Roccco

I would love to avoid spending $1,300 per night next year should I visit Botswana. I know October is supposed to be treacherous, but by November, with perhaps a little rain, has it cooled down some?

Prices drop by about 30%+ by November 01st in Botswana, and this would basically give me 12 nights of Botswana safari for the price of 9, although Jack's Camp (Kalahari Desert) would likely be out of the question for November. This would, however, allow me to the following:

Makalolo Plains (3)
Matetsi (2)
Savuti (3)
Kwando Lebala (3)
Kwando Kwara (3)
Chiefs Camp (3)
King George V, Paris (3)

Arrive home in time for Thanksgiving. But, I don't want to boil in Botswana, so I would like any feedback on the expected weather.

Thanks.

Louise

Well, I'm sure you must know that prices go down for a reason. According to my trusty book on the gameparks of Africa, the temperature will be on an average 93 in November at Maun. October is 95 and December 90. I think maybe the rains don't cool it off so much as make it very humid.

dreaming

Roccco - Louise's comment about the humidity made me curious.... I found average temps, rainfall, humidity, etc. for Maun on the link below.

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...=&units=us

sandi

We've been in Botswana, Zimbabwe and SA in November and with the exception of Capetown which had delightful weather, all the rest (including Singita) were terribly hot and humid and amazing thunderstorms in all locations.

That's why, in November, the rates are lower in Botswana, which we had planned along with a Namibia (where it's ungodly hot, but dry) trip for '02 (unfortunately had to cancel).

Friends were in the Delta this past late-Nov/early-Dec and reconfirmed to us the "ugly" weather while visiting. Admittedly, they knew they had excellent rates, but not ideal weather, though game viewing was okay.

Lraces

I was in Botswana last December, it was about 35C+, hot, but livable. The Delta evaporates quite a bit, and last year it was low, so check into trips for that purpase. Loved Botswana though.

Roccco

Thanks. I think I will stick to a high season safari and just put a few more pennies in the piggy bank each day!

Westcliff (2)
Jack's Camp (3)
Savuti (3)
Kwando Lebala (3)
Kwando Kwara (3)
Chiefs Camp (3)
King George V, Paris (3)

I do not feel so bad abandoning Zambia for a year with all the recent interest. At this rate, Zambia will be as expensive as Botswana by my 2006 trip, anyhow!

Unfortunately, it comes down to a choice of a couple nights in Joburg at the beginning + Jack's Camp, or diving right into things at Makalolo Plains + a couple nights at Matetsi.

While Kwando is a MUST for me, both Lebala and Kwara, I am a little more flexible (less committed) on the other camps, although with the very positive comments I have read on Jack's Camp, Chief's Camp and Savuti, I would love to visit all three.

Other option:

(2006)

Westcliff (2) 9/03 - 9/04
Jacks Camp (3) 9/05 - 9/07
Savuti (3) 9/08 - 9/10
Kwando Lebala (3) 9/11 - 9/13
Kwando Kwara (3) 9/14 - 9/16
Chiefs Camp (3) 9/17 - 9/19
King George V, Paris (3) 9/21 - 9/23

Oh, what a DREAM TRIP that would be.

It would seem to reason that Chiefs Camp would cover some of the same ground on game drives as Mombo, since they are only 19 kilometers apart (less than 12 miles in distance). The difference in price between Mombo and Chiefs Camp would be enough to pay for King George V in Paris.

Also, for anybody planning a trip...airfare to Europe goes down significantly once September hits. I am probably paying 25% more this year by flying out of LAX - London on August 30th, rather than on September 01st, but that was the date I was stuck with, as I had to do what my frequent flier ticket from London - Joburg dictated.

There is nothing more I hate than cold weather except for HOT weather. Too bad we cannot just adjust the thermostat when in Africa.

Roccco

Oops...Option #1 and Option #2 are exactly the same...this MUST be the very best itinerary.