POTN Safari around South/West Africa - we are baaack :-)

[condyk]

Join us on the trip or contribute your help and encouragement based on your own safari experience :-)

This thread started as an invitation to anyone who wanted to go on a self drive group photography safari to Southern Africa, specifically Namibian, Botswana and South Africa. It is now in the planning stage with exact dates and routes to be agreed by the group.

Free free to chat and contribute in this thread as we go, but note that posts are being deleted every few days as info is assimilated into the FAQ Wiki (http://wiki.klein-jensen.dk/index.php/Main_Page). This 'clean up' approach will keep the thread very easy to read and manage.

As posts are deleted they are moved to this archive thread: POTN Safari around South/West Africa - archive (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=211343) ** the archive thread has now been merged back to this master thread.

Safari FAQ's

Here is the Safari Project Wiki FAQ: Click (http://wiki.klein-jensen.dk/)

The Safari FAQ's will be constantly edited and distilled as we go forward with research and planning! The final FAQ should provide most of the information we need and also confirm all key arrangements in advance :-) It may also be a very valuable resource for people at POTN in future.

[Olli]

I'm highly interested, but having already committed to be in South Am early 2007, this might be both financially and time vise a mission-almost-impossible to me. :( I still bookmark this and keep fingers crossed, that miracles will happen.

[Az2Africa]

I would love to do it. The only problem is that we Yanks only get 2 weeks of Holiday. I love Overlanding. A group participation camping Safari with food/expense kitty as described by Condyk is the only really good way to do it.I think Condyk could head one up very well. I ran these overland trips for several years and he described it and the personality type needed perfectly. I wish I could go!!! Who knows, things could change between now and then.
BWT here's a photo of my truck taken at Lake Naivasha in 2000.

94397

[saravrose]

Hey, Dave.... a couple of questions for you IM me when you get a chance...

sari.

[eenorton]

Wow! You are quite the salesman, Condyk!! I say yes! yes! yes! Except... :( the length of trip you suggest. I'm in the same shoes as Az2Africa, with only 2 weeks of holiday. Actually, I get 18 days.... and with that plan, I'll leave you in charge of phoning my 80 yr old folks and explaining why I won't be visiting next year. :) Question about the cost. The approximate cost you quoted... that would be in addition to air fare? That might knock me out of the running 'cause it looks like it would cost about $2000 in air fare alone (unless az2Africa has better info).

[condyk]

Wow, you guys are slaves of capitalism :lol: :lol: Great truck az2A. Not sure about the approach to air conditioning in the back tho ;-)

In terms of costs I am making a very rough guess and assume airfair included. Basically, unless you want luxury, I think that is realistic and provides for a decent standard of accommodation, ie clean, comfy and safe. Also, with newish vehicles fully prepared from a well know company like Avis, etc. or a very reputable local operator with some recommendations behind them. There are people I can ask in South Africa about local stuff like that.

I guess my minimum interest would be 14 days or so in Namibia, each flying direct into Windhoek, but it seems such a shame to not take the opportunity to its fullest. Any less would be too rushed. If that was an agreement then I would want to travel north and west of Etosha too, as I didn't visit those regions previously. It is fascinating and remote up there but we just didn't have time to go. We went down and across to the Skeleton Coast instead and I probably wouldn't want to go there again when there is new stuff for me to see, like the Desert Elephant and Lion. Amazing place the Skeleton Coast tho' so hard to cross it off.

I would also be happy with just Botswana or NE South Africa, ie Kruger and the coast and some of the other game parks there. However, I won't go back alone so I would go with the concensus as at least I get to go back to Africa :D

Ok, so we have some initial interest already ... :D

[cjsa]

I'd love to go, but probably can't. Surely not for a month, unless my job situation changes radically.

[lakiluno]

hmm...if only I could somehow miss my exams and raise 5k in the next year :(

maybe next time.

[eenorton]

OK Dave. If this can be a 14 day trip.... and the cost looks like it would be around $4000US, I'm a definite. Really. I am more than happy to leave the route planning to you since you (and anyone else wanting some input) have experience there and have some specific ideas of where you'd like to go. I would just be happy travelling with someone (or two or three or four) who has been there before and has some idea about what we'd be getting into. More remote? That's just fine with me. I've done my fair share of camping and communing with mother nature. No problem rooming or tenting with whoever. And more than happy to pull my fair share whenever and whereever necessary. I'll even volunteer for the job of treasurer.

[condyk]

Ok, so far we have two definates (me and Beth), an almost definate subject to cost and where we go and who we go with (Sari) and a very interested, but not sure yet (Tommy J).

Then we have Olli who is a maybe, but has other travel commitments and things to consider, Carol who wants to but needs a new job with long holidays ;-) Leo who is so young we would be arrested for child abduction :p and Az2A who wants to go but is maybe worried about holiday, but will see what happens meantime.

Beth, there are no guarentee's on prices until we do all the research, but for two weeks I think you are probably about right at around $4000/£2300/Euro3200 (very rough currency translation!) I think the Namibian $ gives a very nice exchange rate v's the US$. I will need to check that stuff again as it can make a nice difference day to day.

What fun ... anyone else, please throw your hat in ring and assume we are talking about:


a wildlife photography safari in Southern Africa
one or two vehicles (probably wouldn't need a 4x4 in South Africa, more a 4x2 so would be a bit cheaper)
min 4 and max 6-8 people
exact time and location to be agreed as we approach finally a point of handing over 'commitment deposit' towards the end of this year.

[eenorton]

Beth, there are no guarentee's on prices until we do all the research, but for two weeks I think you are probably about right at around $4000/£2300/Euro3200 (very rough currency translation!) I think the Namibian $ gives a very nice exchange rate v's the US$. I will need to check that stuff again as it can make a nice difference day to day.

Understood Dave. I won't hold you to the $$$ quotes. My employer just came through with a very generous raise, so this is all, for the very first time ever, very doable for me!! I am *so* excited!!!!

[tommykjensen]

As You know I am very interested and at this stage I would say I am in for the full month (99,9% sure). If it can only be 14 days I am also in but would prefer at least 3 weeks.

[condyk]

Cool Tommy ... wow, this forum can move fast when it feels like it. Your duration preferences are noted ;-) So that is pretty much a vehicle filled with people who have strong commitments, tho' still obviously subject to final details being agreed.

Alongside the typical Toyota 4x4's there are also hire 4x4 VW touring minibuses that could be worth looking at if we didn't go for the real remote stuff. They would allow more luggage at the expense of off-road ability, ruggedness and comfort. So, let's keep those as at least an option if we have say 6 wanting to do Kruger and the east coast of South Africa for 2 weeks. Good tar roads there, not such distances to travel and not too remote at all so would be good choice and I think rather cheaper.

May also be possible for some to do a month but as part of a split trip, i.e. two weeks Botswana and two weeks NE/Coast South Africa, with the two week people choosing one or the other, with Jo'burg as the pickup and drop off point. That would change the focus perhaps from 100% safari to 70% safari and 30% coastal/beach/diving (some great reefs off the coast of KwaZulu Natal). A great combo.

So, lots of options to think about.

[eenorton]

As You know I am very interested and at this stage I would say I am in for the full month (99,9% sure). If it can only be 14 days I am also in but would prefer at least 3 weeks.

I could *possibly* stretch it to 3 weeks.... Just have to make sure that travel time to and from doesn't take me over my allocated vacation time.

[condyk]

Three weeks would work for me and we could agree a good, tight but relaxed schedule and priorities list in advance so we don't waste too much time. A couple of people could also arrive a day or two earlier if they wanted to and start to get things together so we're all ready to go.

Here is a forum (http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/forum/) I visited last year and found useful. It is South African based, and traffic is a lot slower than here, but people have a good general knowledge of the region. I have recently mentioned to one member there, also a member here, that I will be planning this trip. He says members will be happy to help with contacts and recommendations as we firm things up. So, a cross continent and cross forum adventure :-)

[condyk]

Ok, here are some random but faily typical shots from a trip mainly to Etosha in Namibia that I did maybe 4 years ago. I only had a 3x zoom P&S and a film camera with old 300mm Sigma lens on it and had no idea how to shoot. Excuse the noise and size. They were processed direct from film at a low resolution.

The hut shows typical Etosha accomodation. I remember the Lion purring as he walked right past the vehicle. I could have leaned out and touched him. The car shot shows me cleaning sanddust from the winscreen. The gate is the entrance to the Skeleton Coast, one of my favourite shots from that time. I still remember the fear running down my spine as we drove through it into nothingness :lol: :lol:

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http://www.buzzdns.com/meerkats.jpg
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http://www.buzzdns.com/zebra2.jpg
3
http://www.buzzdns.com/lion.jpg
4
http://www.buzzdns.com/car.jpg
5
http://www.buzzdns.com/girrafe400.jpg
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http://www.buzzdns.com/elephant.jpg
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http://www.buzzdns.com/birds.jpg
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http://www.buzzdns.com/gate.jpg
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http://www.buzzdns.com/zebra.jpg
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http://www.buzzdns.com/hut.jpg

[Becca]

Dave, if you decide to do a 2-3 week trip, I would definately be interested. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to do a full month, my job won't allow that. Two weeks would be best for me and I'd love to come along.

[Claire]

Dave,
Great shots! But you're supposed to be ironing!!! :p

[saravrose]

hi again... okay, I have been thinking about this all day... several of my friends think i'm nuts along with one very well intentioned buddy who actually got angry at my considering going to Africa.... here's my point of view...

I'm twenty-three going to be twenty-four my idea of travel is Mexico, I have invested all of this time, money. energy in photography and haven't gone more than a thousand miles away from home to shoot.. If I pass and wait for a better time/situation/more money.. I could very well find myself married with kids in ten years wishing that i'd done atleast one incredible thing.. So, as much as I love my front porch at three in the morning in August and eating icecream in January....... I think it's time to go.. So, as long as the rest of the participants understand and are okay with my breathing condition i'm a definate.. But will need lots of advice as to what to bring what to expect and a good argument to justify this to family...

and Beth at some point in the next year lets see if we can't get together and introduce ourselves.. were not all that far from eachother...

sari

[saravrose]

a really cool link..

http://www.knoware.co.uk/Travelogues/Zambia%20and%20Botswana/

edit-from the car rental website.. the prices don't look too bad.. and there are vehicles large enough for five people...

http://www.ascocarhire.com/vehiclesandprices_E.htm

http://www.ascocarhire.com/pictsnamibia.htm

[tommykjensen]

This is really exciting.

