tau

Hi,

I am planning a trip to Botswana and have the following questions:

- Is there a way to go to the private concessions without paying those high commissions to travel agents?

- Is anyone aware if prices of the different companies are set after consultation with each other?

- Why are some of these camps (Mombo/Zarafa) so expensive compared to other ones within and outside the country?

- Has anyone here travelled extensively within Botswana on mobile trips and in high-end camps and can tell me if the gameviewing is so superior under the last option.

- Is it possible to travel on last notice with some of these companies (f.e. after the location of a wild dog den)

- Am I correct that the experience in Deception Valley lodge is different from a stay within the CGKR?

- If I wanted to visit one camp in the delta which one would you recommend and why?

Any help is very much appreciated.

George

mkhonzo

George, you have posed some interesting and contentious questions.

Prices: These have been created and sustained by demand. Obviously at the higher end the product delivers on its promise, whether that is good game viewing, lavish accommodation and service of an international standard. Is it worth t? Your personal liquidity and wilderness appetite will determine that.

Commissions: I guess ultimately you end up paying this whether you like it or not. Book direct and the lodge absorbs the commission by charging you the correct rack rate and in so doing improving their yield. Book with an agent, you are paying the same price, maybe the agent will shave the margin to secure business, who knows, but maybe.

Price Collusion: The better properties are closely watched by those of a perceived lower grade for setting the price umbrella, those underneath can charge whatever they want just to be less, but not necessarily fairly priced. So while not board room collusion as close to it as one can get.

Private Concessions for a discount. Present your credentials. If you are a travel agent and or tour operator you might be able to negotiate a discount. If you are a member of the media such as a en editor, travel writer or professional photographer and can support your request with a mandate from a publication, you could get a discount, but then you'll be obligated to write favourably about your experience.

Mobile vs Permanent Camps: These typically traverse similar if not the same national parks, so NO game viewing is no different, however the style in which the game is viewed IS.

Short Notice Travel: Yes of course, however what you need to be mindful of is seasonal occupancies and when the dogs den is typically peak season (tourist) so accommodation might be hard to come by. However if your dates are reasonably flexible and your itinerary demands elastic, then this becomes most feasible indeed.

hope that helps?

tau

Mkhonzo,

Appreciated your feedback.

If I understand it correctly, I can assume the following:

- a mobile safari wouldn't give you a wildlife experience of much lesser quality than a safari out of a permanent camp.

Although I got the impression that travel agents try to push you towards a stay in those lodges claiming you have a superior experience.

- if I am correct some of the companies don't allow you to book directly. I can't see the why.

Is it because the commissions they pay to the travel agents are less as they have to do it all themselves.
(setting up outlets in their prime markets)

What I don't like is the lack of price transparency in all this.

I forgot to ask another question - would it be better to go in July/early August instead of September to have less chance of hazy skies?

George

HariS

" Is it possible to travel on last notice with some of these companies (f.e. after the location of a wild dog den)" Tau

Here's my take - why not? There isn't a guarantee that the dogs would den, if you book two years in advance. Who knows what happens ......... Given today's recessionary trends, I wouldn't be surprised by availability for rooms during denning season - ofcourse, one would need to know that the dogs are denning at the given time(first hand info)

Zarafa? Good marketing? or the attempt of good marketing?

HariS

Regarding light conditions, I thought June was very good also. However, I hated the early sunsets and probably not as good predator viewing as compared to later in the year. This is RE June 2007.

PS: That was one unlucky Cheetah safari - so I'm biased mentally against travelling in June

Kavey

- Why are some of these camps (Mombo/Zarafa) so expensive compared to other ones within and outside the country?

