botswana camps
Mar 2nd, 2006, 08:55 AM
#1
botswana camps
would love to hear from anyone with information or experience with the 3 camps run by orient express in botswana-khwai river lodge, eagle island camp, and savute elephant camp. we are leaving march 27 for 9 nights in country split between all 3 camps.
any info on quantity or variety of animals seen or the weather at that time or any experiences you loved or hated would be appreciated. will post a report upon return.
any info on quantity or variety of animals seen or the weather at that time or any experiences you loved or hated would be appreciated. will post a report upon return.
Mar 2nd, 2006, 07:08 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
It sounds like you are already booked with these camps.......so the only advice i would give you is.........HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!
Ideally, they would not be my choice of camps, but the Khwai river area is renown for huge lion prides and good leopard viewing.
Have fun......
Ideally, they would not be my choice of camps, but the Khwai river area is renown for huge lion prides and good leopard viewing.
Have fun......
Mar 3rd, 2006, 08:47 AM
#3
santharamhari-for what reasons would they not be your choice of camps? do you have first hand knowledge of them or are you basing your cryptic comment on location or something else? share your insight.
Mar 3rd, 2006, 08:35 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi! I guess i should have stated my reasoning in my previous post.......i just didnt want to create any confusion, particularly since you have already made ur bookings......
I usually go with Kwando or Wilderness camps, as they have the best reputation and expertize in terms of the quality of guiding. My choices, if i went with Kwando would be Lagoon, Lebala and Kwara. If i went with Wilderness, i would include Duma Tau or Selinda, Chitabe and either Vumbura or Duba Plains.
I am sure, Khwai River lodge and Savute Elephant are luxurious and wonderful, but i dont know if they would be my choices.....Khwai river for one, has more rooms than any of the Kwando/wilderness camps......I dont know much about Eagle island....i'm sure it's a very delta experience and i'm sure it's very good......
I usually go with Kwando or Wilderness camps, as they have the best reputation and expertize in terms of the quality of guiding. My choices, if i went with Kwando would be Lagoon, Lebala and Kwara. If i went with Wilderness, i would include Duma Tau or Selinda, Chitabe and either Vumbura or Duba Plains.
I am sure, Khwai River lodge and Savute Elephant are luxurious and wonderful, but i dont know if they would be my choices.....Khwai river for one, has more rooms than any of the Kwando/wilderness camps......I dont know much about Eagle island....i'm sure it's a very delta experience and i'm sure it's very good......
Mar 4th, 2006, 01:36 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Mel,
I don't have personal experience of these camps, but they are larger and architecturally more hotel-like than those run by other companies in the Delta (Wilderness, Kwando, CCA) which are smaller and more camp-like.
Khwai River Lodge is on the northern edge of Moremi Game Reserve, overlooking the Khwai River. The main focus here is morning and afternoon game drives into Moremi (night drives are not allowed in Moremi). One important note is that the camp is very spread out, and the tents which are furthest from the dining room are quite a long ways out -- if you don't want a long hike to and from your room, ask for a room closer to the main lounge.
Eagle Island Camp is located in the southwest part of the Okavango, and is primarily known for birding rather than game-viewing which may be why Hari isn't a huge fan. It doesn't offer game drives, with activities focusing on mokoro trips and guided walks on the islands. A stay here is more about experiencing the unique atmosphere of the Delta than about seeing animals. Again this is a very large, spread-out camp, though not so spread out as Khwai River Lodge.
Savute Elephant Camp is located in the Savute region of Chobe National Park, facing onto the fossil riverbed of the Savuti Channel. There is a pumped waterhole in front of the camp which is often visited by animals. Game drives are done only during the day as night drives are not allowed in Chobe. One of the things that would dissuade me from choosing this camp is the presence of large wooden walls surrounding it to keep the animals out -- I like to stay in camps where the animals are free to wander through, as I've had some very good game-viewing from my room as a result!
Cheers,
Julian
I don't have personal experience of these camps, but they are larger and architecturally more hotel-like than those run by other companies in the Delta (Wilderness, Kwando, CCA) which are smaller and more camp-like.
Khwai River Lodge is on the northern edge of Moremi Game Reserve, overlooking the Khwai River. The main focus here is morning and afternoon game drives into Moremi (night drives are not allowed in Moremi). One important note is that the camp is very spread out, and the tents which are furthest from the dining room are quite a long ways out -- if you don't want a long hike to and from your room, ask for a room closer to the main lounge.
Eagle Island Camp is located in the southwest part of the Okavango, and is primarily known for birding rather than game-viewing which may be why Hari isn't a huge fan. It doesn't offer game drives, with activities focusing on mokoro trips and guided walks on the islands. A stay here is more about experiencing the unique atmosphere of the Delta than about seeing animals. Again this is a very large, spread-out camp, though not so spread out as Khwai River Lodge.
Savute Elephant Camp is located in the Savute region of Chobe National Park, facing onto the fossil riverbed of the Savuti Channel. There is a pumped waterhole in front of the camp which is often visited by animals. Game drives are done only during the day as night drives are not allowed in Chobe. One of the things that would dissuade me from choosing this camp is the presence of large wooden walls surrounding it to keep the animals out -- I like to stay in camps where the animals are free to wander through, as I've had some very good game-viewing from my room as a result!
Cheers,
Julian
Mar 4th, 2006, 03:44 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mel,
I stayed once at Khwai river lodge (June 2004) and had mixed-up feelings about it.
Gameviewing was very good as always but I didn't like the atmosphere in the camp.
Rooms are very luxurious with even air conditioning and you'll have a hammock.
The food was very nice.
Game drives are conducted in the private area in the afternoon and in the Moremi national park (passing north gate and Khwai village) in the morning.
If I'll go to Moremi national Park again I'll go on a mobile trip with a private guide in stead of staying at Khwai river lodge.
Gameviewing at the end of March won't be as good as in wintertime.
I haven't been to the other camps from the Orient-Express group.
Greetings,
Johan
I stayed once at Khwai river lodge (June 2004) and had mixed-up feelings about it.
Gameviewing was very good as always but I didn't like the atmosphere in the camp.
Rooms are very luxurious with even air conditioning and you'll have a hammock.
The food was very nice.
Game drives are conducted in the private area in the afternoon and in the Moremi national park (passing north gate and Khwai village) in the morning.
If I'll go to Moremi national Park again I'll go on a mobile trip with a private guide in stead of staying at Khwai river lodge.
Gameviewing at the end of March won't be as good as in wintertime.
I haven't been to the other camps from the Orient-Express group.
Greetings,
Johan
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lin
Africa & the Middle East
25
Oct 27th, 2005 02:56 AM