But it does mean that the NYC meet 2007 is off for me. And possibly also the London meet but that really depends on timing more than anything else.

[Claire]

I think that for those who wanted to go to the London/NY meet and this will most likely choose Namibia instead. Too expensive to do both.

[Matatazela]

If you get the opportunity to do this trip, and don't, you WILL kick yourself... maybe even to death.

Namibia is really worthwhile. I stayed there for 7 months and it wasn't enough to see even half of the best places...

[condyk]

Ok, seems we're motoring already ... and the following people are either certain or very strong interest:

Becca
Beth
Dave
Sari
Tommy

Some others are interested but can't commit at this time, so we will wait and see.

Phase one: brainstorming things we need answers on or need to do more research about. Queries can be anything from when we go and where we go, to how we do laundry when we are on the road :confused:

So, what questions you guys want to ask? Dumb ones are welcome ;-) At least three per person would be nice so all can learn. I'll answer those I can and maybe Matatazela can chip in based on more local knowledge. We can file others and later allocate people to do some additional research, as necessary.

Who's first?

[woodsie]

I'll put in a tentative show of interest here but can't commit that far ahead due to the whimsical nature of my life at the moment. My life plan has direction until the end of April 2007, and then I don't even know what country I'll end up in. :D

I would expect that I'll only be able to do the two weeks. Not due to holiday restrictions as with my poor American cousins, but more due to the fact that I'll already have spent four to five months being a semi-employed bum and will be desperately trying to get my bank account back into the black. :D:D

Sari - if you have the opportunity to go, then go. Don't let other peoples fears turn you off, or you will never do anything with your life. I am good friends with a girl who, in her late 20's went and worked for a year in a orphanage in Tanzania and never once felt any threat to her safety, found more fulfillment from this than any career, family or sense of having a home have ever been able to compete with and she gets back to Africa every opportunity she can. If going to Africa isn't somebodies thing, then that is cool. But if it is YOUR thing then do it, and don't let others change your mind. Oh, and getting married, if you do that, doesn't have to stop these things. My mum married a guy (my dad :)) just before he left England to go back to Kenya, then they ended up in Australia after seeing a couple of other countries.

[tommykjensen]

As for questions. I have a few:

1. Laundry: Do we bring clothes for a few days, a week or longer?
2. Health: Do we need any shots or medical checks from the doctor?
3. When booking the flight is the extra cost worth it to get a ticket with a flexible return date if at all possible?
4. Do cell phones work?
5. What about car troubles?
6. Power: Are there places where we can charge the camera batteries?

[spencer87]

wow, the trip sounds like an incredible opportunity. just wish I could afford it :(

[Az2Africa]

The cities in Namibia are quite modern. You can get or do anything than can be done elsewhere. Swakopmund is my favorite. It's a beautiful town at the ocean with great facilities. I usually stayed at the City Campsite in a cool "A" frame cabin for just a few dollars a night. Great night life and plenty to do.You can hire quads and ride in the dunes and there's a Maritime museum and more. The camping facilities along the Skeleton coast are among the best in the world. The big ones have comunitiy kitchens and laundry rooms. The Dunes and Etosha pan are amazing. Actually the terrain in much of Namibia looks a lot like Arizona without Cactus. You will not regret going. If you have never been to Africa, try to fit in a side trip to Victoria Falls.
I think this is the same waterhole as Condyks photo:)
94733

[woodsie]

As for questions. I have a few:

2. Health: Do we need any shots or medical checks from the doctor?
6. Power: Are there places where we can charge the camera batteries?

For health checks have a look at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/safrica.htm#vaccines. (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/safrica.htm#vaccines)

For camera batteries, best bet would be to get a battery charger that runs off the car/cigarette lighter. But with the thought that the truck may not have an operational cigarette lighter and the prospect of a dozen photographers trying to charge up their batteries at the same time, it would be easy enough to buy a bunch of cigarette lighters from an auto parts shop, connect them up in parallel and add aligator clips to attach them directly to the car battery.

[Az2Africa]

Also bring books to share and agree on any music that someone may want to blast others out with in the truck. The wrong stuff can be irritating.:evil:

[condyk]

Safari FAQ's

I will cut and paste all questions and all answers into the space below. The questioner or answerer can then delete their own contribution. This will keep the thread tidy. I will also add ideas and research/links further down.

Questions and answers:


Useful research

http://www.knoware.co.uk/Travelogues...nd%20Botswana/
http://www.ascocarhire.com/vehiclesandprices_E.htm
http://www.ascocarhire.com/pictsnamibia.htm

[tommykjensen]

How abot editing the first post. That will be easier to find. I can also delete posts as the questions get answered.

[woodsie]

I don't know if these qualify as actual answers to some of the questions. Just my general observations from travelling in remote areas of Australia.

Laundry: If you are near any sort of hotel, resort or camping area there will be washing facilities. If you are in remote areas, get dirty. Nobody cares because they are all just as dirty. You can maintain a good level of hygene and cleanliness for a few days with a tub of water for yourself and handwashing "initimates".

Cell phones: Expect them not to work in remote areas. See my comments on car troubles below.

Car troubles: Generally large, reputable car hire companies offer "roadside assistance". What this covers in remote areas would have to be checked with individual organisations. The issue here is obviously, can you contact anybody when you need them. If we have enough people for two vehicles this makes life a lot easier. If only one vehicle and we are likely to spend any time outside of cell range, it is worth investigating hiring a radio, satellite phone or GPS beacon. Always, always, always carry at least two days worth of drinking water on the vehicle if in unpopulated areas (Though I understand that unpopulated areas of Africa have a lot more people than you would expect). Always inform someone of where you are going and when you expect to return. Oh, and a good idea if at least one person on the trip knows their way around the engine and transmission of a car to fix simple problems. Oh, and you can fix just about anything with a good axe, heavy duty zip ties and, most importantly, duct tape. ;)

I offer these as observations rather than answers as Africa is a very different country to Australia, and what is important in one country will probably be different to the other.

[tommykjensen]

A few more links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Namibia
http://www.namibweb.com/resorts.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/namibia/

[holland_patrick]

now you guys have me thinking I like the idea of london but this..man i never thought of something like this...

I might have to take out a loan or something.. put me as a maybe

i'm looking at 1500usd for the flight and then another 3600-5000 usd is that right?

[condyk]

Lads and ladies ...

Tommy has deleted lots of posts where the info has been assimilated into the FAQ. We want to keep the thread very short or we will lose track and it will be hard to manage things. Don't be offended :-)

Feel free to chat, of course, but non essential posts will be deleted once the thread starts getting too long and out of hand :-)

Anyone with further answers for the FAQ's please speak up. Anyone want to take on responsibility for any research, please speak up and say what you fancy looking into.

[lakiluno]

would it not be better having 2 threads, one for "OMG IM GOING TO AFRICA OH HOW COOL LETS DISCUSS" and one for "Going to Africa FAQs"

[condyk]

Well discussion is very nice and there is room for it here, but at the end of the day we need to gather complex information and make it very easily accessible to the people who are going and people who may be interested in going and need specific info.

Having two threads might be an option, but it is two to check instead of one for the people who are really interested. What do other people think?

That's why I say let's keep the thread lean and clean and delete posts when the info is captured. Lots of 'oh wow, that's nice and I wish I could go too but I am serving a life sentence in high security prison' ain't gonna achieve that. It will soon become a bind to scroll through lots of information and also a bind to remember what is answered, which ideas are now in the FAQ's, etc.

However, I do agree that, in time, the FAQ's could make a good 'Going to Africa' sticky.

[eenorton]

Dave... in your edit, you mentioned June as the possible month to travel. Somehow I had September in my head. Not sure where that came from. At any rate, June would be a tough month for me to get away due to coordinating work schedules and vacations with coworkers. July and after would be much more workable for me. Is this doable?

And are mozzies mosquitoes? :confused:

(And Sari! Sure! We can try to hook up before hand. Would it put your parents a bit more at ease if they had a chance to meet one of the travelers? :) )

[holland_patrick]

Ok I'm about 75% on going seeing that 4 grand might be do able. if i go it will be for the Whole time and might i say i'm excited

[saravrose]

Dave... in your edit, you mentioned June as the possible month to travel. Somehow I had September in my head. Not sure where that came from. At any rate, June would be a tough month for me to get away due to coordinating work schedules and vacations with coworkers. July and after would be much more workable for me. Is this doable?

And are mozzies mosquitoes? :confused:

(And Sari! Sure! We can try to hook up before hand. Would it put your parents a bit more at ease if they had a chance to meet one of the travelers? :) )

yeah. it might help.. but I think I have some planning to do before I tell them about it.. aka... do some serious research, getting an itenerary, my passport, doctors ok, and put aside a chunk of what it's going to cost.. and then, i'll hand everything over in a neat little stack and let them know what i've decided.. the idea is to be able to answer all questions and alleviate all fears before I tell them that i've decided to spend up to a month wandering around South Africa with a group of internet photography friends...

sari

[tommykjensen]

Dave... in your edit, you mentioned June as the possible month to travel. Somehow I had September in my head. Not sure where that came from. At any rate, June would be a tough month for me to get away due to coordinating work schedules and vacations with coworkers. July and after would be much more workable for me. Is this doable?

I don't think the month has been settled yet. I mentioned june in a post because Dave and I had discussed this briefly on MSN. The main goal is to avoid big school holidays.

[saravrose]

I don't think the month has been settled yet. I mentioned june in a post because Dave and I had discussed this briefly on MSN. The main goal is to avoid big school holidays.

September would work for me.. and atleast over here kids are back in school.. don't know if that's true for that part of the country though....

sari

[tommykjensen]

In most of Europe the majority of people take their 2 to 3 weeks holliday in july. Airports are jammed with people so I would avoid july. And possibly beginning of august.

[condyk]

Date is not settled and I will change the FAQ ... I don't mind but the key to better prices and having better time is to avoid all the families during school holiday. If we can just choose an off peak perion that will be cool, but may not be possible. I am otherwise fine with any time.

[saravrose]

and another link...

http://www.tulrich.com/namibia_photos/index.php3?PhotoNumber=8
http://www.travelphotographers.net/articles/articles0605/jw0605-01.html

[eenorton]

Date is not settled and I will change the FAQ ... I don't mind but the key to better prices and having better time is to avoid all the families during school holiday. If we can just choose an off peak perion that will be cool, but may not be possible. I am otherwise fine with any time.

