Who wants to go to Africa with me? After this great interview with Chris and Laura Bertelson I'm ready! Chris and Laura live in Madison County, Iowa (where the beautiful covered bridges in Iowa are located and birthplace of Marion Morrison aka John Wayne). Chris spent 30 years in the computer business with a long stint at Microsoft and Laura stayed home focusing on raising their four daughters, bottle calves,a flock of egg producing chickens, dairy goats barn cats, honey bees and a peacock. They live in a nearly restored 1910 Victorian farmhouse.
They traveled to Africa last October for a 21 day trip. This is their interview talking about the wonderful safari experience they encountered. After the show notes will be a copy of their itinerary for those days. Pack your bags! After listening to their experience you are going to want to join me on SAFARI!!!!
00:43 Curt's life lesson from his book, Fix the Problem and other Life Lessons from a Pragmatic Dad. https://amzn.to/2Zdm2pp
03:30 Rotary
04:03 The Quest great fiction to read before you visit Ethiopia https://nelsondemille.net/books/the-quest/
04:19 Budget of trip...thanks Chris...scroll down
06:25 Tour company Chris and Laura used for their trip http://www.jmtours.co.tz/
09:02 Tarangire National Park https://www.tarangiretanzania.com/
12:07 6,000 elephants
12:45 Tarangire Safari Lodge www.tarangiresafarilodge.com
24:10 Serengeti National Park https://www.tanzaniatourism.go.tz/en/destination/serengeti-national-park
27:20 Tipping and money
32:32 Hid your passport and money. I use this great scarf when I travel so look in our travel tips for the website!
33:14 Chris' "you betcha" moment
34:24 Laura's "you betcha" moment
34:30 Their "old, hell no" moment/experience
35:35 Ethiopia Air https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/us
Chris has provided this great itinerary and budget breakdown: (Yes, he is a computer guy!!!)
The podcast described our October 2019 Africa trip in general and specifically the four days we spent on safari. Here is an itinerary description of those days
to Tarangire National Park w highest density of elephants. Lunch, dinner and overnight will be at the Tarangire Safari Lodge. Pool overlooking the Tarangire River www.tarangiresafarilodge.com
After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Maasai Cultural Village and Oldduvai Gorge (Leakey Museum) to Serengeti National Park for game viewing. Packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge situated near the stunning Seronera area of central Serengeti
Early morning game drive around the lodge & breakfast. Game drive in Serengeti with packed lunch, in the afternoon drive to Tarangire National Park for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, a lodge built on the rim of the crater
After breakfast into the crater 600metres ,a “World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve” for game viewing. Picnic lunch on the crater floor. Late afternoon ascend from the crater for driving back to Arusha before dark. Four Points by Sheraton The Arusha Hotel
Three Parks were: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park.
Tarangarie 1100 square miles
Serengeti National Park 5100 square miles
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area – collapsed volcanioc crater containing high density of animals – 5200 square miles.
JM Tours Ltd was our tour company. Highly recommended http://www.jmtours.co.tz/
Expenses
Airfare Over & Back $3400
Dulles Hotel $160
In Country Airfares $1600
Tanzania tour & hotels $6960
Ethiopia Tours & hotels $3446
Extras $1000
Souvenirs $1000
Total $17566
21 days gone 18 Days touring $17,566 total
$8,783 per person
$976 per day
$488 per person per day