It's looking very bad indeed. I've personally seen the part of Chobe that's destroyed (see my trip report in this thread; it will be described at "day 12"). Johan, who's just back told me that there were fires on 3 sides around Duba (if I'm not mistaking). So it's not getting better....

DAY 10: CHOBE Today we slept a little later as we were booked for a boat trip on Chobe river. We took the long road to the lodge though (= through the park's smaller road towards the east gate, instead of the main road. That main road also goes towards the same gate, but as someone staying in the park you're not supposed to take it I think as it is like a regular road going though the park. What lodge you ask? I forgot the name. It was almost right next to the gate. Boat trip started at 8AM. Johan and Frans were clearly in the mood. http://www.pixelpower.be/temp/Botspics_logue/Bots55.jpg Right... we saw so much that morning, I can't summarize it all. It comes down to this; the boat guide did not have to go very far, as about every 10 meters (on average) there'd be a new species and/or a great sighting.

Cheers for your replies!! I don't think I will be able to afford really expensive safari's, I will be traveling alone and want to try and do as much stuff as I can off my own back, whilst still meeting people! Is 50 days enough?? I really want to get off the beaten track and stay away from the tourist areas! Thanks.

Does anyone know of any company that organises a trip to Senegal from Gambia. I will staying in a place close to the Gambian Capital, Banjul, and would like to take advantage of Senegal's close proximity and have a side trip there, maybe staying overnight. I'm aware that a ferry crossing exists but was wondering about a company who would take the 'hassle' factor away. Regards Flock152.

Hey, I volunteered for 6 months in Ghana West Africa and had an amazing experience, I fully reccomend a trip there especially if its your first time to Africa, I went with Projects Abroad and they seemed pretty organised. . Check it out, and good luck. Alice..

Sauti ya Busara - the sounds of wisdom. This is a great friendly festival for all tastes in tunes! I can't recommend it enough and have been every year so far. Accommodation close to the Old Fort where the festival is held gets pretty packed so booking soon is a good idea..

When visiting Udzungwa finding somewhere to stay outside the park is a bit of a minefield with overpriced low standard tourist hotels and campsites. There is a new campsite being built, the Udzungwa Forest Campsite that will be opening from the 1st of December this year. This is much further from the road than other campsites in the area so you do not get traffic noise. There are also spectacular views of the mountains. From this location it is possible to do a lot of cultural tourism activities as well as hike in the park. When I was there just now I saw 3 species of Hornbill in half an hour..

OK, since I'm just back from the delta (Moremi and Khwai too) etc, I thought I'd answer a 2nd time... - once out of Maun and in the delta; no connection. Not in Moremi. Not in Khwai area. Not in Savuti. BUT! - from anywhere at the Chobe waterfront (so not inland of the park of course) you have coverage, most of the time by more than one operator. Close to Kasane, one or occasionaly more of those operators may be Botswanean, but farther west most are from Namibia (the Caprivi strip just on the other side of Chobe river)..

That's a lot of money they're asking for. It makes you wonder if they were interested in denting the reputation of tourism like it says there, or just after the money alone. It's sad to see this kind of thing happening, hopefully they'll be able to sort it out and make sure everyone is safe... But I have a feeling it won't involve the amount of money that the kidnappers are after..

Hi this is johncena.I just recently went to morocco and had a pretty good time. I could only stay for about a week, but i want to go back! I wrote about it on my blog if you want to check it out.It is a beautiful country, but you just have to get passed the people...who can be very..well....bothersome. i want to visit one more time . its a nice place. ================================================================= johncena.

We are going out there for a mounth from the 12th December untill the 10th of January to kayak the White Nile befor it is destroyed by the Bujagali dam Project. We plan to stay around the Jinja area however i am also up for possibly traveling away from the river a bit to see some off the rest of the county. Is any one else in the area at this time? What woud People sugest seeing/doing.

We were recommended to visit the Jardin Majorelle to escape the city hustle and bustle and, although it did provide a pleasant interlude, I wouldn't really go out of my way to see it. We found it far more relaxing just to sit on the roof terrace of our riad, feeding our breakfast crumbs to the birds and gazing up at the storks circling in the clear blue sky above..

I think its a nice place. I had my vacation in Egypt around 10 years back.Although I was quite young at that time, I could recall the beauty of that place.If you want any information about the attractions and hotels of that place, let me know. =======================================================.

anybody know of some reasonable self catering accommodation in or near Grand Bai in Mauritius.

For me Capetown has always been a favorable tourist place, I could not make it there in the all these years and am all set to go there this year end. Some of the tips provided here would be helpful for me but the idea of not roaming in the night seems to be a point of concern for me. Though as one of you suggested its wise to move around without appearing to be a tourist I feel thats enough for us to be safe, Interestingly some of my friends who did visit this place did not tell me anything like this which suggests night life is not that risky as the friends I am talking about are night freaks. But its always prudent to adopt caution I guess I will have an exciting story to share when I return from the vacation there..

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I've been to Morocco and Tunisia, in quite different circumstances. I went to Morocco by train during a month's interrailing when I was 21, taking the ferry over from Algeciras in Spain to Tanger in northern Morocco. We then took a night train down through the country to Marrakesh, which, 15+ years later ( :shock: ) I still view as one of my favourite places I have been to. I'm sure that this is in part due to culture shock, as I had never set foot outside Europe until then, and having boarded a ferry in Spain the night before, I got off a train 12 hours later in a completely different world. The Djemaa-el-Fna is one of the trult amazing experiences of travel, and the sizzling food there each evening is superb! After 3-4 days in Marrakesh, we went to Fes, about half way back to the north coast, which is mostly a more modern city, but with an ancient labyrinth of a souk to get lost in (worth taking a guide, as even though they will take you to the shops of all their brothers, uncles and friends, you will get in to see craftsmen at work - tanning leather in huge pitted clearings, weaving carpets on secluded balconies down back alleys, and hammering designs into metal plates in cramped workshops behind shops).

[quote]Is it one of those silverbacks? I want to see some silverbacks[/quote] You'll almost always see a silverback, as there's one leading every family of gorillas..

Of course all the above responses are absolutely right. The only thing I would say is please make sure you're sensitive. No need for head to toe covering for women or anything like that, but particularly when you head out into the rural areas, be sensitive about the culture. The amount of time I've seen women in skimpy dress in inappropriate places are innumerable, and it just gives western women a bad reputation!.

Victoria falls is located on Zambia. So Lathita is right. You can add Botswana on your destination. You can have a great safari vacation on the month of May or June. That is the best time to safari on Botswana..