What made you go to Africa for the first time?
May 22nd, 2008, 11:27 AM
#21
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wanted to be the next Marlin Perkins (another Wild Kingdom fan!!!!!!!).
I even recently started getting DVDs of the old Wild Kingdom episodes through Netflix. Those guys were crazy--it's interesting to see that the risk-it-all approach that so many wildlife personalities have these days can be traced back at least to Wild Kingdom.
Since I've traveled to Africa twice now, I've seriously thought about changing careers and doing wildlife/ecology research in Africa. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch for me, since I have a Zoology degree, some field experience, and lots of scientific experience. It's a matter of figuring out the timing of it all.
I even recently started getting DVDs of the old Wild Kingdom episodes through Netflix. Those guys were crazy--it's interesting to see that the risk-it-all approach that so many wildlife personalities have these days can be traced back at least to Wild Kingdom.
Since I've traveled to Africa twice now, I've seriously thought about changing careers and doing wildlife/ecology research in Africa. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch for me, since I have a Zoology degree, some field experience, and lots of scientific experience. It's a matter of figuring out the timing of it all.
May 22nd, 2008, 11:35 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I married an Eagle Scout:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34864322
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34864322
May 22nd, 2008, 12:16 PM
#23
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was lying in bed listening to Chaka Khan singing Dizzy Gillespies, "Night in Tunisia", and just spur of the momently decided to go. That was around 1981 or 1982 when I used to live alone in a Scandinavian country for 11-12 weeks each summer. So, when I woke up the next day, I went to the train station with my Eurail pass, and got a train reservation for Paris for a few days later.
When I arrived in Paris, I checked into a small family-owned hotel in the south end of the 6th, and then took the metro over to the Nouvelles Frontieres travel office in the 5th, where I asked to see their huge travel catelogues with pictures of hotels and countries. Those books were great back then. I then picked out a hotel, charter flight date, and paid them in cash.
I stayed in Paris a couple of days, took the train back up to Scandinavia and about three weeks later went back to Paris and on to Nice and flew down to Tunisia for a week. I didn't speak a word of French, but there was a Scandinavian travel group down there that I recognized by the huge umbrella that the guide walked around with... and as I understand Scandinavian languages, I just tagged on to the end of their group around town when I saw them and listened to the history the guide was giving. They never suspected anything as I'm African-American. They probably thought I was African as many people did.
My American friends at home thought I was nuts being female and all and being around 26 at the time and traveling off on this self-planned, solo journey,but, I wasn't bothered by it at all as I'd been traveling overseas alone since I was 17.
It turned out to be a great experience and for a total of $300. for the flight, 7 nights in a very nice hotel in two different areas of Tunisia, and two meals a day.
I've made 3 other African trips...one to Morocco...again booked through Nouvelles Frontieres... the year after the Tunisian trip... and two to Ghana 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. Happy Travels!
When I arrived in Paris, I checked into a small family-owned hotel in the south end of the 6th, and then took the metro over to the Nouvelles Frontieres travel office in the 5th, where I asked to see their huge travel catelogues with pictures of hotels and countries. Those books were great back then. I then picked out a hotel, charter flight date, and paid them in cash.
I stayed in Paris a couple of days, took the train back up to Scandinavia and about three weeks later went back to Paris and on to Nice and flew down to Tunisia for a week. I didn't speak a word of French, but there was a Scandinavian travel group down there that I recognized by the huge umbrella that the guide walked around with... and as I understand Scandinavian languages, I just tagged on to the end of their group around town when I saw them and listened to the history the guide was giving. They never suspected anything as I'm African-American. They probably thought I was African as many people did.
My American friends at home thought I was nuts being female and all and being around 26 at the time and traveling off on this self-planned, solo journey,but, I wasn't bothered by it at all as I'd been traveling overseas alone since I was 17.
It turned out to be a great experience and for a total of $300. for the flight, 7 nights in a very nice hotel in two different areas of Tunisia, and two meals a day.
I've made 3 other African trips...one to Morocco...again booked through Nouvelles Frontieres... the year after the Tunisian trip... and two to Ghana 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. Happy Travels!
May 22nd, 2008, 03:58 PM
#25
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good question! Always wanted to go for the love of nature. When I thought I might be out of a job soon, it was going to be my last hurrah for a while. The job held up and so has my love for Africa.
May 22nd, 2008, 05:56 PM
#26
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 50th birthday,Wild Kingdom,Out of Africa.Talked my sister and two of her friends,all animal lovers all DVMS into accompaning me like I knew something they didn't.Flying alone,we all have different schedules,using FF miles.My 88 year old aunt keeps saying,"I hope those animals don't eat you" I reply me too,very excited first trip in June
May 22nd, 2008, 07:34 PM
#28
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a wanderer by nature and love to travel. I like to be outdoors, hear the sounds of the night, and smell fresh air. I love animals.
