Africa Plans for 2005
Dec 23rd, 2004, 10:23 AM
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Africa Plans for 2005
What Africa trip reports do we have to look forward to in 2005? I'll be going to Madagascar in May, and I believe Roccco is off to Zambia in 2005 (he's made a few posts about it 
. Does anyone else have any plans, planning stage or scheduled, to visit Africa next year.
Have a great holiday,
Michael
. Does anyone else have any plans, planning stage or scheduled, to visit Africa next year.Have a great holiday,
Michael
Dec 23rd, 2004, 12:02 PM
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We are visting Africa for the first time in May 2005.
Cape Town
Savuti Camp
Kwetsani Camp
Chief's Camp
Vic Falls ?
Big Country is kicking off the year, can wait to read the upcoming trip reports.
Happy Holidays and Safe Travels in 2005 !
Brenda
Cape Town
Savuti Camp
Kwetsani Camp
Chief's Camp
Vic Falls ?
Big Country is kicking off the year, can wait to read the upcoming trip reports.
Happy Holidays and Safe Travels in 2005 !
Brenda
Dec 24th, 2004, 12:34 AM
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Depressingly, brochures for Australia are beginning to be left around by a certain other person. However I'm still mentioning Zambia nearly as often as Roccco and I'm still hopeful!
Have a wonderful christmas everyone & keep posting.
and I'm still hopeful!Have a wonderful christmas everyone & keep posting.
Dec 24th, 2004, 07:32 AM
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Not final and I should wait until it is, but we are working on Tanzania in March 2005. Airline reservations are on hold and we have until 7 January to finalize the itinerary. Fingers are crossed, but trying to hold down expectations. Still just planning stages.
Have a very happy holidays all. Liz
Have a very happy holidays all. Liz
Dec 24th, 2004, 07:49 AM
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>>Roccco is off to Zambia in 2005 (he's made a few posts about it. Does anyone else have any plans
I will take that this is not necessarily a gag order against me.
I just received my airline tickets in the mail a couple days ago...London - Joburg, Joburg - Lusaka return business class flights!
This will be my first high season safari and it should be an excellent one with South Luangwa, North Luangwa and Lower Zambezi all on the bill for the four of us (my sister, my mom, my wife and myself).
From there, I am heading over to Simbambili in the Sabi Sand on my own for three nights, and that will give my family a full week in Cape Town, while I will join them for the final three nights.
In all, I am scheduled, personally, for 15 nights on safari, evenly divided between the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa, North Luangwa, the Mfuwe sector of South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Sabi Sand.
Activities will include canoeing the Zambezi River, fishing for tigerfish in the Zambezi (the big cousin of the piranha, catch and release), microlighting over South Luangwa, game walks (4+ hours in length is standard), morning and night game drives, and cultural visits to Kawaza Village near South Luangwa.
Thit Cho and Sandye, I'd love to hear more about your itineraries, as I am very unacquainted with either Madagascar or Ghana.
Big Country, I cannot wait to hear about your time spent in Hwange at Makalolo Plains. I struggled greatly this time between visiting Zimbabwe or Zambia, but after reading "Eye Of The Elephant" by Mark & Delia Owens, ultimately chose Zambia so that I may visit North Luangwa. Makalolo Plains does look like an amazing destination, however, and one that is definitely short-listed for a future visit. Its proximity to Victoria Falls makes it especially attractive, as does its current pricetag of about $375 pppns in high season. Is this the same rate for January or does it get even better?
Kavey, you need to stay home for awhile...Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Antarctica...let everybody else have a turn!!!
Wallybrenda, sounds like you have a very nice itinerary. Where are you staying while in Cape Town and Victoria Falls?
RuthieC, just do what I do...book Zambia now and deal with the consequences later!!!
I will take that this is not necessarily a gag order against me.
I just received my airline tickets in the mail a couple days ago...London - Joburg, Joburg - Lusaka return business class flights!
This will be my first high season safari and it should be an excellent one with South Luangwa, North Luangwa and Lower Zambezi all on the bill for the four of us (my sister, my mom, my wife and myself).
From there, I am heading over to Simbambili in the Sabi Sand on my own for three nights, and that will give my family a full week in Cape Town, while I will join them for the final three nights.
In all, I am scheduled, personally, for 15 nights on safari, evenly divided between the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa, North Luangwa, the Mfuwe sector of South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Sabi Sand.
Activities will include canoeing the Zambezi River, fishing for tigerfish in the Zambezi (the big cousin of the piranha, catch and release), microlighting over South Luangwa, game walks (4+ hours in length is standard), morning and night game drives, and cultural visits to Kawaza Village near South Luangwa.
Thit Cho and Sandye, I'd love to hear more about your itineraries, as I am very unacquainted with either Madagascar or Ghana.
