Information on SaFari Africa
June 28th, 2008reat!! — you got the good flight down. There will be someone to meet you after you clear custom/immig. and take you to a hotel on airport property, nice shower, and a free lunch buffet. Its a very nice hotel, and getting a shower and a meal was a dream. Lunch and an escort is good!!!! We had a day room in Thailand and VietNam before our flight and it certainly made the long trip home more bearable.
On the way back i suggest you drink heavily!!!! Just kidding, its not really that bad, we were so tired from the trip we slept most of the way on both flights. BA turned out to be much better than expected. We’ve flown on BA before and they are better than most.
The lodges seem to build on each other with the last for the best, in terms of number and variety of animals. I think they must plan it that way. The lodges have an order it seems. Guess you’re so excited to be in Africa, even seeing one wild animal would please many at first. We do, at times, become demanding though 
Before i forget, how do you like the blow up sleeper, i have back problems, (and RLS) and always wondered if it was of use. Is this the one that you blow up and it fits into you seat? Does it take much room when inflated/not inflated. If you have an isle seat does it make it hard for people to pass by, or do you have to get a window seat to use it? Any info on your thoughts and how you have used it. I also have back problems and when my back hurts, the legs bother me the most. Jim and I always get opposite aisle seats - never middle or window - cause I get up every 30-45 minutes to walk around. He likes aisles to stretch out his long legs unless we can get a bulkhead or exit seat (which are harder and harder to obtain). Yes, the sleeper is the Magellan one - the pilot sleeper - blue blow-up - and it does help. It cradles your head so you don’t need a neck pillow; it gives you great lower back support; and is very comfortable. It does allow me to get some rest using eye mask, ear plugs, and sleeper. I don’t think that I’ve slept over an hour at a time with it, but it’s better than not having it at all. It weighs about a pound; measures 12″ x 4″ x 2″ and can be squished more if packed tight. I carry it in my carryon backpack nicely.
Did you go with OAT to OZ and NZ? We went with Grand Circle Gravel since it gave us more variety with both countries. We lucked out in that our guide usually did the OAT trip and really treated us well with many of the extras you’d get only with OAT.
Do you think that getting a diving certificate is better than snorkel at the GBR? I have a chance to pick up my SCBA Cert. and wondered if it was worth the time… and what if any difference of experiences would there be? I didn’t get the cert before, cause I thought I could get one there, but because I take blood pressure meds, they wouldn’t allow me to dive. If you can get your cert before, I’d do it in the US and just bring it with you. No trouble there at all that. We were there in March and the water was very cloudy and choppy. I hear it’s better and clearer in their winter, so you should do well. Go for the dive - just the bit I could see was beautiful.
For RLS I use
Neurontin Oral I’ll check with my doc about this. - does it help?
Neurontin Oral is used to treat the following:
Nerve Pain after Herpes, Simple Partial Seizures, Convulsive Seizures, Epileptic Seizure
Neurontin Oral may also be used to treat:
Essential Tremor, Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down, “Change of Life” Signs, Pain Originating From a Nerve, Neuropathic Pain, Pain Following an Operation
Victoria Falls Baggage We go to Vic Falls from Johannesburg before going to the first lodge. Can we leave stuff then?
You leave your luggage (green large bags) at the hotel, and could only take one back pack per person (they did not seem to weight it). We had only intended to take one green bag per person. The one they send us or the Rick Steeves bag. They really don’t tell you all this stuff I guess untl last minute. If this is only for the last lodge, I guess we’ll need to bring a larger daypack for those 3 days. Oh, this is getting confusing! So what you are saying is that we take the OAT green bag that must weigh 26lbs or less and another bag to hold items for the last lodge and school kids?
The bags were left in a lock room at the Vic Falls Lodge. So there was sometime to rearrange for the trip in the three small planes to the last lodge. It was not so much the weight but the storage in the back of the small planes, if you look at the pics of the small planes, the luggage s placed between the people and the tail section. Yes, I can see them crammed in the back of the passengers. You only have to take your essentials, camera gear, change of cloths etc for the 3 days you will be at the last lodge, this is where the camera vest came in handy. You visit a village at the last lodge, (ZIMBABWE, LINKWASHA CAMP, 2nd circuit,) BTW the village markets that you visit there (at the last lodge), you can see in the pics, take USD. bargains can be had, and strangely enough what you buy there will magically show up in Vic Falls for you (no weight problem anything you buy does not count against your luggage limit). (me thinks they have done this before) That’s good news as I can’t imagine how I would stuff things in a daybag! Check with you guide. There are some bargains, if you negotiate. This is when its handy to have that pack of $1.00 USD bills. The more you buy from one person the better deal you can get. So take a good walk around first (its small) then decide on which ones you can buy from.. I think i should have bought more — the quality is a bit less, but they are made locally, the markets in vic falls have most all of the same, but seem to be more mass produced. I prefer the imperfect, hand made type. Me too. Support the locals!
Betty probably brought it up, but the school you visit needs cheap pens (bic) and spiral bound paper, not soccer balls and toys. You might consider bringing photos of you and your family to show the kids, and maybe a photo to leave with them. It is almost impossible to send them anything after you get back. I have a little credit card plastic case that I carry on all trips with pics of our family, house, grandkids, and things from GA - peanuts, peaches and Jimmy Carter!
Plane ride back
BA is good for passing out extra bottles of wine, before, during and after dinner and if your like wine, do not hesitate to ask for two bottles (they were very nice about it), so we thought, as did many, to take a couple of the complimentary bottles home, only to find out that even though you are passing though a secure area to connect, you still get searched and the Brit TSA and they took the bottles away as they are over 3 o.z - Even though we just got them on a BA flight. (of course i’m sure the TSA threw the extra bottles away at the end of the shift.) Even though you were going from one secure gate to another secure gate and don’t normally have to go back though a screening. But take em with you, maybe the rule has changed by now many were complaining. I doubt it since your are entering a secured area and until they get rid of the 3oz/1qt bag restriction, we’ll all have to put up with it. Guess I’ll just have to drink all the wine :) Can always get a beer or glass at the airport while we wait for the next connection.
This is a pic from the camp in kruger national park.