Yeah! And we can call it BOW WOW!

Ngaire, I just got the chance to catch up with all your reports. What a fantastic experience you have had for your family vacation! You are so kind to allow us all to travel with you vicariously.

And Ken, as always your photos are breathtaking!

PERFECT!! Love it!

Love that...count us in for Bow Wow !

It would be great fun! Bow Wow could stand for Bringing Our World Wanderers Out West. It's a sweet idea for a gathering, But, Bow Wow probably stands for Bet Our Wishes Were Overly Wishful.

We left Leopard Hills and said goodbye to our safari adventure. One group picture was taken I will see if Ken can post it before we leave. Our last game drive we finished up with the 8 three month old lion cubs, what a way to end. It has been an absolutely incredible trip that exceeded all our expectations.

The lion experience everyone enjoyed. Those that walked were thrilled. They planned it so the kids could stay with the smallest cubs for the hour that the others walked. That was wonderful normally you get about 10 minutes with the cubs. I was so pleased with how much they worked with our group.

We had one person who became ill so Ken stayed behind, went to a pharmacy and then came straight to Sterling Manor a hotel where my family and Jim and Pam were staying one night after the lions. This allowed our "sickie" to rest as he was facing the flight home that night. All the Websters, and other Turners were flying home the same night as the lion encounter.

The point being Ken was not there to take any pictures I should have thought of this and taken his camera. Ralph took pictures.

We ended up at McDonalds for lunch for the kids after the lions. What a nightmare that was. NO FRIES, can you imagine a McDonalds with no fries. Kids were not happy campers. The service was so slow we could have had a nicer sit down lunch. The adults struggled through a bad lunch but the tummies were full so that was all that mattered. As we were leaving there must have been 100+ kids all in school uniforms that arrived. That gave us a good laugh, 100 kids, slow service and no fries. Glad we were out of there.

The place we stayed in Hartbeesport was wonderful. Beautiful House with great spacious and comfortable rooms with lots of public space. All looking out to the beautiful lake with green mountains in the background and white yachts bobbing on the water. We played cards in the afternoon and then went to Squires for dinner. The kids treated for this meal and it was more food than we could handle. Incredible huge plates of food and South Africa is so reasonable. A full rack of ribs $9 and the beef filet $13.50.

Problem was my grandson Connor was so sad. He really connected with Ralph's grandchildren. Charlotte and Ben. He was crying when they left, could not play cards long and at dinner started crying again. Guess he was remembering his "kids table" where they ate every meal together. The chatter at that table never stopped. He cried very quietly on Mom's lap. I have not seen him cry since he was tiny. He also adored his Uncle Ralph as he now calls Ralph. Hopefully these kids will all get together again.

Off to my final breakfast eggs benedict served with a lake view. Then off to the airport for the long flight home.

We , all six, are in the American flagship lounge. Flight was from my view better than flight to JNB I think I slept more. We got checked in at American with no problems and used fast track for security as we were first or business. It is now 8:20 am. Been here for a bit. Our flight is not until 3:15. We are going via JFK in New York so do not get home until 1am.
Missing all our safari family already.
Great trip but we all are a bit exhausted at this point. Will be good to be home

Ps ti jim and Pam. We got to JNB by 5:00pm so Brian should have had plenty of time to fix the plane tics

Sent from my iPad 2

Posting for Ralph:

Love that final picture. It really shows how close you can be to those lions on the walk. Karen thanks for posting that for Ralph and Ralph thanks for standing in for Ken.

Ken and I, Cindy and Mark are now in Heathrow terminal 5. We all crashed on the flight from JNB to LHR so feel pretty good for coach flight back to DFW. Clay, Brooke, Connor and Taylor are all in the terminal 3. I am anxiously waiting to hear if "skippy" my wild dog carving made it through security. Clay is carrying it for me. I did not want to check it. We named him Skippy as the wild dogs we saw at Madikwe there was one dog that was injured. This dog skipped along on three legs so we named him skippy.

Then back to work. As soon as I catch up I will start work on the 2015 safari. Hopefully in a couple of weeks those confirmed will hear at least some preliminary information from me.

Have loved all reports of this trip. So perfect. And the pictures are the best. Now if by some slim chance I make the 2015 cut, life would be grand. If not, I'll patiently wait for 2016. I walked with the tigers in Thailand this year. Next comes the lions!
Thanks to all who took us along.

Welcome home! Thanks for taking time from your family vacation to post reports and pictures. What a fascinating adventure!

I agree with Priscilla's comments - I so enjoyed the pictures and reports of activity! Thank you all XXOO

Home with all our luggage. Last ones home after a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for following along

Glad to hear everyone is home safely. It was a wonderful adventure just reading all of the posts. I'm sure it is a trip that all family members will remember for a lifetime!

Skippy my wild dog has to have surgery!

