blacktie

Liz, tell me more about the walks and the tall grasses. One report from Savuti where I'll be spoke of sightings of snouted cobras and puff adders. Surely the guides are not asking people to walk into tall grass!!! That is where I draw the line. At Mombo one time there was the frendly gree snake that stayed with us night and day in the tent ... we were told it was a variagated forest snake, harmless ... although I noticed no one volunteered to pick it up and haul it off. Now cobras, that is a nother kettle of fish (well, snakes). Tell me more about what the lodge management and rangers said, especially after your own close call.

LizFrazier

Blacktie-
Check the Water, Water, EVERYWHERE thread on down in the next 50. The managers were quite sorry and offered me a muscle relaxer. As I've said here the grass is quite high and even lions are in there. Rather than repeat the whole thing, please try to find that thread for the story. I think some may be weary of my story. I'm just trying to caution folks that it is very dangerous this year in the Delta. I've never even seen grass there, let alone this kind of grass. They just had a rainy year and then the floods are coming which will make it even worse. All things are different, even the flights bringing in supplies and taking out clients. Just remember its Africa and whatever happens, you are on your own. Liz

Roccco

I think I am next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will start packing today, and thankfully I have had so many injections the last two years, I don't need a single injection this year, only my anti-malaria pills and some Cipro, just in case!!!

We will ride off into the sunset in style this year, meeting the other two couples whom we are travelling to Italy with about an hour before our ride picks us all up for the ride to LAX. It will be champagne and strawberries & cream for a little celebration before being picked up by a limo for our ride to the airport.

Although this is by no means a "fancy" trip, why not have a little fun with it?!

The most luxurious part of this trip my very likely be my final night which is being spent at Chichele Presidential Lodge and then the Business Class flights from London to Joburg to Lusaka and back. Otherwise, it will be 3* to 4* hotels in Italy and very good lodges, but not in the Singita category in Zambia. However, I do expect to have a blast and cannot wait to share my experiences in the Lower Zambezi National Park and South Luangwa National Park.

I have 11 nights to photographically capture some wild dogs, my goal for this year!

divewop

Hey Rocco,
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed you:
A)do get to see wild dogs and
B)get lots of pics of them.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you to have a great time 'cause we know you will.

Looking forward to getting your trip report along with some great pics upon your return.
Enjoy!

girlpolo33

Roccco, have the best trip ever! I look forward to hearing all about it upon your safe return and hope to see some pictures online. It will be fantastic if you see Wild Dog...fingers crossed for that and many other wondrous sights.

Cronen

Roccco, have a wonderful time. I'm going to Italy next summer so I'm very interested in your trip report! Hope it is all you imagine and more.

Roccco

Divewop, Girlpolo and Cronen,

Thanks for the kind words. Three more sleepless nights (after tonight) and then I am off.

Besides the time on safari in the very beautiful South Luangwa, and the reputedly very beautiful Lower Zambezi, I am most looking forward to 24 straight days without working, as if I do much work anyhow!

Thinking back, last year, all I had for my Southern African holiday was two nights in Joburg at Michelangelo, five nights in South Luangwa at Kafunta, four nights in Cape Town at Twelve Apostles and three nights in the Sabi Sand at Vuyatela.

So, while I will not spend any time in Joburg or Cape Town this year, I will have three more nights on safari this year compared to last year, and instead of six days split between Joburg and Cape Town, I will have 10 days in Italy.

My only regret is that I do not have at least one night (preferably two) in Joburg at Nelson Mandela Square (formerly Sandton Square). It would have been nice just to be able to regroup after 11 nights in the bush, and to enjoy some fine dining at the many excellent restaurants in Nelson Mandela Square, as well as enjoying some shopping. Aaaahhh, a nice half day spa treatment at the Michelangelo Hotel would be very nice at the end of 11 nights in the bush, for both scaredtodeath and I.

Oh well! At least I will have the opportunity to spend ample time in the South Luangwa (7 nights in different areas of the park) and I won't be rushed in the Lower Zambezi, spending four nights at Kulefu Tented Camp.

Satellite phone should arrive by Wednesday, I have more digital camera batteries than I know what to do with, I have more than enough Memory Sticks for the digital camera, I am expecting more accessories for the camera to arrive by Wednesday (although when I order on EBay, I never know what I am going to get) and I will start packing tomorrow night.

Work this week is going to be difficult and I will be out the door by 2:30PM on Thursday.

It all seems kind of surreal, like, okay, I wanted to go to Zambia, and now I am going to Zambia. Still a little amazed at how that al works!
Glad I chose Zambia and not Disney World, Niagra Falls or the Grand Canyon. I must say, I think I would have been disappointed had my brain shortcircuited and I started picking the most popular American destinations!

