I echo the above comments!

You are all having such a wonderful experience. We thought that our trip was super but it was nothing compared to yours.We saw the animals of course but the TLC you are getting is amazing.I can hardly wait to see your pictures.You are really seeing the best of Africa.

Bette: I can't wait for pixs too - it sounds so over the top I just am living vicariously - Joanna

Thankyou for all the wonderful reports. I feel as if I'm right there with you. We are waiting for pictures please, please, please :D

Doris

Wow - these reports are amazing - I CAN NOT WAIT to see more pictures. Thank you all for posting. I really feel like I am there.

So I'm still trying to figure out who comes home tomorrow (Friday)? who goes to Victoria Falls or maybe somewhere else?? We need to keep track of our ROARers!

Love the great reports we've been getting. HUGE THANK YOUS for taking the time!!

Fantastic reports of fantastic adventures! Thanks to our ROAR friends for making us a part of your incredible trip-of-a-lifetme! Anxiously awaiting lots of pics!

Most of us are on our way to Victoria Falls.

Pam & Mark, Ray & Penny and Al & Betty are on their way home today. Brad & Leslie are going to Namibia. After Vic Falls, Anne & Gary are going to Botswana. Ngaire is also going somewhere else, but I can't remember where. I think that's right.

We'll be back in Boston Monday afternoon, as well as Mary Ellen & Jim.

Can't somebody fix the Megabucks slot machines in Vegas so I can win and go on this trip sometime in the near future?

I thought I was blown away by Arlene's description of the breakfast but Andi had to follow it up with her posts ... (sigh) I'm way past green now.

Seriously, I'm so happy for all of you that you got to experience all of this. Thank you all for all your posts and taking us along on your amazing-beyond-words trip.

Masaki

Checking in from the Johannesburg airport - we are cooling our heels in the South African Airways lounge waiting for our next flight.

This morning we took our 2 charter planes from the Singita air strip and then a quick ride over to the international terminal. The group split and we had our tearful, hugging goodbyes as most head for Victoria Falls and some people home. Brad and I are on to Namibia where I'm sure we'll run into Brad and Angelina as they await the birth of their baby there.... :eek:

I'm amazed how many people posted from Singita - the connection was slowwwwwwwwwww.

You've heard a lot of details already, but everyone could have stayed on at Singita for a few more days. Unfortunately they had a new group coming in so it wasn't an option. Still waiting to hear from Ngaire about the "onboard booking" deal for the next time.... :)

The service at Singita was just amazing, food fabulous and both lodges were just gorgeous. The pictures on the web site look great but you don't have a sense of the incredible amount of space to the "rooms" until you experience them.

The game drives were just fantastic. We'd head out in the morning from about 6:00 to 9:30 and then in the afternoon from 3:30 to 7:00 or so, depending on what we found. We each got an ecoguide, or species checklist, to record our observations. In our jeep Andi was the designated recorder - last night we all filled in the blanks in our books from her master copy. I was amazed at how close to the animals we were - lions sauntering right next to the jeep, a leopard posing on a tree branch about 10 ft away, elephants a few feet away, curious baby hyenas coming over for a look, warthogs sashaying by. Sometimes the ranger and tracker would hop out of the jeep (with a gun) to look for tracks or other evidence - how they can locate the leopards and lions in the grass is quite remarkable. Marilyn could be a tracker in training - there were a few times she saw an animal before our ranger did.

Several of the jeeps had "close encounters" with male elephants in musth (sp?)who were not at all pleased to have company, including one group who were having sundowners outside the jeep when the bug guy came by. Muchele will have to fill in the details, but it sounded very scary.

We were escorted to and from our rooms first thing in the morning and after dark - we heard quite a few stories of guests making the mistake of venturing out alone and meeting up with a leopard or lion. Lots of great stories were exchanged at dinner from the day's adventures - the guides at with us most nights and shared their experiences as well.

Will report in from Namibia upon our return.

Now I'm in the SAA lounge in the Johannesburg airport, settling in for a long wait. It would have been a lot longer, but they wouldn't let us even check in for the flight until 1 pm so we found a little on the third floor of the airport, with chairs. It was hard staying awake, I had major problems sleeping last night and 6 am came early. This is a strange keyboard, so excuse the bad typing.

This has been the most over-the-top experience I could ever hope for my lifetime. The view out across the grass and trees is so peaceful, and when you encounter an animal the excitement is fantastic.

We fly out about 8 tonight, it's not quite three now. Be home midafternoon tomorrow.

Wonderful hearing from you, Leslie. All of the reports have been thrilling! After everything has been said and done, I'm sure there will be many who will be signing up for ROAR II, III, etc.

Safe travels and very wonderful times in Nambia!

Safe travels back home to all! Thanks for taking the time out of very busy days to include us in your adventures! Every adventure experienced will remain in your memories forever!