I'm all for avoiding lots of other travelers and for getthing the best prices!!

[woodsie]

Later in the year would increase my chances of getting there, as it would give me more time to get myself setup wherever I end up next year. September definitely has an appeal.

Would I be right in thinking that much later in the year than that and the weather will start getting a bit oppressively hot?

[Becca]

A couple of questions that have come up while I was thinking about this trip...

1. How safe is it to camp (I'm assuming you mean tent camping)? Do we need to be concerned about wildlife?

2. Does anyone have any medical/first aid experience? Just in case...


Oh... and I could probably squeeze out three weeks if that suited the majority of others on the trip. (I see I'm listed as up to 2 weeks on page 1.)

[saravrose]

A couple of questions that have come up while I was thinking about this trip...

1. How safe is it to camp (I'm assuming you mean tent camping)? Do we need to be concerned about wildlife?

2. Does anyone have any medical/first aid experience? Just in case...


Oh... and I could probably squeeze out three weeks if that suited the majority of others on the trip. (I see I'm listed as up to 2 weeks on page 1.)

not sure about camping but considering vehicles are hired out with that purpose I think we'd be fine.. and I read some online journals that there is a lot more oxbough (spelling) and giraffe's than lions... as for first aid I think I will probably be the most knowledgeable in that area.. But, the jeep rentals i've looked at come with emergency services anywhere you travel to and Dave has mentioned that there are phones that you will be able to use over the majority of the area... Ofcourse, i'm assuming that there will be places in Africa, like the Northwest where because of the terrain and desolation we will probably be on our own, not sure about radios or if the jeep will come with them... more research is in order I think...

sari

[lakiluno]

The northwest of africa? Your not going to Morocco and the sahara are you?

[condyk]

The northwest of africa? Your not going to Morocco and the sahara are you?

I assume she is talking about NW of Southern Africa which is the same area we are all talking about. You do geography at your school wise guy? :p

[holland_patrick]

Well for first aid I'll have you covered if i go i've been a firefighter/medic for over 15years and also a Ski patroler. so i can work with a little (hope i have to do NO WORK)


I also vote for sept. as my daugter would be in school and i wouldn't have to worry about day care on the days that I have her..


Oh and could we plaes change the color of the info add so it stands out until more info is add on the first page i'm getting a little lost.

[saravrose]

I assume she is talking about NW of Southern Africa which is the same area we are all talking about. You do geography at your school wise guy? :p

I was talking about the Northwest of America and as populated as it is there is still a LOT of empty space without modern conveniences. Kind of attempting to make a similarity between the two.. going to south africa where there will be towns and folks, but we should also be prepared for a lot of space without grocery stores, gas stations or cell phone reception..

sari

[condyk]

Becca, have amended based on 3 weeks possible and also started an answer in the FAQ based on your questions. They are at the top.


Would I be right in thinking that much later in the year than that and the weather will start getting a bit oppressively hot?

Yup ... we want some water still in the waterholes, so not too dry. Some of the waterholes at Etosha have a well which is pumped to keep them going. It will be very hot in Sept. but with AC it is fine on game drives for us but the land may be very parched. They are early morning and late afternoon when the heat is less. During the day we stay more in the shade relaxing and doing chores, etc around camp.

More info added in the FAQ :D


Oh and could we plaes change the color of the info add so it stands out until more info is add on the first page i'm getting a little lost.

I am now adding the new stuff to the tops of the FAQs or links sections. Is that what you meant?

[lakiluno]

it pays to mention what hemisphere and continent your talking about :D

My school has a link with SA (and a school in the durban township). Perhaps I'll go in 2008 :D

Leo

[condyk]

OK, I am going to ask Tommy to delete all the posts from after the FAQ's down to here as I think all points are starting to be answered in FAQ's. Also, we know much closer to Sept or September is now looking favourite period and we know who is very keen, for how long they want to go, and who is still thinking about it.

We can continue the conversation ... from here on :-)

Anyone with further answers to FAQ's please speak up.

Anyone want to take on responsibility for any research, please speak up and say what you fancy looking into.

[saravrose]

I'm going to look into visa's and if we need any immunizations etc... will post as soon as I find..

sari

[SuzyView]

Sari, does this mean you aren't going to NY and London?

[saravrose]

Sari, does this mean you aren't going to NY and London?

I think that depending on schedules I would like to fly out of NY, and if we plan the trip in NY for the same time then it shouldn't be too hard to plan to stop with my sisters and meet some of the NY potn'ers around the same time, and then fly out of NY to Namibia... I was looking online and it is much easier to fly out of the East Coast than out here...it's also a lot less expensive but, I think that London is going to have to wait for another time... But, when considering the trip and what is going to be easier to plan for Africa is a lot harder than going to London...

sari

[saravrose]

haha.. and yet, another link...

http://travelindependent.info/b4yougo.htm

[condyk]

Very good site, but for visa and health advice I would always check against the info offered by the actual government as there is danger of generic info being out of date or just plain wrong ... and you don't want to find that out at the border. The travel prices also seem way underbudget from my backpacking days even, let alone now. But great advice on why it is best to travel very light and lots, lots more worth looking at.

[tommykjensen]

Thread cleaned up. If anybody think I deleted something relevant that are not in the FAQ then please let me know and I will restore the post so the info can be added.

[condyk]

Good job Tommy. Much easier once again :-)

Ta!

[condyk]

I am adding in another possible route for you guys to consider ... what do you all think? Fly in and out of Cape Town. Dunno if flights are easier for the US people that JHB. There are flights direct to both from NYC. Cape Town seems about $100 more expensive. London I can fly to either too. Denmark I couldn't find a flights comparison sites Tommy. Sorry! I don't mind either city but CT is maybe a more welcoming place to go and people new to Africa will feel very comfortable there.

I one day we could fit in a visit to Cape Point, the Goot Constantia vineyard (and pick up some beautiful wines at very cheap prices if people want to) and the Jackass Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. My ex sister-in-law owns a lovely guest house right near the city centre here (http://www.capestay.co.za/theorangery/) where we could possibly stay for 2 nights. Prices and standards are very good as you can see on her website. We'd stock up with supplies at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and via a local 'Pick 'n Pay' supermarket.

Next day we'd leave early-ish to drive up the West Coast main road with a stop off for lunch somewhere in Namaqualand (http://www.go2africa.com/south-africa/northern-cape/namaqualand/) for the floral displays. Overnight would be in Springbok. We'd then head up early to the Namibian border. Choices would still to be made re Namibia and Botswana routes. We'd then return to Cape Town and miss out Johannesburg.

Also, here are some research jobs for people:

1. Great places to go in Namibia - maybe top 5
2. Great places to go in Botswana - maybe top 5
3. List of the main things we'd share costs on
3. Vehicle hire options (I'll look at this one)
4. US flight options, i.e. routes and prices (if available yet)
5. Time to go and dates to avoid, eg school holidays in the different countries
6. Driving insurance and licence issues (I'll do at same time as hire options)

The FAQ links will be an easy place to start this research.

[lakiluno]

nooo...all my useful and exciting posts are gone...

[tommykjensen]

The difference in price from Copenhagen is about the $100 You mention so the cost would not be a deciding factor for me on this point. The prices I have been able to cheak are still a little unsure as I could only check until may 2007 not later.

Leo expect that post to be gone when I clean the thread next time :)

[tommykjensen]

If anybody looks for hardcopy books to read I bought following books

Namibia from Lonely Planet, ISBN: 1-74059-042-2
Namibia The Bradt travel guide. ISBN: 1-84162-062-9

I was also thinking about getting the book Watching wildlife in Southern Africa ISBN 1-864450-101-4 also from Lonely Planet but the local store didn't have it.

[condyk]

I have these books too:

South Africa Handbook (Footprint)
South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland (Lonely Planet)
Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia (Lonely Planet)
Namibia (Brandt)

Birds of Southern Africa (Struark)
Mammals of Southern Africa (Struark)

The Brandt book is very good and we used that one a lot. I think yours will be current Tommy. Mine will be 2000-2001, as are all my books. The 'Watching wildlife in Southern Africa' looks great, but was published Jan 2002. Might be worth waiting as a new edition may be due early next year?

My bird/Mammals books are very good. I can bring them along.

I think it is useful to know what books people have so we can travel light and not duplicate. We will get road maps in South Africa. Much cheaper.

[tommykjensen]

I have setup a wiki page for the FAQ. This is will make it easier to split is in smaller sections etc.

I am currently going editing the text with the latest version from here. Once it is done Dave will get a userid/password and if there are other that are very keen on updating it they can have the userid/password too. (registration has been disabled on the wiki so nobody can mess it up for us).

So Dave no edits until I say so please ;-)

[saravrose]

sounds like a good idea tommy.. i've taken to googling any questions I come up with... the various websites have been full of info. and advice..

sari

[tommykjensen]

Ok I just finished porting the FAQ over to the wiki.

Have a look and if it is ok we can remove it from the top post and maintain it on the wiki instead.

http://wiki.klein-jensen.dk/

(hopefully the dns is fully updated everywhere. if You get page not found you may need to wait a few hours)

[tommykjensen]

Ok something we may all take as an assumption.

Who can drive?

I don't have a drivers license.



(Though I am seriously considering to take up my employers offer to pay for it :lol: )

[condyk]

Ok, you are the 'Daddy' Tommy. Great job :-)

Am happy to maintain the Wiki as a fully flexible FAQ. We can continue to chat here and people can ask questions and make contributions here. I will edit the first post to reflect the changes over to the Wiki. I will transfer stuff over as we go forward.

I can drive obviously. We need two drivers ideally if we have one vehicle and three if we have two. I will check but we may need an International Drivers licence, tho may only apply for long term stayers in South Africa. Can't remember. I do remember I got it from the AA and cheap and quick.

[lakiluno]

is a mediawiki install not slightly too much - give tiddlywiki a go (google it)

1 HTML file, and you can run it off your computer, so you could let people download it for future reference...

Leo

[condyk]

We're happy with what we have. Why settle for something so basic? We don't have to run it off a computer and people can easily print using the 'printable version' link

[tommykjensen]

I can drive obviously. We need two drivers ideally if we have one vehicle and three if we have two. I will check but we may need an International Drivers licence, tho may only apply for long term stayers in South Africa. Can't remember. I do remember I got it from the AA and cheap and quick.

I checked about internatinal license and here in Denmark there are as far as I could find no orther restrictions than it is limited for one year. (obviously only relevant if I actually go take the license ;-) )


Driver's Licence
The driver must be at least 23 years old and in possession of an international driver's licence. If the driver is younger, he must hold the licence for a minimum of 2 years.