Oh, for crying out loud...can't I just move my watch forward three days and just leave tonight???!!!

Clematis

Rocco, curious which limo service you use to the airport? The one we used to use has gone downhill. With all of us hoping you'll see wild dogs, you can't go wrong. One person mentioned they are very smelly - I want to hear from you if that's true...

Roccco

Clematis,

Unfortunately, the other guests could not appreciate the nice send off that I had in mind, and everyone is finding their own way to the airport. Something about Pasadena not being anymore convenient than West Hills. And so I am reminded why I didn't go out of my way with Italy and instead booked a guided tour. Trust me, with better-travelled companions, I could have planned a knock-your-socks-off itinerary in Italy, but with this group I saw nothing but potential conflicts, so I didn't want to be bothered. Too bad, since Italy, if done right, has the potential to be an awesome trip in and of itself.

So, now, I will probably just have one of my parents drive me to the airport, or schedule a luxury sedan (about $20 more than a taxi) for the airport transfer.

divewop

After reading the latest trip reports and longlingly daydreaming about returning to Africa, I am eager to know who is next on the list to journey to the great continent.

While we were just there in March, it seems like forever ago, and now I have to live vicariously through all you guys until we plan our next trip.

In keeping up the tradition, who's next?

Favor

Leaving tomorrow morning - June 7th. Can't wait. Can't think. Can't sit still. The kid who was going to mow our lawn while we're away just bailed - so scrambling to find another.

Been lots of places, this feels bigger for some reason. South Africa, Botswana, Zambia - I don't know why. It's not the distance. Maybe it's all those Saturday afternoon Tarzan movies or maybe Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom?

Maybe I'll figure it out when I'm there.

divewop

Favor,
Have an absolutely wonderful adventure.
I'm sure once you get there, you'll realize all those documentaries and Tarzan movies you've watched cannot hold a candle to being there in person.
Don't forget to give us a trip report upon your return. Enjoy

Favor

Thanks divewop.

Blacktie

... tick, tock, under three ... tick, tock! Lariam onboard. Packing list made.

rsnyder

Seven days to go! Then off to Tanzania and Kenya!! The daughter will literally get off the school bus (from last day of junior year of high school) and climb into family vehicle for short drive to State College airport to begin the journey. I think the three of us are ready. Will be sure to post report and pictures.Dick

jules39

Dick

Can't wait to read feed back from you and see photos as we are probably going to do the same trip.

Have an awsome time

Jules

Cronen

Dick, I'll be off to Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar in 18 days! Same here, our daughter will be out of school and the next day flying to Nairobi.

I am so excited, but wondering how many of you, when you've told people where your going, got intense reactions? People either swoon, wide eyed, wishing they could be packed in my duffle or look at me wide eyed in horror. Why would I ever go there? I never seen such extreme responses to a vacation.

I will admit as excited as I am, I'm also nervous about it. Anyone one else have first timer jitters? We hit a few bumps, first wire transferring, and now dealing with yellow fever shots. My tour operator evidently went on vacation or somewhere and didn't inform us, so we had to write to the company and they immediately responded, but....it isn't booking a cruise, that's for sure! I myself find that the process of getting there and planning can in a way be just as fun. I'm interested in you pictures and trip report.

Guenmai

Well Rocco- I don't know you, but Happy Travels. I'm off at the end of summer, but back over to Bangkok/Singapore. Was in Ghana during the winter and will be there next winter. I'll also leave from LAX. It would be great if all of us could meet up one day. I don't know how many folks are from L.A. county,though.

divewop

Cronen,
We too encountered extreme reactions upon planning our first trip to Africa. And even though our first trip was somewhat of a "fiasco" I saw what the continent has to offer.

I think that anyone who travels to places "outside the box" usually does get mixed reactions. When people find out about my love for diving with hammerheads(among other shark species) I get the extreme reactions there too.

I also found that most animal lovers and those who appreciate the outdoors and what is left of the wilderness are those who wish they could pack themselves in the duffel bags with you. (Got any room left?)

Even though I am fortunate to be able to travel to other places, nothing excites me more than planning my next trip to Africa. People ask why I want to go back again and again since there are so many places in the world. I tell them that everyone has a place that touches their soul and I have found mine. I don't need to look any further.

I know you will have a great trip. It is genuinely a remarkable place.

rsnyder

Message: Cronen, the reactions have been quite the contrasts. Some "how can you travel with the world security so uncertain" to "wow, what a great idea". The Discovery channel and similar ones have added quite a bit to knowlegde of our friends so they can relate a bit to places when we discuss the trip. We just thank the Good Lord as to being blessed with the resouces to travel and to take family members along. You have a great trip and also looking forward to reading your posts.
Dick