panecott

Does anyone have any comments on these parks and camps on the Caprivi Strip?
Some friends that I met in Namibia two years ago are going back and have asked me to join them. I don't know if I can do it this year, but it sure is nice to just think about the possibility!
They'll be visiting Caprivi Wildparc, Mudumu NP, Kwanndumu NP, and staying at Chobe Savanna on the Namibian side of the Chobe River, Susuwe and Lianshulu near the Kwando River.

I'm not familiar with these places and would appreciate any feedback from anyone with knowledge or experience with these destinations. TIA

Poppins

I stayed at Lianshulu a year ago and it is a lovely lodge. The rooms are a bit hotel like, but the public areas are stunning and overlook the river. The river cruises were lovely and staff very knowledgable.

Stayed at Susuwe on same trip. Wasn't that impressed, but management was changing that week, so suspect that was why. Rooms were lovely. Didn't see much game at all.

Styed at Chobe Savanna in December. Lodge is a little tired. Management also pretty tired. Our guide was very sweet and accommodating. Have to say that I prefferred the Chobe Game Lodge eventough it is MUCH bigger and not my usual scene. Chobe Savanna is a nice place to just go and relax with friends though.

julia1

I stayed at Chobe Savanna Lodge last October and would recommend it. It's situated right on the river, accessible only by boat. Accommodation is in small individual chalets, each with a comfortable bedroom and en suite bath. This isn't luxury standard, but quite nice and very comfortable. The lodge is located in savanna and each chalet looks out to the river itself. We safaried by boat each morning and late afternoon, with opportunities for walks also and a visit to a fishing village, home to one of the staff. There were elephants galore, as far as the eye could see, sometimes hundreds at a time, often in the grass very near to the lodge, always along the banks of the river. Approaching by boat, we often were able to get very close and stay for long periods of time simply watching them interact. There was also a great richness of bird life, many varieties of antelope, and of course crocodiles and hippos in abundance too. Here are some photos from my website of Chobe Savanna: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1461488.html

matnikstym

I was at Susuwe in 2006 and that is the place our guide told us all the animals went to Angola. The lodge was nice, comfortable rooms...but the game viewing was minimal. I wouldn't go back to that area again.

panecott

Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like Susuwe is a no for wildlife viewing, and the other two are possibilities.

And Julia, thank you for the photos, and not just those of Chobe Savana. I looked at Morocco and Sicily as well, and they are stunning. I plan to go back to see the rest.

matnikstym

We also stayed at Ntwala Lodge (another of the Islands In Africa group that Susuwe is in) and the only highlight of that stay was when we motorboated into Chobe and saw hundreds of elephants. So I'd stay at anywhere near the Chobe River and do the motorboat safaris from there.

sniktawk

To be perfectly honest this area is not renowned for its wildlife. We visited Lianshula 7 years ago when it was still independant, the game was sparse but the boat trips were nice. If you like birding then Impalila is very good, there is no land based viewing unless you like cows. But boat trips can take you into the bacwaters of the Zambezi which has some of the best birdwatching available, you can also go up and down the Chobe in a small boat! Game viewing on the Chobe is memorable. Finally you can cross the border between Namibia and Botswana here by boat!

julia1

Panecott, thanks for your nice comments about my photos. And Sniktawk, I agree with you that game viewing from the Chobe is indeed memorable. To reach Chobe Savanna from Botswana, first you must exit Botswana at immigration in Kasane. Then you walk down to the dock nearby, board a small boat with your luggage, and off you go onto the river. When you leave Kasane (Botswana) it is a boat transfer to Chobe Savanna Lodge but before getting to the lodge you have to go through Namibia immigration. The boat stops on the river bank which you then walk up, to a small building with one official in it. The building is very small, the official is very large and very officious in his full official regalia complete with badges and other insignia, and his very large desk takes up almost all of the small space inside the very small building. You complete a form, sign a large book, have your passport stamped and off you go back down the bank! Very african and most entertaining!

panecott

I did a boat trip on the Chobe when crossing from Botswana to Livingstone thru' Kasane. And yes, the wildlife viewing was fantastic. We saw herds of elephants, hippos, crocs and lots of birds.

I think a boating safari would be very pleasant, and Sniktawk, I do like birding. I enjoyed viewing the amazing birds, and photographing them, as much as the big game.

bigbrownboy

I was actually at Chobe Savanna last October as well and would also recommend it. Really nice staff--but given we were the only ones there at the time they didn't have much of a choice!

Great memories of the Namibian border crossing at Kasiki--the immigration guy was out drinking when we went by and our guide (outstanding) had to run to the bar to find him. Apparently this happens frequently!

But really unbelievable to cruise on the boat to your lodge passing hippos, elephants, etc. Especially as this was our first night on a first ever trip to the continent.