A lot of trip reports came in from all over the world - mostly via e-mail and even the odd one via snail mail. The reports cover nature holidays from African safaris to Great Barrier Reef trips, sea turtle watching, swimming with dolphins, Galapagos and more.
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest through African Safari Journals, African Safari Pictures and Top Adventure Tours - thereby contributing to the pool of travel expertise by travellers (and not brochures) for travellers. We continue getting feedback from prospective travellers finding your first-hand honest accounts very useful.
Again the draw was performed by each entrant being allocated a number. The winning number was selected by an independent random number generator.
The name corresponding to the lucky number and for sharing her India tiger safari experience on the www.Top-Adventure-Tours.com website, is.................
The Competition Winner
Jo Dale
Civil Servant
Sunny Norwich, United Kingdom
What do you like to do when you have free time?
I'm really into wildlife, naturally, so if I'm not busy planning my next wildlife adventure or sorting through the photos from my last trip I'm out birding in the wilds of Norfolk!
When travelling, which item(s) do you feel is essential?
My binoculars and my camera, oh, and my glasses as I'm blind without them. I forgot them on a trip to Marsa Alam and it was a nightmare wearing my contact lenses all day!
Which animal would you most like to come across on the walking safari, and why?
Well I have a passion for big cats so I'd have to say any of the large african cats would be a real treat, but particularly if we can across a leopard or a cheetah. That would just be magical!
The Prize
The 2007/2008 as well as the 2008/2009 prize was a 3-night/4-day guided walking safari for two in the wilderness of the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
View the video of lions we met on foot when we did the Sweni wilderness walking safari trail in 2006 below...
2007 was a good year for the African Safari Journals competition. A lot of time was spent on the phone (thank goodness for Skype!) and safari trip reports generated from travelers all over the world.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to African Safari Journals and its sister website, Top Adventure Tours, by entering the competition through either ASJ or TAT, or the third sister in the family: African Safari Pictures. According to feedback from visitors to the various sites, all the trip reports and journals are really useful!
This isn't a travel writing or photographic competition in the usual sense of the word. That means everyone who tells us about their African safari stands a chance of winning the prize! We don't want to judge your writing or your photographic abilities but rather learn more about the different safari destinations, safari companies and interesting wildlife behaviour you encounter while travelling around East and southern Africa.
Unfortunately, there can only be one winner…
… and on 28 November 2007, the draw took place! Each entrant was allocated a number, and the winner was chosen by means of an independent random number generator. The virtual equivalent of drawing from a hat.
And, the winner is..................................................
Liza van der Walt
Graphic and Web Designer
Centurion, South Africa
What do you like to do with your free time?
Relax, visit friends, play games or do something sporty.
When travelling, what don't you leave home without?
Definitely camera! And a book to make travel notes in.
Which animal would you most like to come across on the walking safari, and why?
Yawning hippo (in the water) - I want to see how wide they can open their mouths.
Baby elephant - just because they're so cute.
Jo Dale
Liza van der Walt