Big Country, I cannot wait to hear about your time spent in Hwange at Makalolo Plains. I struggled greatly this time between visiting Zimbabwe or Zambia, but after reading "Eye Of The Elephant" by Mark & Delia Owens, ultimately chose Zambia so that I may visit North Luangwa. Makalolo Plains does look like an amazing destination, however, and one that is definitely short-listed for a future visit. Its proximity to Victoria Falls makes it especially attractive, as does its current pricetag of about $375 pppns in high season. Is this the same rate for January or does it get even better?
Kavey, you need to stay home for awhile...Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Antarctica...let everybody else have a turn!!!
Wallybrenda, sounds like you have a very nice itinerary. Where are you staying while in Cape Town and Victoria Falls?
RuthieC, just do what I do...book Zambia now and deal with the consequences later!!!
Dec 24th, 2004, 08:33 AM
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I have just recently started following this forum. My wife and I are going to South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls in the first 3 weeks of October. We are going to be spending 3 days in Sabi Sands, 3 in the Okavango Delta, 3 in Victoria Falls (Zambian side) and the balance in Capetown and taking a 2 day trip on Rovos Rail. We are finalizing our lodges and land tours within the next couple of weeks.
I have found the information that the regulars post on here invaluable for our trip planning. Thank you all and Happy Holidays!
I have found the information that the regulars post on here invaluable for our trip planning. Thank you all and Happy Holidays!
Dec 24th, 2004, 10:23 AM
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Hope everyone enjoys their 2005 Africa travels. Quite diverse destinations have been mentioned.
In August I'll be in Botswana--
San Camp in Makgadikgadi Pans
Duma Tau in Linyanti
Chitabe in Okavango
I am intrigued by Chitabe's Walking Trails experience with overnight accommodations in a hide.
Happy New Year and Happy Travels,
Lynn
In August I'll be in Botswana--
San Camp in Makgadikgadi Pans
Duma Tau in Linyanti
Chitabe in Okavango
I am intrigued by Chitabe's Walking Trails experience with overnight accommodations in a hide.
Happy New Year and Happy Travels,
Lynn
Dec 24th, 2004, 11:09 AM
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Roccco, I am waiting for Air Madascar to finalize their domestic flight schedule for May 2005, but basic itinerary is:
Round trip business class tickets on Air France from JFK - Paris - Madagascar (120,000 Delta SkyMiles for ticket -- I priced it on Orbitz at $9,700, so I'm getting great value from Delta SkyMiles).
Basic itinerary includes couple of days in both Perinet and Berenty (supposedly the two best parks in Madagascar for lemur viewing), and a couple of days on the west coast (beach, hiking, rafting). I'll post my itinerary after its finalized.
Have a great holiday,
Michael
Round trip business class tickets on Air France from JFK - Paris - Madagascar (120,000 Delta SkyMiles for ticket -- I priced it on Orbitz at $9,700, so I'm getting great value from Delta SkyMiles).
Basic itinerary includes couple of days in both Perinet and Berenty (supposedly the two best parks in Madagascar for lemur viewing), and a couple of days on the west coast (beach, hiking, rafting). I'll post my itinerary after its finalized.
Have a great holiday,
Michael
Dec 24th, 2004, 02:34 PM
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Thit Cho,
Yes, Delta Sky Miles does offer great value. For only 80,000 miles for business class, my family will be getting what Travelocity priced out for me at $9,925.
It seems next to impossible for me to find a flight all the way from Los Angeles to Joburg, or else, I would gladly spend 120,000 miles per person. The only thing that is ever available is from New York or Atlanta, and by then, I may as well just fly direct to London, to have a couple 11 - 12 hour flights instead of a 6 hour flight followed by a 14+ hour flight.
Fortunately, instead of paying $9,925 per person, it is only costing 80,000 ff miles + about $150 pp in taxes for London - Joburg - Lusaka - Joburg - London.
I wonder if you were to start out in Europe with your business class flights if you would save 40,000 miles, while only needing to spend perhaps $450 - $500 on an economy class ticket to Paris? I needed to supplement my miles by purchasing 15,000 miles and, that alone, cost me about $400, so it would seem worth it to fly on your own dime to Europe, unless you just have so many ff miles that it doesn't even matter anymore!
Yes, Delta Sky Miles does offer great value. For only 80,000 miles for business class, my family will be getting what Travelocity priced out for me at $9,925.
It seems next to impossible for me to find a flight all the way from Los Angeles to Joburg, or else, I would gladly spend 120,000 miles per person. The only thing that is ever available is from New York or Atlanta, and by then, I may as well just fly direct to London, to have a couple 11 - 12 hour flights instead of a 6 hour flight followed by a 14+ hour flight.
