Hi,
I’m busy researching different offers for a few days in Botswana and found what seems to be a great SADC offer of approximately $1 133 for 3 nights and $1 661 for 4 nights.
It includes either 3 nights in the delta or 2 nights delta and 2 nights Linyati based on any of the following camps:
Chitabe Camp,
Chitabe Lediba,
DumaTau Camp,
Jacana Camp,
Kwetsani Camp,
Little Vumbura Camp,
Savuti Camp,
Tubu Tree Camp,
Xigera Camp,
Selinda,
Kings Pool Camp
I’ll appreciate any input and input on the best camps that could form of the package. The main focus is photography and mainly land-based activities.
Thanks
Botswana June 2013: Input around best camps
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Out of that list for the delta camps I'd pick Chitabe ( or Chitabe Lediba) for number one, Little Vumbura second. I haven't visited either but I will be in a couple of weeks time!
For the Linyanti camps I've been to Duma Tau and Selinda and loved them both but I've heard great things about the other two. I know that the game (esp the lion prides and the wild dog packs) moves around these areas so I don't have any reason to think any of them stand out above the others for game viewing. Kings Pool is a premier camp so if it's the same price you should be getting more luxury for your money. However, Selinda was gorgeous and Duma Tau has recently had a complete rebuild so should be a cut above some of the older camps. Savuti is a bit smaller than the other camps which could be nice.
June is high water and Kwetsani, Tubu Tree, Jacana and Xigera will all be water or mainly water based camps at that time of year.
Thank you! Enjoy your trip
Of those you listed I have been to Chitabe (Main camp) and Duma Tau. Chitabe was by far my favorite - great tents and staff, lots of animal sightings. When I was in Botswana in Aug/Sept 2011 a new Duma Tau camp was being built, so I'm not sure what that status is. The old camp in fact did feel a bit tired, so if the new one is up I am not able to comment on that. At both of these camps I saw lots of wild dogs and quite a few leopards, far less lions.
I was at Duma Tau in Dec 2011 and they were building the new camp, which has now opened (I believe Aug 2012). I've seen photos and read a report from someone who has been recently- it looks stunning.
Hello!
I stayed at Little Vumbura and Chitabe Lediba in November 2012. I think Little Vumbura might be slightly better for photography because you have the mokoro trip and some time on the water in addition to the thickets, plains, etc. We also saw tons more animals at Little Vumbura including wild dogs feasting, a hippo on land, hyena, red sable and zebra. We had a great guide at LV named Rain - but the sightings have a lot to do with luck and communication with the other guides.
At CL - the accommodations and food were better and tent was huge and really nice! We had some good sightings at CL including a leopard on the way to the landing strip. I think I would choose LV.
I will check back on this forum and see if you have any additional questions.
I can't wait for my next trip to Botswana!
Thanks for all the input! I've asked for dates and waiting for feedback on availability
I hope it all works out Botswana's been on my "to-do" list for years
It is worth seeing if other camp groups have similar offers, particularly Kwando. June/July is the time when the wild dogs start deninng (I'd go late June) and Kwando Lagoon has a pack which dens near the camp every year (or they have done for many years) and you can follow the dogs hunting.
If Kwando have similar SADC rates and you could stretch to 6 nights, I think a combination of 3 nights at Chitabe or Little Vumbura plus 3 nights at Lagoon would be an amazing combination.
Of your list, we are booked into Chitabe Lediba, Tubu Tree, Xigera, and Savuti....along with Vumburu Plains (similar to Little V). I think its an excellent mix of environments and camp settings. They are all owned by Wilderness Safari so the transfers are easy. Although we haven't made the trip yet, we are excited. Like you, Botswana has been on our radar for many years.
You are looking at quite a few superb camps. It may come down to availability. Chitabe Main Camp and King's Pool are my personal favorites. Kwetsani and Little Vumbura are more water-based camps, although you can travel by boat to dry land. King's Pool is ultra-luxurious and the game viewing was excellent. Chitabe is not quite as lux, but the game viewing is generally outstanding. You may wish to read the blogs on the various camp websites to get a feel for game viewing during your time of travel. Do you like big cats, elephant, wild dog or prefer a broader experience of general game viewing? Some camps are stronger in specific game. You can also search Fodors for Trip Reports that describe travelers' impressions of the ambiance, staff, accommodations, number of tents, cuisine...things that may be important to you. Each place is a bit different, as you can imagine. Sounds like it will be a terrific experience...enjoy!
Two good sources with lots of camp details, reviews and candid photos are:
Eyes on Africa:
http://www.eyesonafrica.net/african-safari-botswana/botswana-safari.htm
Africa Travel Resource:
http://www.africatravelresource.com/botswana-safari/
"I’ll appreciate any input"
The camp suggestions given by others are great: Chitabe (dry camp in the delta without water activities and cats like dry), Linyanti (Kings Pool & Duma Tau), and Vumbura which offers high quality dry land activities plus water activities.
Any combo of these would be great. Which ones you choose will stem from whether you want to spend some time in a mekoro, experiencing the delta from within it. Little Vumbura actually requires a 10 minute boat ride (not mekoro usually) to get to the camp. You can do a boat trip in Linyanti.
If your choice is driven by getting the fanciest camp for the money, I see Kings Pool is in the list and that is a Premier Camp, while the others are all Classic, I believe. Premier has amenities such as sorbet palette cleansers between courses, CD-burning privileges while in camp, fancy cheeses, wine tasting, and more artistic room décor. Classic camps are all gorgeous and completely comfortable. I actually prefer adventure level, also really nice, to even the very lovely classic level.
Depending on your time, budget, and rules of the offer, I think it would be ideal to do the offer times 2 and get 6-8 nights in Botswana. It would help make the time, effort, and cost of the Joburg to Maun flight worthwhile. I have never gone to Bots for only 3-4 nights and probably would not consider that short of a visit.
There is not a bad choice in that whole original list.