Liz-
Your pictures were priceless. Loved the zebras wading in the water (what natural selection advantage could there be to being striped!). Hopefully, we will experience Tanzania this June. We are trying to get into Kirawira (we have Migration camp as a back-up) - we'd love to see the migration.

cookndoc- Good luck. I hope you make it. You should know by now whether you are going at least.
Have you checked Mbalageti Serengeti for availability? It is a camp 16km from the main road in the Kirawira area. We saw the sign on the road before we got to Kirawira.
I wish you all the luck in meeting up with the migration. Luck is what you'll need the most. No one can predict and especially this year. There is a lot of grass in the Western region and it was raining intermittently when we were there. You cannot imagine how huge those plains are with nothing but grass fields. If you get to see the migration it is a sight you will never, ever forget. If you don't you'll never imagine that many animals could ever be in such an empty space. You'll love Tanzania. Lucky you, it truly is the Garden Spot of Africa. Liz

Liz

Welcome back. As always your frank, incisive reports make terrific reading. Wish you all the best for the future and thank you for all your super contributions.

Thank you King. I think

As always.

Dear Liz: I have so much enjoyed your posts. I was sorry about your Kikoti experience. I was there in '03 and we had a wonderful experience. I benefitted from your remarks re ground suppliers. Did you get a feel for how OAT's people felt about OAT? This summer I am going on a trip made through University Travel in Bloomington, IN. Have you heard anything of this company? I wish you and Max all the best,and hope that when I am 70 I look as if I am in my late 40s the way you two do!!! Susan

Susan- WOW! Thank you!!!!!
The groups other than one lady were very happy with OAT. They use KIBO Safaris as their ground supplier. While at Ngorongoro Farm House we met two groups from OAT. The first ones were on their way to four days mobile camping on the Serengeti and were all excited and happy about their trip. The next day they left and another group came in from their four day mobile camping on the Serengeti. One lady was somewhat perturbed about something. I asked her about it because she was in my face anyway, and she said she wasn't unhappy with KIBO, but she had 'some issues' to discuss with OAT when she returned home. That was the only comment like that I heard.
When we were at Kirawira we came across another OAT group and a Grand Circle group. Both seemed very happy with their trips and we sat and chatted for quite awhile with three ladies from one of the groups. I mostly answered questions they asked us about our trip, but I did ask about their itinerary and they were going on the Victoria Falls before returning home. I have no idea of the cost of their trip, but I was very impressed with it as they had future trips planned to China and other places. Most didn't feel they would return to Africa although they clearly loved the trip they were on. They just had so many other places to go that they didn't do repeat trips.
I heard about a travel group from Bloomington years ago when I was in Kenya. This was before the Internet, yes, there are some of us who remember having to write letters and wait for replies and have the PO return them as undeliverable due to incomplete address. I couldn't find them then. The folks I met loved the group. No personal experience however with them.
Thank you again for your most generous comments. Liz

What a great trip report! Thanks for including all of the details. I too would have never guessed that you and Max were close to 70 from your pictures - you guys look too young!

Liz, thank you so much for a fantastic report. Takes me back and I was only there in Feb. I am envious of your first class travel! I just read in another post that you are in Utah. That is where we are! Many more happy travels to you & Max.

J

Thanks Patty- I guess its the vitamins I took my whole life. I think they've reached their maximum potential though, aging is coming more quickly now.

Jules- Dixie, how about you?

Liz about 30 miles south of SLC

Hi Liz - I was out of town over the weekend (bird photography workshop) and this is the first chance I've had to read about your trip.

It sounds like a wonderful "goodbye" trip (except getting sick) and I'm happy that you and Max were able to plan another one (the last one being a bit of a fiasco).

I know when you say you are leaving the board that you do so let me say thank you for all of your contributions to this forum. I have certainly learned a lot and enjoyed reading your posts. And if you do check in here once in awhile to tell everyone hello it will be a most welcome pleasure. Oh, I'll echo what the others have said - you and Max certainly don't look your age!


Wonderful trip report and great photos!

Best wishes for the new places you will visit!

Cindy

What a great last hurrah this trip was for you. I've enjoyed your posts and have learned from them.

Enjoy your new endeavors.