Hello,

Since I have so much time on my hands before we leave (in 3 days) for our long anticipated trip, I figured I would give this a shot and see if I can in some way bring you with on our Safari experience. I have absolutely no idea if we will have any kind of internet in the "bush" but at least I will be ready if we do. It is also for myself, so I can document the trip for reference.

As of yesterday, our plans are completely booked, confirmed and paid for. I couldn't even fathom a guess as to how many hours I (well me and Gudrun with Wild-Wings Safaris) spent pulling this trip together, expecially since we have a 9 hour time difference as she is in South Africa. If you are making plans for a long awaited trip such as this, do NOT book 3 weeks before you go. You will want to book at least 3-6 months in advance. Most of the places we are staying only have 8 to 10 accomodations at each camp, so squeezing us in at the last minute has been a challenge. It is also high season.

Although I have sent most of you our general itinerary, I will post it here so if you wish, you can check it out as we go.

OCT 29 Depart Seattle for Paris 2:55pm arrive 8:50am

OCT 30 Depart Paris 10:30am arrive 10:00pm Johannesburg

OCT 30 Overnight in Johannesburg Don Jo-Berg Hotel

OCT 31 Depart Jo-berg 9:55am for Richards Bay arrive 11:35am

OCT 31 Road transfer to Zulu Nyala in Zululand, Kwa Zulu Natal

OCT 31-NOV 3 3 nights http://zulunyala.com/accomht.htm

NOV 3-6 3 nights http://zulunyala.com/accomgl.htm

NOV 6 Road transfer back to Richards Bay where I am hoping to stick my feet in the Indian Ocean http://www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-richards-bay.html#Content

NOV 7 Fly back to Jo-berg to catch direct flight to Kings Camp http://www.kingscamp.com/gallery.html

NOV 7-10 Kings Camp located in country of Mpumalanga-Kruger National Park-Timbavati Nature Reserve

NOV 10-12 Still in Kruger NP but travel by bush plane to Inyati http://www.inyati.co.za/album_select.asp in the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve

NOV 12 travel by road transfer to town of Sabie

NOV 12-14 Lone Creek River Lodge http://www.lonecreek.co.za/riversuites.html

NOV 13 Bus tour of Panorama Route of the Drakensburg escarpment http://www.southafrica-travel.net/north/a1mpuma3.htm

NOV 14 travel by road to Nelspruit-Kruger airport for our trip back to Jo-berg

NOV 14 Leave Jo-berg 8:30pm arrive Paris 6:00am

NOV 15 Leave Paris 10:00am arrive Seattle 11:55am

NOV 15-22 SLEEP!!

South African Currency

Below is the currency for South Africa. It is called Rand

$100.00usd =zar 1120

The currency represents the "Big 5" which is the main attraction for African safaris. The big 5 includes the rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard. Most people feel their safari is a success if they see the Big 5. We are looking forward to all of it, that would just be a bonus.