kavey

I found a link to a safari site that had a page of Africa travelogues except all it really had was links to travelogues on other sites (and only about 4 of those) - one of those was this one...

Liz Frazier

Kavey-<BR>Thanks. The big birds really caught my attention. As I've said here before, I am fascinated by the Heronry we came upon on our last visit to Botswana. Xugana Lodge looks just like the right spot for that. <BR>Thanks for finding it. I probably would have picked it over Xigera just for that reason, but since the storks usually migrate there later in the year, they would have been gone when we are there. Sigh.<BR>Keep sharing. Liz

Kathi

With regards to costs per night for safari camps... these 2 websites give some info on per night/per person rates... so one could do the math and start with an estimate from there --<BR><BR>http://www.classicsafaris.com/Operators/widerrates.htm (this year's rates)<BR><BR>http://www.uyaphi.com (click on country, then gives listing of camps/prices)<BR><BR>Kathi

RnR

Liz, if you see this - IT'S BERT!!!<BR><BR>Kavey will tell you.<BR><BR>Thanks for your help. His quote was by far the best on three continents!!<BR><BR>Take care, and hope Thanksgiving is terrific for you and your family.<BR><BR>Best regards, RnR

Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR>Congratulations. That means you've decided on an itinerary doesn't it? I am dying to see it. Please post it SOON. I don't know why but I am soo happy with your choice. I have no knowledge other than booking our trip, I guess it just confirms what we thought. Makes me happy that someone agrees with me I think. I know you'll be happy with him and I appreciate your sharing the news with me. Liz

RnR

Hi, Liz - and here is what Bert is arranging: 3 nights at Savuti Camp, 4 at Duba Plains and 4 at Mombo Camp (with a request for tent #9 once again). I FAX'ed my authorizations to him this afternoon. We'll overnight in J'Burg arriving and leaving. Have a great Thanksgiving, and I'll look forward to hearing from you after the holiday. And like you, we are very excited!!! Your trip will be here before we know it - think 26 kg, lol. But I'm still thinking of some way to hide my tux aboard the small plane. Take care!!

Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR>You are still too funny! Why overnight at J'burg before you return? Is it something I should consider? Be sure to ask for a tent with the bathroom attached at Savuti. Only three of them do. Didn't someone report on that here a while back?<BR>I'm going to go over to tent #9 at Mombo and steal all of the snakes and release them somewhere else. LOL!<BR>Trip sounds great. I'll let you know how Duba Plains is when I get back. Did you say sometime what time of year you would be going in 2004? How is Kavey's trip coming? Have a happy Turkey! Liz

kavey

Hello Darlings<BR>I am really close to finalising my itinerary and Bert is a huge help. Despite being on a different continent he is far more accessible than my local TA.<BR>He really is very very helpful and I hope his quote is competitive as I would like to thank him for his help by booking with him.<BR>Will just wait and see.<BR>Don't want to post itinerary yet as is so close to being finalised.<BR>To all you &quot;murkins&quot; out there, Happy Thanksgiving.<BR>If I were to give thanks, after friends and family and health and wealth (enough to be able to have a home, food on the table and pocketmoney to travel) I would give immense thanks for the chances I have been given to experience the wonders of Africa...

Liz Frazier

Kavey-<BR>You are truly one in a million.

evelyntrav

Liz, Kavey, RnR, I have enjoyed reading your posts about your trip planning as through them I am reliving my African experience. <BR><BR>RnR, when you get to Savuti say hello to the guide Isaac for me and let me know how the three cheetah brothers are faring and if they are still together. With Isaac, we tracked them for many hours and have great photos of them at rest and on the prowl. About the Savuti tent, if you don't mind going a few steps outside in the middle of the night with the lions howling, the outdoor facility is rather nice. Personally, we changed tents after night. By the way, as Lis and Kavey know, I am another very pleased Bert customer.

Liz Frazier

Evelyn-<BR>Thanks for posting. I wondered where you were. So it was you I remembered who stayed at Savuti. I almost picked Savuti instead of Duma Tau, but it was a toss up and I thought it might be a bit more rustic than we wanted, but we do love that kind of place. I am trying to stay in a part of Savuti similar to where I was when I went with Earthwatch. I did love the Savuti area. <BR>Aren't we all having fun with our trip planning? I can hardly wait each day to see who left a message. What a pleasant surprise to find you. Liz

evelyntrav

Liz, you and Kavey have given others such wise advice that I had not felt the need to add very much. In addition, I have been busy planning our next vacation so haven't been checking the Africa posts too often. My hunch is we will be ready to visit Southern Africa again in a couple of years so look forward to reading your trip report.

