Elephants in June
Jul 28th, 2006, 06:59 AM
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Elephants in June
I wrote a couple of months ago and mentioned that my husband and I are planning a Botswana safari for June 2008 and among other things are very interested in seeing Elephant. Our current itinerary is 2 nights Chitabe, 2 nights Kwetsani or Tube Tree and 3 nights Kings Pool. There are two reason for going in June - first the pricing, and second - the cooler weather. I would not enjoy a hot safari. The reasons we are looking at Kings Pool are to stay at one 6 paw camp, the hides, and the elephants. In my last post someone said not to expect a lot of elephants in June and I have read similar statements in other posts. Here is a quote from the WS site regarding the game at Kings Pool:
"The area has a large wildlife resource with a wide variety of species, but it is most noted for its very large Elephant populations, which can reach enormous densities during our winter months."
And another from the June 06 newsletter:
"The numerous pans dotted through the mopane woodland that dominates the interior of the Linyanti concession are finally beginning to dry, and, although it will be some time before the river claims its position as the only remaining water source, the elephants have already started to return. Guests and staff alike have welcomed the pachyderm presence, with herds of several hundred (elephants, not guests!) providing spectacular viewing as they cross the river border with Namibia."
Of course this could have been the end of June and we are planning our trip for mid-June. On the other hand, 2006 was a big flood year so it would seem the water would stay longer than normal. I am not disputing the personal knowledge of all of you who have been there, just trying to clarify. I understand that the later the season, the dryer the area and the more the elephants congregate. One of my dreams is to be in the underground hide and see elephants so close that I could touch them. What are the odds of that happening in mid-June? If Kings Pool is not the place to see elephants in June, what would be a better choice?
"The area has a large wildlife resource with a wide variety of species, but it is most noted for its very large Elephant populations, which can reach enormous densities during our winter months."
And another from the June 06 newsletter:
"The numerous pans dotted through the mopane woodland that dominates the interior of the Linyanti concession are finally beginning to dry, and, although it will be some time before the river claims its position as the only remaining water source, the elephants have already started to return. Guests and staff alike have welcomed the pachyderm presence, with herds of several hundred (elephants, not guests!) providing spectacular viewing as they cross the river border with Namibia."
Of course this could have been the end of June and we are planning our trip for mid-June. On the other hand, 2006 was a big flood year so it would seem the water would stay longer than normal. I am not disputing the personal knowledge of all of you who have been there, just trying to clarify. I understand that the later the season, the dryer the area and the more the elephants congregate. One of my dreams is to be in the underground hide and see elephants so close that I could touch them. What are the odds of that happening in mid-June? If Kings Pool is not the place to see elephants in June, what would be a better choice?
Jul 28th, 2006, 07:27 AM
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We went in early June last year. We saw a tremendous number of elephants (hundreds and hundreds). We stayed at Duma Tau which is the same area as Kings Pool and saw lots of elephants. Also lots in the delta camps.
I think the best place for elephants, though, may be around the Chobe river. As we flew from Zambia to Duma Tau, I saw huge herds. So, don't forget to look down for
I think the best place for elephants, though, may be around the Chobe river. As we flew from Zambia to Duma Tau, I saw huge herds. So, don't forget to look down for
Jul 28th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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I can't comment on June, but when I visited in August (and I also stayed at Chitabe and Savuti, which shares traversing rights with Kings Pool), I saw many, many more elephants in Chobe than in the Delta.
Jul 28th, 2006, 09:03 AM
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Slsmith,
The huge herds of elephants also depends on the summer rains that particular year. For example, this past summer had very very high rainfalls which resulted in the pans being full of water in the mopane woodlands. So, the elephant herds are not to their full winter peak to date!!!
Some of the better camps for elephants are in the Linyanti/savuti/Kwando/Chobe areas.
Like Michael mentioned, Chobe is very good for Elephants.
Hari
The huge herds of elephants also depends on the summer rains that particular year. For example, this past summer had very very high rainfalls which resulted in the pans being full of water in the mopane woodlands. So, the elephant herds are not to their full winter peak to date!!!
Some of the better camps for elephants are in the Linyanti/savuti/Kwando/Chobe areas.
Like Michael mentioned, Chobe is very good for Elephants.
Hari
Jul 28th, 2006, 09:29 AM
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Hello,
I am not an expert but here is what I think:
I normally go every year in June to Botswana and until now I only have seen a good number of elephants at Duma Tau in June 2005. Of course, on every trip I've been I saw them but not in their hundreds like at the end of the dry season.
F.e. this year at Lebala at the end of May, I have hardly seen some ellies and I was there for 8 nights. Like you know and what was already mentioned by others, it has a lot to do with access to water.
Bear also in mind, that the camp reports are there for promotional purposes.
Your best chances to see lots of elephants would be at the end of the dry season at the Linyanti-Kwando-Chobe area. But that's not the time of year you would like to go.
You can be lucky to see good numbers of elephants in June but like any sighting it is in no ways guaranteed.
Good things happen, when you are not expecting them (f.e. the elephant sighting at Duma Tau in January 2006).
Greetings,
Johan
I am not an expert but here is what I think:
I normally go every year in June to Botswana and until now I only have seen a good number of elephants at Duma Tau in June 2005. Of course, on every trip I've been I saw them but not in their hundreds like at the end of the dry season.
F.e. this year at Lebala at the end of May, I have hardly seen some ellies and I was there for 8 nights. Like you know and what was already mentioned by others, it has a lot to do with access to water.
Bear also in mind, that the camp reports are there for promotional purposes.
Your best chances to see lots of elephants would be at the end of the dry season at the Linyanti-Kwando-Chobe area. But that's not the time of year you would like to go.