[holland_patrick]

I can drive and have driven off road in a 4x4 beofre so i'm used to it..

I guess i just need a int liences

[saravrose]

I've been driving over here since I was fifteen... And i'll be twenty-four by the time we go.. So, the only thing to worry about for me, anyway.. is how to get an international drivers license?...

sari

[holland_patrick]

AAA is where you can get them.
International Driving Permits


When traveling overseas, carry an International Driving Permit ... even if you're not planning to drive. Should you need to communicate with foreign authorities, this recognizable form of identification can help you get on your way more quickly.




Valid in over 150 countries, the permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages.

Before you travel the world, travel to any AAA office for your International Driving Permit. Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, $10 (plus local tax), and two ORIGINAL 2" X 2" passport-type photos (also available at AAA offices). You may also wish to fill out our International Driving Permit application in advance. Simply print out the application, fill in the information requested and bring it with you to the AAA office nearest you.

If you prefer to secure your International Driving Permit through the mail, please mail your completed application form, two ORIGINAL passport-type photos, a photocopy of your driver's license and permit fee ($10 plus local tax and $4.00 mail fee) to the AAA office nearest you.

Purchase your photos for Passports and International Driving Permits at any AAA location.

Basic Member - $7.50 plus tax for each set.
PLUS/PLUS RV Member - first set free,
additional sets at $7.50 plus tax.
Non-Member - $12 plus tax for each set.
AAA Member's family member 18 years old and over that are not on the AAA membership - $12 plus tax for each set.
AAA Member's family member 17 years old and under - $7.50 plus tax for each set.

[condyk]

AAA is where you can get them.
International Driving Permits



OK, I will add that. I get mine from the AA in the UK and needed for Namibia and for car hire.

[eenorton]

You can add me to the drivers list.

And reading through the outline of the weather.... September looks like it would be very dry.... but October is the begining of the rainy season and might afford us some prettier shots? (water... flowers.... other vegetation...) Do we want to consider October? November?

(edit) Just read that you (Dave) suggest May through September as the best months to go. Is this because it's *not* raining? Just curious.

AND... I've got some emails off, trying to find out what the school holidays are in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. I'll report back.

[eenorton]

Ok I just finished porting the FAQ over to the wiki.

Have a look and if it is ok we can remove it from the top post and maintain it on the wiki instead.

http://wiki.klein-jensen.dk/

(hopefully the dns is fully updated everywhere. if You get page not found you may need to wait a few hours)

That looks *great* Tommy! Thanks!

[Az2Africa]

I've driven Cairo to Capetown on an Arizona drivers licence and never had a problem when asked for it. Still if you aren't sure get an International premit. You will certainly need a Carnet de Passage at the borders for the trucks, but I'm sure Condyk has delt with that before.

[condyk]

You can add me to the drivers list.

Cool, then I will add you to the list.

And reading through the outline of the weather.... September looks like it would be very dry.... but October is the begining of the rainy season and might afford us some prettier shots? (water... flowers.... other vegetation...) Do we want to consider October? November?

When it is dry the animals struggle to find water and so they tend to hang out much more around waterholes, which makes for much better and easier viewing. The rain will make travel harder. It comes down for short periods often, but very heavy and can make driving along the tracks tough and there can be flash floods.

If we go via the Cape Town route then the wild semi-desert flowers will be out along the West Coast. That is a very pretty sight. I would prefer nearer rather than further re. dates.

(edit) Just read that you (Dave) suggest May through September as the best months to go. Is this because it's *not* raining? Just curious.

They are the best months for the reason outlined above. I would prefer July/August, but will go with September, which is what others seems to prefer assuming there is good reason why they can't go other times.

AND... I've got some emails off, trying to find out what the school holidays are in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. I'll report back.

Excellent. I found South Africa 2007 dates but not the other two.

[condyk]

I've driven Cairo to Capetown on an Arizona drivers licence and never had a problem when asked for it. Still if you aren't sure get an International premit. You will certainly need a Carnet de Passage at the borders for the trucks, but I'm sure Condyk has delt with that before.

We will use Toyota or Nissan double cabs rather than a truck. We need International Drivers Licence for Namibia, and for South Africa it is recommended should there be insurance issues, and a letter from the hire company confirming our hire. This will allow us through the borders without hassle. The hire company will confirm what is needed at the time of booking.

[condyk]

Ok, here are the research tasks repeated:

1. Great places to go in Namibia - maybe top 5
2. Great places to go in Botswana - maybe top 5
3. List of the main things we'd share costs on
3. US flight options, i.e. routes and prices (if available yet)
4. Dates to avoid, eg school/public holidays in the different countries (Beth)

The FAQ links will be an easy place to start this research. I have made a start on 1 and 2 here (http://wiki.klein-jensen.dk/index.php/Main_Page#Initial_places_to_visit_ideas) but be good if someone else can research too to make sure they are the top options.

[tommykjensen]

I can check option 1 & 2 too.

[eenorton]

Do we want to start a list of things to share costs on? Car rental and fuel cost is an obvious one... food.... do we want to split ALL food costs, (with, perhaps, the exception of alcohol) whether at restaurants or from the grocery store? I think that would be simplest. Park fees.... campsite fees....

[tommykjensen]

When I have been in Florida with my sister and her husband we took turns in paying the food, gas and other similar costs. Then we kept record of who paid what. Much easier than splitting the check.

[woodsie]

What mains voltage to they run in those countries and what plug adaptors are needed for charging mobile phones, laptops assorted batteries etc.

If it is 220~240V like the rest of the world, then the Americans will have to check that their equipment is rated to handle the higher voltage. Most modern Asian and European electronics automatically switch between the two, but I don't know about stuff manufactured in the states.

Though it was very amusing when one of my American friends plugged her stereo directly into mains power in Australia (at the same time that I was explaining about and plugging her TV and video into a transformer :rolleyes::rolleyes:). I don't know what was better, the explosion or the look on her face as she watched the wisps of smoke coming out of her stereo. :twisted:

[woodsie]

With the enquiries about drivers licences and medical experience I thought it would be good for the people who are confirmed as going to list the special skill that they can offer. These would include things like

Drivers licence.
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience.
4X4 experience.
Remote area experience.
Africa experience.
Legendary cooking skills.
Musical and comic entertainment.
McGuiver like skills with an axe, zip ties and duct tape.
Crocodile wrestling.
Daddy knows the president and if we run out of beer/deodorant/memory cards can send in the marines. :cool:

EDIT: Oh, just in case there is confusion, I'm not claiming to have all of the above. They are just as an example. ;-)

[holland_patrick]

With the enquiries about drivers licences and medical experience I thought it would be good for the people who are confirmed as going to list the special skill that they can offer. These would include things like

Drivers licence.
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience.
4X4 experience.
Remote area experience.
Africa experience.
Legendary cooking skills.
Musical and comic entertainment.
McGuiver like skills with an axe, zip ties and duct tape.
Crocodile wrestling.
Daddy knows the president and if we run out of beer/deodorant/memory cards can send in the marines. :cool:


got these covered..

Drivers licence.
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience.
4X4 experience.
Remote area experience
cooking skills.

Now i belive when going to resterants and stuff we should handle our own checkto save the salad eater from paying for a meat eaters stake. but when we are camping we should all just split the bill.

I belive we should poll the money for
food for camping
Gas
fees for parks and boarder crossings..

So at first we might be asked to put in 200 dollars.. to get us food and what not and to use for gas. after that is gone we can come up with another number.. this would be for the money guy to hold.

[Claire]

With the enquiries about drivers licences and medical experience I thought it would be good for the people who are confirmed as going to list the special skill that they can offer. These would include things like

Drivers licence. Yep.
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience. Not really.
4X4 experience. Nope
Remote area experience. Eh, no.
Africa experience. Does 1.5 years relationship with a Ghanaian man and dating a couple of African men count?
Legendary cooking skills. Depends what you mean with legendary...
Musical and comic entertainment. Ah, yes!
McGuiver like skills with an axe, zip ties and duct tape. No, but I love the show.
Crocodile wrestling. Can't say I do.
Daddy knows the president and if we run out of beer/deodorant/memory cards can send in the marines. :cool: Sorry, can't help, but I know the daughter of Zimbabwe's late Defence Minister who was killed in a car crash. And my mom is an old Uni friend with the Swedish Foreign Minister, but that really doens't help you guys much... ;)

Ah, now I really know I wouldn't fit into this trip. :lol:

[holland_patrick]

5 most ridiculous questions asked on safari in Africa
By: nsmorris - 14 Feb 2006
Rating: 3.48
33 votes
Keywords: Africa, africa, safari, questions
Whilst looking at an elephant with an impressive 1m erection (Kenya)

question "How do you tell the males from the females?"
WorldGuide: Kenya


Whilst in Uganda, standing on the shores of Lake Victoria (Uganda)

question "Is this the Indian Ocean?"
WorldGuide: Uganda

At a watering hole in Etosha National Park (Namibia)
Whilst watching lions, elephants, gazelles and kudu come into the watering holle to drink question "Do they teach all the animals not to eat each other?"
WorldGuide: Namibia

On having to go for a "number two" in the bush (Tanzania)
Having been handed a roll of toilet paper and a small shovel, Miss X returned with a small turd wrapped in paper on her shovel and asked:- "What do I do with it now?"
WorldGuide: Tanzania

Whilst viewing the bright blue testicals of vervet monkeys (Botswana)
question: " Do the females have blue balls too?"
WorldGuide: Botswana

[tommykjensen]

Ah, now I really know I wouldn't fit into this trip. :lol:

Haha You could at least check off 2 that list.

I can't even check off 1 :(


Drivers licence. Nope
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience. Nope unless a 20+ years old 2 hours firstaid class counts (don't remember anything from it)
4X4 experience. Would be illegal if I had :lol:
Remote area experience. Can't say I have
Africa experience. None
Legendary cooking skills. Ehh, is water required to boil an egg?
Musical and comic entertainment. Problably not
McGuiver like skills with an axe, zip ties and duct tape. Does watching the show count?
Crocodile wrestling. I have seen how it is done :lol:
Daddy knows the president and if we run out of beer/deodorant/memory cards can send in the marines. Don't know anybody who's anybody

[woodsie]

Haha You could at least check off 2 that list.

