Dear Jim, I understand your enthousiasm in going to SA, alone. If I could do this trip, I'd probably do it with a group of friends, for two main reasons : first SA is sometimes dangerous, and second the knowledge of each one in the group could avoid lacking of some species. As you want to go there alone, why don't you collect on the web and in books sufficient information? Moreover, I daresay this mailing list uses in sharing informations...Why one would send you privately his feelings ? Regards Romain