Leslie,

I was just thinking that you might run into Brangelina (isn't that the cutsie name they have been given by the press?? UGH)....I think she is ready to give birth at any moment. Are you staying at the same resort they are at??

OHHHH....Arlene had me salivating and then Andi just had to push me over the top...I am with Masaki...WAYYYYYY past green!!!! :D

I can tell you THIS...I am playing the lottery much more often these days!!!

Sheri

I am wishing everyone a safe and uneventful flight home!! We missed you all and thank you for the updates you provided!

Thanks Gang! for all your wonderful reports!Wishing you all safe journey, whether home or to other stops.
I have loved tagging along on your incredible adventure!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

Betty

I have enjoyed your posts and all the pre planning for this incredible trip - and now we have pixs to look forward to viewing - all have safe journey home or to other places - you have been missed!!! Joanna

Thanks Leslie! I'm so happy you and Brad get to go onto Namibia. I remember way back from our planning days (seems sooooo long ago!) how much you wanted to go there. I guess Betty & Al are really ready to head home afterall they were in Egypt quite awhile before they met all the other ROARers.

Safe travels to all!! We love your postings!

Well look forward to the high speed versions of your reports from home. Thank you all for the virtual tag along. Safe journey to you all.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wonderful journey with us. It's been fun armchair traveling for those of us at home. And, Joanna is right, we have missed you here. Hard work trying to keep this board lively while so many of the die-hards are on ROAR.

Safe travels home. I can't wait for the pictures!

Thank you ROAR'ers! What an amazing trip. Can't top anything that already has been posted! For those returning, have a safe flight home and for those going on to other fabulous place, ENJOY!

Nancy

Just wanted to add another "Thank You" to all you for your wonderful reports, I never had any plans to go to Africa, nor ever thought of going there , but after reading about your experiance, it's on my list now.....Thanks again... :) :) :) P.S. safe trips home

Sounds like such an amazing trip! Thanks so much for taking time out of your vacation to allow us to enjoy it with you! What a special group! Everyone have a safe trip home - or more wonderful adventures for those of you staying longer!

Well, since no one has posted this part yet, I guess I'll add fuel to the fire.

We were in Ebony, and our range rover mates were Gerry and Peggy and Ray and Penny.

On our very last game drive we tracked down elephants, were looking for leopard, when our guide got a call from one of the other cars. We went to the field where they were. There were many impala and some wildebeest, and also four lions that we had seen that morning. Two of the female lions were starting to stalk a wildebeest, but things were moving very slowly. The other Ebony jeep (Ngaire & Ken's) finally decided to give up and leave. We stayed a little longer and were just ready to leave (we were late for dinner!) when the guide spotted one of the lionesses circling around to come from the other side. We were in pitch black. You could see eyes sometimes, and occasionally the guide would sweep a spotlight across the field so we could see what was going on. We saw the two lionesses approaching the wildebeest from opposite directions, and then 5 seconds later was a loud screech.

The guide turned on our lights and we raced for the kill. The two male lions joined them, and the four of them started tearing the wildebeest to shreds. It was very gory, but you couldn't keep your eyes away. There was a distinctive smell, and you could see steam rising from the warm flesh. It was amazing to all of us that even after an event like that, there were unconcerned that we were 15feet away with a spotlight constantly on them.

Ray has the best pictures on his videocam as most of our cameras didn't do well with the light from the spotlight.

We didn't have time to change for dinner that night, but everyone understood (and envied us!)

What a trip this has been!!!! I must leave now for the helicopter ride over Victoria Falls :o

Betty

We are here at Vic Falls. Our day yesterday was mostly a travel day. We left Singita with tears in our eyes. Our ride to the plane was very sad. Our hostesses hugged us goodbye and, as our planes took off (we had 2 chartered planes) our rangers waved goodbye from the landing strip. I felt like someone from Fantasy Island who was going back to reality. It was surreal.

We all made it to the Joburg airport safely, watched Ray's videotape of the Lion/Wilderbeast encounter, and bid Pam/Marc, Ray/Penny, and Brad/Leslie fond farewells. We already miss them.

Check-in,luggage storage and boarding were easy. Arrival had a few snafus. Four couples had no rooms at the Royal Livingstone and were walked to their sister property, the Zambezi Sun. Four couples did not have visas waiting. Ngaire quickly resolved and we were all successfully located at our hotels.

After Singita, the hotel pales (Buckingham Palace would pale), but it is very nice, and we have a lovely view from our room. The grounds are lovely and there are monkeys and zebras roam free.

We took a wonderful helicopter ride of the falls with Betty and Al today and a tour yesterday. We have a boat cruise this sundown. Suzanne leaves us today and then we all leave tomorrow at 11:30 for Joburg. Doug AND I stay one extra day there. We backed out of the 1/2 day 4 corners tour as it 'left at 7:30am and didn't return until 3. We decided to spend a quiet day here.