Fortunately, instead of paying $9,925 per person, it is only costing 80,000 ff miles + about $150 pp in taxes for London - Joburg - Lusaka - Joburg - London.
I wonder if you were to start out in Europe with your business class flights if you would save 40,000 miles, while only needing to spend perhaps $450 - $500 on an economy class ticket to Paris? I needed to supplement my miles by purchasing 15,000 miles and, that alone, cost me about $400, so it would seem worth it to fly on your own dime to Europe, unless you just have so many ff miles that it doesn't even matter anymore!
Dec 24th, 2004, 04:36 PM
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What would we do without frequent flyer miles!
We're headed to Kenya next month and are flying Air France and KLM from LAX to NBO with a few days stopover in Paris. At 120,000 miles per person, I think this is the best use of our miles yet!
Happy Holidays to everyone!
We're headed to Kenya next month and are flying Air France and KLM from LAX to NBO with a few days stopover in Paris. At 120,000 miles per person, I think this is the best use of our miles yet!
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Dec 25th, 2004, 04:15 AM
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We're missing Africa with the March trip (where we are using up Delta miles to go first class to Bali and Singapore). But it looks better for myself and a few friends to be going to Seychelles in October for some scuba diving in Aldabra.
Dec 25th, 2004, 04:37 AM
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NoFlyZone - Re trip to the Seychelles - how are you getting to Aldabra Island? Boat or plane? And where are you staying? Last I heard, there were no hotels on the island. Aldabra is the island with the greatest number of giant land tortoises in the world, and the furthest islands from Mahe. I'd be interested to hear how you planned this adventure and with whom. Thanks.
Dec 25th, 2004, 04:45 AM
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I know I know, we had a good year (you missed Bordeaux, Namibia and Devon from the list, Rocco!) but that doesn't mean I am not still longing to get to Africa.
Just opened lots of presents and there's a strong indication of my love for the continent in my presents - people bought from my Amazon wish list and I hadn't realised quite how one-dimensional it was!
Season's Greetings!
Just opened lots of presents and there's a strong indication of my love for the continent in my presents - people bought from my Amazon wish list and I hadn't realised quite how one-dimensional it was!
Season's Greetings!
Dec 25th, 2004, 06:18 AM
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I'm also interested in info on Aldabra. I think you stay on a live-aboard for the week or so.
After visiting the Galapagos last year, we resolved to visit Aldabra. I'll be in Madagascar in May, and I looked into visiting Seychelles and Aldabra from there, but its not easy.
Any info on Aldabra would be appreciated.
Thanks, Michael
After visiting the Galapagos last year, we resolved to visit Aldabra. I'll be in Madagascar in May, and I looked into visiting Seychelles and Aldabra from there, but its not easy.
Any info on Aldabra would be appreciated.
Thanks, Michael
Dec 25th, 2004, 12:43 PM
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We just paid our 30% deposit last week to Roy's for our first safari in June 2005. Our itinerary:
Day 1 & 2- Depart Cedar Rapids, Iowa for Amsterdam. Overnight in Amsterdam to be determined.
Day 3 - Depart Amsterdam in the evening. Overnight flight to Nairobi. Overninght at the Giraffe Manor.
Day 4 - Morning flight to Tortillis in Amboseli.
Day 5 - Tortillis.
Day 6 - Drive to Tanzanian border then lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge. Continue to Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.
Day 7 - Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Day 8 - Drive to Ngorongoro Serena.
Day 9 - Ngorongoro Serena.
Day 10 - Drive to Serengeti Serena.
Day 11 - Drive to Kirawira.
Day 12 - Kirawira.
Day 13 - Kirawira
Day 14 - Flight to Arusha. Day room at Kia Lodge. Overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 15. Overninght in Amsterdam
Day 16. Flight back to Iowa.
Nearly every Christmas gift I recieved today was related to our trip! DVD's , books, clothes...I am so excited!!
Day 1 & 2- Depart Cedar Rapids, Iowa for Amsterdam. Overnight in Amsterdam to be determined.
Day 3 - Depart Amsterdam in the evening. Overnight flight to Nairobi. Overninght at the Giraffe Manor.
Day 4 - Morning flight to Tortillis in Amboseli.
Day 5 - Tortillis.
Day 6 - Drive to Tanzanian border then lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge. Continue to Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.
Day 7 - Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Day 8 - Drive to Ngorongoro Serena.
Day 9 - Ngorongoro Serena.
Day 10 - Drive to Serengeti Serena.
Day 11 - Drive to Kirawira.
Day 12 - Kirawira.
Day 13 - Kirawira
Day 14 - Flight to Arusha. Day room at Kia Lodge. Overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 15. Overninght in Amsterdam
Day 16. Flight back to Iowa.
Nearly every Christmas gift I recieved today was related to our trip! DVD's , books, clothes...I am so excited!!
