Of black maned lions and rampaging hippos

[bPeteb]

Here we are, sat in the J lounge in Brisbane, wondering just when our flight to Sydney will eventually depart. And they wondered why we weren't comfortable with a two hour early morning connection!



Finally off to southern Africa in the morning. I'm not sure if I'll try to keep this up to date along the way, or just when we get home. You'll all know at the same time as I do.

Tonight down to SYD where we're staying at the Novotel across the road from the international terminal.

Tomorrow off to JNB on QF63. One night at the airport at the City Lodge then Airlink to Livingstone on Thursday.

Two nights at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya then across to Vic Falls and one night at the Cresta Sprayview where our tour with World Expeditions/Kiboko begins.

20 days through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

An extra couple of nights in CPT, Lift up to JNB, night in JNB,
then home in J on QF64.

This trip has been a long time in the planning, and the waiting, and we are very, very excited!

 

[RooFlyer]

20 days through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Chance I might be able to give you a wave passing the other way in Namibia, if you are going anti clockwise.

 

[Denali]

Im reminded I had a month in Africa booked for departure April 2020 and we know how that went

but for you, OP, Im buckling my seatbelt and getting ready for departure with you

 

[bPeteb]

Chance I might be able to give you a wave passing the other way in Namibia, if you are going anti clockwise.

We are!

 

[bPeteb]

Im reminded I had a month in Africa booked for departure April 2020 and we know how that went

but for you, OP, Im buckling my seatbelt and getting ready for departure with you

Yes, this was originally a very different Covid era trip Denali. Tents for that one, no tents on this trip

 

[RooFlyer]

On my calculation, we should pass each other, going different ways on 20 August (?your day 11) between Sesriem and Swakopmund . I'll have a coldie at the ready

 

[bPeteb]

Phew! We're on our way south.

 

[kpc]

We might cross paths somewhere in Namibia or Botswana...we are on Qf63 on Friday

 

[bPeteb]

Here's our itinerary RF and kpc, and everyone of course. That would be a hoot to catch up, or to wave as we pass by

Wed, 31 Jul
SYD → JNB
QF 63

Wed, 31 Jul
City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo

Thu, 1 Aug
JNB → LVI
4Z 482 (Airlink)

Thu, 1 Aug
Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort
Zambia

Sat, 3 Aug
Cresta Sprayview
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Sun, 4 Aug
Chobe Safari Lodge
Kasane, Botswana

Tue, 6 Aug
Swamp Stop, Okavango River Camp

Thu, 8 Aug
Hakusembe River Lodge, Gondwana Collection Namibia

Fri, 9 Aug
Etosha Village
On C38 - 2km from Okaukuejo Gate, Okaukuejo, Namibia

Sun, 11 Aug
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Namibia

Mon, 12 Aug
The Delight Hotel Swakopmund, Gondwana Collection Namibia

Tue, 13 Aug
Desert Quiver Camp
On D826 / C27, Sossusvlei, Namibia

Wed, 14 Aug
Canyon Village, Gondwana Collection Namibia

Thu, 15 Aug
Kgalagadi lifestyle Lodge
South Africa

Sat, 17 Aug
Vergelegen Guest House
Kakamas, South Africa

Sun, 18 Aug
Highlanders Campsite and Lodge
Trawal, Middelplaas, South Africa

Mon, 19 Aug
Protea by Marriott Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge
Cape Town, South Africa

Fri, 23 Aug
CPT → JNB
GE 124 (Lift)

Fri, 23 Aug
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg

Sat, 24 Aug
JNB → SYD
QF 64

 

[RooFlyer]

On my calculation, we should pass each other, going different ways on 20 August (?your day 11) between Sesriem and Swakopmund . I'll have a coldie at the ready

Here's our itinerary RF and kpc. That would be a hoot to catch up, or to wave as we pass by

Oops - I was working on the next departure of that tour. I arrive JNB 13 Aug, 4 days in Madikwi Game Park, then Namibia tour 17-27 Aug.

