Have a great time. (my next-next safari will be just enjoying it like you do!)

Congrats Sandi, looks like a great trip, and as Kevin said - we do appreciate you checking out all of the properties to report to us! And some of the names, I haven't seen before, so will anxiously await the trip report of nthem.

Looks like for the 2nd year in a row, you & I 'kinda' cross paths in Afree-kah! I checked carefully though, there is nothing where we are in the same town or park at the same time - almost in Nairobi, but out by a day! Perhaps we can fix that next year!!!

....mistakes in my post compliments of a cat sitting on the keyboard as I type....

Good for you, Sandi -- sounds like a wonderful time.

Thanks all.

LyndaS - yes, did think about you and thought we might cross paths, but doesn't look like it will happen, again! Better planning next time.

Serian - unfortunately, Alex will be off filming rhino (good for him), but knoww his crew will take good care.

Ndolwa House www.ndolwa.com is in the direct opposite direction from CYK, down near Lake Jipe. About 3/hrs by road. Owned by the brother (Marcus) of the owner of Shompole; a totally different experience, more rustic (with all amenities), but so many animals right on the property, especially those death howling bush babies. With luck I may even get to play with one. Also, pangolin. Understand Marcus is a real Dr. Doolittle... should be fun!

Sherry - Whorlwindish! Kind of, but have to make the most of my time. Though if you can pack yourself into one of the clown-type litte suitcases, you're welcome to join!

Patty - One-nighters! Though I do my utmost to avoid these for clients, but for moi, of course; I need "Juice" for the hair blower :) :)

I know it is about time for your annual "May/June" journey, but somehow I missed this thread!

We will again miss each other by only a few bad roads - I am always on the "opposite side" of your locations!

Sandi, could you do us a favor and check out the fence situation at Explorer. Is there one or not? Some swear high and low there is a fence. I have not seen it!

And can you please take pics of the planned new tents on the opposite bank at Serian? (if completed at the time of your visit). And the new rope bridge?

Have a great trip!

Wish I could come along!
Travel safe!

Eben -

You really want this to be a "working" visit for me? Ugh! Will print out your request and add it to others. You'd be surprised how many "to do" items I have from everywhere/one. No GPS points? Oh, you already have those. So much for a relaxing holiday :)

Kavey - Thanks. It's been awhile; nice to see you posting again!

sandi - Have fun! It's a tough job but someone must do it!? :-)

Sandi, it often depends on what I'm doing for work - I'm self-employed and if I'm working from home I'm on the net a lot but if I'm at client site it's either very little or not at all!


http://www.justgiving.com/kavey

Sandi, sounds like a great trip. I'm off to Kazakh (and the other Stans on May 17). We'll need to schedule another brunch after you return so I can hear about the new lodges and updates. Have a great trip.

Michael

Yes, Michael... brunch when we're both back Stateside. Knew you were scheduled for the Stans, but forgot exactly when. Thanks for the reminder. That should be a good read of a trip report!

Kavey - I figured you were working at clients - missed you. It's much easier when in your own space to pop onto Fodor's.

Yeh, Favor - somebody's gotta!

Nyama - someone else (off-line) asked about Kishushe; will have to inquire.

Oh, good. Nice to come back and find Sandi's already started on the research for my next trip.. ;-)

Tick-tock, Sandi. I bet you're getting excited!

Yup, tick-tock, tick-tock. Next week by this time I'll be bending my elbow with friends in NBO.

My friendly banker put together the USD currency in the denominations I needed... picked up today. Have clothing strewn about. I should be ashamed; you'd think I'd be able to do this with my eyes closed, but no. I go thru the same as everyone else... but, I know what I'm packing and need.

Only thing to do before leaving (day prior) is to pick-up NYC bagels, bialys and cinnamon raisin bread. Hey, there are just some things you can't get in Afree-kah! Beats me how I will fit these into my duffle? And, I'm sure (as will everyone else) be smelling from bagels everytime I put on a piece of clothing! More reason, that I throw in two sachets to avoid that strange scent when living out of a bag. I never completely unpack?

Thanks for remembering Leely!

I for one will miss your posts while you're away and look forward to your report when you get back. BV!

Me too!
Have a superb trip in every way!
Jess

Have a good trip, Sandi...hopefully, there's some movies you haven't seen yet.....Emirates IFE has them all!!!

Hari

Have a great trip, Sandi! TWC is putting the finishing touches on a new camp outside of Tarangire on Lake Burunge. I don't know if you'll get a chance to see it, or not. I'll be leaving for Africa on June 11 for about 3.5 weeks. Looks like I'll just miss ya.

Dada Sandi karibu Arusha!

Enjoy the bagels and ENJOY THE TRIP!

Bagels packed - check
Curling iron - check
Blow dryer - check

She's ready, and we're envious but in a good way and wishing you a great trip.
Enjoy!

Sherry -

Ha! Ha! Too early for the bagels to be packed. Order goes in Wednesday morning for late pick-up. They should be as fresh as fresh can be after a day of travel.

Hairblower and curlin iron, yes! But still not packed. Hoped to have it done yesterday, but it was such a beautiful day, indoors was not where I wanted to be. It'll have to be done today or tomorrow or Wednesday. Eveything is pretty much set to go, just have to put into the bag.

The weather is so beautiful here in NYC and will be for the next week, may just cut-out of work for a few hours to enjoy it. Then back to the 'puter, of course :) Nice to be one's own boss. YES!

Hope those staying home have a lovely Memorial Day W/E.

Enjoy the bagels on safari, Sandi...just curious, how many do you pack and do they manage to last the trip? i would imagine they lose their freshness in a few days.....

Hari

Have a fantastic trip, Sandi. :-)

I think you need to put bagels in the "The one thing I didn't bring on safari but wish I had," thread.

Safari njema!

The bagels aren't for me. They're gifts. Isn't it often suggested to bring something representative of your home, so from NYC... it's bagels (or the NYTimes...too heavy).

Freshness. They'll be fine for 24/hrs; the recipients only need store them properly (if not consumed at one seating). Freezing works and then individual bagels only have to be defrosted in natural air, toasted or microwaved. You can also (for bagels or kaiser-type rolls) dampen them with water, place in a brown paper bag in the oven for a few minutes and joila... fresh as new!

Packing finished with sufficient room for the vittles. Carryon and my backpack still be to done. I'm now ahead of schedule! Whoopie!

Sandi - have fun, be safe! ((y))

Oh, ok...gifts. Yes, i agree Bagels are integral part of NYC.......