Mombo is perfectly situated for extremely good wildlife viewing. The other camp on same island is also good but Mombo's position nearer edge of island is even better in some seasons, due to location of water and so on. There's no question the wildlife viewing is/ was extremely good - there's a reason so many wildlife documentaries were filmed there, especially during the 1990s, from what I understand. When we first visited in 2001 they'd upgraded the existing standard camp to a high-end luxury one, which is a shame. But the viewing was superlative, it's true. The high prices they charged then were a combination of the extremely good game viewing reputation and this new high-end camp. We went again in 2004, and again, the viewing was excellent, though the focus was starting to shift even more onto the accommodation offering. The Jouberts were there at that time, filming a documentary on leopards. I don't know that we'd pay that extra again, to be honest. I doubt it.
These days it's getting harder and harder to distinguish between high demand because of excellent wildlife viewing and high demand because of interest in accommodation.
I like comfortable accommodation but it's the wildlife I'm interested in. I do prefer a certain minimum, I prefer full height tents with comfortable beds and ensuite bathroom, though quite happy for that to house a drop loo and bucket shower and jug and basin sink. That's not the direction the industry is going though.

- Is it possible to travel on last notice with some of these companies (f.e. after the location of a wild dog den)

I have certainly read of folk turning up in Maun and getting great savings on Wilderness Safaris camps, but obviously, not much choice as to which ones you visit. And there's no guarantee there will be availability, though the chances are good out of high season, especially in this economic climate. I'm too chicken to try it. I can't risk getting out there and not being able to find something decent.

- If I wanted to visit one camp in the delta which one would you recommend and why?

I loved Tubu Tree which, in June, allows for road and water activities, is well managed (or was when we were there in 2004) and warm and friendly. We also lucked out hugely in being assigned to Grant Atkinson, a fantastic guide indeed.

Savuti is excellent for all round wildlife viewing, though I didn't warm to the management team. But most people do and I think some of the team were absent during our visit. But viewing was excellent and we had great wild dog sightings in particular.

I also loved Jacana during our June visit, a perfect and charming water camp.

tau

Hi Hari,

I wouldn't think about booking 2 years in advance. That is just insane.

I can't believe these camps are full from that time. I would like to see the real occupancy rates ...

Also would like to see more transparency in bookings for various camps as I think some of these operators like to work with certain agents who get preferential treatment.

You are right about travel on last notice. Unless you don't have first hand info it can't be done.

Would you say that in June the gameviewing is of a lower quality or was it just bad luck for you?


George

tau

Hi Kavey,

Thanks for the info.

Is Mombo not just overhyped???

Are there any other places which would offer the same kind of gameviewing (or even better) in certain times of the year.

I forgot to mention I am mostly interested in wild dogs and cheetahs.

George

linjudy

We went to 3 camps, Kwetsani, Duma Tau and Mombo. We loved them all. But the wildlife viewing was by far the best at Mombo. We saw EVERYTHING, including 30 lions all at once, leopard fighting hyenas... So, imho, it's worth it.

Did not see wild dogs at Mombo. I think they've mostly been crowded out by all the lions. But we did see them at Duma Tau. It's supposedly very rare. When we saw them, it was the first time in months.

Kavey

I can't comment on Mombo right now (though judging by other reports such as the linjudy's nothing has changed) but, no, in my opinion, Mombo's wildlife viewing is not overhyped.

However, the balance of predators has shifted as the lions are so extremely successful that they've driven out the wild dogs completely and reduced the presence of cheetahs to an extent.

However, this is NOT to say that you won't have SUPERLATIVE viewing at a long list of other places.

And if there are certain species you're particularly interested in, there are likely particular camps that are best to see them. For example, Savuti (and King's Pool) are both great for wild dogs and cheetah, as well as great all round game viewing. Duma Tau is famous for the lion and buffalo interaction. If you want to see sable or red lechwe or focus on elephants there are camps that are better and worse for each of those.

But, Mombo prices remain high because demand remains high, and that's not simply down to the luxury accommodation. It's also down to Mombo's enduring delivery of good game viewing.

It's purely personal as to whether a) that small difference is worth the price difference to you and b) whether or not you can put up with the modern-day emphasis on luxury accommodation.

I really wouldn't waste time worrying about missing out if spending that kind of money is not what you want to do.

I'd love to do a high-end mobile camping trip but it would need to be high-end for me. Absolutely no participation in terms of putting up or dismantling tents, cooking, washing up. Reasonably sized tents (I'm thinking the size of the small but full height tents Serian use for their mobile camp in the Mara) with comfortable beds (cot beds are fine so long as there's a half-decent mattress) and, for me, ensuite bathroom. Chemical loo, bucket loo or drop loo is fine. Bucket shower is fine. But it does need to be ensuite and private. So long as that was a given, I'd really really like to try a mobile as I think it would be a really exciting experience.

Momliz

not to hijack this post, but what you describe, kavey, is just what our mobile was - we loved it, and my camping, and roughing it days are long gone. I'll write more about it in my trip report.

africaddict

Hi George

Your quote:
"I wouldn't think about booking 2 years in advance. That is just insane."

Not insane, quite smart really, as you can save anything from upwards of 35% as we did for our 3 week trip to Botswana (Massons mob camping, Mapula and DVL) in September this year. The one condition was a larger deposit was required to secure best prices. ;-)
See thread here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35166043

Cheers
Marc

africaddict

Hi Momliz

Who did you do your mob camping safari with? (In light of our Massons mob 10 night Sept booking)
Look forward to your trip report.

Cheers
Marc

Momliz

we did the green Desert trip, with Wilderness.

HariS

"Would you say that in June the gameviewing is of a lower quality or was it just bad luck for you?" Tau

Hi! Yes, absolutely bad luck. Infact, downright the worst luck!!! That Zarafa is mentioned in this thread - the old Zarafa was part of that trip and there was a botch up by their ex-guide during the siesta hour. I don't wish to dwell on that anymore, as I've had some pretty phenomenal cheetah viewing after that episode in more recent trips to LK and Lebala.

HariS

"Is Mombo not just overhyped???

Are there any other places which would offer the same kind of gameviewing (or even better) in certain times of the year.

I forgot to mention I am mostly interested in wild dogs and cheetahs." Tau

Reading all the game reports and trip reports - seems like the area is prime Lion country? A smart cheetah or pack of dogs, will do well to stay away!

atravelynn

If you typically spend a couple thousand dollars a night on vacation destinations, then I think Mombo is very wise choice and a good place for splurging. If Mombo prices mean your holiday is way over budget, then don't do it.

I used to visit Mombo back when it was a few hundred dollars a night. The wildlife viewing on every outing, both quality and variety, was absolutely top notch. It was deserving of its reputation. From what I can tell from others, that rep is deserved, though the diversity may be less.

But at the current costs, I would not consider Mombo.

I did a 2-week Wilderness mobile in Botswana. The wildlife viewing was great. That's probably how I'll be returning to Botswana.

Re last minute travel to find dog dens: As Hari mentions, dogs are never guaranteed because they can relocate dens without warning, but I've heard of people who employ that exact strategy. The fewer in your party, the easier it is to find availability last minute.

I changed plans once to remain at a camp where dogs were denning instead of continuing on with my safari and that worked well.

One recommended camp--I'd check on recent pride dynamics, but I'd say Duba Plains. The lion buffalo interaction is unique in all of Africa. But Duba probably would not produce leopard, cheetah, or wild dog. There usually are no giraffe and the wildebeest herd numbered four when I was there. I did see the best ardwolf sighting ever, and bat eared foxes up to 10 at a time, a few eles that come in as the dry season progresses, and I was lucky with serval sightings. Fantastic birds too. But the main event is lions and buffalo and how they pursue each other.

HariS

"Regarding light conditions, I thought June was very good also. However, I hated the early sunsets and probably not as good predator viewing as compared to later in the year. This is RE June 2007."

My apologies - I don't know why I said predator viewing not as good. By this, it's just the cheetah viewing that was amiss! That trip included, a wild dog den at Lagoon, The Selinda pride with cubs at the Old Zib, 4 youngish very active/entertaining male lions at Lebala, Leopard there also! So - hey ...... I have to correct myself, here!

HariS

Oh! Let's not forget Milky Eye and his buddy. To think of it - I haven't seen them since then!!! Come back home, boys...... you've had enough of the Zebras in the Savuti!!!!

Kavey

Doh, I really ought to proof-read before I post. As atravelynn says, it's Duba Plains and not Duma Tau that's well known for "the lion and buffalo interaction" I mentioned above!

Momliz, looking fwd to that report, thanks!