What is it about Africa???!!!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is it about Africa???!!!
I always find it funny to read the trip reports. They usually include most of the following:
The roads were TERRIBLE.... so much dust... average buffets... vehicles breaking down... small rooms... or bug-infested tents... mixed up itineraries... long border crossings... freezing cold nights... or incredibly hot days... luggage getting lost... and over-priced curious.
And yet... everyone ends off with "the best trip of our lives". "I can't wait to go back". "The most fun we've had in years".
What is it about Africa that captures people like this? What is it about Africa... that despite all the problems, mix-ups, and disorganization.... makes people want to come back again and again?
I love it!
The roads were TERRIBLE.... so much dust... average buffets... vehicles breaking down... small rooms... or bug-infested tents... mixed up itineraries... long border crossings... freezing cold nights... or incredibly hot days... luggage getting lost... and over-priced curious.
And yet... everyone ends off with "the best trip of our lives". "I can't wait to go back". "The most fun we've had in years".
What is it about Africa that captures people like this? What is it about Africa... that despite all the problems, mix-ups, and disorganization.... makes people want to come back again and again?
I love it!
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The roads were TERRIBLE.... so much dust... average buffets... vehicles breaking down... small rooms... or bug-infested tents... mixed up itineraries... long border crossings... freezing cold nights... or incredibly hot days... luggage getting lost... and over-priced."
Isn't that all part of the fun?
More seriously, the wildlife, the incredible scenery, the (another gross generalization) lovely, lovely people. Meeting fellow travelers, most of whom are equally enthusiastic about the good and the bad.
Isn't that all part of the fun?
More seriously, the wildlife, the incredible scenery, the (another gross generalization) lovely, lovely people. Meeting fellow travelers, most of whom are equally enthusiastic about the good and the bad.
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
To begin with, i dont think most of the fodorites complain to any magnitude about their trip.......they probably mention those things to faciliate better planning...........
Most really well organized safaris,are usually smooth sailing......
Yes, the experiences magical!!!
Most really well organized safaris,are usually smooth sailing......
Yes, the experiences magical!!!
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just find it interesting. When I read the threads from the Carribean... people will go write that they NEVER want to go back to the 5-star carribean resort they were staying at because the mini-bar didn't work... or their electronic key didn't work.
And yet, in Africa, people want to go back again and again.
Perhaps it's a different sort of people who travel to Africa!!
And yet, in Africa, people want to go back again and again.
Perhaps it's a different sort of people who travel to Africa!!
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting question. To me the answer can be found in the words of the old cowboy song called "Don't Fence Me In" which was written by Cole Porter and made popular many years ago by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. It goes:
"Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don't fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,
Don't fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Don't fence me in.
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies.
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise.
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hovels and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in."
Just about anywhere you go nowadays, you run into a fence sooner or later, and it's usually sooner. But not in Africa. It's wide open. It's au naturel. It's magic.
"Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don't fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,
Don't fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Don't fence me in.
Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies.
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise.
I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hovels and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in."
Just about anywhere you go nowadays, you run into a fence sooner or later, and it's usually sooner. But not in Africa. It's wide open. It's au naturel. It's magic.
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will raise my hand and say I am guilty of a bit of whining from my difficulties. Yet, I would go back to each place again tomorrow (perhaps except Treetops in Aberdares).
It was all worth it and that is the key. For example, my drive from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti was AWFUL, Then I got to the Serengeri and for MILES there was nothing but flat open dust. I was bummed. Out of the corner of my eye, my wife saw a lone lioness just walking along. We park the car and watched her fro 20 minutes, she walked across the road, right in front of us. In a field ont he other side was her cub. The lioness laid down and the cub nursed.
In just a few minutes I went from utter misery to complete elation! I was watching some of my video of this this weekend and I would give anything right now to be sitting in the Serengeti again.
It was all worth it and that is the key. For example, my drive from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti was AWFUL, Then I got to the Serengeri and for MILES there was nothing but flat open dust. I was bummed. Out of the corner of my eye, my wife saw a lone lioness just walking along. We park the car and watched her fro 20 minutes, she walked across the road, right in front of us. In a field ont he other side was her cub. The lioness laid down and the cub nursed.
In just a few minutes I went from utter misery to complete elation! I was watching some of my video of this this weekend and I would give anything right now to be sitting in the Serengeti again.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
simbakubwa,
This very post has been made in the past and I don't think we could answer it then, either.
