Namibia Question for Johan
May 5th, 2006, 08:46 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Namibia Question for Johan
Hi Johan
I want to draw on your knowledge and expertise.
In November 2006, I will be spending 3 weeks in Botswana but my itinerary does NOT include Cheif's Island - so this means no rhinos
I have been told to go to Namibia for the true rhino experience so I have managed to squeeze in a 7 night fly-in safari to Namibia with the SOLE PURPOSE of tracking rhino on foot (hopefully black and white rhino).
This is the current plan:
- 29th Oct: Hotel Heinitzburg
- 30th Oct: Ongava Tented Camp (2 nights)
- 1st Nov: Palmwag Rhino Camp (3 nights)
- 4th Nov: Hotel Heinitzburg
- 5th Nov: Duma Tau........(and then rest of Botswana itinerary)
Do you or anyone else have any suggestions regarding the Namibia leg of the trip?
I hope I do not offend the Namibiaphiles
and I do plan to return to Namibia one day to do the country justice, BUT the main purpose for this trip is getting a good rhino tracking experience.
Thanks
Gaurang
I want to draw on your knowledge and expertise.
In November 2006, I will be spending 3 weeks in Botswana but my itinerary does NOT include Cheif's Island - so this means no rhinos
I have been told to go to Namibia for the true rhino experience so I have managed to squeeze in a 7 night fly-in safari to Namibia with the SOLE PURPOSE of tracking rhino on foot (hopefully black and white rhino).
This is the current plan:
- 29th Oct: Hotel Heinitzburg
- 30th Oct: Ongava Tented Camp (2 nights)
- 1st Nov: Palmwag Rhino Camp (3 nights)
- 4th Nov: Hotel Heinitzburg
- 5th Nov: Duma Tau........(and then rest of Botswana itinerary)
Do you or anyone else have any suggestions regarding the Namibia leg of the trip?
I hope I do not offend the Namibiaphiles
and I do plan to return to Namibia one day to do the country justice, BUT the main purpose for this trip is getting a good rhino tracking experience.Thanks
Gaurang
May 5th, 2006, 10:25 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Gaurang,
These are certainly the places to go to if you want to do some serious rhino tracking.
At Ongava you'll see both species and at Palmwag Rhino Camp you'll see free roaming black rhino. (but that you already know I guess)
This is how it works at Palmwag Rhino Camp:
- the trackers of "Save the rhino trust" locate one of the rhinos and make contact by radio with the vehicle on gamedrive. You drive to the nearest place which is accessible by car and from there you have to walk between fifteen minutes and a hour to be able to see the rhino. Sometimes is an easy walk sometimes is a bit more strenuous. The closest we came to one was approximately sixty metres. The trick is the animal not to make aware of your presence. Everytime we spend about a hour with these magnificent creatures. It was a wonderful experience and I never felt unsafe.
I hope Chris Bakkes will be at Palmwag Rhino Camp when you are there. He's a soft-hearted and very knowledgeable guide which lots of stories to tell around the campfire. I have to admit that my stay at Palmwag Rhino Camp was the highlight of all my safaris last year and I spent almost three months on safari last year.
Is there a reason why you are staying at Windhoek for two days (is it because otherwise you would miss your flight to Maun)?
If you want to make it a bit more adventurous, Wilderness Safaris is offering the following safari: "the desert rhino & elephant expedition".
The only thing I am not sure about is the weather. Could be raining and cloudy sometimes.
I'll be at Ongava and Palmwag Rhino Camp in August this year.
And like you said, you'll have to return to see al those other beautiful places like: skeleton coast - serra cafema- wolvedans - sossusvlei - the area around brandberg - ...
Greetings,
Johan
These are certainly the places to go to if you want to do some serious rhino tracking.
At Ongava you'll see both species and at Palmwag Rhino Camp you'll see free roaming black rhino. (but that you already know I guess)
This is how it works at Palmwag Rhino Camp:
- the trackers of "Save the rhino trust" locate one of the rhinos and make contact by radio with the vehicle on gamedrive. You drive to the nearest place which is accessible by car and from there you have to walk between fifteen minutes and a hour to be able to see the rhino. Sometimes is an easy walk sometimes is a bit more strenuous. The closest we came to one was approximately sixty metres. The trick is the animal not to make aware of your presence. Everytime we spend about a hour with these magnificent creatures. It was a wonderful experience and I never felt unsafe.
I hope Chris Bakkes will be at Palmwag Rhino Camp when you are there. He's a soft-hearted and very knowledgeable guide which lots of stories to tell around the campfire. I have to admit that my stay at Palmwag Rhino Camp was the highlight of all my safaris last year and I spent almost three months on safari last year.
Is there a reason why you are staying at Windhoek for two days (is it because otherwise you would miss your flight to Maun)?
