Give me ideas/help for a Jan/Feb trip

OK, I am starting the planning stages for a trip in the Jan/Feb time frame. It will be between 10 and 20 days.

Due to being winter I am not really interested in Europe as the temps will be on the cool side. Also, I would think Austrailia is out due to summer and high loads. So Africa, Asia or South America are probably the places I will be looking.

Trip will start in Utah, USA, I have Delta and United benifits and have access to Delta's ZED agreements.

My thoughts are leaning towards going to Kruger National Park in South Africa. Most of this is because it should be duable in 10 days (2 days there, two days back, 4 or 5 days in the park with a day or two extra if flights are missed. If anyone I work with decides to tag along it will probably be a 10 day trip (so they can just take a week off). If I am on my own I might be looking for a longer trip. I know it will be hot and rainy with everything green and longer grass making it harder to possibly see the animals. But overall should be an easy trip, except for the waiting till the last minute to reserve accomodations in the park and hope things are available.

If I do a trip on my own or someone who is adventuresome wants to go I would really like to go to Madagascar, this would end up being more of a 20 day trip. I have found some 9 day tours in Madagascar that sound interesting but any ideas/contacts/guides anybody has would be great. Since I am not sure how well the non rev travel would be out of JNB to TNR (antananarivo) using South African Airways (SA Airlink?) I would probably go through CDG as Air France flies there.

The other thought is heading to Thailand ( I have only spent 5 hours or so in BKK in the Khao San Road area on my way back from Cambodia). I would probably head North to the Chiang Mia area. Will have to work on transportation as there are some temples between Bankok and Chiang Mia I would like to visit (Kamphaeng Phet) so maybe fly one way and bus/train/taxi one way.

Central/South America will most likely be a backup plan if I do not make it to South Africa. I would love to go to Machu Picchu and hike the inca trail but this time of year is not good do to rainy season. Most likely backup plan would be heading to Costa Rica.

Not sure what I would have for a backup plan if something happens trying to get to Thailand. About the only thing is getting stuck in NRT waiting for a flight to BKK.

OK, so if anyone has any other ideas or helpfull information/links for the places mentioned I would appreciate it.

Also, if anyone is interested in going keep me informed.

Tony

that's alot of options.
hmm...
SA will likely be SAExpress. We did ID95 tkts JNB to Richard's Bay for safari in Kwaa Zulu Natal.
Make sure you have you anti malarial options for Kruger
Keep bags as carryon if possible--high risk at JNB for theft between INT/DOM flights

Thailand--as much as we LOVE going to SA, Thailand is great on the wallet and transport $. Hua Hin is a great beach town 3 hrs/train south of BKK, flts to Chaing Mai are fairly cheap or nt train (see maninseat61.com)
Food is outstanding and accoms are, too. Kanchanaburi (River Kwai is a must do on the way to CM if you take train) Worth a full day--maybe more at river camps.
Also, Amphawa is small floating market town for locals outside BKK. I have guesthouse info for there--right on the riiver, monks paddle up early each morning for offerings and food.
You can work your way up north thru Ayatthura (old capital) too.
I'd be looking at any festival or holiday dates in any places, for sure.
Can't wait to hear your choice as plans progress, too.
One good point, Tony is that you have UA and DL to travel NRT/BKK/NRT

Thanks mrs767er for the reply. After I posted I did more research on the Chiang Mai area and I found some information on interesting things to do like hike/camp, cooking (I know lots of cooking places in thailand) at Window to Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chiang Mai Tours, Trekking, Tourist Information, Hotels . I also guessed that Thailand would be easier on the wallet.

I will continue to research as I have lots of time. For South Africa I do not need to do much research as if I go there it will just be Kruger.

And, my UA and DL travel has saved me as last time I went through BKK it was DL over there and UA back.

Tony

I've got 4 buddy family members going to Thailand in the spring--the niece I went with last year, her hubby and my sister and her hubby. I fi can get them thru to BKK, you can get there! and they only have DL to use. Their target is Chaing Mai and assorted areas--I heartily recommend Kanchanaburi on the way. Please share your experience when you go, so I can offer some guidance.
Take a look at teakdoor.com--expat site (a bit on the vulgar side at times)

Keep in mind when using UAL that the NRT-BKK segment is a route that usually has very high load factotrs.I have heard from people on the UAL camp that NRT-BKK is one of UAL's intl routes with highest loads.

Regards,

Chepos