RnR

Hi All - Kavey, Liz, evelyntrav - we must stop meeting this way. Kavey is the holder of the keys!!!<BR><BR>Liz, we're overnighting in J'Burg at the end because of travel times back from Mombo. This past October our small plane to Maun departed Mombo at 1:05 pm, shortly after the morning game drive and a fast brunch and check-out. We had reservations on Air Botswana's jet (yes, THE jet!) for their 3 p.m. NS Maun to J'Burg. The flight to the USA was to depart about 5 pm. And we just didn't want to cram in too many air hours all at one time. Also, since we were at Grace Hotel, we wanted to hit the Sunday morning market on Bath Street, a block away - incredibly good market. We've asked Bert to arrange this same schedule.<BR><BR>By the way. Bert phoned me Friday - we are all set - hooray!!!!<BR><BR>Departing US September 4, 2004 - and into Savuti September 6, to meet our friends from the UK whom we met at Phinda Forest Lodge in SA/Natal area in October 2001. A wild, fun bunch!! Can you believe at lunch they asked us if we'd like to start with a drink - read my mind!!! They only had to ask once. Being a multi-tasker, as long as I was at the bar I selected the wines for the evening meal. You may be sure!<BR><BR>OK, you may have every damned one of those varigated wood snakes - just take them well away from #9, lol. Very nice of you to offer.<BR><BR>Evelyn, I will be sure to say hi to Isaac for you - and yes, will definitely be on the lookout for those cheetahs - they sound like the local bad boys!! There were two males at Mombo who hung out - the so-called Steroid Boys! And yes, I do know what you mean about the tents and lions and others at Savuti - I try to have extra wine at dinner - ah, if one could have africa without the danger and sounds, lol. Well, maybe not! I suppose Savuti isn't the place for my tux - may need to save that for more civilized digs! gt;<BR><BR>Yes, yes, Liz, want to hear all about Duba Plains - we'll be there four nights - one ranger I spoke with loves it - and Bert told me it is his favorite. By the way, Bert really is a good sort - and we're very comfortable dealing with him. Thanks, Liz and Evelyn, for the advice and great feedback on Fish Eagles!!.<BR><BR>Now, Kavey, lets hear about YOUR itinerary, when you get it set.<BR><BR>One day, when we all have one another's email addresses, I have some pictures for you - happily not shot by me, but by my lover, companion, SO, wife, whatever you wish to call her. I'm allowed two shots daily - the remainder of the time, I load the cameras. I'm generally place in the rear of the rover!!<BR><BR>Take care, and all my best to you chaps - what a good bunch you are.<BR><BR>RnR

Liz Frazier

Rnr-<BR>Kavey is the holder of the keys? What keys?<BR>Your trip sounds wonderful! Hooray!!!! I know you're excited getting it all set up. What fun. The other couple you will be meeting sounds like a lot of fun too. <BR>I understand your two nights at J'burg. Good idea. We'll come straight away home since we're usually anxious by the end of such a long journey. I have my fingers crossed that nothing happens internationally to prevent our going.<BR>We surely have had a lot of fun on all of this planning. So glad you liked Bert, I couldn't see why you wouldn't. What a help he was to us. It has helped tremendously to have met you all and your input was invaluable. I will surely report on all of the places we visit. <BR>After reading Jane's report on Tanzania, I fear my trip report will fall far short. My report is more like &quot;we saw lions and warthogs&quot;. Not near as eloquent, but I'll try to give you a feeling of what each place is like. <BR>Till later, Liz

kavey

Hello!<BR>What keys? I don't have any keys! It's hard enough finding my house keys half the time!<BR>I am getting there, with Bert's help. The only thing is he can't book my London to Africa flights for me and I really was hoping to book the thing as one package from one agent so now I am in a quandry...<BR><BR>He's so helpful isn't he?<BR>I will post itinerary as soon as I've booked...<BR>Kavey

Liz Frazier

Hi Kavey-<BR>I am sooo anxious to read your itinerary! I know it is going to be perfect. Hurry, hurry and tell us please.<BR>Can't comment on the airfare issue but I know we pay for our international airfare separately from the trip. Different times etc. He gets the air from someone else, so it really is separate anyway. The trip is the all important aspect and what he does so well. You know 2Afrika.com books international air for people, whether you book a trip through them or not. Why not check out their website?<BR>Hey if you find the keys let me know in case I need them. <BR>Take care. Liz

RnR

Ah, keys, yes, the keys! there are keys to my heart, my door, my secrets, a church key for the beer, all sorts of places. And then there's a key to reach me - ah ha, you say, that key. In case we all decide to be very, very friendly and begin swapping recipes, and want to give the other posters a break! And among us is one, the keeper of the keys, and ah ha, you may ask, who is that, but I'd imagine you'd already know!

RnR

Kavey, are you bumping into the infamous 330-day rule - or is it that the consolidator doesn't yet have tickets which Bert will be able to purchase on your behalf later, in 2003 - you are going in 2004, right? Are we going to be there at the same time, and if so, who buys the first round when we discuss the leopard who climbed onboard the rover? Do I walk over to Little, or will you join us by our fire?

kavey

No, Bert just reckons I could get a better deal locally.<BR>Am working on it...

kavey

Well - it's getting close to crunch time.<BR><BR>My UK agent and Bert are both preparing quotes for me based on what I hope will be my final itinerary.<BR><BR>I don't want to list it yet incase I jinx it. <BR><BR>The only reason to change it now would be if the price is just that little bit too high.<BR><BR>Will hopefully be back to share it with you within a week or two max.<BR><BR<BR><BR>&quot;The African sun is in my heart.&quot;<BR>(No it's not a quote, it's just me).