Once I even posted the opposite thread, along the lines of, "Who has gone to Africa and thought it was ok, but nothing special?" Couldn't get much feedback. Nobody in that camp.
Let me ask you, are you planning a trip? I noticed some of your posts asked questions about Africa. It would be great to get your post-trip reactions.
Actually I find most of the roads are not really terrible, I always love all the food, vehicle breakdowns have not been frequent but are expected, my rooms/tents have always been adequate to outstanding, the nights are cold but I bundle, the days are hot but I use #45, and I never buy curios.
But you are so right, that it continues to be everyone's trip of a lifetime. Sometimes year after year.
There is something addicting about Africa. Hope you can give it a try.
This very post has been made in the past and I don't think we could answer it then, either.
Once I even posted the opposite thread, along the lines of, "Who has gone to Africa and thought it was ok, but nothing special?" Couldn't get much feedback. Nobody in that camp.
Let me ask you, are you planning a trip? I noticed some of your posts asked questions about Africa. It would be great to get your post-trip reactions.
Actually I find most of the roads are not really terrible, I always love all the food, vehicle breakdowns have not been frequent but are expected, my rooms/tents have always been adequate to outstanding, the nights are cold but I bundle, the days are hot but I use #45, and I never buy curios.
But you are so right, that it continues to be everyone's trip of a lifetime. Sometimes year after year.
There is something addicting about Africa. Hope you can give it a try.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sandi
Of course I was kidding. Though I would say if you read trip reports from Botswana, the realities of the logistics lead to a very different experience, because transfers are by light aircraft. Also the food and lodgings are usually of the highest standard and the game viewing is incredible, add to that the feeling of seclusion and wilderness and it takes some beating.
I edited my Lions killing a Buffalo footage this weekend - hard as it is to watch, thats why I go to Africa.
Of course I was kidding. Though I would say if you read trip reports from Botswana, the realities of the logistics lead to a very different experience, because transfers are by light aircraft. Also the food and lodgings are usually of the highest standard and the game viewing is incredible, add to that the feeling of seclusion and wilderness and it takes some beating.
I edited my Lions killing a Buffalo footage this weekend - hard as it is to watch, thats why I go to Africa.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Atravelynn,
Yes, I am a teacher that has led a number of student teams over to Uganda in the past for their 4th year research theses.
I'm now thinking of taking them to Kenya as well, but am not as familiar with the Kenyan accommodations.
This site has been very helpful though!
Asante.
Yes, I am a teacher that has led a number of student teams over to Uganda in the past for their 4th year research theses.
I'm now thinking of taking them to Kenya as well, but am not as familiar with the Kenyan accommodations.
This site has been very helpful though!
Asante.
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
simbakubwa:
What is it that makes people want to return despite this?
1. Peace and solitude.
2. Much easier pace of life - no
stress while on safari.
3. Makes you feel younger.
4. Going into total wilderness with
no people for hundreds of miles.
5. Gets the adrenaline rushing.
6. The unexpected surprises:
Lions coming to dining hall at
dinner time, snakes on veranda
at tea time, sitting watching
a bull elephant 15 feet from
your veranda for a long time.
7. The many marvelous and grateful
natives you meet and befriend.
9. Seeing the wildlife before it
is totally gone.
Jan
What is it that makes people want to return despite this?
1. Peace and solitude.
2. Much easier pace of life - no
stress while on safari.
3. Makes you feel younger.
4. Going into total wilderness with
no people for hundreds of miles.
5. Gets the adrenaline rushing.
6. The unexpected surprises:
Lions coming to dining hall at
dinner time, snakes on veranda
at tea time, sitting watching
a bull elephant 15 feet from
your veranda for a long time.
7. The many marvelous and grateful
natives you meet and befriend.
9. Seeing the wildlife before it
is totally gone.
Jan
#17
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could it be we feel a connection to the land in Africa because that's where we all came from originally?
I'll never forget when my Mom, an upper middle-class white lady first went to Africa in 1970. In her first postcard to me she wrote: "I feel like I have come home."
I'll never forget when my Mom, an upper middle-class white lady first went to Africa in 1970. In her first postcard to me she wrote: "I feel like I have come home."
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
atravelynn
Africa & the Middle East
11
May 1st, 2005 02:42 AM
Roccco
Africa & the Middle East
61
Apr 3rd, 2004 09:19 AM
Monalisa
Africa & the Middle East
6
Aug 5th, 2003 05:33 AM
Kavey
Africa & the Middle East
27
Jun 9th, 2003 02:06 AM