Destination Africa
What can you say about person who encourages you to chase your dreams? Who says: What are you afraid of? Go for it! We’ll make it work! We’ll find a way! Well, I call that person, my wife. Over the many years that we’ve been together I’ve talked about traveling to Africa, ‘one day’. The other day I sent her a link to this post from David DuChemin’s web site. The post was called, Come to Africa with me. My first thought was, that’s the trip that I’ve been waiting for. What a hoot that would be! Then, the old voice kicked in: Well, it costs too much, you can do it later, blah, blah, blah.
I sent a link to my wife, she read it and said, so, how much of a deposit do you need? What’s the total cost? I told her that the price was in Canadian Dollars, $4650, and I wasn’t sure how much it was in USD. It turns out to be $3829 USD. Now, this is a great price because it includes everything except airfare. I mean, hotel, transportation, fees, food, safari outings, guides, etc. All told, the trip is from January 9 – 20, but things really start on the 11th, as the first 2 days are set aside from travel. It’s about 26 hours to get from Charlotte.
I’d have to go Charlotte, NC -> Atlanta, GA -> Amsterdam, Netherlands -> Nairobi, Kenya, total flight time, 22 hours, 30 minutes. By far my longest flight EVER, by about 12 hours. As it is going to be a long way, for just a week, I was wondering what other trouble I could get into, perhaps staying over a few extra days, at the end, in Amsterdam? Do any of you live there? Want me to drop by? Sorry, I don’t know my European geography at all!
If it hasn’t sold out already, I’ll be there. I have no idea about traveling such distances with my gear and keeping it safe. I guess that I’ll have to depend on David to answer those questions. I’m quite excited about this trip of a lifetime.
This is the most wonderful thing I’ve heard in a long time. I’m so happy for you. If you can swing it, I’d stay over in Amsterdam. I’ve never been there, but the photo opportunities there must be staggering as well. This is excellent!
wow! sounds fantastic, and well done to you for grabbing the bull by the horns
Amsterdam is the same as a lot of other tourist destinations – quite tacky in the city centre but if you go a little out of the way it’s a beautiful city. There are so many little details with the canals and boats and bikes and tall skinny red brick buildings, it’s fantastic to photograph.
Paul, It sounds like a great adventure. Good for you!
@All: You guys should come along!
We’ll make it a group thing!
That sound great, quite an adventure. I don’t know how much time you can spend on other locations, but Amsterdam would definitely be a good place to take a coffee break. You would probably anyway be jet-lagged for a while so spending a day extra will put you in better shape before taking off to Kenya.
What great news! And, I say hooray for your wife. We will all be with you in spirit, and when you begin showing us your magnificent pictures from Africa we will be happy for you (and us!) all over again.
I know that you will find tons of material on traveling with camera gear. David’s site (along with his answers to your specific questions) will provide valuable information and you might check the sites of Scott Kelby and David Ziser, as well.
It sounds like the trip of a lifetime. What an amazing opportunity.
That’s sweet Paul. I have also always wanted to go….someday. That does seem like a pretty good price, but a week will be really quick.
@Mark. I know! I’m planning to see if I can leave early, spend a few days in Amsterdam, then continue on my journey to Africa.
What a wife!
Go for it!
Hi Paul,
Sounds tempting. I haven’t been to Kenya yet, hmmm…. however Amsterdam in January doesn’t appeal that much – but hey, I haven’t been their either so I shouldn’t be judgemental. Did you consider traveling to Kenya from Toronto? Also, you may want to consider the single supplement.
Anyhow, give me a call some time, and I’ll be happy to give you some tips on packing/lens/etc. Would be good to catch up.
Suggest you find your local travel clinic, and start on the shots and other prep. There are a couple its probably a good idea to have, that have to happen in multiple stages, if I remember correctly.
Glad to hear you’re venturing off the continent – just think 1 trip and you’ll visit 2 more continents.
Sounds like a good trip. Several from my Tanzania trip earlier in the year also did the A’dam stopover. It can be quite chilly in Jan but is usually quite dry.
Although I now live in The Hague (just down the road I also used to live in A’dam. Drop me a line if you’d like to know some more.
Hi Paul,
This will be great trip. I think a life-changing event. Years (30) ago I’ve been in South Africa and it changed my perspective on people and how they interact. Beside this I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the country. And I’m sure it will be the same for you.
I live in The Netherlands but not in the surroundings of Amsterdam. For me it’s a two drive (not that much
) So, if you want to know something, just let me know. Maybe we’ll meet each other. Happy planning… The pleasure before is as great as the trip itself.
Sounds quite a trip, congratulations to that decision – and my heartfelt compliments to your wife!
Amsterdam in January? Brr… you might have to have some luck with the weather. On the other hand the city holds enough in-sights to keep you occupied for a while. Say 1-2 years…
Just let me know when you are entering the more concrete planning phase! Amsterdam is just a comparatively short trainride (3-4 hours) from Bremen where I live when I’m in Germany. I would definitely consider coming over.
Thomas, thanks for the offer. I will certainly take you up on it. I plan to stay there a couple of days, I’m guessing. I’d love to meet you and to ride the train into Germany and wherever else the path may lead. I’ve never been to Europe, so I would be the typical gawking American tourist, but in a nice way!