snorklesue

My husband and I are at the decision point re our dream trip to Africa. After much deliberation we think we are going to take the easy way and go with OAT, with whom we have traveled in the past. We are leaning toward their trip which goes to Kenya and Tanzania, leaving mid-Feb. 2007. My husband really wants to go to Victoria Falls which OAT has as an add-on. I am not crazy about the idea as it takes two days to get there and most activities at VF cost extra-it will be a very expensive few days, plus I think I will be tired after 19 days. This trip goes to Serengeti, Nogorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Amboseli, Sweetwaters.

I just looked at the OAT catalogue to check something, and saw their trip to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe which goes to Chobe, Caprivi, Okavango Delta, Hwange and Victoria Falls. I had not considered this because I have been fixated on Tanzania especially because I know more people who have gone there and loved it. However, this forum has many wonderful things to say about Botswana, etc. Maybe this would be the way to go this time and hope to see Tanzania on our next(?)trip. Any advice?

Is there a lot of game to see in Botswana, etc. in Feb? Is it wet or dry season? Are VF a must-do destination if Kenya/Tanzania is the better trip for Feb? We like to travel in Feb. because it is our wedding anniversary-and we like to get out of NY cold at that time.

Thank you, Sue

ShayTay

Hi,

I was in Botswana in Feb. (not OAT's trip...not impressed with where they stay.) They had gotten more rain than in the last 20 years. The grass was quite high and the bush was thick. The wildlife tends to disappear in this kind of weather. We had some good sightings, but I've also been in August, when it's much better. Also, at that time of year, you'll have the flood in the Delta and can go around in mokoros.

In February in Tanzania, you should be between the short and long rains. I've been there in Feb. and it was dry and hot. You'll have great wildlife sightings then.

I've been to Victoria Falls twice, including this last Feb. It was in full flood, which meant that we were soaked and the Falls were often obscured by the mists. It only takes about an hour to walk the Zimbabwe side and less on the Zambia side. I personally wouldn't go from East Africa to Vic Falls; as you said, you spend too much time in travel. The Masai Mara in February is also not a good extension, as the Migration is usually in the southern Serengeti by then.

The OAT trip has you staying at the Serena and Mbuze Mawe which are north and northwest of the the Central Serengeti, a LONG way from the Ndutu area where the Migration will probably be.

Consider this: OAT also has a Safari Serengeti trip which is only in Tanzania. I've done this trip with OAT in June and have also put together the same trip with the same outfitter, Kibo Safaris, in February. I think you'd do better in terms of seeing the Migration with this trip. You'll be staying in a mobile tented camp that should be set up in the southern Serengeti area.

What I did as an extension to my OAT trip was to book my own Zanzibar extension. OAT only charged us $50 to fly back 4 days later. That's much more "doable" and interesting than the extensions they offer.

panecott

Hi Shay Tay,
I'm curious about which side of Victoria Falls offers the best view, Zam or Zim? I know this is a pretty dumb question since I was just there, but I only saw it from Zambia.
I stayed on the Zambia side, where they told us the viewing was better than on the Zimbabwe side. On my last day I decided to see for myself, however the walk into Zimbabwe took longer than I anticipated - I never did reach Immigration - and since I had to leave for the airport shortly, I turned back. So I never did find out.
But since most of the hotels seem to be in Zimbabwe, I'm guessing.....
So, what's your opinion? And anyone else who has seen both sides?

ShayTay

I haven't walked on the Zambia side, but 2/3 of the Falls are across from the Zim side. When it's low water season, much of the Zambian end is dry, at least from what I could see when I was there in August 2000.

sandi

We were in late Nov when the flow is low, but there is a flow and smoke. We walked the entire length from Zim to Zam, and, no doubt, the Zim side is more impressive.

At high flow the area has got to be quite impressive, you really can't see anything... too much mist, raincoat and hat needed and forget using your camera.

ShayTay

I "rented" a raincoat from one of the vendors at the Falls. It was longer than the poncho I had with me. We walked the entire length of the Zim side of the Falls in February and it was definitely in flood. I had both my cameras along with me - still and video. I would just whip out one and take a quick photo or a bit of video, then tuck them back under my raincoat. If you wait a minute or two at some of the viewpoints, you'll get a bit of a break in the mists. At the end of the walk is Rainbow Falls and, true to it's name, I got a nice shot of a rainbow there (early morning.)