texaslisa

For those that frequent TA this is a repeat.

I had originally planned on using Kwando camps. They look great and boast how serious they are about wildlife viewing. Unfortunately, they also support big trophy hunting in their concession. I am not interested in the politics of it but think it is unethical and refuse to support such an organization. Not to mention their vehicles have three to a row which means someone is stuck in the middle and there is very little room for photo equipment.

So I need a back plan. I am looking for camps in concessions with great game viewing that will game drive with enthusiasm for as long as it takes. Not really looking for fancy camps. If they are fine but if not that is okay. Will be there early August. Would like two camps, one in Okavango and one in Linyanti. Looking to spend no more than $750 per person per night for a total of 8 nights.

skimmer2

Lisa,

Can you prove their is still hunting going on in their concessions? Would love to hear more about it.

And where did they promote hunting now and in the past?

Johan

texaslisa

It is stated in the most recent Bradt guide which was published early 2010. I didn't say they promoted hunting and wouldn't expect them to.

mcwomble

The book, (much of it online - http://www.bradt-travelguides.com/de...7&gbs=1#search)

says there is a "seasonal hunting camp, far from the river."

It also says that there is a limit of 6 people per vehicle on game drives, which doesn't say to me that someone is stuck in the middle or that there is a lack of room for photo equipment.

However, it sounds like you have made up your mind, so I'm not trying to dissuade you or defend Kwando. (You did say on TA that they promote hunting - maybe that's where people got the idea from).

Try Duma Tau, or there is a walking safari in the Linyanti which may be of interest.

However,

texaslisa

You are correct I said promote but have already corrected myself on TA. I should have said allowed hunting. My mistake.

As for the seating. Their vehicles are two rows of three so yes someone is stuck in the middle.

I was totally sold on Kwando but the hunting has really given me pause for concern. It may not bother some and I am okay with that. However, by going there I feel one is supporting a company that has made hunting a part of their business. I would prefer not to contribute. That's just me.

Safari_Craig

Lisa, (sorry for positing same thing on TA).

I am not sure that is true. I have been trying to get to the "bottom" of this issue for a month but it seems to be so controversial that I can't find out the real answers.

I believe Kwando is a 100% photo-safari company. I don't believe they have anything to do with hunting. What I have been told but cannot seem to verify is that there is hunting taking place on the western side of what is commonly called the Kwando concession. This is a choice of the company that owns the land (I believe the Maynard family?). They lease some of the eastern part of the concession to Kwando photo-safaris. I am not 100% sure what happens on the western half. This is what I would like to know.

It has been rumored on this forum that some hunting is taking place on NG32. This concession is divided into many parcels one of which is Chitabe Camp (Wilderness Safaris) and one is Sandibe (&Beyond).

So - I would love to hear more and also hear where you got your info.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

skimmer2

Craig and Lisa,

I dropped Chris McIntyre, author of the Bradt travel guide Botswana an e-mail to ask if he has information that hunting is still going on in NG14. Like I said, I am not defending any company. I looked in my old guide books and the text hasn't changed ...

Unlike you claim Chitabe and Sandibe are both in NG31. I provided two links on the other forum which states that hunting is still going on in NG32, which borders NG31.

If anyone else haw prove that hunting is still going on there, feel free to present the hard facts.

ShayTay

Texaslisa, back to your original question...

I'm heading out tomorrow on a three week safari to Botswana and Zimbabwe. The outfitter for the Bots portion is Footsteps in Africa. We're using two of their fly camps (Xakanaxa and Savuti) and are also staying at Mapula Camp. We're also spending a couple of nights on the Ichobezi safari boat on the Chobe River. Their camps should fit your budget. You also would fly between camps, which saves time over a mobile safari. I booked with Bill Given at "The Wild Source" ("PredatorBiologist" here on Fodors.)

Chris_ExpertAfrica

Hi Texalisa –

Johan’s just kindly emailed me (thanks Johan!) and I’ve seen your post and question. I think I can help to clarify this question of fact about the hunting.

The last edition of my Bradt guidebook, Botswana III, does refer to a seasonal hunting in the back of Kwando’s concessions, which has happened for many years. The latest news is that the last hunting on NG20 (Kwara) and NG14 (Lagoon & Lebala) happened in early-September 2009. Both these concessions have now banned hunting – and I’m told that it’s Kwando’s very firm intention that this should be permanent.

The background is that they have wanted to stop the hunting for quite some time, but had to allow it because of an old agreement. They had to wait for a change in the technical ownership of these areas to stop the hunting.

Hope this answers your question – and I’m very sorry indeed that I left that sentence in the last edition of the guide. (Although, in fairness to me, the hunting was still probably happening when I researched the 3rd edition of ‘Botswana’ in the first seven months or so of 2009.) I’ll look forward to changing this in the next edition!

I’d also comment, in passing, that if you are looking for camps to “game drive with enthusiasm for as long as it takes” then I think you’re probably right to have Kwando at the top of your list. If you’re still not keen on them … then I’d be looking to go for some sort of privately-guided option, as that way the guide is yours to direct. Otherwise most camps will generally stick to a broad schedule for their drives, and this might disappoint you.

