CarlaM

I am still in the infant stage of planning a 2007 trip to Southern Africa.

Has anyone done anything like this;

(3) South Luangwa, Zambia
(3) Lower Zambezi, Zambia
(3) Okavango Delta, Botswana
(3) Linyanti, Botswana

Don't need to go to Victoria Falls again, although it was terrific the first time.

Also, what shoulder season month would be the best game viewing (keeping in mind that I don't like cold or severe HOT/humidity)

Am I dreaming of the perfect scenario that is not possible?

All suggestions welcomed.

Thanks,
Carla

jasher

Hello Carla,

With your weather preferences in mind, I'd vote for late May or early June - the cold hasn't really set in, but the floods are arriving and the bush is starting to thin out. November, the other side of the shoulder season, will be too hot and humid.

Personally, I'd vote for sticking with one country as I prefer to avoid spending too much time/money on transfers, but your Zambia/Botswana combo is certainly doable. In Zambia, because transfers between parks are longer than in Botswana, I'd advocate choosing either Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa rather than doing both - as you can see from people's trip reports, there's plenty to see in either one and you would have no problems filling five or six days. If you wanted to balance the itinerary a bit more between the different regions, your itinerary might look something like this:

South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi x4
Linyanti x4
Okavango Delta x4

The Linyanti is much easier to reach from Zambia as it's closest to the border - as it is you will have quite a long transfer between countries, which is why many poeple prefer to do an overnight at Vic Falls in between.

Whilst I havne't been to Zambia (yet!) based on what I have read here and from conversations with those who have gone I would recommend Lower Zambezi over South Luangwa for greater contrast with the environments you'll see in Botswana. But others with more experience will hopefully provide some more authoritative advice.

Cheers,
Julian

Roccco

(Just for the benefit of the readers, I will repeat what I wrote to Carla when she e-mailed me this same question earlier this morning...she had not yet received a response from me when she posted this)

Late May/Early June 2007 OR Early November 2007:

Kafunta River Lodge (4) $290 per single per night ($240 + $50 s/s) + 5% long stay discount = $1100
Chongwe River Camp (3) (no s/s in May) $430 per person per night = $1290
Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zim (1) = $200
Selinda or Zibalianja(3) = $500 per night = $1500 (estimated)
Sandibe (3) (no single supplement) = $400 per single per night (estimated) = $1200
Air/Road Transfers - Lusaka to South Luangwa to Lower Zambezi to Victoria Falls to Selinda/Zibalianja to Sandibe to Maun = $1400 USD (estimated)

TOTAL = $6,690 per SINGLE sharing

Terms: Zambia portion to be completed by May 31st or to start on Nov. 01st. Lower Zambezi NP closes for the season on Nov. 15th so travel in LZNP would need to be completed by then.

atravelynn

Carla,

I agree that late May would be a good shoulder season. Reports have been positive from this time frame.

If you think you'll do more Africa trips in your future, then I'd do just Zambia or Botswana this time.

If more the possibility of more than one trip is dicey, then your selections would be offer diversity of wildlife, environment and activities.

Here is a thought, along the lines of Julian's answer.

Lower Zambezi:

(2) Sausage Tree
then spend the day canoeing in the Chifungulu Channel to
(2) Old Mondoro

In Botswana, do
(3) Chitabe or Chitabe Trails
(it is in the delta, but a dry camp)
(2) Water camp such as Little Vumbura or Xigera or Tubu Tree
(3) Duma Tau, Selinda, Zibalianja

I have done the above, but not in a single trip. It also was high season.

Your four regions, or a variation of that would be a wonderful trip.

CarlaM

You both are right about sticking to one country. That's how I always prefer to travel, I just can't make up my mind what to do next. Too many choices, I feel like a kid in a candy store.

Lynn, have a great trip! I am so envious and look forward to hearing all about it. And you've already booked So Africa after that..b@$!h (in a good way)

CarlaM

Oops, forgot you Rocco (how is that possible!) You're terrific putting up with my indecisiveness and have given me way more information that I know what to do with. Can you just email me the perfect itinerary with the perfect price and say GO! Thanks for answering all my questions so promptly.

matnikstym

Careful Carla, Rocco will just do that! (but he does know his stuff!)

CarlaM

Ok,well Rocco just brought me back to earth with a quote on my combo idea, so I will concentrate on one country at a time.

Dennis, what was your itinerary to Zambia (you have too many threads to sift through)

matnikstym

Carla~ 1st trip: 5 nights Luangwa River Lodge, 3 nights Chongwe Camp, 2 nights Stanley Safari Lodge in Livingstone (though only stayed 1 night)
2nd trip: 3 nights Tafika Camp, 3 nights Puku Ridge, 5 nights Luangwa River Lodge.
All but Stanley would I return to, they were all fantastic!

Roccco

LOWER ZAMBEZI 2007 HIGH SEASON PRICING

Kasaka River Lodge = $375 pppns

Kulefu Tented Camp* = $475 pppns

Chongwe River Camp = $480 pppns

Old Mondoro Camp* = $595 pppns

Sausage Tree Camp* = $695 pppns

Chiawa Camp* = $695 pppns (only $100 pppns more for their ultraluxurious Superior Safari Tent)


SOUTH LUANGWA 2007 HIGH SEASON PRICING

Tafika = $675 pppns (Aug/Sept)

Tena Tena / Nsefu = $560 pppns

Tafika = $530 pppns (July & Oct.)

Kaingo = $525 pppns

Luangwa River Lodge = $500 pppns

Nkwali = $480 pppns

Puku Ridge* = $475 pppns

Bushcamp Company Camps* = $385 pppns

Kafunta River Lodge = $340 pppns

Kafunta Island Bush Camp* = $305 pppns

*Located within the national park

APPROXIMATE AIR TRANSFERS

Lusaka to South Luangwa to Lusaka = $425 per person

Lusaka to Lower Zambezi to Lusaka = $325 per person

Comparatively speaking, Zambia still offers wonderful value for money.

CarlaM

Thanks Rocco,
This is much easier to reference than looking at each website. Very kind of you!

santharamhari

Wow!!! prices for both Sausage tree and chiawa are going up thru the roof!!!

Rocco, can't remember the Kafue prices, arent they in the $500 to $650 range? I saw recent pics on the WS website.

Hari

CarlaM

At this point I am deciding between Botswana in May(9)days or Zambia (10)days in Sept. Please help me choose.

CarlaM

Forgot to mention regarding game viewing, I am MOST interested in seeing lion cubs, blanked on the last trip. I am a huge cat lover!

CarlaM

Dennis,

For a first timer to Zambia, what time of year and what camps would you recommend? Can you give me more details on the weather conditions in Nov and Mar. Did LRL have a pool for those hot afternoons?

santharamhari

Carla,

I think if you go to Zambia in Sept,(from your post) the game-viewing should be at it's very best. It may be a bit hot...so, just bear with it and enjoy the superlative game....

Hari