In the days before I had enough money to travel as much as I wanted to, or to places like Africa, I subscribed to alot of travel magazines. While I loved reading about many places in the world, I found myself fixated on the articles about African safaris, mostly centered around Kenya and Tanzania.
After a few years of dreaming about it, I finally booked a "group" trip, subject to a minimum of two people. At the time I still couldn't afford it (I was still paying off student loans), but I booked it anyway. Sadly, I was the only one who signed up, and the trip was cancelled. Several years went by, and while I still wanted to go on a safari, I never got around to doing it. I didn't have the time; it was too expensive, etc. Instead I traveled to closer, less expensive places, mostly Europe.
A few years later I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I had an emergency radical hysterectomy and double oophorectomy only a few days after the diagnosis. At the time I was quite afraid, and wasn't sure what the outcome would be. I was in the hospital for several days, and all I kept thinking was that I wanted to be outdoors. My boss actually had the nerve to come to the hospital with some stuff he wanted my input on, and I realized then that I had put work before my personal life for way too many years. I decided then and there to go on my first safari. I took my first trip a year and a half later, and I was hooked.
In the days before I had enough money to travel as much as I wanted to, or to places like Africa, I subscribed to alot of travel magazines. While I loved reading about many places in the world, I found myself fixated on the articles about African safaris, mostly centered around Kenya and Tanzania.
After a few years of dreaming about it, I finally booked a "group" trip, subject to a minimum of two people. At the time I still couldn't afford it (I was still paying off student loans), but I booked it anyway. Sadly, I was the only one who signed up, and the trip was cancelled. Several years went by, and while I still wanted to go on a safari, I never got around to doing it. I didn't have the time; it was too expensive, etc. Instead I traveled to closer, less expensive places, mostly Europe.
A few years later I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I had an emergency radical hysterectomy and double oophorectomy only a few days after the diagnosis. At the time I was quite afraid, and wasn't sure what the outcome would be. I was in the hospital for several days, and all I kept thinking was that I wanted to be outdoors. My boss actually had the nerve to come to the hospital with some stuff he wanted my input on, and I realized then that I had put work before my personal life for way too many years. I decided then and there to go on my first safari. I took my first trip a year and a half later, and I was hooked.
May 23rd, 2008, 03:57 AM
#29
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With the event of the big <b>50</b>, graduation and an illness battle coming to an end, I knew I had to do very something extremely cool.
My boat broker friend owed me one and was making suggestions for various locations. It seemed like every place she suggested was too similar culturally to my own life or I had been there.
She finally suggested the Seychelles. If one flies all the way to the Indian ocean one must see Africa - no.
My boat broker friend owed me one and was making suggestions for various locations. It seemed like every place she suggested was too similar culturally to my own life or I had been there.
She finally suggested the Seychelles. If one flies all the way to the Indian ocean one must see Africa - no.
May 23rd, 2008, 04:55 AM
#30
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually by accident.
Like others, I was always in awe of Africa - the game and people; too many hours watching nature shows. But never imagined I'd make it to the continent.
We were in '95 planning a trip to Egypt (yup, the continent) along with Israel and Jordan. However, when rockets started flying over the Syrian border into Israel, my partner said "no way" - though to me it would be no big deal.
Instead, he said "why not Africa" with my comment, "but Egypt is Africa" What he meant was safari, so left it to me to select where!
This was way before the wealth of info available on the Internet, so made it easy on myself and simply selected the original safari country - Kenya! In conversation with a friend who had the year before gone on an A&K safari, though I had no intention of paying those numbers, sought out a safari planner and for about $2,600/person had a combo fly/drive, mostly 5* tented camp itinerary for 16/days.
Needless to say, on arrival at JKIA, having not even left the airport (as if someone shook me into reality) knew this wouldn't be my one and only trip to Africa.
The rest is history!
Like others, I was always in awe of Africa - the game and people; too many hours watching nature shows. But never imagined I'd make it to the continent.
We were in '95 planning a trip to Egypt (yup, the continent) along with Israel and Jordan. However, when rockets started flying over the Syrian border into Israel, my partner said "no way" - though to me it would be no big deal.
Instead, he said "why not Africa" with my comment, "but Egypt is Africa" What he meant was safari, so left it to me to select where!
This was way before the wealth of info available on the Internet, so made it easy on myself and simply selected the original safari country - Kenya! In conversation with a friend who had the year before gone on an A&K safari, though I had no intention of paying those numbers, sought out a safari planner and for about $2,600/person had a combo fly/drive, mostly 5* tented camp itinerary for 16/days.
