I just wanted to let everyone who is going on ROAR II and staying at Birkenhead House, the Mateya Safari Lodge and the Ivory Lodge know they are in for quite a wonderful experience.

Mona and I couldn't go on ROAR II because of the presidential campaign so Ngaire was nice enough to invite us along on a smaller trip she just made.

Those three hotels are probably the best hotels in which we have ever stayed. I was so impressed by Mateya and the woman behind it that I wrote a story about it. You can read it here if you'd like.

Mateya Safari Lodge

If you'd like to see any of my three albums of pictures, they are at:

Tom\'s Africa Pictures

I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thanks. Tom.

Thanks for posting those Tom. Nice to see them all in order like that and relive the experience. Great article by the way I was not even aware you were working on that.

Now they can see how Ken got that close up shot of the Leopard. One shot shows how close he was to the vehicle and then another shows Kens BIG lens. Perfect combination.

You saw things I did not see too as we were often in different land rovers.

Mike a participant in Wild Dog who had never heard of LCT before this trip also had a great camera and he has checked out LCT now and joined. He will post some pictures and he should have some great shots.

I really enjoyed reading your article, Tom. Your photos are great to see also. Thank you for posting them.

They are slow to load for me, but I had to post, since I got Tom's published story, to say THANK YOU, Tom! I have only been to Africa once, and had to go again. Going on ROAR II with my younger daughter, as I just had to do a repeat of ROAR I. Thank you so much for your pictures! Can't wait to see the rest of them! We are lucky to have people like you on this board who will share!

Thanks Olivia. I think you and Susan Mathis would get along very well. I hope you get a chance to meet her on ROAR II.

By the way, I didn't mention earlier that my pictures were taken with a simple point and shoot camera. Most of the other people on the trip had much larger lenses so their pictures should be spectacular. Tom.

Tom, some of the best pictures on this board are from simple point and shoot cameras, and I think Brad is one of the best on this board because he shares so much!

I can't wait to meet Susan Mathis, if in fact she will be there at her lodge when we are! I'm sure your story will be interesting to my daughter who will be with me, and is also in the communications field! What a good story about Susan, a widow with a vision and a purpose (okay, and some money)who has done so much to attract tourism to her area! We are the beneficiaries!

Tom, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your great story and your terrific photos. I didn't realize you and Mona were going to Africa with Ngaire. I didn't recognize any of the others (except for Mona, Ngaire & Ken of course).

It sure brings back great memories of when Tom and I stayed at Mateya. That is such an amazing place. I'm sorry Susan Mathis wasn't there when we stayed there. Maybe on ROAR2.

Thanks so much for sharing!! You're a brilliant writer....guess that's why you work for ABC when the rest of us just watch it!

None of the others are LCT. Though maybe they will become a members now I know Mike and Lynn are joining. The other four are actually neighbors of mine that have travelled with me numerous times but never on a cruise that had a lot of LCT people. Tom could not do ROAR and I had one space available so it just worked out nicely for everyone.

Fantastic story, Tom! Thanks for posting the link.
Sorry we didn't get the chance to meet you when we were in D.C, but it looks like you certainly had better things to do! :)

Tom,

Your article and pictures are terrific. This post brought back so many memories of ROAR I. Thanks for sharing. (Tell Mona hi for me)

Tom what a wonderful article and your pics, too! Thanks for sharing them with us. :)

Great article, Tom!

Cheers, Anne

Very nice Tom. Great pictures and I loved the article.

Lovely photos, Tom. Both your great photos and articles reminded us how much we enjoyed ROAR1 and whetted our excitement for ROAR2. Thank you for posting.

Great pictures, Tom! You and Mona look terrific. Glad you had such a wonderful time. Bert and I can't wait until ROAR2.

Tom, how did I miss this? Overwhelmingly beautiful pictures and brought back some unforgettable memories of ROAR 1. I loved every minute I spent in S. Africa. Thank you for posting.

Tom I missed it too!!!!! Thanks so much for posting article and pixs!!!!! Joanna

I'm glad everyone liked them. You are in store for a great time on ROAR II. It was a wonderful experience. Tom.

This photo was taken by Dreps on TUSK, he was looking through some his shots,and sent me this copy. With Eugene's permission I am sharing the photo with LCT. It just shows how close you can get to these beautiful animals and they just ignore you. Thanks Eugene.

Great shots Eugene!! The range rovers without the top canopies make such a difference. We too were so happy to be close up, it sure gets your adrenalin going!

Thanks for sharing Ken!

Fantastic picture Eugene!!!

Only time I saw a leopard on ROAR I it was a cub, and almost totally behind the grasses. I would love to get a shot like that! Fantastic picture, Eugene!

Eugene, AWESOME photo!!!!

That picture was taken at Kings Camp. We saw great Leopard at Leopard Hills as well on TUSK.
Lion Sands on WILD DOG was remarkable for Leopard. They remain my favorite animal.

What made this picture great was the angle, that Leopard looks HUGE. I sent it to the four people in the land rover, shame they had their cameras up to their faces.

Amazing photo!

While it is a shame they have cameras in front of their faces...who can blame them?

Marcie, I'm sure I worry too much but the range rovers without canopies also don't have roll bars. Tom.

Attenion All Wild Dogs....

This is my first post...because I am only now learning how to post. Yes, Ngaire, I want to post some of our pictures. Karen gave me the info today as to how to do that. Pics to follow...if I can get them loaded.

Tom,,, I completely agree with you about the lodges on the trip and specifically about Mateya and Susan. The guest houses were spectacular as was the main lodge. Anyone who goes there and is not totally satisfied simply need never travel again. Top to bottom, simply great. (Give Mona a hug for me!)

OK, enough for now. Now my attempt to lead a pic or two.

Mike

OK, that did not work. I need to find out how to lead my pics and will do so. Stay tuned.

Mike

OK...LOAD... not lead.

mmj

Mike, email me again with any questions you have about uploading pics!
I am glad to see you posting on the board!!

I am waiting with bated breath for some of your fabulous shots. Welcome to the boards.