Hi guys,

It is really not too much moving around...the length of the trip just makes it appear so.

With 3 nights at Linyanti Bushcamp (www.africanbushcamps.com), this should be a moderately lengthed visit for my first stop.

Then, with 3 nights at Chiefs Camp and 3 nights at Baines Camp, both in the Okavango Delta, those 6 nights should combine very well.

Finally, with the four nights split between Kwando Lagoon and Kwando Lebala (they are separated by only 18 miles which is about an hour drive apart), those four nights work well.

Unfortunately, I could not make Kwando Kwara work in connection with the other Delta camps and this will be a bit disruptive to return to the Delta for only two nights, but then again, I suppose it will be good to get one last look until next time which could be at least a couple years as I will be making two trips next year (one to Zimbabwe for three weeks and the other to Zambia for three weeks).

What I always try to do is save my South African safari as my dessert. I love the luxury safari experience of South Africa but let's not pretend that you are in the wilds of Africa the same way that you are in Zambia or Botswana. But that is okay and it is nice to have the creature comforts that the South African lodges often provide (telephones, heating/air conditioning, internet access, near guaranteed Big Five gameviewing, easy access to Johannesburg airport, etc.)

So, with 3 nights at the highly esteemed Sabi Sabi (which is a bit dizzying with my first night at Selati Camp, my next at Little Bush Camp and my final at Earth Lodge) and then 2 nights at Mateya (reputed to be in the same luxury caliber as Singita), I should get a great dessert!

Then, given that I live in Los Angeles and it only adds a couple hours to the journey, I have chosen to fly Los Angeles to Sydney to Johannesburg and on the return I will spend two nights in Sydney. Sydney is a fascinating city, but I would be lying if I did not confess that it was mostly to tick off continent #6 with only Antarctica remaining. Hopefully Antarctica comes in February 2008 and then I can die...well, I would prefer another 50 years, if possible (after all, I am only 35), but if I do die, ah, oh well, at least I made it to all 7 continents! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />