Aug 17 Botswana itinerary help

Old Jun 11th, 2016, 11:37 AM
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Aug 17 Botswana itinerary help

Hello,

We are in the early planning stages for a safari in Botswana in August 2017 for my 30th birthday and I would love to get the input from the experts on the forum regarding the itinerary.

Our goal is to see as much wildlife as possible (I know I know everyone says that for a safari I am sure ). It is our first safari. Comfort wise I don't want to pay for any of the super luxury camps but would like something a bit more comfortable than a mobile camping style tent. I would like a wet camp and a dry camp. I know that San Camp is not where there is the most wildlife but since I saw the pictures from someones trip report on this forum to San Camp I cannot get it out of my head. The landscapes are what are drawing me there!

Here is what I am hoping to be able to do:
2 nights at San Camp in the Makagdikgadi Pans
3 nights in the Okavango at Xigera
3 nights in the Okavango at Little Vurumba
2 nights in the Liyanti at Savuti Camp
2 nights in Livingstone at Toka Leya

I am not 100% sure this can all fit into my budget and will contact a couple of travel agents in the next week. If I can't then I will probably remove the liyanti and livingstone and add some lower priced options in Zimbabwe or Namibia. Would going to Vic falls from Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe bring the price down at all?

Thank you in advance for your help!
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Old Jun 12th, 2016, 07:25 AM
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Hi there!

Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe and Toka Leya both equally offer a wonderful experience with their accomodation, service and food. They are both favorites for our clients.

On a pure price difference alone for August 2017, Elephant Camp is less than Toka Leya on a per night per person basis. But there could be other factors that help you make this decision.

First, Elephant Camp is closer to the falls and if you are planning on taking part in the adrenalin-seeking activities of the falls area, it may be a more accessible choice.

Having said that, Toka Leya is on the Zambezi and offers a different style of experience since it is one step removed from the more touristy surrounds of the Falls.

Lastly, Toka Leya is among the offerings of Wilderness Safaris and since most of your other lodge/camp choices are in their portfolio, it may be better for you to keep them in the mix because it may yield a better overall cost for you.

I'd recommend that you seek a quote for your itinerary with TL in there and then substitute with EC and see how it comes out. As long as there's availability, this is a worthwhile exercise. Either way, you can't go wrong! It just depends upon your style of travel and the experience you are seeking within your budget.

You have a great trip in the works! Enjoy!

Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
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Old Jun 12th, 2016, 12:57 PM
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Thanks Dianne for your helpful feedback!

Do you think I am moving around too much? I saw somewhere that in essence when you transfer camps you're wasting a lot of time during the day. Do you think two nights at San Camp is enough too? I would love to do 3 but I think it would be too expensive.
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Old Jun 13th, 2016, 03:23 PM
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We stayed at Little "Vumbura" in late May 2013 (I'm thinking that is what you meant to write) and really enjoyed it. My tripadvisor review is the long one. The Delta is so pristine, unspoiled and remote.

We loved Botswana. We also stayed at Chobe Game Lodge in the park which was very nice but not nearly as remote.

I can't comment on your itinerary other than to say I agree with spending 2-3 nights per camp.

You might want to consider another country to broaden the safari experience. We did Vic Falls, which is fine for 1 night, maybe 2.

Like you said, it all comes down to budget eventually.

I suspect you have posted your question on tripadvisor where there are some really helpful posters.

Good luck!!
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Old Jun 14th, 2016, 10:36 AM
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Hi there Nat29!

I thought for sure I already responded to your question but perhaps hitting Submit didn't happen. Apologies for a delay here..

I really don't think you are moving around too much. Movement in Botswana is the expectation because the areas are different (wet, dry, combo, salt pan, desert etc).

My only comment would be to consider Duma Tau over Savuti. Duma Tau is an all around better option than Savuti with regard to accommodation, food, and the location has excellent game viewing since it is on the river. It is slightly more per night but I'd offset that upgrade with a substitution of Elephant Camp in place of Toka Leya or another place in Vic Falls.. Just a thought.

Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
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Old Jun 14th, 2016, 11:14 AM
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When doing the math, think of it logically. Most safaris involve a morning drive and an afternoon drive. You lunch and siesta or do non-game drives in between.

If you arrive mid-morning on Day One, you've missed the earliest part of your morning game drive, you'll likely unpack, learn the lay of the land at the camp, camp rules, and gather for lunch. You'll do the afternoon drive and then spend Night One.

If you leave the morning of Day Two, you'll only have that afternoon drive of Day One at this location and a bit of a drive on your way to the next destination the next morning.

If you stay for all of Day Two you'll get morning and evening drives and spend Night Two.

If you leave on Day Three, you may or may not do the game drive in the morning, depending on whether you want to pack a breakfast and take it with you on the way to the airstrip or your next destination. So in effect, you get one morning game drive total.

If you leave on Day Four, you spend Night Three there, getting full game drives morning and night on Day Three.

Etc., etc.

Whenever you leave and move to a new location, start over with spending time in transport, then learning camp rules, being shown to your tent, unpack, etc.

For me the early morning is THE BEST part of the safari. I've never, ever been disappointed by getting up early for one, and my best sightings have almost always been in the early morning. (Bear in mind some camps/lodges will do full day drives too, which is an option...I've done it and love it but it is tiring too, being out in the vehicle from 6:15 a.m. to 7-8 p.m.!)

This all "usual" in my experience, but something to keep in mind. Others' experiences may differ, but I think this is what people mean when they say 2-3 minimum.
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Old Jun 14th, 2016, 10:45 PM
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Thanks so much for all of this helpful information! I will look at Duma Tau and adding another country.

I am not a morning person usually but with proper motivation there is no problem and I can't think of anything more motivating then waking up early to look at beautiful wild animals and nice landscapes.

I am hesitating between adding in some time in Zambia or Zimbabwe. Both look beautiful I am not looking to do walking safaris so I just need to make sure I find a camp in Zimbabwe that is ok with that. I looked into Camp Hwange but the reviews I read online seemed to say that the walking safaris were there specialty. If anyone here has been there was that your experience as well? I do also love the landscapes in Namibia but I think I will save that for another trip.
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Old Jun 15th, 2016, 04:38 AM
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Nat, just seeing the sunrise there is worth getting up, but then to see animals coming back in from a night out, heading to bed for the day, it is simply incredible. I'm not a morning person when it comes to going to work, but can easily do it for a game ride. I'm usually up and dressed before the camp folks bring me my wake-up coffee and biscuits! It helps too that you're usually done with dinner and heading back to the tent for bed around 9-10 p.m.
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Old Jun 15th, 2016, 12:24 PM
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I think I won't have a problem at all waking up, I already feel like a kid getting ready to go to Disney world thinking about this safari and its over a year away!

In more serious trip planning news, my dream itinerary is way out of my budget. My travel agent suggests combining some Okavango Time with Zambia. Has anyone been to Zambia here? The lodges she recommends look stunning but I am worried about safety. Any input from someone who has been there would be immensely appreciated!

Off to buy my lottery ticket so I can afford the above trip ... ;-)
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Old Jun 15th, 2016, 02:17 PM
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Nat, are you working with a general travel agent or a safari planner? Don't abandon hope unless you're working with a safari planner. Travel agents may not know the inner working of the business as well and not have access to deals. There are many, many recommended here on the forums. Talk to Africa Travel Resource, Gamewatchers, or the like before you give up!
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Old Jun 15th, 2016, 10:19 PM
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Zambia (especially South Luangwa) is my favourite safari destination, and in August it will be much cheaper than the option you have looked at in Botswana. What makes you concerned about safety in Zambia? It's a very peaceful country. I've even been there when they've had elections (twice) and it has all gone very smoothly and peacefully. If you do look at Zambia, I'd recommend Expert Africa- their owner writes the Bradt guide to Zambia, and it's an area they really specialise in. The trips they have organised for me have always come out very well priced, so I think they get very good rates at the camps.