I can't even check off 1 :(

Sorry, should have included

- All powerful POTN moderator. :cool:

[Claire]

Ah wait, I miswrote the Driver's license thing! I have one. Duh! Ok, three then. hehe

[holland_patrick]

Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Whether your take own car or join a guided group on an open range vehicle, you are sure to see some of natures wonders in the Kruger National park.
WorldGuide: South Africa

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (Botswana)
Much of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park comprises of nutritious grasslands attracting thousands of animals.

The best bit? (Namibia)
At the food market in the outskirts of Windhoek, a cow's head lies on the concrete floor attracting much attention from flies. A sizzling braai (bbq) just next to it still manages to tempt many hungry travellers. Maybe the best is saved 'til last?
WorldGuide: Namibia


Banquets in Botswana (Botswana)
On a random island in the Okavango Delta, wake to the smell of huge chunks of skewered meat left-over from the night before being cooked on the fire. Hope no hungry carnivores catch the wafting smell.
WorldGuide: Botswana


The alternative muesli bar (Johannesburg)
Growing up in South Africa accounted for my diet of hippo, elephant, kudu, impala, and various other wild animal biltong (similar to beef jerky). Once returning overseas, this snack was quickly replaced by muesli bars.
WorldGuide: Johannesburg

Big brekkie (South Africa)
Ok, so it's not really carniverous but it is hearty. Breakfast in South Africa could consist of a scrambled ostrich egg. Yes, only one. You will need at least three ravenous people to eat it as it contains the equivalent of nearly 20-24 chicken eggs.

WorldGuide: South Africa
Breakfast, lunch & dinner (Africa)
Yes, you could easily eat meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you so desire without making anyone (apart from vegetarians) flinch.

Respect the speed limits, especially around towns and villages. First because it is safer for you, for the people and their cattle, but also because fines are steep (BWP 195). The Botswana Traffic Police have recently been equipped with top-of-the-range laser control equipment. They can spot you 2km away, and there's no discussion possible.

When travelling from North Gate to Mababe Gate at Chobe Game Park, (114 km) you'll need more or less 2 hours, if the hundreds of elephants will allow you through! From Mababe Gate to Savuti Camp site, it will take another 2 hours. Don't be misled by the distance in kilometres, because an average speed of 20-30 km/h is what you can expect during the dry, sandy season......

Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park

Who can give advice based on personal experience?

With the following time frame what do you think is the best solution:

Day one: arriving at Twee Rivieren around lunchtime / early afternoon. Overnight in Twee Rivieren.
Day two and day three: Either drive to Nossob and / or Mata Mata (self catering and the smaller camps is not an option) or do two day trips from Twee Rivieren and three nights in total in Twee Rivieren.
Questions: Is it worth to go to one or both of the remote camps or does that involve too much driving? Is it feasible to leave from Nossob or Mata Mata in the morning and make it to Twee Rivieren until lunchtime to be able to reach Kakamas comfortably before dark or would it be better to spend the third night at Twee Rivieren?
I tend to plan all three nights in Twee Rivieren and day trips from there as this would just be the most convenient solution. Is this going to be a waste of time compared to going to Nossob and / or Mata Mata?
Unfortunately there is not more time to spend in the park than the three nights mentioned.
Transport will be motorcycle to Twee Rivieren and Avis 2x4 within the park.
Thanks a lot!

-------------------------
The clearer the viz., the colder the wash!

Boomslang
Posted: 20 Jul 2006
5:43am
1.

I would spend at least one night at Nossob. I think if you get up early enough you would be able to get back to Twee Rivieren with enough time left to get to Kakamas before dark. From memory, it takes about 2-3 hours to get to Nossob from Twee Rivieren so you can stay Night 1 at Twee Rivieren, Nights 2 and 3 at Nossob and get back in time.

-------------------------
Life is a Cabernet, old chum .......

RudiK
Posted: 20 Jul 2006
6:31am
2.

My choice would be to spend the last night at Twee Rivieren so that you can get going first thing next morning. (But then we have to do that in order to get back to Johannesburg - 1000km away - the same day).
I would prefer to stay at either Mata Mata or Nossob rather than at Twee Rivieren and of the other two I think the fact that Nossob is not at the end of the road (as Mata Mata is) would swing it for me.
I cannot remember the time to get from a camp to any other camp, but Boomslang says 3 hours to Nossob - so I would prefer to stay the first two nights in Nossob (or first in Nossob and second in Mata Mata) and the last one in Twee Rivieren.
Using a 2x4 in the park is no problem. We got stuck in sand once and had to get out and push with three curious cheetahs as onlookers, but they were not bothered. The pride of lions a few hundred metres away were up-wind of us so that was OK.
Enjoy, it is one of the most interesting parks around.


-------------------------
Some people make things happen; others watch things happen; still others don't even know that things have happened.

RudiK
Posted: 20 Jul 2006
6:40am
3.

But hang on. I do not recall there being a restaurant at either Nossob or Mata Mata. But it is quite a while since I was last there and there may have been some dramatic changes. I have just looked at www.sanparks.org and my interpretation of their info is that it has not changed and that both are still self-catering only.

-------------------------
Some people make things happen; others watch things happen; still others don't even know that things have happened.



Also would it be tter for one of use to bring a laptop and everyone use it with a external hard to hold the pictures or does everyone want to drang along their tops?

[holland_patrick]

wow everyone is up and on line..

[tommykjensen]

- All powerful POTN moderator. :cool:

I have that covered. Ok I am good to go :lol:

[woodsie]

I should probably check off my own list. :o


Drivers licence. Yep
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience. First aid course 15 years ago and participation in sports where people wrap themselves around things on a regular basis.
4X4 experience. Yep, though more experience of taking conventional cars places they shouldn't aughta.
Remote area experience. Yep
Africa experience. I don't think "being born there, and two years as a baby" is something that will find much application on this trip. Well, I really, really hope not.
Legendary cooking skills. So, what was that with the water and boiling an egg. What's the water for?
Musical and comic entertainment. Only in my own twisted mind. :D
McGuiver like skills with an axe, zip ties and duct tape. Most of my remote area experience was when I was too young, poor and stupid to have any actual tools.
Crocodile wrestling. I can shout useful advice from the bank. :lol:
Daddy knows the president and if we run out of beer/deodorant/memory cards can send in the marines. :cool: My brother inlaw used to be a marine, but denies it now. :confused:

[holland_patrick]

just doing a quick check i'm looking at 1500 for the flight and 1400 for the camper..
now what other fees might we have to pay.. and yes i will cook and stuff so I will make sure our food goes as long as we can get it to go

[saravrose]

my turn.. my turn..

Drivers license- since I was fifteen and have driven just about every vehicle i've laid eyes on.. But, I may need to sit on a pillow to reach the pedals.
first aid experience-- Have taken those classes within the last two-three years..
4x4 experience- Had a boyfriend in highschool who loved to go muddin'... I got to drive sometimes..
Remote area experience- Remember my walk in Leslie Gulch?.. and once got stuck in the Nevada Desert overnight, but will admit to crying when I was 'rescued'
Africa Experience- I don't suppose Hatari and Far and Away count?
Legendary cooking skills- Yes, absolutely, Lengendary.. My roomate still won't let me forget my first attempts to make popcorn, and sometimes I really mess up the mac and cheese..
musical and comic entertainment- Sing in the shower, and to children who don't complain. And folks do spend a lot of time laughing at me... and wondering why i'm laughing at them... J/K
Maguiver like skills- who's maguiver?
crocodile wrestling- i'm a little quirky, not crazy.. But, I have seen the dundee movie...
daddy knows the president etc.- Nope. not even close. But if we come to Idaho My hairdresser's husband can fix your computer and my bestfriends dad is County commisioner...

sari

[holland_patrick]

I'm just going to put this out there and you guys can do with the info as you see fit.

My parents have a few time shares and i'm sure i can get on to use in SA if you wanted to do 3 week or so via tenting/camping and then a week in a city??

The Peninsula ( #2155 )
313 Beach Road
Sea Point
P.O. Box 17188,Regent Road
Cape Town, , 8061 , South Africa

A splendid Sea Point setting and spacious sophisticated apartments are the order of the day here, with useful extras such as free resort transport to the city and beaches, a leisure desk that keeps you informed and gladly arranges your excursions. An outstanding way to enjoy Cape Town, in one of RCI's most luxurious resorts with incredible views of the ocean.

Table View Cabanas ( #4275 )
9 Athens Road
Tableview
Cape Town, , 7441 , South Africa

Sea facing apartments with a view of Table Mountain across the bay. Merely 20 minutes away from central Cape Town. Outstanding beaches and easy access to the Cape winelands. There is a wide choice of restaurants available within walking distance of the resort.

Kagga Kamma ( #6879 )
17 L'Ideal
Paarl
Cape Town, , 7646 , South Africa

Kagga Kamma private game reserve is located in untouched wilderness near Ceres, to the south of the magnificent Cedarberg. The reserve is characterised by breathtaking rock formations and magnificent scenery. Here you can find an exceptionally wide range of flora and fauna - some highly endangered. If you`re intrested in natural and cultural history, this is the perfect place for you

[WindyCityPilot]

Just thought I would post and let everyone know that you'll absolutely love Africa. I was there in April. I visited South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. Best trip I've ever taken! People are great...food is great...and the wildlife is amazing!!

If anyone has any questions they want to ask just PM me and I'll do my best to share whatever I know! If you're thinking twice about going....just GO!!! You won't regret it!

[saravrose]

Just thought I would post and let everyone know that you'll absolutely love Africa. I was there in April. I visited South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. Best trip I've ever taken! People are great...food is great...and the wildlife is amazing!!

If anyone has any questions they want to ask just PM me and I'll do my best to share whatever I know! If you're thinking twice about going....just GO!!! You won't regret it!

well hi and huge welcome to POTN.. how about some photos??.. if I say pretty please with a cherry on top...:D :D

[WindyCityPilot]

When I get home from work I'll find the link to the Shutterfly album. My buddy took his Canon S2-IS....all I had was my little Canon SD400....I unfortunately did not have my 20D yet!!! It was the Africa trip that made me buy the 20D.

I should have the link posted later on if I can find it.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm in the process of buying a home,. but I still might be solvent next summer,. who knows?

If it's possible fiancially,. I'd love to do this.

You can put me down for driving and McGuiver skills,.
the only problem for me is climate. Correct me if I;m wrong,. but as a red head,. I'm likely to just die aren't I?

[Claire]

*cough* It's McGyver...

