RV'ing in Africa!

Our heads are still spinning because of this upcoming Namibia trip!

We're now thinking four months in Africa. There is simply too much to see. It looks like we're only allowed 3 months in Namibia itself, but if that's the case we would also spend time in South Africa and/or Botswana.

Some interesting things we're learning about that part of the world.

Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.

First of all, RV style camping is a fairly popular thing. Our friends Glen and Steve spent nine months in a combi (VW style) van camping and exploring, so we knew that it was possible, we just didn't realize that there would be that many RV parks and camping spots available. Turns out that there are quite a few, and that there are even RV clubs and lots of RV rental places. Boondocking (dry camping) is also allowed pretty much anywhere, the problem is getting an RV that's equipped with a solar panel.

We believe that RV'ing and camping would be the way to go for that long of a trip. The only problem is that renting for that long would not make economic sense so we're looking at other options. We're going to advertise on some South African caravan club websites for a motorhome exchange where we would use somebody else's camping rig for a time while we're there. In exchange that person would be able to come to Canada and/or the U.S. and use Sherman (our motorhome) for the summer of 2014. Or, we may be able to do a promotional deal with a self-drive company who rents motorhomes over there and I'll be doing some research into that possibility. The third option is actually buying something. An older combi van style that we could sell when we leave. It's a great option providing you get a good enough deal when you buy it. That's what Glen and Steve did.

Another thing on our agenda is a new camera. There's no way I'm going to Africa with just a little compact "point and shoot", however I also don't want to spend thousands of dollars, nor do I want to carry a huge amount of gear or interchangeable lenses. So I'm looking at a compromise such as these two options...

Canon Powershot SX50

Nikon Coolpix P510

Love to have the opinion of any of you photo buffs out there. The problem of course with anybody who has tried only one of these two cameras is that while you may think your camera is great, if you haven't tried them both you don't know which is better!

Another things we're working on is how to get from Halifax to New York City. There is only one direct flight between those locations, and it's over $300 one way. The connecting flights are only slightly cheaper and you have to ridiculously backtrack to Toronto or Montreal in order to get to New York City. Makes no sense to do that, although we have just enough Air Miles saved up to cover that route so that's the way we'll go if nothing else comes about.

But the other option is by ship. There are a couple of cruise ships that do Canada/New England tours in the fall and they stop in both Halifax and New York. I'm going to contact them and see what the possibilities are of hopping on the ship for a one way cruise! You don't know if you don't ask!

So...lots on the go...our internet bill is going to be high again!