You can be lucky to see good numbers of elephants in June but like any sighting it is in no ways guaranteed.
Good things happen, when you are not expecting them (f.e. the elephant sighting at Duma Tau in January 2006).
Greetings,
Johan
Jul 28th, 2006, 09:40 AM
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Well, kinda what I thought... right area but maybe the wrong time. As long as there is a good chance we'll see some ellies I think we will take our chances and stay with June. Thanks for all your help!
Jul 28th, 2006, 01:18 PM
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It depends wholly on the flood levels that year: we were at Savuti in June 2004 and there were sooooo few elephants around - this is because the floods had been higher than usual and there was still plenty of water in scattered water holes around the region. The eles congregate near Savuti and King's Pool camps when their other water sources have dried up. Savuti's water hole is spring/ pump fed so still has water.
Jul 30th, 2006, 01:57 AM
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SLS
Were they? Not in all camps, I think? Just read Julian's report for Savuti and he said the elephants hadn't yet come into the immediate area of the camp in any large numbers because of high water levels again this year...
Were they? Not in all camps, I think? Just read Julian's report for Savuti and he said the elephants hadn't yet come into the immediate area of the camp in any large numbers because of high water levels again this year...
Jul 30th, 2006, 04:20 AM
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You're right, Karvey. It didn't say that they were in the camps. Guess I was reading more into it than was there. And I did read Julian's awesome report after I made that post. Looks like he just missed them. Hmmm.. maybe it would be worth spending a little more to go in July!
Aug 10th, 2006, 05:09 AM
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Hello Slsmith,
In a normal year (the weather was really odd this year) you would see plenty of elephants in June -- I've travelled in June before (actually, exactly one year before my trip this year) and there were elephants behind every bush.
This year is rather atypical because of the late rains (the floods are not really a big factor in the Linyanti region). The elephants tend to stay back in the mopane woodlands until the seasonal pans dry up -- only once the pans are dry do they come down to the rivers and waterholes in the Linyanti, generating the huge herds you're hoping to see. Normally the pans start drying up in May, and by June there are plenty of elephants around the waterhole at Savuti and the river near Duma Tau.
If you really love ellies, I'd recommend switching your Linyanti camp to Savuti so you can sit on the woodpile hide. You could do Jao (same reserve as Kwetsani and Tubu Tree) for your six-paw experience -- or you could really go for it and do Mombo instead of Chitabe.
I'd also recommend extending your stay at each camp to at least 3 nights -- 2 nights really isn't enough time to get to know an area, IMO.
Cheers,
Julian
In a normal year (the weather was really odd this year) you would see plenty of elephants in June -- I've travelled in June before (actually, exactly one year before my trip this year) and there were elephants behind every bush.
This year is rather atypical because of the late rains (the floods are not really a big factor in the Linyanti region). The elephants tend to stay back in the mopane woodlands until the seasonal pans dry up -- only once the pans are dry do they come down to the rivers and waterholes in the Linyanti, generating the huge herds you're hoping to see. Normally the pans start drying up in May, and by June there are plenty of elephants around the waterhole at Savuti and the river near Duma Tau.
If you really love ellies, I'd recommend switching your Linyanti camp to Savuti so you can sit on the woodpile hide. You could do Jao (same reserve as Kwetsani and Tubu Tree) for your six-paw experience -- or you could really go for it and do Mombo instead of Chitabe.
I'd also recommend extending your stay at each camp to at least 3 nights -- 2 nights really isn't enough time to get to know an area, IMO.
Cheers,
Julian
Aug 10th, 2006, 09:21 PM
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Sharon,
I saw your first post on this thread....Chitabe/Kwetsani or Tubu Tree and Kings Pool. If i were you, i would do Chitabe/Kwetsani/Selinda. If you do want one 6 paw camp, do Chitabe/Mombo/Selinda. If you did do this particular option, the game viewing will be spectacular. This is for a Wilderness itinerary.
Or alternatively, for 7 nights you could go 3 nights Little Kwara and 4 nights Lebala (Kwando safaris) option.
Mid-june the high season starts for WS camps. For Kwando it starts June 1.
Hari
I saw your first post on this thread....Chitabe/Kwetsani or Tubu Tree and Kings Pool. If i were you, i would do Chitabe/Kwetsani/Selinda. If you do want one 6 paw camp, do Chitabe/Mombo/Selinda. If you did do this particular option, the game viewing will be spectacular. This is for a Wilderness itinerary.
Or alternatively, for 7 nights you could go 3 nights Little Kwara and 4 nights Lebala (Kwando safaris) option.
Mid-june the high season starts for WS camps. For Kwando it starts June 1.
Hari
Aug 16th, 2006, 09:59 AM
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The best time to see the Elephant herds will be September/November. Especially along the Chobe River Front or along the Kwando river (Kwando Lagoon, Kwando Lebala or Susuwe Island Lodge). Bye the way November has the same rates as June.. bye the way from 15th June it is regarded as High season. I would two nights on the Chobe River front area and then 3/4 nights at either Lagoon/ Lebala or Susuwe if you want to see really big herds
Aug 16th, 2006, 08:07 PM
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safariexpert,
Actually, Kwando has different rates in June than it does in November. Kwando's high season starts on June 01st and runs until October 31st. Kwando's shoulder season starts on April 01st goes until May 31st and then also occurs between November 01 - November 30th.
Actually, Kwando has different rates in June than it does in November. Kwando's high season starts on June 01st and runs until October 31st. Kwando's shoulder season starts on April 01st goes until May 31st and then also occurs between November 01 - November 30th.
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