If you want to make it a bit more adventurous, Wilderness Safaris is offering the following safari: "the desert rhino & elephant expedition".
The only thing I am not sure about is the weather. Could be raining and cloudy sometimes.
I'll be at Ongava and Palmwag Rhino Camp in August this year.
And like you said, you'll have to return to see al those other beautiful places like: skeleton coast - serra cafema- wolvedans - sossusvlei - the area around brandberg - ...
Greetings,
Johan
May 5th, 2006, 10:48 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Johan
Thanks for the great reply...lots of superb information.
My last night in Windhoek is unavoidable as I plan to catch an early flight to Maun in the morning.
My first night in can be at Ongava but this would mean:
- an overnight flight from London with SAA arriving in Windhoek at approx. 14:00. After transfers etc we would reach the camp at about 17:00. In your opinion, would it still be worth spending an EXTRA $500 for the first night to stay at Ongava?
I have heard lots of good things about Chris Bakkes - and most of it is almost legendary!!!
Thanks for the great reply...lots of superb information.
My last night in Windhoek is unavoidable as I plan to catch an early flight to Maun in the morning.
My first night in can be at Ongava but this would mean:
- an overnight flight from London with SAA arriving in Windhoek at approx. 14:00. After transfers etc we would reach the camp at about 17:00. In your opinion, would it still be worth spending an EXTRA $500 for the first night to stay at Ongava?
I have heard lots of good things about Chris Bakkes - and most of it is almost legendary!!!
May 5th, 2006, 10:25 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Hari
You will not be dissapointed !!! For it's size, it is the best camcorder in the world.
Remember to get a Hi-Definition TV to enjoy your videos even more
I have just brought the Sony external lighting accessories for this camera (a high power flash light and an infrared lamp) - so I can get even better footage at night. Both cost a total of £150 - so not too bad, if you are into night-time filming. I am flying out to Zambia (LZNP) in 11 days to test these accessories out.
Gaurang
You will not be dissapointed !!! For it's size, it is the best camcorder in the world.
Remember to get a Hi-Definition TV to enjoy your videos even more
I have just brought the Sony external lighting accessories for this camera (a high power flash light and an infrared lamp) - so I can get even better footage at night. Both cost a total of £150 - so not too bad, if you are into night-time filming. I am flying out to Zambia (LZNP) in 11 days to test these accessories out.
Gaurang
May 6th, 2006, 01:00 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hari...thanks, I will definately report to Fodors when I return from LZNP.
Johan....which Ongava property are you staying at? I chose the tented camp because it is in a central location within the private reserve. I will definately look out for your report on Ongava
Johan....which Ongava property are you staying at? I chose the tented camp because it is in a central location within the private reserve. I will definately look out for your report on Ongava
May 7th, 2006, 04:33 PM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Africa, When I go to Namibia in June, I'm flying from Chicago to D.C. to Johannesburg to Windhoek and straight on to Little Kulala - a much worse schedule than yours from London. For my last 2 safaris, I stayed overnight in Jo'burg before starting out. Although it was nice to rest and shower, etc., I now believe that I'd rather be tired in camp than in a sterile hotel room in Jo'burg. I am SURE that I can drag myself along to the evening activity - so what if my eyes are burning and my head is light? I'll be on safari! I figure I'll catch up on jet lag slowly but surely. No more wasted time. With an arrival time of 17:00 you'll probably miss the evening activity, unless you have reserved a private car (not too late to book one!), but you can still be sitting on your verandah or at the camp lounge looking out at a beautiful African evening with the chance of seeing animals. And you can hear 'Africa' all night. We're going to Ongava Tented Camp and Palmwag too - we'll have to compare notes! I too am hoping for some magnificent rhino sightings.
May 7th, 2006, 04:56 PM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<I now believe that I'd rather be tired in camp than in a sterile hotel room in Jo'burg. I am SURE that I can drag myself along to the evening activity - so what if my eyes are burning and my head is light? I'll be on safari!>>
Lin - I hope I feel the same way, because for my first trip coming up May 27, I'm going straight to my camp - Chiawa. This was my thinking.
Guarang and Hari - WHICH CAMCORDER? I am still pondering this one. Thanks so much!
18 days to Zambia.......!!!!!!!!!
Lin - I hope I feel the same way, because for my first trip coming up May 27, I'm going straight to my camp - Chiawa. This was my thinking.
Guarang and Hari - WHICH CAMCORDER? I am still pondering this one. Thanks so much!
18 days to Zambia.......!!!!!!!!!
