ZIMBABWE: Headed To Dande In Sept With Charlton McCallum Safaris

[SCLawyer]

Safe travels, I just arrived home yesterday after 21 days at Dande.

Tanks - let's hear a report!

 

[Doug3006]

Jeff and I are chillin’ at the Dubai International airport hotel. I should be sleeping, but could only snooze for a few hours. I’m wide awake now and just read Tanks report on his trip to Dande. We’ll leave tomorrow at 9am for Harare. We’ll overnight at the Amanzi and then off to the Pedza Pasi camp in Dande.

After resolving Jeff’s COVID test issue it was smooth sailing. Gracey had all of our paperwork in order. The Emirates ticket agents really had their act together. We got our bags weighed…including our ammo which was a first for me…and then were escorted to TSA by an Emirates representative. They did the sniff test and examined the interior of our cases. Then the rep radioed the baggage handlers that our cases were coming.

We hung out in the KLM lounge for a couple of hours. Better than a plastic chair out on the concourse but not the nicest lounge I’ve been in. At least the Heineken was free.

The Business Class seats on the B777 were excellent! Comfortable and good for sleeping sine they fold flat. The service was outstanding. I must say that every Emirates employee we encountered was friendly, helpful and honestly gave a damn. Such a refreshing change but sad that is now the exception. The Middle East airlines get my vote and my business.

I should mention that the food was excellent. I had smoked brisket for dinner and it was the best I’ve had.…..and I’m a bit of a bbq snob.

One curious thing. There were a total of 38 passengers on the plane. Split evenly between Business and Coach. They didn’t make any money on that run! The plane holds something like 300. The attendant said that they are usually booked solid so this was a fluke.

 

[Doug3006]

Another observation. We’ve flown on Qatar and now Emirates. I would rate them as equal in all regards. New aircraft with comfortable seating, good food, excellent staff. I’d say the only difference is in the 2 airports. Doha Qatar seemed more opulent to us. Dubai is nice, but not as nice as Doha.

 

[Tanks]

Jeff and I are chillin’ at the Dubai International airport hotel. I should be sleeping, but could only snooze for a few hours. I’m wide awake now and just read Tanks report on his trip to Dande. We’ll leave tomorrow at 9am for Harare. We’ll overnight at the Amanzi and then off to the Pedza Pasi camp in Dande.

...

Ask for the mushroom risotto appetizer and then the beef filet as the main course at Amanzi. They really do a good job.

 

[Doug3006]

Thank you Tank. I’ll do just that. It’s good to hear that the restaurant is open!

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Nearly there Doug. Good luck with the hunting