[condyk]

Do we want to start a list of things to share costs on? Car rental and fuel cost is an obvious one... food.... do we want to split ALL food costs, (with, perhaps, the exception of alcohol) whether at restaurants or from the grocery store? I think that would be simplest. Park fees.... campsite fees....

Good start Beth :-)

Vehicle rental and insurance
Petrol
Cross border fees
International driving licences x 2 or 3 depending on vehicles
Driver charges related to hire
Park entry
Accommodation/hotels
Self cooking food (grocery store)
Campsite fees
Shared resources, like medical kit, spare petrol cans, etc
Maps
Whole group outings
Anything that benefits the group and not individual, by agreement

Agree with Tommy that splitting out a bill every time is a waste of time and energy. Whoever pays each time just has the sum added to the overall group tab and we settle up every week or something.

If it is 220~240V like the rest of the world, then the Americans will have to check that their equipment is rated to handle the higher voltage. Most modern Asian and European electronics automatically switch between the two, but I don't know about stuff manufactured in the states.

Correct ;)

If anyone has any questions they want to ask just PM me and I'll do my best to share whatever I know! If you're thinking twice about going....just GO!!! You won't regret it!

We might ask you a few Botswana questions if we go there. Cheers ;)

If it's possible fiancially,. I'd love to do this ... Correct me if I;m wrong,. but as a red head,. I'm likely to just die aren't I?

You'd be welcome boss ;-) but you will be laughed at and pointed at I expect*. Very rare seeing a ginger nut there :lol: :lol: But you can stay in the shade.

* joking ... maybe!

Accommodation ...

BTW folks, I emailed Namibia parks booking re reserving accommodation and received the following:

Dear David

You can make bookings for July 2006 for July 2007 and booking for August 2006 for August 2007 etc. That is the process of making bookings for next year.

Thank you

Aina

So, we need to find out the school holiday dates asap (Beth - any luck?) Then we agree a fly in and fly out date and the route, then book accommodation for all the key Namibia parks on the very first morning they become available (basically fax them at 12.00 midnight the first day!!) I have booked there before, and lots of other parks. Very difficult to get the exact accommodation on the exact date and for the exact period. We need to be very proactive.

Route ...

I am suggesting we agree to fly into Cape Town. It is closer to Windhoek by a day driving. It is also much more welcoming and interesting than JHB.

Based on any additional research people do over the next day or so then I propose to do a first draft of 'essential places to go' and route/day plan this weekend, this based on three weeks in Africa. People who want four weeks could arrive early or leave late. There is more than plenty to do around Cape Town and the coast.

Thoughts?

[eenorton]

Accommodation ...

BTW folks, I emailed Namibia parks booking re reserving accommodation and received the following:

Dear David

You can make bookings for July 2006 for July 2007 and booking for August 2006 for August 2007 etc. That is the process of making bookings for next year.

Thank you

Aina

So, we need to find out the school holiday dates asap (Beth - any luck?)

Not yet. I found a couple school sites that listed terms, but they appeared to be private schools and I don't know if their hours were standard throughout the countries or not. Still poking around.

[Becca]

Here's my stats!

Drivers licence - since I was 16 (which is more years ago than I care to admit! :) )
First aid/paramedic/medical training or experience - I was a lifeguard for a couple of years, but I doubt much of that training will come in handy in the desert.
4X4 experience - Nope.
Remote area experience - Did an 8 day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon and have camped since I can remember. Does that count?
Africa experience - I watch Animal Planet!
Legendary cooking skills - I'm a pretty good cook.
Musical and comic entertainment - I can be pretty funny, although its usually completely unintentional!
McGuiver like skills with an axe, zip ties and duct tape - so/so
Crocodile wrestling - I don't wrestle anything that has bigger teeth than me.
Daddy knows the president and if we run out of beer/deodorant/memory cards can send in the marines - I dated a marine :confused:

[Becca]

I found a site that discusses the best times to visit Africa. It only mentioned school holidays for South Africa:

Take note of the South African holiday season when locals take their annual holidays in summer. Mid-December to late January is a busy time of the year, but most areas are equipped to handle the large numbers of tourists. Other holiday seasons are in April and July, when school holidays are utilized to visit places such as Cape Town, Kruger and Durban.

They don't mention school vacations for Namibia or Botswana.

[eenorton]

Okay. This is a *huge* cut and paste. But I'm a total virgin when it comes to international travel and thought this was good info. Is this all good advice? Would you alter it in any way?
==========================
From: http://www.africaguide.com/traveltips/money.htm

Travellers Cheques:

Travellers cheque are the safest way to carry money - if lost, you can always get them refunded provided you have a clear log on the ones that have been cashed, when and where. The best travellers cheques to take are Barclays Bank, Thomas Cook and American Express.

There are some downfalls with only taking travellers cheques:

You may not be in an area where these can easily be exchanged. In some more remote places it can take hours if at all.

You do not have the same bargaining power as US Dollar (or Pounds Sterling) cash will have.

You may have to pay high commission rates - these can vary from bank to bank depending on the type of travellers cheque.

Take probably about 60% + of your funds in Travellers Cheques.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash

Definitely ensure that you take some cash - the currency depends on the region you are visiting

West Africa - US Dollar/Euro's
East Africa - US Dollar, Pounds Sterling
North Africa - US Dollar
Southern Africa - US Dollar, Pounds Sterling

You will find that some hotel bills and even some game park entrance fees must be paid for in Foreign currency.

If taking US Dollar cash check your notes are not older than 1991 - they're not accepted in some exchange bureaus

Take a fair amount of small denomination US money for airport (departure) taxes and when you only need to exchange a small amount of money-like when leaving a country.

You will also have much better bargaining power if you pay in foreign currency.

When you exchange money, exchange plenty - it is often a time consuming task and banks are not always open. In remote areas you may not be able to exchange money. Money can be exchanged in many hotels. Always get a receipt when changing money through the official channels.

Make sure you have small bills (notes), as you will need to use these for tips and misc - also some remote places may not have change


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit/Debit Cards

Unless you are travelling in cities and well developed countries, such as Southern Africa you will find that very few places accept payment by credit card.

If you are going to make payment via credit card for a hotel room, safari or activity, ensure that you know exactly what exchange rate they are going to use and if there are any additional fees for paying by credit card. When you have made a payment using credit card - always keep your credit card receipt in a safe place - it is not unknown to be charged twice and without your credit card receipt there is little you can do to dispute anything when you get back home.

Prior to leaving advise your credit card company that youo are going to be in Africa. That way if they get any new or strange charges from there, they will not deny it. This could save you a lot of trouble trying to pay for a meal or Hotel somewhere.

In cities and well developed countries you can draw cash out from ATM machines using your credit card - however, please be aware that money from ATM's is ONLY available in local currency.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keeping your Money Safe

It goes without saying that if you lose your money - your holiday will be ruined - there are many tips on ensuring the safety of your money and valuables.

Always have a small bit of money available in a pocket or close to hand - you do not want to dig into your bag or Money Belt or pull out a whole wedge of money when paying for something.

If you use a money belt make sure that it is small and inconspicious and well hidden under your clothing. Do not walk round with a great bulge around your midrift - this just shows everyones exactly where your valuables are and does not provide any safety.

It is best to store your money in several places, then, in the unfortunate incident of you being robbed or losing money you won't lose all.

Many hotels and safari companies provide safety deposit boxes for you, but they may be managed differently - find out who has access before storing anything in a afety deposit box and if you feel comfortable with the security then leave the majority of your money and valuables here.

When I am travelling and staying in one place for any length of time, I look for a good spot to hide my money in the room I am staying in only provided there are no staff coming in. There are many, many good places if you look hard enough - (behind a picture or wall hanging is NOT one of them!) do not make it obvious.
...Generally a thief will want to get and and out as quick as possible - they don't have time to look around


===================================
From: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm
(He's talking about Europe, but I think the caution about bank fees is good to know)

The Sleaze of Fees
Recently, travelers returning from Europe have opened their mail to discover they paid more for their trip than they thought they had. Over the last couple years, banks have dramatically increased the fees they charge for overseas transactions using credit and debit cards. While these fees are legal, they're basically a slimy way for credit-card companies to wring a few more dollars out of their customers.

There are different types of fees. For years, Visa and MasterCard have levied a 1 percent fee on international transactions. Recently, banks that issue those cards are tacking on an additional 1-2 percent. These are often called "currency-conversion fees" or "foreign transaction fees." For details on fees associated with using your card for ATM withdrawals, see "Cash Machines (ATMs)" below.

So, how can a smart traveler avoid (or at least reduce) these fees? Here are a few suggestions:

Ask about fees. While fees can sometimes be built into the price on your statement, it's increasingly more common that they're broken out as line items to help the consumer know what they're paying. Even so, it's smart to make a call before your trip to get the whole story: Carefully quiz your bank or credit-card company about what fees come with using their card overseas. Even if your card charged no fees the last time you went to Europe, there's a good chance it does now. Call and ask.

If you're getting a bad deal, get a new credit card. Some companies offer far lower international fees than others — and a handful don't charge any fees at all. Capital One has a particularly good reputation for international transactions (www.capitalone.com). If you're going on a long trip, do some research and consider taking out a card just for international purchases.

[holland_patrick]

time to srink the thread.. i guess

[Olli]

time to srink the thread.. i guess... so it's good time to say how I suffer reading all this great stuff ... propably not being able to make this extraordinary trip. :(:( [Now can be shrinked.]

[tommykjensen]

Good start Beth :-)
Route ...

I am suggesting we agree to fly into Cape Town. It is closer to Windhoek by a day driving. It is also much more welcoming and interesting than JHB.

Based on any additional research people do over the next day or so then I propose to do a first draft of 'essential places to go' and route/day plan this weekend, this based on three weeks in Africa. People who want four weeks could arrive early or leave late. There is more than plenty to do around Cape Town and the coast.

Thoughts?

Thats a good idea. I haven't read all I want yet so at this point I don't have a lot input to the route yet but I trust You know what is interesting to see. And I am all for meeting point in Cape Town.

[holland_patrick]

... so it's good time to say how I suffer reading all this great stuff ... propably not being able to make this extraordinary trip. :(:( [Now can be shrinked.]

OH I will be there yes Oli... I will..

[holland_patrick]

Ok when i'm at work i'll get some stuff for the medic kit.. also i'll put together a book incade somethign happens to me..
((((((((((
One thing to consider is that lens prices are very high in South Africa. It may be possible to arrange in advance to have a lens buyer waiting when we return to our South African start point. Free safari lens use for you and a nicely priced bargain for them. Win-win. Here is a good place to make the suggestion )))))))))

what is this about and who is considering doing this.

