Binoculars on Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa trip
What are your thoughts regarding binoculars. Something that we definitely should take along or not necessary?
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What are your thoughts regarding binoculars. Something that we definitely should take along or not necessary?
Comments
We always take them to Africa and use them especially for times like leopards up a tree
I am currently on this fantastic trip and I have a pair with me and haven’t used them. We have seen everything but haven’t seen a leopard in a tree yet. We have seen one resting in the shade. The wildlife is spectacular.
Bring them, or make a promise to yourself that you won’t borrow someone else's, who really will not want to give them up in places where they are needed.
I brought binoculars on this tour and did use them.
My wife thought it an “unnecessary expense” when I bought her a set of Zeiss 8x32 to go on this trip. They ended up being used in just about every game drive. And were promoted to the “best gift ever “ by the time we returned. TAKE THEM!
This was today with my iPhone and so much more. Fabulous trip.and the local guides are fantastic. It’s hot and mornings are chilly. Our headlamp came into good use for the nighttime game drive. Don’t miss a game drive because you’re tired. At the last minute, j hopped into the jeep and it was the best day. I had a fantastic massage today at Eagle Lodge in Botswana.
OurTravels34, Are those mosquitos enjoying snacking on you? Or are they not too bad?
HooHeel, the bugs are there but they are not too bad. I did use repellent on my neck, arms, and around my socks and dawn and dusk. What I am using more than I thought I would is my neck buff. I remember British recommending that. The next pic is from tonight’s game drive. I do feel bad for the Impala.
Thanks for the buggy info. I've got a scarf all set to go. Seeing your pictures is really making me want to leave today! Only a few days to go though... It looks like an incredible experience!!
At Livingstone in front of a room.
Love the leopard image.
Every time we go to Victoria Falls, there are mosquitoes. At the Livingstone hotel they were in our room too.
Whatever you do, keep away from those zebra, they have a dangerous kick and bite.
I always take binoculars to Africa. Sometimes I don’t feel like taking pictures other than with my mind, and binoculars come in handy for that. Loved all the animals roaming freely at the Royal Livingstone, even the curious zebra who was attempting to share my poolside lounge until a staff member shooed it away. 🦓
Currently the pool is under renovation at the Royal Livingstone.
OurTravels34, I swim every chance I get so I am happy that was not the case when I was there. It was a lovely spot on the Zambezi with a great poolside staff who would deliver all kinds of refreshments to order.
Argh. Total bummer about the pool; I was really looking forward to that. And the spa at the One&Only is closed for renos too. Bad timing.
At least the Table Mountain cableway is supposed to be running again on Monday.
(Linda, I'm planning to bring binoculars.)
Today was our meerkat excursion. However, the wind was clocking at 30 miles per hour and the meerkats were too smart to present themselves. Our group of 18 will try again after breakfast.
So sorry to hear about the wind. The meerkats experience is one of our favorites. Good luck later !
I’m trying to send a video to show the wind while we’re riding from the camp toward the meerkats but can’t figure out how to do that. We will go out again later (this time in the afternoon)to visit them and hopefully the wind will subside (fingers and toes crossed). Also, it was explained that sleeping under the stars is not an option in these windy conditions.
OurTravels34, so sorry about the windy conditions but do hope your second attempt to visit the meerkats is successful. They are so much fun, and the young tracker is very good at locating them.
Oh dear, those two activities are some of our most favorites ever, I hope conditions improve for you.
I hope the weather improved, and you were able to play with the meerkats!
Judy, unfortunately, it is not possible to upload videos from your devices to the Tauck forums. It is a hassle, but if you have a Google/YouTube account (channel?), you can upload the video to that, then link to the video in your forum post.
It wasn't windy on Meerkat day, but was darn cold. The outfitter had fleece-lined parkas for us, but even then it was cold.
A meerkat tried to climb up on my wife, but gave up after the first attempt when two oblivious co-travelers came up and scared it away!
All the digging paid off for this meerkat- a juicy grub for breakfast!
Meerkat and Me
We had beautiful weather in September, 2022. The pregnant meerkat was especially cute. Glad you were able to see them in the afternoon, OurTravels34. That is a great photo of you with a very curious one!
Yes, we were extremely lucky on that day when the winds died down for a little while. The winds were like a Cat 1 storm, I’m not kidding. I don’t want this trip to end.
I don’t want this trip to end!
Tauck exceeded my expectations once again. We’ve had such a lovely group of 18 friendly Tauck guests and an excellent tour director.
The one and only minor complaint that I have a bone of contention about is that the local guide in Capetown was non-stop coughing even though he claimed it was allergies. I can’t come to terms with that. Others also noticed the non-stop hacking and it was certainly mentioned to our tour director. This local guide appeared to be taking some kind of cough suppressant when he thought we weren’t noticing. This is just my opinion.