His tail came off but a surgical procedure know as "quality wood glue" will fix him right up and he will be good as new. Clay has volunteered to do the surgical procedure.

Bugging everyone I can about 2015 details hopefully something soon.

Ngaire, while you are "bugging everyone", is the lion walk an option in 2015? Truly looked like an awesome experience.
Oh and welcome home! Best wishes for Skippy's speedy and complete recovery
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Helen

Oh poor little Skippy. Hopefully he'll have a quick recovery with Dr. Clay's steady hand and loving bedside manner.

Helen, Walk With The Lions is a fun, almost a sureal experience. Definitely sign up for it if it's offered. We also spent the afternoon at Hartbeespoort Elephant Sanctuary which is great....I was kissed by an elephant!

Thanks, Marcie I will be first in line to sign up for both if available.
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Helen

Skippy is the perfect pet - you don't have to feed it or clean up after him - or is it a her?


And it's environment friendly - live dog waste is blamed for 20 to 30 percent of pollution in all US waterways.


I have a pet Mexican jumping bean - Pedro - no fuss no mess!

The Ukutula Lion experience.

I have been twice now and to put it honestly not my favorite thing. Whereas others just LOVE it. In 2012 I took a group and it was a split decision. 50% thought it was worth it and 50% did not think so. My sister in law LOVED it and is going back and wants to stay in the lodging there for more time with the lions. Different strokes for different folks.

It is a BIG hassle to do it really and more expense. A long day from Johannesburg about a 2 to 3 hour ride out and back in one day is tough. It requires an extra overnight for sure.

We had a two charter planes for the 24 of us to facilitate this but it still added a lot of expense and time for a two hour program.

If you come in early to do this or stay over to do it then anyone can do it independently but I do not think I want to do another "group" to Ukutula.

Ngaire:

I agree. The best way to do 'Walk w/ the lions' is to do it on your own pre or post.
While it is great fun to do it with travel friends, logistics are just easier.

My 2 cents.

Doug

I would echo that doing the Ukutula "walk with the lions" as a pre or post JNB visit is the way to go. I did this on my own in 2011 and was part of the family group this year. We did it for the kids and I am pleased we did, however it was costly and very time consuming. My experience in 2011 was different than the experience this year and from talking to Ngaire her experience last year was different than this year and my earlier experience.
It is impossible to predict how much time Ukutula will allow one to have with the lion cubs. It could be as little as 15 minutes or so. That is not much time for the investment of ones time to do that.

We too did it on our own post safari and it was a wonderful experience. We hired a driver who picked us up from Fed Air and drove us directly to the lodge. We ate dinner and stayed overnight at the lodge. The following morning we were awakened by the roar of a lion. We ate breakfast and did all the lion activities in the morning refreshed and without any rush. The cats were much livelier in the morning too.

After lunch at Ukutula, a driver picked us up and we went to the elephant sanctuary that afternoon. After a few hours there, we were driven to JNB for our 7:30pm BA flight home. I think staying over night at the Ukutula WWL lodge made all the difference (though the accommodations were Motel 6ish but just fine for our purpose)

I like Marcie's approach. I guess we have some time to think about it but if you have the contact info for the driver you used, Marcie, I would appreciate it.
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Helen

There is also a WONDERFUL BOUTIQUE hotel we used halfway between Ukutula and JNB airport. Stirling Manor it was delightful at the lake. That may also work for you I can recommend that without any hesitation.

I second that. Lovely place with nice staff and lovely views. good place to unwind.

CITY HOPPER is reasonable and used to taking people to Ukutula. STirling Manor also said they use CIty Hopper the transport wont be hard to arrange.

Helen, I too used City Hopper. I emailed them a head of time hopper@telkomsa.net They also have a web site www.cityhoppers.co.za.
I didn't have to put down a deposit, I printed out the confirmation and they were there waiting for us at the Federal Air terminal..

Thanks, Ladies! Something to think about for the next year. It is so helpful to know what things CAN be done so I only have to think about which things we have the time to do during my limited vacay time!
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Helen

Finally Ken put up some pictures on SMUGMUG this morning. More interesting for those that were along on the trip but I have been asked when some will be posted so here they are.

http://ngaire.smugmug.com/AFRICA/Africa-Tours/Family-Safari/32061861_Zc5FMK

Sorry no idea why that wont post the link it usually does

OMG, I've never seen more beautiful pictures in my life. These are amazing Ken !! One just more beautiful than the next.

I agree Marcie - they are wonderful. Thanks so much Ngaire and Ken for taking the time to share them with us.

Very, very nice pictures!!!

Thanks for posting.

Doug

What a treat for us to see these awesome photos! Just WOW!!!

Wonderful photos. Never thought I'd rave about one with a "kill," but the one with the two heads (predator and prey) is amazing. Sure has us salivating for Africa 2015.

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Eugene

It's been 5 years since I was on safari, but still have a great time looking through photos. It sure does make me want to return. Someday......