[sharky]

I just got back from South Africa, like 24 hours ago, and am already planning to go back. What an amazing place.

I'm still too jetlagged to write a proper response (that will come later), but for the moment here's a couple of just off the plane observations:

1) Most of South Africa is very safe, if you observe common sense and don't deliberately put yourself in dangerous positions.

2) Primes are great, and I took a 300mm f4L and loved the results. However if I were to go again, I'd probably take a 70-300 DO instead. Aside from the weight savings, the zoom would have been invaluable as you never know what kind of animal is around the corner. 300mm was good for lions, but pretty useless for elephant.

3) A monopod was good in theory, but pretty much useless in practice. I spent most of the time in a landrover, and it's just too cramped to set one up.

4) Animals have an uncanny ability to get between you and the sun, so expect some backlighting.

5) (The most important) If you go with a shopping list of what you expect to see, you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment. Africans have an amazingly relaxed attitude to life, and if you adopt this yourself you'll have the time of your life.

I'll attach a couple of images (currently formatted for the PSP) to whet your appetite.

[holland_patrick]

Very nice.. and thank you for all your help.

[condyk]

5) (The most important) If you go with a shopping list of what you expect to see, you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment. Africans have an amazingly relaxed attitude to life, and if you adopt this yourself you'll have the time of your life.


This is one of five most important things to remember in Southern Africa.

1. It is possible to get things done but it might take a bit more time that you're used to. Relax and enjoy the wait. We're on holiday ;-)

2. Don't translate expectation from your day to day life into this very different context. You need to adapt and not the whole continent adapt to you! By not being able to adapt like this, one person on a previous trip spoiled the trip for everyone else. That's why I want to be careful about who comes along.

3. Every good plan needs flexibility to just go with the natural flow of opportunities. For example, you may not see Big Five every day but if you go just looking for them then you really will miss so much else, minute by minute, that is worth looking at! Open your eyes.

4. Stuff will happen that annoys you or scares you. If you don't want that then a package tour may be more suitable.

5. Take all sensible precautions. Double check you have everything and that you keep safe, whether in the bush or in the city. Don't ever be complacent.

[holland_patrick]

Very Well said,

[condyk]

Ok, Tommy ... clean up time here :-)

Please leave the photo's in.

[eenorton]

Hey Dave.... speaking of adapting to the country.... I haven't seen any reference to dress and am assuming that there are no issues with women showing shoulders... legs.... head covered.... any of that kind of thing. Is that a correct assumption?

[holland_patrick]

dress code stuff
Anonymous
30 May 2006, 12:45:48 pm

I am a female moving to Doha and wanted to know how western women dress over there? Is it true that showing your arms is frowned upon?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anonymous
culture

no , it's not true you can dress as you want it's free for the western women .
enjoy your trip
04 July 2006, 02:10:27 am



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anonymous
Woman dress

Actually, yo can't dress that you want. It's not a law to dress like muslim woman, but you must use "modest" dress, and cover your legs and shoulders.
17 July 2006, 07:33:35 pm

Tips for Women Traveling Alone in Africa
From Anouk Zijlma,
Your Guide to Africa for Visitors.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Personal safety is the number one concern women have when they're planning a trip to Africa. But if you follow some basic precautions, you should be ok. Thousands of women travel alone in Africa each year and have a great time. Anyhow traveling alone is a bit of a misnomer since you'll be meeting people everywhere you go.
Of course basic health and safety precautions should be followed by all travelers to Africa but here we concentrate on issues particular to women.


How to Deal With Unwanted Sexual Attention
Women traveling alone in Africa will likely experience some harassment from men but it's usually more annoying than dangerous. The basic problem lies in the fact that local women will rarely travel alone, it's just not culturally acceptable.
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So along with Hollywood movies and scantily clad western female tourists on the beaches, the idea that western women are "loose" is quite pervasive.
Basic rules:


Ignore cat calls, tsskkss's, whistles and anything else thrown at you verbally by bored men.

Wear sunglasses to avoid direct eye contact with men.

Respect the culture you are in.

Dress conservatively. This is very important in Muslim countries if you want to avoid extra hassle. No mini skirts, shorts, tank tops or tight shirts.

Don't go out on your own at night.

Say you are married and carry a photo of your 'husband' with you.

If you feel you are being harrassed or followed, walk into a shop or hotel and ask for help.

If you are lost ask directions from a woman or family.

Make a scene if you are groped or pinched and shame the person publicly. A shout will usually do the trick.

Stay in a hotel where you can lock your door at night. Family hotels are often the most comfortable for women traveling on their own.

Female Health Issues
Bring your own feminine hygene products with you. Sanitary towels with belt loops were still the only product on the shelf in Malawi during the 1990's, so even if it's available it may be very old fashioned. Most major towns will have supplies but you pobably won't have a lot of choice and they'll be very expensive.

Other medical supplies you should pack include a couple of treatments for UTI's and yeast infections. If you are on the pill, bring enough to last your whole trip. Remember that a bout of diarrhea or vomiting will render the pill ineffective, so be careful.

If you are pregnant and traveling, or find out you are pregnant while traveling, head to the capital to find the best hospital for regular check ups. Your embassy staff or the local expatriate network will help you find one.

Find a Traveling Companion
If you find yourself in a situation where you aren't comfortable traveling on your own then it's quite easy to find yourself some travel companions. If you are traveling in a Muslim country try and find a female companion. You'll be able to meet local women a lot easier that way.

Buy a Lonely Planet Guide and stay in a recommended hotel. The hotel will be filled with independent travelers who usually don't mind at all if you tag along for the day or a week or even a month. I've backpacked all over Africa, Asia and Central America with my husband and we've always collected solo travelers along the way.

Post your itinerary on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum for women travellers. BootsnAll also has a good Travel Buddy forum where you could find a travel companion.


Join local tours when you first arrive so you can get your bearings and acclimatize to the culture.

Tips for Women Traveling in Egypt and Morocco
Egypt: Women traveling alone in Egypt should always dress conservatively. Use buses and the metro to get around. There are women only compartments and it's a good way to meet local women and their children. For more tips see this article from Journeywoman.com.

Morocco: Female travelers in Morocco will get their fair share of comments and whistles but it's not an unsafe country to travel in. Triotours has some good spcecific advice for women travellers in Morocco.

Women Who are Traveling in Africa Now
Finally, I find travel blogs by people who are actually traveling or living in Africa to be a very useful source of information on current conditions. There are lots of women writing blogs from all over Africa who are either volunteering or traveling there right now and would have excellent advice for you.

[holland_patrick]

African Safari
Many visitors to Africa are interested in going on a safari. The best countries to visit if you want to see the 'Big 5' in particular are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana.


Kenya offers some of the cheaper safari options but is probably the most crowded as well.

Botswana is at the luxury end with many exclusive camps offering wonderful game viewing for small groups.

South Africa is great for the game you can view and for those looking for a more independent trip since the roads are good and you can drive yourself around.


Mammals, Birds or Reptiles
The first thing you need to do is decide which animals you want to see.

Big 5-- Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant: If you want to see all of these animals in one trip, the Masai Mara in Kenya, Kruger National Park, in South Africa and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania are good bets.

Gorillas: If you're interested in gorillas you would want to head to Rwanda, Uganda or Gabon.
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Traveling to Africa?
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All the Tanzania Safaris
All the Tanzania Safari Trips! Smart Tanzania Safari Starts Here.
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See my complete guide to gorilla safaris for more information.

Chimpanzees: If you're inspired by Jane Goodall's work, your destination would be the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.

Elephants: For an abundance of elephants the Okavango Delta in Botswana is probably your best destination.

Lions: To see the king of the beasts, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in East Africa are the best parks to view lions. In Southern Africa, South Luangwa National Park deserves a mention for its abundance of lions in a less touristy setting.

Black Rhino: To see the black rhino is quite rare, but you still have a chance to catch a glimpse in Etosha National Park, Kruger National Park and Chobe National Park.

Hippos and Crocodiles: Plentiful in lakes and rivers throughout East and Southern Africa. The most I've ever seen were on a Canoeing Safari in the Zambezi River, which runs between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and Liwonde National Park in Malawi also offer fine viewing opportunities, but be cautious, crocs and hippos can be extremely dangerous.

Birding: If ornithology is your passion then you will be very happy to know there are many birding safaris available in East and Southern Africa.


Independent (Self-Drive) Safari
You basically plan your own trip, rent a car and drive yourself through whichever game park you choose! It is a good idea to research and perhaps copy some itineraries that are to your liking. Parks and Reserves are often in very remote locations so always bring an extra supply of food, water and gasoline. It is worth using a travel agent or tour operator to help you book your lodges and rent your vehicle in advance. Self-drive safaris are great in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia but countries like Malawi and Zambia really lack the infrastructure, petrol and even roads to make this a good option. Unless your idea of a fun drive includes dodging potholes the size of trucks, strolling people, goats and dogs it may be better to go with a tour.
Recommendations:
Wildlife Africa: Self-drive tours in South Africa.
Namibian.Org: See Namibia in your own time and at your own speed.
Safari Drive: Covers Safari-drives in several African countries and highlights Kenya.

A Guide to Spotting Wildlife
A safari's success is usually measured by the number of animals you've seen along the way. We're not talking zebra and various antelope, but the big 5, the spectacular lion kill, a baby giraffe -- something that makes you feel you have witnessed something truly special. Here are some tips that will help you maximize your wildlife viewing successes.

Pick the right season. The dry season is the most optimal season to see animals. The water holes attract a large concentration and a wide variety of animals. This makes it easy for you to view wildlife because many game parks have small shelters that overlook the water holes, or you can simply drive by.
The dry season also means the vegetation has thinned out. I've been on safaris in smaller game parks where you could literally see nothing beyond the road because the grass was so tall.

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You would be amazed at how well camouflaged even a large group of elephants can be when the vegetation is nice and lush after some good rains.
In East Africa the dry seasons are from January through March and July through October. In Southern Africa the dry season runs from May through October. If you are interested in the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra then you also need to time your trip with the weather in mind. In the Masai Mara they usually arrive between August and September, stay through October and head back over to the Serengeti in Tanzania between December and January.


Pick the right time of day. The best time to spot game is at dawn and dusk. At midday the sun is hot and most animals prefer to siesta under the shade of a tree, usually far from the roads you're driving on.

