FUN-video: Amazing Africa – Movie Trailer

August 27, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-video: Amazing Africa – Movie Trailer 

 

FUN-photos: Amazing Africa – Masai Mara

August 27, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Amazing Africa – Masai Mara 

  • Hopped on bush plane for short flight to border…then after arduous chaotic Customs & Immigration Extortion…another short flight…before arriving for our next big adventure.
  • And saved the best for last…as this was a full service tented camp…complete with desperately needed deep tissue massages…AHH!
  • Four glorious days…with awesome animal viewing…including the Big 5…made for a truly Amazing Africa ending.

 

FUN-photos: Amazing Africa

August 26, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Amazing Africa 

  • We started in Durban, South Africa for 4 days with high hopes of catching the Sardine Run…the Greatest Shoal on Earth…but no such luck as they were 5+ hours south…and a whole day at sea.
  • Then flew to Tanzania for animal viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater. And from there a bush plan to the Northern Serengeti for two days to experience The Great Migration up close and personal.
  • Hit the jackpot! Tens of thousands roaming and running as far as the eye could see…and totally epic seeing majestic Mara River crossings!

 

FUN-Travel: Amazing Africa – Trip Recap

August 6, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: Amazing Africa – Trip Recap 

Our international bucket runneth over! After India we said, “No more 3rd world countries.” Then arrive… only to realize… Africa is a 3rd world country… What was I thinking?

  • While safaris vary greatly in pricing…from basic to luxurious…

…they are not 3rd world…it’s the getting to and from that is.

Travel “Needs to Know”…that your travel agent should tell you…but ours didn’t!

  1. Check Departure Times…we booked months ahead…flight #s stayed the same…but times had changed drastically!
  2. Clean Newer Bills…the crispier the better…for Customs & Immigration…even better yet…get Visas on line…TZ costs $100 pp…KE costs $50 pp
  3. Yellow Fever Yellow Card…Kenya only…medical record proof doesn’t cut it…and they charged $50 pp.
  4. Passport Stamped…make sure upon arrival…they don’t give you a receipt…much confusion entering Kenya…mine stamped not Chris…nice ladies at Nairobi Intl let it slide.
  5. Bush planes – 15kg total weight including hand luggage allowed …means you pack ever so lightly…it is not a fashion show! Laundry service was included at Entim Mara…makes traveling much easier…you don’t have to check anything…and risk getting it stolen…if you want to bring more…than book another seat and get 30kgs…and lock everything not in your sight! Told Nairobi Wilson is strictest airport for departing…TZ only weighed checked bag…not hand carry…ours were only 9 kg each. Bought it bags from Amazon…only weigh 3.8 lbs!

  1. Guides Sense of Time…one said the airport was 45 minutes when it was 20…other said an hour and a half…when it took almost 2…only need to be there 15 minutes prior.
  2. Balloon Rides…cost $600 pp in TZ and $450 pp in Kenya. That’s just plain insane! Only saw one sunrise as heavy overcast skies & then rain in Kenya…which totally validated our decision.

FUN-fact – In Arusha, TZ they have the Clock Tower which is halfway between Cairo & Cape Town.

FUN-Travel: Northern Serengeti, Tanzania – Great Migration – Day 2

July 30, 2019 by · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: Northern Serengeti, Tanzania – Great Migration – Day 2 

  • Repeat Yesterday…with added morning safari looking for other animals…

…see family of 14 elephants with 2 babies…pair of lions…and the usual suspects.

Then we hit the jackpot!

  • Crossing #7 has 3 different lines of wildebeests…

…all jumping in at the same time…and lasts over 45 minutes!

  • Sadly they don’t all make it…croc gets weak baby swimmer…

…adult breaks leg…swept downstream in fast moving current.

  • Happy Hour…spectacular sunset around campfire!

FUN-factIncredibly Insane! Throngs of 1000’s of Wildebeest’s amass on the banks of the river and wait until one courageous wildebeest makes the first move—the first jump. Then they pour into the rivers like ants, leaping, bleating, calling—a crescendo of adrenaline and instinct.

One interesting study likened the wildebeest crossings to a type of ‘swarm intelligence’. From the outside, the crossings seem to be frenzied and uncalculated—almost like mass suicide—but the animals are, in fact, systematically exploring and overcoming the obstacle as one single unit—or swarm.

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