Needless to say, on arrival at JKIA, having not even left the airport (as if someone shook me into reality) knew this wouldn't be my one and only trip to Africa.
The rest is history!
May 23rd, 2008, 06:38 AM
#31
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two things, really. I grew up near San Jose, California where there is an Egyptian Museum run by the Rosicrucians. (spelling?) Every year in grade school we went down to it on a field trip. So I was exposed to Egyptian history (including mummies!) at a young age.
Secondly, and probably a abetter story, is that my parents named their babies funny names when they were in utero. Mine was Sneferu Khoufu and my brother's was Patutkof. When I planned my first trip to Egypt I found out that Snefru Khoufu was the name of the Pharoah who built the largest of the Great Pyrmaids. So, "it was written."
Don't believe me? Patutkoff was the name of a Russian hockey player in the 1960 Olympics. My brother was about 8 when he wanted to learn how to play hockey. No one else in the family of 6 was the slightest bit interested in the game.
Secondly, and probably a abetter story, is that my parents named their babies funny names when they were in utero. Mine was Sneferu Khoufu and my brother's was Patutkof. When I planned my first trip to Egypt I found out that Snefru Khoufu was the name of the Pharoah who built the largest of the Great Pyrmaids. So, "it was written."
Don't believe me? Patutkoff was the name of a Russian hockey player in the 1960 Olympics. My brother was about 8 when he wanted to learn how to play hockey. No one else in the family of 6 was the slightest bit interested in the game.
May 23rd, 2008, 02:11 PM
#33
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband and I were spending a week in Paris and a week in London. We met an on-line friend of mine -- Kavey -- for dinner with her husband in London. Talking with them, we asked what was the most romantic trip they had taken, and they said AFRICA! So I checked out her pictures on-line when we got back home. Then I started reading peoples stories here, and seeing their pictures, and it that was that! In 2004 we planned our trip to Cape Town and the safari in Botswana. It was an extraordinary trip!
We will return one day. Once it is in your bones, well, it does call you back. I've made my photos into a wonderful DVD in widescreen format, and when we relive those moments....yikes. It gives you goosebumps!
We will return one day. Once it is in your bones, well, it does call you back. I've made my photos into a wonderful DVD in widescreen format, and when we relive those moments....yikes. It gives you goosebumps!
May 24th, 2008, 10:06 AM
#37
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I studied anthropology in college and knew the first day we discussed australopithicus afarensis "lucy" that I'd go. Fifteen years later, I landed in East Africa. I'm planning to go back as it has enriched my life more than anything.
May 25th, 2008, 08:08 AM
#38
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also studied antropology in university and read everthing I could on Jane Goodal when I was a teenager. I had visions of studying chimps, but love and marriage got in the way. Children and a mortgage came next, so my dream was put on hold for many, many years. My once-in-a-life-time trip has now become two trips. I feel truly blessed!
May 25th, 2008, 01:02 PM
#39
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife and I were preparing to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, and I was looking for a way to distract her from the idea of our throwing a big party (it was going to be a lot of work for her in the end.) I was poking around the web looking for wild and exotic places to go, found my way to this Forum, and became intrigued with the idea of taking her to East Africa. When I pitched the idea of a wildlife safari to Tanzania at breakfast one morning (June 2006), she didn't believe I'd do it (I'm a sit-on-the-beach guy.)
Eight months later we were on our way to JRO. It was intoxicating, and we are going back to TZ and then Kenya this August. Just over two months to go!
Jim
Eight months later we were on our way to JRO. It was intoxicating, and we are going back to TZ and then Kenya this August. Just over two months to go!
Jim
May 26th, 2008, 12:05 PM
#40
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even though the first television program I ever saw was Wild Kingdom (yes, I'm really old!), I had no particular interest in Africa. It was Europe for me. I majored in French, and loved traveling in Western Europe.
Then in 1980 my fiance took a short-term work assignment in Johannesburg. In his letters he extolled the virtues of the place, and I began to think it might be interesting. When his employers asked him to extend his contract, he said, no, he missed me too much. They said "what if we bring her over and give her a job?" That was it. Twenty-nine years and 15 visits later, we still love Africa and consider it the most special place on earth.
Then in 1980 my fiance took a short-term work assignment in Johannesburg. In his letters he extolled the virtues of the place, and I began to think it might be interesting. When his employers asked him to extend his contract, he said, no, he missed me too much. They said "what if we bring her over and give her a job?" That was it. Twenty-nine years and 15 visits later, we still love Africa and consider it the most special place on earth.