May 7th, 2006, 05:29 PM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cooncat,
The SONY HI-Definintion HD4. Actually, let me look up the brochure once again and refresh my memory and revert back tomorrow. My catalog that i ordered from is in the office and i'm going for an out of town meeting today. Promise to revert ASAP
Hari
The SONY HI-Definintion HD4. Actually, let me look up the brochure once again and refresh my memory and revert back tomorrow. My catalog that i ordered from is in the office and i'm going for an out of town meeting today. Promise to revert ASAP
Hari
May 8th, 2006, 01:50 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lin.....I look forward to your reports on Palmwag and Ongava. I do understand what you are saying and I do normally go straight to my first camp as soon as I land (if I can get there for around lunchtime). But I will be spending a whole month out on safari (my longest ever - so a slower pace this time) and I will save $500 by not going to Ongava on the first night. Another way to look at it is:
- Do I spend that $500 on an extra night at Ongava and spend more time enjoying the experience of the waterhole?
OR
- Do I spend that $500 to pay for 2 full days of having a private vehicle when staying at the Kwando camps in Botswana?
Being a keen photographer - option 2 wins it for me.
Cooncat.....the camcorder is the Sony HDR-HC1E. It is the smallest Hi-Definition camcorder available (it is a bit pricey but you are paying for real quality). And if you have a HDTV, the video quality is amazing (it's like being there ).
Hari....I do hope you ordered the right model (HDR-HC1E).
I do understand what you are saying and I do normally go straight to my first camp as soon as I land (if I can get there for around lunchtime). But I will be spending a whole month out on safari (my longest ever - so a slower pace this time) and I will save $500 by not going to Ongava on the first night. Another way to look at it is:- Do I spend that $500 on an extra night at Ongava and spend more time enjoying the experience of the waterhole?
OR
- Do I spend that $500 to pay for 2 full days of having a private vehicle when staying at the Kwando camps in Botswana?
Being a keen photographer - option 2 wins it for me.
Cooncat.....the camcorder is the Sony HDR-HC1E. It is the smallest Hi-Definition camcorder available (it is a bit pricey but you are paying for real quality). And if you have a HDTV, the video quality is amazing (it's like being there
).Hari....I do hope you ordered the right model (HDR-HC1E).
May 8th, 2006, 06:17 AM
#16
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Africa, When you put it that way, I totally agree with your plan to spend the $500 on the private guide! A whole month sounds great. Ours is close to 3 weeks and it will be my longest. And Windhoek is probably a lot nicer place to stay than Jo'burg, sorry to any Jo'burg fans out there but it is not my fave place.
Cooncat, you must be going nuts, now 17 days and it should fly by! Let me know how the first night was - I'm sure neither of us will regret the push to get our safari started. Have a fantastic trip, well that's a no-brainer.
Cooncat, you must be going nuts, now 17 days and it should fly by! Let me know how the first night was - I'm sure neither of us will regret the push to get our safari started. Have a fantastic trip, well that's a no-brainer.
May 8th, 2006, 07:42 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lin
I do agree with your Windhoek vs Jo'burg statement. I am flying out to Zambia in 9 days time for a 9-night safari. On this occassion - I am going straight to the camp (Chiawa) for the first night
Although, as I'm living in London, it is a lot easier for me - a 10 hour overnight flight am I'm in Lusaka at 6:15am with no jet lag (as there is no real time difference). So I do respect those that travel from the USA.
I do agree with your Windhoek vs Jo'burg statement. I am flying out to Zambia in 9 days time for a 9-night safari. On this occassion - I am going straight to the camp (Chiawa) for the first night
Although, as I'm living in London, it is a lot easier for me - a 10 hour overnight flight am I'm in Lusaka at 6:15am with no jet lag (as there is no real time difference). So I do respect those that travel from the USA.
May 9th, 2006, 07:18 AM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cooncat/Gaurang,
Yep, it's the HDR-HC1E indeed!!!
The sony store is two doors down from my office. Just got home today to chk on my order........they have ordered it in for me. Cant wait for it to get here......
Sorry to hijack this Namibia thread...
Hari
Yep, it's the HDR-HC1E indeed!!!
The sony store is two doors down from my office. Just got home today to chk on my order........they have ordered it in for me. Cant wait for it to get here......
Sorry to hijack this Namibia thread...
Hari
May 10th, 2006, 11:44 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Hari
In the UK, the HC3 is about is about £200 cheaper than the HC1E (so check that you are not paying the same amount of money!!!). With the HC3, they have removed some of the features of the HC1E and made it simpler to use. This is still a great little camcorder so you'll definately enjoy it.
Regards
Gaurang
In the UK, the HC3 is about is about £200 cheaper than the HC1E (so check that you are not paying the same amount of money!!!). With the HC3, they have removed some of the features of the HC1E and made it simpler to use. This is still a great little camcorder so you'll definately enjoy it.
Regards
Gaurang
