janebartosh

Greetings:

Planning a first time trip to Botswana November 2011 any thoughts on which is a better option? It looks as if online and with special offers the price comes out to be the same for both trips however one trip is longer than the other and a similar price with a special running right now. Thoughts are appreciated.

4 nights Sandibe andbeyond
4 nights Nxebega andbeyond camp
2 nights Xudum or Xarrana

or

All Wilderness camps:
3 nights Savuti Camp
3 nights Chitabe Camp
2 nights Vumbura Plains

priority is seeing animals and a great camp
thank you

safariwannabe

I can't speak to the first itenerary, but I did the areas you mention in the second in August/September 2010. Savuti was my favorite camp in Botswana, sightings were great, camp was wonderful. I stayed at Chitabe Lediba (next to Chitabe) and it was a close second. In one game drive there we saw lion, cheetah and leopard. This was also a wonderful camp. I also stayed at Little Vumbura. Great cheetah sightings and a nice water based camp. Enjoyed the mekero trip for a different perspective. I'm working on my trip report and hope to have it posted in full by the weekend. Here's a link to my photos from those camps.

http://southernafricaaugandsept2010.shutterfly.com/

atravelynn

If you replaced Vumbura Plains with Little Vumbura, you might be able to add another night to the Vumbura location. VP is over the top luxury while LV is very nice and along the lines of Savuti and Chitabe. Both VP and LV do game drives in the identical locations.

I like itineraries that stay 3+ nights in each location, so a 3rd night in Vumbura would be good.

See this quote on Xaranna:

• christabir on Dec 13, 10 at 10:30pm

<i>Xaranna is one of those "really expensive ridiculous camps". Great to experience, but just know it's pricey - even for Botswana. </i>

Not sure where you have found these online specials. If you contact an agent that specializes in Africa, they may be able to make some substitutions to fulfill your goals of wildlife viewing and great camps.

Good luck.

I am more familiar with the Wilderness camps in the second itinerary and believe these parks would give you a great trip. But unless I was given a free upgrade, I personally would never spend what is necessary to stay at Vumbura Plains.

christabir

I agree with all of the above.

There is a new wilderness Adventure camp. It looks like it is in a great location: It is also much more reasonably priced:

http://www.pafuri.com/countries/bots...oka-bush-camp/

I have stayed in all the categories of WS camps, including Vumbura Plains. I love classic camps and the Adventure camps are good and good value. The premier camps are way over the top and felt like we lost the bush feeling. Too much for me. Little Vumbura would be a great option if available.

Have fun planning!

janebartosh

thanks so much everyone. Totally helpful advice.