Thembi

Dear Julian

Your trip report has been inspirational. It is interesting, eh - that there are people who visit Southern Africa as if it is just another notch on the "travel-belt" and those that genuinely appreciate every moment (good and bad and indifferent). Our first O/S trip ever was to Botswana for 21 days in 2005 (and Livingstone Zambia and a few days in Cape Town ZA) it was supposed to be our only "trip of a lifetime". But it whetted our Africa-appetite and the 10 week extensive South African safari we are planning for 2008 probably won't be our last!Loved your gentle and insightful recounting of various personalities. Mr and Mrs Fussy , Spa-Girl, Camera-Man and recalcitrant guides, made us cringe, laugh and their "ways" aside - your trip was fantastic and your writing excellent. How on earth do you find the time to record each day in your journal - I started journaling our last trip on our first night at Sanctuary Lodges, Baines Camp - by the time I had written the list of the wildlife, starting with the zebra, warthog, impala and giraffe that were chased off the airstrip as we landed; I had writers cramp. The Ele experience was too much to write about and as we set out on our 9 day Wilderness Safari camping through the wilds under the guidance and leadership of the magnificent Wilderness Safari's guide, Pilot Manga my journal became more and more sporadic. I think nightly Amarula cream by the fire added to my writing torpor though!

I look forward to your South Africa trip report. Thanks for telling us all about your Botswana adventure. And newbie Fodorites that we may be - we are no longer new to 'Safari" and it's addictions, eye glazing (to non-Africaphiles) detail and reading about other's trips of never ending interest. Thanks Julian. May you have safe and happy travels wherever you go. As I recently read in Tammie Matson's "Dry Water - Diving Headfirst into Africa" When you stop having fun it becomes an adventure...

napamatt

Thembi

Don't be soo in awe of extremely long detailed trip reports, that take so long to type they never make onto the board in their entirety. Instead keep the notes that matter too you and post the kind of trip report you feel comfortable with. Mine tend to be quite short, one because I recognize my limitations as a writer, and two because I really can't understand the need to give the details of every meal. Your trip sounds like one, that will provide a wealth of information for all of us, so just make a plan to give us the essentials.

atravelynn

I certainly do not understand describing each mouthful in detail. On the other hand I am glued to the screen when a lion's every step of the hunt is detailed, or the antics of frolicking hyena cubs is captured moment by moment.

Thank goodness for my skimming skills and Page Down.