No waving.

 

[kpc]

Here's our itinerary RF and kpc, and everyone of course. That would be a hoot to catch up, or to wave as we pass by

Sat, 3 Aug
Cresta Sprayview
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We are here Aug 15-18

Tue, 13 Aug
Desert Quiver Camp
On D826 / C27, Sossusvlei, Namibia

We are here 4-6 Aug

Mon, 12 Aug
The Delight Hotel Swakopmund, Gondwana Collection Namibia

We are here August 6

Sat, 24 Aug
JNB → SYD QF 64

We are on Qf 64 Aug 21

We are going in the opposite direction, starting in Windhoek on Aug 3 and finishing in Vic Falls on Aug 15-18 via Namibia and Botswana

 

[ellen10]

Looking forward to following along. Have a great trip!

 

[kookaburra75]

MrsK and I are strapping ourselves into our deck chairs to ride along, coughtails in hand - enjoy your time. We'll be reading/watching with interest.

 

[bPeteb]

MrsK and I are strapping ourselves into our deck chairs to ride along, coughtails in hand - enjoy your time. We'll be reading/watching with interest.

bAlt looking very ready

 

[Major]

Good looking Bloody Mary sitting there

 

[bPeteb]

On day 6 and have so far had the most incredible time.

Livingstone was amazing. Radisson Blu just a beautiful hotel. Sunset cruise on the Radisson's boat just excellent with hippos, crocs and elephants. The following morning's ultralight just after dawn wow. A lunchtime jet boat cruise that could have been for 14 just us. Rhino walk the next morning that was for up to 8, again just us.

Victoria Falls at sunrise yesterday morning for bAlt's birthday stunning

Staying at Chobe Safari Lodge in River Lodge rooms, just wow.

I’m just looking through the photos of our second game drive at Chobe. We thought yesterday afternoon's was incredible, with elephants as far as the eye could see along the river flats, but this morning we witnessed a pack of young lions stalk (right word?), chase and take down a young buffalo, right in front of us.

Too much going on to post and the laptop needs a charge.

The Sony RX10 IV is doing a stirling job, as is my old Samsung NX500 that hasn''t been switched on for seven years. Modern phones also just take amazing pictures, this year an iPhone 15 pro max and a Samsung S24 Ultra.

Stay tuned.

 

[bPeteb]

Just a couple to keep the punters interested

Radisson Blu sunset cruise


Ultralight over Vic Falls


Lunchtime jet boat cruise, elephant swimming across the Zambezi to Long Island

Rhino walk



Victoria Falls at sunrise

Elephants in the thousands at Chobe

Lion hunt and take down Chobe


These are all with my iPhone. Proper photos later

 

[RooFlyer]

Wow ...

 

[kpc]

We are day 6 in Namibia- @Ugeb Terrace lodge now...wow.wow!!...absolutely fantastic trip so far....off to Etosha today before moving onto Botswana and then Victoria Falls

 

[craven morehead]

Here we are, sat in the J lounge in Brisbane, wondering just when our flight to Sydney will eventually depart. And they wondered why we weren't comfortable with a two hour early morning connection!

View attachment 399682

Finally off to southern Africa in the morning. I'm not sure if I'll try to keep this up to date along the way, or just when we get home. You'll all know at the same time as I do.

Tonight down to SYD where we're staying at the Novotel across the road from the international terminal.

Tomorrow off to JNB on QF63. One night at the airport at the City Lodge then Airlink to Livingstone on Thursday.

Two nights at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya then across to Vic Falls and one night at the Cresta Sprayview where our tour with World Expeditions/Kiboko begins.

20 days through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

An extra couple of nights in CPT, Lift up to JNB, night in JNB,
then home in J on QF64.

This trip has been a long time in the planning, and the waiting, and we are very, very excited!

Can't wait for this TR Enjoy!