Chris McIntyre -
Author: Bradt guidebooks to Botswana, Zambia, Namibia & Zanzibar
MD: Expert Africa (offices in London & New Zealand)

texaslisa

Johan and Chris, thank you very much for the explanation. I am very happy to hear this.

However, after doing some follow-up, I am shocked at the amount of trophy hunting that still takes place. With dwindling populations of so many animal species it seems absolutely irresponsible to allow it to continue.

Regards,
Lisa

luangwablondes

If all the countries in Europe and North America outlawed trophy hunting by its citizens, it would not be an issue in Botswana.

I am shocked that a Botswana hunting outfit can close operations and open up in Texas.

skimmer2

Hi Chris,

Very much appreciated that you answered my question.

Cheers,

Johan

Safari_Craig

Johan - Thanks for clarifying the concession names. There is obviously a lot more clarity to the hunting issue now that this thread has been debated properly.

Chris - Thanks for the good info.

Craig

HariS

Chris,

One more point to your Botswana guide, which I've read cover to cover many times. Also, read your website all the time for updated reviews from your clients.

One quick note - For the reference point under "Kwando concession" - my edition of your book says "cheetah rarely seen" under fauna. Now, IMHO that's one of Botswana's premier cheetah destinations. Perhaps could be re-phrased next edition?

Regards
Hari

HariS

Lisa,

Kenya has a no-hunting policy.

HariS

"I’d also comment, in passing, that if you are looking for camps to “game drive with enthusiasm for as long as it takes” then I think you’re probably right to have Kwando at the top of your list. If you’re still not keen on them … then I’d be looking to go for some sort of privately-guided option, as that way the guide is yours to direct. Otherwise most camps will generally stick to a broad schedule for their drives, and this might disappoint you." Chris

Actually, IMHO the "tracker" is the biggest plus point at the Kwando camps. No substitute for good old-fashioned tracking.

Regards
Hari

Chris_ExpertAfrica

Hi Hari –

Thanks for yours on the cheetah prevalence in Kwando. And, of course for reading my book – which I hope was useful. 

How many times have you been there, and how many times have you seen cheetah?

I would have assumed that they’d be mainly on the south side – seen from Lebala. However, a quick glance at our feedback from travellers notes 5 out of 48 Lebala visitors (http://www.expertafrica.com/lodge/Le.../review?page=1) mention a sighting of cheetah, but 17 out of 55 Lagoon visitors (http://www.expertafrica.com/lodge/La.../review?page=1) mention a cheetah sighting. I realise this isn’t a perfect sample, or at all scientific, but it’s pretty convincing data from where I’m sitting!

When writing comments like that - I tend to go with my own observations, or those of independent commentators, and treat the information on game sightings provided by all camp-owners with a large dose of healthy scepticism. However, in the light of your comments and of these stats, I will certainly try to revise that wording next edition. Thanks for flagging it up for me!

Oh – and I agree with your point about the tracker’s great value. They certainly help the guys at Kwando to be more adventurous, and more effective, I their tracking of game off-road. That said, most top private guides have the skill to really track down the predators – and will actively do so in a way that many camp guides won’t.

Chris McIntyre -
Author: Bradt guidebooks to Botswana, Zambia, Namibia & Zanzibar
MD: Expert Africa (offices in London & New Zealand)

HariS

Hi Chris,

I've been 9 times to Kwando - don't really do the circuit thing, though.

I've seen cheetah all but on one visit - which was in 2007. Ironically, if i didn't go to the Selinda on that visit, i would have had a few days of the blood brothers at Lagoon/Lebala. When I got to Lebala, they were gone and no other cheetah in sight.

I'd say Lagoon is having better cheetah sightings than Lebala at the moment due to the brutal coalition of 3 which although have a huge home range, most of their territory is more on the lagoon side. They do come down South a lot, but, soon make their trek back north. Those boys need plenty of patience.

The other coalition of 2 are around Lebala a lot, south of camp. But, they can be anywhere from Lebala, Selinda and Duma Tau.

I saw 6 different cheetah last month.

Regards,
Hari

Lynneb

I agree with the comments regarding the enthusiasm for the game drives at Kwando and the trackers. Although I've definitely enjoyed game drives at other camps, I found that the guys at Kwando really worked extra hard and the priority was game viewing, not meal times.

Chris_ExpertAfrica

Hi Hari – most enlightening. Thanks for sharing this with me.

Nine times to Kwando – that makes you not only a real Kwando fan, but also a very good gauge on the game there. Changing the cheetah comment in the next edition of my Bots guidebook is definitely in order!

It’s interesting to note how regular sightings of relatively few individual animals can influence traveller’s perception of a camp’s game strengths. Quite rightly – but very interesting.

Chris McIntyre -
Author: Bradt guidebooks to Botswana, Zambia, Namibia & Zanzibar
MD: Expert Africa (offices in London & New Zealand)