Off to the pool to read and relax. Pizza at the pool at Ngaire's hotel today.

What an awesome report, Betty! A hard thing to watch, but too riveting to divert your eyes from!

Relax and enjoy, Andi. Safe travels home! Hopefully, good news awaits you on the job scene!

Holy smoke!!

I finanally get a chance at the computer and my flight is being called at Jo'burg!!

I am on total sensory overload...

Off to Frankfurt, will try and post there from the fabulous first class terminal (had a bubble bath there on the layover enroute to SA).

To my family, yes, I am alive and well.

Have a great time relaxing in that first class lounge! Safe travels home! Looking forward to hearing all about your experiences that caused your sensory overload ;)

Chatterbox that I usually am, some of you may have wondered whether I was even on this adventure! We just arrived at Dulles this a.m. after our 15+ hr. flight in the back of the plane from Johannesburg. I'm stuck in Baltimore because I had car problems on the way to the airport before leaving that hopefully will be resolved by tomorrow. Thank heavens for grown kids who will come to bat in a pinch, as my son had the car towed for me the day we left.

Both our flights on SAA were nearly empty, so every passenger had an entire row to themselves for sleeping (as good as it can get back there in the rear). So I actually arrived back in the states rested!

What a trip! Thanks to Andi, Pam, and Arlene, and Betty for providing blow by blow descriptions of our many adventures. I was on the drives with Marc and Arlene, so she has passed along the exciting parts, and to me the best was the last night when we came upon 11-12 lions who were "resting". Amazing to watch the sense of community among these animals! There were young ones of about 2 yrs lying all about, and at one point, we changed our position in the jeep, and from a short distance away, I heard a low rumbling sound. It turned out to be one of the mothers just coming around the corner, and what a sight to behold when all the little kitties came from everywhere, nestling up to her, vying for her affections. She hugged and licked them all,and after awhile, stood and walked over to another mother, greeted her with a kiss, and they nestled each other before sitting down side by side. I HOPE my photos of this encounter turned out well. Not long after, the male lion came around and just strode through the group, making sure his harem was still in the neighborhood. It was an experience I shall never forget, being able to sit safely in a vehicle watching them move about without feeling threatened by us interlopers.

Other memories that stand out: Arriving at Cape Grace with Suzanne for check-in on the official first day, and the impromptu gathering that occurred in the lobby with all meeting and greeting or becoming reacquainted from previous cruises; the first night drive when the lions were roaring close by on all sides of the jeep; seeing that hippo open his mouth wide as a warning (got a GREAT shot of that one); one particularly colorful sunset on a sundowner one of the nights; having the time on the train to get to know our fellow ROARER's; a "close encounter" with a bull elephant in musth (I think that's how I saw it spelled); the incredible beauty of Singita, and the impeccable service there (they went all out for a beautiful Boma dinner at Ebony, and for our last night outdoors in Boulders when some of the Ebony guests were visiting); watching the monkeys and laughing at their antics (from a distanc when possible for me). It was one more B&K experience that brought a diverse group of people together who share a love of travel and know how to have a great time, and most of all love to laugh together. Can't wait to get home and share pictures with all!

How wonderful to hear from you, Olivia, and happy to hear you're well-rested. Can't wait to see your pix and some more memories. Am sure Joanna loved it also!

Glad to hear from you, Olivia. Can't wait to see your pictures. Welcome home.

Yes I was green the whole time, but I've also enjoyed everyones commentary (so much so, that this forum was the first I checked each day). You have all brought to life through your words, the amazing experience. Thank you all for allowing me to share through your words such a fabulous trip.

Olivia, welcome home! Thanks for sharing your favorite memories. I would haved loved seeing the lion moms with the kids! Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Dena

Welcome home, Olivia! You've been missed, as have all the other ROARers.

Looking very much forward to more reports and fantastic photos from you!

Hope your car problems are resolved quickly, too!

Olivia,

Can't wait for those photos!!!!!!! Welcome home and thanks for reporting.

Betty

Hi Oliva,

Welcome home! Glad you had a great time. You and the other Roarers were missed! Really looking forward to your photos.

Olivia: Glad you are home - everyone was missed - look forward to your pixs and experiences - what a trip!!! As much as I want to experience your memories I know you all are suffering from jet lag.... Joanna

Welcome home O. You guys have sure been missed!! Can't wait to hear all about your fantastic trip.

Olivia - welcome back! Yes, I was wondering about you and the monkeys. :) Did Joanna handle them better?

Masaki

Welcome home Olivia!! We missed you tons but it was worth missing you as I know that you will have the greatest pictures!!

Welcome back Olivia from your amazing trip! I'm sure you will never forget it!