luggage for Africa trip

[MrsPotatohead]

@gabasaurus hey! so I'm slowly making my way through all this info and had a few questions since it sounds like you were there a while...

I looked into the flatdogs camp, amazing!! However, now I'm seeing things saying that Nov can start to be the rainy season/the low season/possibly harder to see animals etc. Any thoughts? I don't think at this point we can change when we do the vacation unfortunately, but wondering if that would change your decision to go somewhere else? I don't know much about what the 'rainy season' means, except that a friend from Kenya said it's not like what we have here, it's crazy and makes things difficult. This seams like such a stupid question, but I'm assuming the rainy season is different in different places...?

Basically, I'm torn between S. Africa and Zambia (I think) although the Flatdogs place looks really fun and I'd like to be able to also see Victoria Falls, so I think it would be easier to do that if we were there vs. S Africa. But I haven't see the rainy season mentioned as much in my (limited) research, when does that happen? Would the fact that we have to go in early Nov change your rec? thanks so much!

[MrsPotatohead]

@gabasaurus thanks, that helps a lot!

So not sure if I clarified this, but my H is going to Malawi for work, so that part is set the thing we're trying to decide is what to do after that, Nov 10-17... ugh I'm sad to maybe not go to Zambia now because I was really getting excited about it Of course everything I google is like "it could be hot like October or rainy like December" lol Kruger does seem pretty amazing, so it's not like that would be a bad choice though

Ok, here's another question: I've been *trying* to get my H to say what he's interested in and the only solid thing he's given me is "if there's a chance to actually do something rather than look at it, I want to do that" LOL Like, he saw that hotel in Kenya where the giraffes come up really close and there's pictures of them sticking their heads inside. I did also come across something where you can help at an elephant sanctuary. Have you heard of or had good experiences at any of these things? Is it worth the cost (I assume it's $)?

[MrsPotatohead]

oh I totally forgot about where you mentioned the cichilds, thanks! I think he would really enjoy that. and thanks for the other links/recs, there are so many things to consider!

[MrsPotatohead]

@sfgal530 LOL so I was literally *just* looking at the GM site and was joking with H about how ridiculous the cost was, haha. We couldn't afford that I mean, overall I realize this trip is once in a lifetime so I'm trying to weigh places that are more reasonably priced with making sure we do take advantage of the amazing opportunities!

The elephant experience sounds amazing, but I am definitely over here about the cost!!  I've been telling H how great it would be if we had a month and a million dollars, there are so many amazing things to see, it's really hard to choose.

Thanks for the lion cub rec, I'll look into it! I'm getting pretty sold on Victoria Falls, it just seems so amazing and I really like the other recs I've gotten for places in Zambia. I also looked at some websites about the weather/animal sighting for Kruger and it was pretty bad for Nov, so that might not be worth it anyway

ETA: yes, I also was just looking at the Devil's Pool thing, we will barely miss the time when you can do it, but you can only enter from Zambia and the video is CRAZY.  H was like "um NO WAY, that's too scary" and was laughing.  I mean wow, what an experience, but it looks terrifying!

[MrsPotatohead]

@gabasaurus more questions ok, so I'm feeling pretty good about Zambia - the weather might be hit or miss, but overall I'm just more excited about all the things there are to see there. Do you think it's reasonable to go by land from Malawi to Zambia? Basically that would be the most direct way: Blantyre (H is staying here) -> Lilongwa (probably won't say here, but go through it) -> Flatdogs (stay) -> Victoria Falls (stay) -> fly out of Lusaka

Both because of cost and also backtracking, it seems like flying would be a hassle, but it's hard to figure out how reasonable (cost/safety?) it is to drive? bus? cab? Luckily my H will be staying there so I'm feeling like if it's a reasonable option, he could get it figured out before I get there.