Go with a guide. Guides will often be in radio contact with each other, so if one spots a great lion kill they can let your party know so you get to see it too. A guide is also useful in identifying species. Even if you carry a nice guide book, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a female sable and an impala when they are running.

Know where to look. Look up in the trees if you want to spot a leopard, look in rivers if you want to see crocodiles (especially in patches of reeds) and watch out for steaming dung heaps to give you a good indication how close you might be to an elephant. Take a wildlife distribution map with you so you know what you are looking for at various points in the park.

Bring binoculars. Game parks are often bigger than some small European countries and the animals are wearing camouflage.

[holland_patrick]

First Aid and Medical Kit Packing List
Prescription Antibiotics: If you get an infection you may want to treat yourself since the closest hospital could be far away. Your doctor at home should be able to prescribe the right antibiotic that will treat a wide range of ailments, ciprofloxacin is one.

Anti-diarrheal Medication: Travelers diarrhea is very commonplace and you can usually leave it to nature to sort itself out. But if you're about to embark on a long car, bus or train ride, it's handy to have some medicine available.

Painkillers and anti-inflammatories: Advil, aspirin, and Tylenol.

Antihistamines: for allergic reactions. Benadryl works well and if you have severe allergies (to peanuts or bee-stings for example) you should always take at least 2 epi-pens with you.

Antibacterial ointment/powder: Cuts and sores can get infected quite quickly in the tropics. Bactroban is a prescription cream that is effective and personally I always bring some antibiotic powder with me which can be applied without having to use a band aid as well.

Anti-malaria pills: Check with your local travel clinic which malarial prophylactics will work best for the region you are planning to travel in. There's also a self-diagnostic kit that you can bring along to check if you have malaria by pricking your finger. More information about malaria ...

Hydrocortisone Cream: For allergic skin reactions and itchy bug bites.

Bandages, band aids, gauze and gauze rolls with adhesive tape

Scissors, safety pins and tweezers: Some Swiss army knives have scissors and tweezers that will do fine, just make sure don't pack it in your hand luggage.

Thermometer

Insect Repellent with DEET: Whether you're a fan of DEET or not, it's the only stuff that'll work in Africa and it's better than getting malaria or dengue fever.

Sun Block

Oral Rehydration Salts: If you pack these and have any left, give them to someone who may be able to use these locally before you go. Dehydration kills many young children in Africa and a simple rehydration kit can save a life.

Iodine Tablets: Bottled water isn't always available in more remote places and you may not be able to boil your own easily. These tablets won't taste so good (mix with orange squash to make it more palatable) but the water will be safe.

Syringes and Sterile Needles: Since HIV/AIDS is spread through dirty needles, it's a good idea to bring your own along since some rural hospitals are forced to re-use theirs.

Antiseptic Hand Wipes

[eenorton]

no , it's not true you can dress as you want it's free for the western women .
enjoy your trip
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually, yo can't dress that you want. It's not a law to dress like muslim woman, but you must use "modest" dress, and cover your legs and shoulders.


:confused:

[holland_patrick]

What Vaccinations/Immunizations You Need Before You Visit Africa
Finding out what vaccinations and immunizations you need before you travel to Africa is an important part of planning your trip. This article will help you find out what shots you need to get, where to get them, and which ones come highly recommended so you can stay healthy when you visit Africa.

Planning Your Vaccination Schedule
Some vaccinations, like that for Rabies, come in a series and you need to plan at least a few months ahead of your departure to fit them all in. Your regular doctor probably won't be able to give you all the vaccinations you need, so you should contact the nearest travel clinic for an appointment.

Finding Out Which Vaccinations You Need
The health situation in most African countries requires visitors to be up to date with all common childhood vaccines.
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Vaccine Information
Information about Vaccines and their importance to public health.
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Travel Vaccinations
Beginner's Guide to Travel Vaccinations.
www.beginnersguide.com
This includes Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio. If you are traveling with children, make sure they have had all their shots. You may also need to get boosters for tetanus, diphtheria and measles if you haven't had those in a while.
The following vaccinations are also highly recommended for travel to every African country:


Hepatitis A

Meningococcal meningitis

Rabies

Typhoid


Recommended Vaccinations/Immunizations per Country
Some African countries have actual entry requirements and won't let you in unless you have proof you've been vaccinated against a specific disease. The most common is yellow fever. Often, you need this only if you have traveled from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, so for those of you overlanding, it's wise to get the shot before you go. Here's a list of countries where yellow fever immunization is an entry requirement. Double check with the embassy of the country you are traveling to for the latest information.
Proof of immunization against cholera used to be a entry requirement for a lot countries but is no longer so. Many doctors agree the vaccine is actually quite useless.

Countries in Africa also differ as to which diseases are prevalent and you have to adjust your vaccinations according to your specific destination. While everyone should get the recommended shots listed above, to find out what you need to get per country see this health and travel web site for recommendations. Just click on the country you are visiting for a list of the vaccinations you should get.


Malaria
There is no vaccine for malaria. If you are traveling anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa you should probably take anti-malaria prophylactics. For more information see "How to avoid malaria while traveling in Africa".

[holland_patrick]

Botswana maps

http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/maps/URL/border_posts_map.jpg

http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/maps/URL/road_network_map.jpg

http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/maps/URL/tourist_map.jpg

http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/maps/URL/general_map.jpg

http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/maps/URL/political_map.jpg

[holland_patrick]

South africa
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/south_africa_reliefmap.jpg
http://www.sa-venues.com/maps/free-maps/sa-giveaway-map.gif

http://www.selftours.co.za/sa_map.htm

[holland_patrick]

Namibia
http://www.klausdierks.com/images/Simplified_Roads-Map.jpg
http://www.eclipse.za.net/html/pix/TSE2030NA01-600.JPG
http://www.eclipse.za.net/html/pix/TSE2030NA02-600.JPG
http://www.eclipse.za.net/html/pix/TSE2030SA01-600.JPG
http://www.eclipse.za.net/html/pix/TSE2030SA02-600.JPG

[holland_patrick]

All done for tonight..

[holland_patrick]

Oh BTW i'm good with maps and directions and have access to a copier so when we deside on a route we can figure it out..

[condyk]

Beth

In South Africa then you wear the same as you do at home and the same applies in Namibia and Botswana. Of course, it is always best not to draw unwanted attention to yourself, just like at home. Light clothes, shorts, t-shirts, etc are all fine.

If we venture to the far North of Namibia the Himba (http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0401/feature2/index.html?fs=www7.nationalgeographic.com) men and women walk around semi naked.

[condyk]

Folks ...

Please don't waste your time looking at or quoting anywhere other than South Africa, Namibia and Botswana because we ain't going there on this trip ;-)

Same applies to most advice you find about any African country other than those three. otherwise, it's like asking someone a question about the US but they then go on to tell you all about Chile. It will just cause confusion and you may be unwittingly causing us to make mistakes.

[tommykjensen]

Excellent with the maps. I changed them to links because some of them were pretty huge.

[condyk]

Excellent with the maps. I changed them to links because some of them were pretty huge.

Great idea Tommy ... I have now transfered maps and useful info to the FAQ and so we can do another clean up operation :D

[holland_patrick]

Sorry guys I though it was still those other countys also.. that makes things easier..

[holland_patrick]

The days so far look excellent .. but no Skel coast?

[condyk]

The days so far look excellent .. but no Skel coast?

Well we need a month to even start to do this trip its full justice, so trying to prioritise is difficult. I am seeing if we can fit time for the amazing kgalagadi transfrontier park but it is difficult as you are only allowed to exit from the same country you entered by, which really takes way too many extra days. We may do the ZA side only, but that also takes time we dont seem to have. Skeleton coast is really good, but reduced 'bang per buck' compared to some other options. We might cut Waterburg and the Cape Town days. We'll see when the first draft is done.

[holland_patrick]

Well you know i'm al for keep costs down.. and fun/photo ops up..

[condyk]

OK, I just heard from Janie, the main Park Ranger on the South Africa (ZA) side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (which runs across ZA and Bots), that a new Border Gate from the ZA side to the Namibia side of the park near the Mata-Mata Camp is to be opened around May 2007. This will have a big impact on our trip. This is an amazing park and if we can combine days there with time at Etosha I think people will be very happy :-)

What it means is we should be able to drive from one end to the other, one country to another, without the massive 'double back' problem there has been. This will save several days.

[saravrose]

OK, I just heard from Janie, the main Park Ranger on the South Africa (ZA) side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (which runs across ZA and Bots), that a new Border Gate from the ZA side to the Namibia side of the park near the Mata-Mata Camp is to be opened around May 2007. This will have a big impact on our trip. This is an amazing park and if we can combine days there with time at Etosha I think people will be very happy :-)

very cool Dave.. the information and ideas are really piling up..:D :D

[holland_patrick]

excellent

[eenorton]

Beth

In South Africa then you wear the same as you do at home and the same applies in Namibia and Botswana. Of course, it is always best not to draw unwanted attention to yourself, just like at home. Light clothes, shorts, t-shirts, etc are all fine.

If we venture to the far North of Namibia the Himba (http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0401/feature2/index.html?fs=www7.nationalgeographic.com) men and women walk around semi naked.


Thanks Dave.

School year stuff: I've found four school sites in Botswana with similar school days, so lets assume these are good unless I hear otherwise (and I have a dozen emails inquiring... to embassies, consulates, ministries of education, kids from Botswana studying in the states who happen to have web sites....)

On Holiday Apr 13 - May 15
Aug 12 - Sept 11
Dec 9th - Jan 16

Only found one school posting holidays in Namibia... Mid-Aug thru Mid June

I've also got emails out trying to confirm those.

[condyk]

Ok, as soon as we got confirmation then we should be able to agree dates. Looks like the terms and holidays across the 3 countries don't conform very nicely for us, which is a shame.

[holland_patrick]

OK i did some maping and some disances in relation to the days that we might do


day 2 KM approx 20 very light travel day
no map

Day 3 550KM
Noordhoek
to springbok
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/Baja/africa/day3.jpg


Day 4
Springbok to
Keetmanshoop
450Km
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/Baja/africa/dayfourMedium.jpg

Day 5
Keetmanshoop to windhoek
465km
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/Baja/africa/day5Medium.jpg


Day 7
Windhoek to
Otjiwarongo
200Km
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/Baja/africa/day7Medium.jpg

Day 8
Otjiwarongo
to Okaukuejo Camp
250Km
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/Baja/africa/day8Medium.jpg