One reason I haven't commented on your itinerary so far is that I just wouldn't bother with Botswana in high season, it's so expensive and to me isn't worth it when compared to other destinations like Zambia. As an alternative to switching to another destination, I would suggest looking at low or shoulder season instead, as in Botswana there is quite a huge jump to peak season pricing. I would also look at some camps other than Wilderness Safaris, like Kwando, or Selinda Explorers. I just had a great trip in May to Selinda Explorers and Shinde, which worked out about $600 pppn, which I bet is less than half your proposed itinerary in August! Planned carefully, I think you could do Zambia for a similar cost in peak season. Maybe a bit more.

But given the choice I would go with some sort of South Luangwa/Lower Zambezi combination in August.

I have just noticed this is for your 30th birthday. Zambia can be quite an active safari destination with options for walking safaris in all parks and canoeing in Lower Zambezi. I'd do Zambia now and save Botswana for your 60th
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Old Jun 15th, 2016, 10:24 PM
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HI Amyb,

I am working with a safari planner who only does safaris and have also contacted Africa Travel Resource since I feel like they may be able to get better rates at the Wilderness Lodges.
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 10:58 AM
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Thanks Stokeygirl I am definitely hesitating between the two. My husband isn't too keen on Zambia however since he doesn't think its as safe as Botswana. I am also stuck date wise because of work

I got priced an itinerary by ATR that I think is really interesting and fits my budget and would like any feedback:
3 nights Camp Kalahari
3 nights Xigera
3 nights Kwara Camp
3 nights Lagoon Camp
1 night Ilala Lodge

Has anyone actually gone on safari with them?
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 08:18 PM
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I know you wanted to visit Botswana but on limited budget... My family was in Namibia, Botswana, Zambabwe-Falls a couple years back, Botswana was the most expensive. I think we were dropping $3000 per night in the Okavango Delta. You might want to consider Namibia, go to Sousvlei, checkout the desert, self book and stay at the sousvlei lodge. Head up to Etosha national park, stay in the park and experience first hand view of hundreds and hundreds of animals coming to the waterhole morning and night. Then fly out to Maun, Botswana and transfer to the Delta. We stayed at Sanctuary Chief Island, then you can experoence water safari on mokoro, walking safari with guide to track animals, etc. Because we were doing self tour in Namibia, we didnt mind coughing up that much for the Delta. Then we flew out to Zambia and stayed at the Victoria Falls hotel on Zambabwe side where at $500/night seemed like a bargain. That was a $30k trip of a life time, excluding international air.
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Old Jun 17th, 2016, 12:07 PM
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Thanks for your feedback.

I just met with a travel agent I really clicked with and we have a preliminary itinerary that I am really happy with and its coming in about 20% under my budget.

Looks like it will be:

3 nights at Xigera in the Okavango
3 nights at Savuti in the Liyanti
2 nights at Victoria Falls Hotel
4 nights at Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe

Perfect balance of rest and different areas and activities. Also not too much moving around for the husband who doesn't love flying.

I cannot wait !
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Old Jun 18th, 2016, 07:16 AM
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It looks to me like that is a terrific itinerary. Just the right amount of time in your safari lodges, and in Vic Falls. While we were in Botswana way back in 2004, stayed 6 nights in 3 different lodges that were situated about the same as Xigera and Savuti. I would have preferred 3 nights to 2 in each, so I think your choices are spot on.

We were in Zimbabwe in 2012, and did 2 nights in Vic Falls (actually across the road from VFH, but we had lunch there and you will love the atmosphere, for sure) and 4 nights at Hwange (we were in another Wilderness property, Davisons) and simply adored the remoteness and entire experience. Now you can enjoy planning!
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