Kenya says "No"!

I snapped this photo while in Kenya last month. Get this-there is NO SMOKING allowed in all of Kenya. The country has banned smoking. What a concept, eh? For those who just can't go without, some safari camps have created smoking areas. It's usually a lone(ly) chair, placed out in the middle of a grassy area, perhaps under a tree. (The government says this is OK).
If you want a relatively smoke-free vacation, come to Kenya.

FGASA Guides 'R Us

Alison and Jody have both completed one of the world's strictest field guide courses for FGASA. Field Guide Association of South America exams entail a grueling month-long course covering such modules as astronomy, geology, biology and zoology. Of the 15 enrolled in their courses, only seven passed the exam. Two of those seven are our own safari gals....Jody and Alison!
Congratulations!

Off to Zambia!

Hello! Jody here sending you a message from Zambia! I'm here with a wonderful group of adventurers heading out into the bush for an amazing two weeks. I started my trip in Johannesburg where I was lucky enough settle in before trekking out to Lusaka and the beginning of our safari. Within the first few days, two of our guests had already experienced a safari-by-horseback, and that was just the beginning. By the time you get this, I will be somewhere on a tributary of the Zambezi river half way around the world. There will be lots of stories to tell, which I'll post here for everyone.

Alison is busy putting together our 2009-2010 safari season, including a special trip to Tanzania, perhaps two (!) If you need anything, she and my assistant, Kerri, are womaning the phone lines to assist you until I return.

See you back in the States in September.

Jody

Cathy & Alison in Kenya

Ahhhh...Africa! Alison and I returned late Monday night from our wonderful 11-day safari in Kenya. We were shuttled to and fro in small planes and open-top vehicles, staying at 6 camps and 2 luxury hotels. It was non-stop, for the most part, until we landed at Porini Lion Camp. The rest of our travel agents group split off for their connections and continuing vacations while we treated ourselves to a virtually private safari. About half of the camps are eco-friendly and we discovered that one really could take a hot shower...even though it was a bucket shower. The Masai staff would haul one 10 liter bucket of cold water and one 10 liter bucket of hot water to our tents, pour the water into a canvas bucket, hoist it up using a rope pulley and voila! we had a hot shower! We had delicious food, incredibly comfortable beds and guides who seemed to know everything. We saw enough birds and mammals to keep us talking about Africa for many months ahead.

Enjoy!

Cath