rockabelle

Hi. My parents, sister and I are off to Vumbura Plains and Savute Elephant Camp at the end of June/early July of this year.

All the reviews I've found have been great about both, but I'm starting to worry - I want this trip to be perfect for them. Are both going to be good at that time of year? Is there going to be anything we're seriously unlikely to see? I want to manage their expectations appropriately (already pointed out that they won't get any rhino). All the reviews focus on lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants, but for us, giraffe and buffalo etc are (almost) as important.

Also, we've no idea what to take, or anything else that we need to do. Does any one know of an idiot's guide to going on safari?

Many thanks

Belle

PredatorBiologist

Belle: those camps are in great wildlife viewing areas. How long will you be staying? Obviously the longer you are at a camp the better chance you have for sightings. The best way to go is to try your best not to have expectations, viewing can fluctuate greatly. Typically, most people in those areas will see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, kudu, impala, warthog, and a number of other species plus beautiful birds. During my stays in Botswana camps I have typically seen anywhere from 18 to 30 different mammal species so you will most likely see a good diversity of species. Night drives are a key element to see the most different species and they are not allowed at Savute Elephant Camp because of its location within Chobe National Park so be sure and have a night drive at Vumbura. Some night drives you may see nothing but it is the best chance to see porcupine, honey badger, genet, bushbaby and number of other species. Other sightings are hard to predict. You are staying at very good camps to see cheetah and fairly good for leopard but that doesn't mean that you will see them so the expectation should be that you have given your family a great opportunity by being in good habitat but you never know. I didn't see a cheetah until my last day on my third safari while other people (who are extremely lucky) will see them on their first day. Likewise I stayed at Mombo Camp where it seems that everyone sees leopard -- not us so even if you pick the best camp for a species there are no gaurantees. African wild dog, which is the rarest of the major predators I saw on a hunt and eating a kill on just my 1st ever morning drive, sometimes you have great fortune. You have planned a trip at a good time in one of the finest safari regions in the world, you will have a great experience! Relax, be excited and appreciate whatever the Botswana bush reveals to you and everyone will cherish your trip.

Your agent should be able to furnish you with a packing list. If not a quick google search will bring some up.

atravelynn

Predator has given you a comprehensive and reassuring response.

End of June & early July is a good time to go for both places.

Of course, it depends what you're looking for as to whether you'll be seriously unlikely to see it. (A Yogi-ism?) You mentioned buffalo and giraffe. Vumbura has a healthy buffalo population and I've seen huge herds in the Savuti-Chobe region as well. (In both cases with lion not far behind.) Giraffes are quite abundant in most parks, including your choices. They are fairly easy to spot, even from great distances, due to their height.

The reason some of those "etc." species are not mentioned is because they are seen often and are common, not because they are absent and have not been sighted. So if zebra, impala, and warthogs are on your list, you'll be happy all day long. Vumbura also offers a realistic chance to see the beautiful and elusive sable antelope.

Be sure to tell your guide if there is something you'd especially like to see. There's never a guarantee of any species, but at least the guide will know your interests and can go to areas more likely to have those species.

Some specifics for Vumbura.
* Predator already told you to be sure to do night drives there. The night drive is normally just a continuation of the afternoon drive.

* Not to scare you, but another Vumbura guest went to the loo off the lounge at night and encountered some lions, so I'd ask for an escort if using that facility at night.

* If you choose a water activity, you may wish to try to do it midday so it does not replace a regular game drive. Or you may want to do just a short boat trip prior to when you would begin your normal pm game drive. With 4 in your group, you'll likely have your own vehicle at least some of your days, which means you can call the shots. The reason I make these suggestions is that water activities, which are relaxing and a worthwhile way to see the delta, are not as game-rich as drives.

* You can get your memory card downloaded to a CD at Vumbura (part of the 6-paw silver service) for a nominal charge. Your file is saved for 30 days. Just a nice back up.

You picked well and can relax and let Botswana do its magic. Since you mentioned you wanted this to be peferct... If there are birthdays, anniversaries, or if this is just your own personal family reunion, tell your agent. They can arrange a special gift or celebration or private dinner just for you, to add to the specialness of the occasion.

As for "Safari for Dummies." That's a good one.

Here is a link to behaviors to avoid.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34654764

Here are some packing links:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34802443
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34639696
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34782437
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34606894

Finally, the recent thread on what we wished you had packed but did not

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34929931

You'll have some wonderful family memories.

santharamhari

rockabelle,

Vumbura is one of the best places for the majestic sable antelope. Like the others mentioned, nothing is a guarantee....the animals are wild and they can be anywhere at a given time. THe areas are wild so they can come and go according to their desire. However, the guides are top notch and will do their very best to accomodate your wishes....

Good luck
Hari

santharamhari

Pred,

I recall a trip report from last year from vumbura with cheetah sightings. Dont know if it was Napamatt's (dont remember for sure).

Hari

PredatorBiologist

Hari,

Yes, I remember 2 or 3 people reporting sightings of cheetah at Vumbura. I think both of these camps at present have a good chance for cheetah but you know how that can go.

santharamhari

Yes, agree.....they are a huge hit or miss!!!

Hari

rockabelle

Thank you so much for all your advise and information! It's very much appreciated.

I promise I do know that the animals and areas are wild, and that there's no guarantee of seeing anything at all. It's basically that I just want to ensure that my parents aren't hoping to see wild dog etc, when none of the reviews I've seen for either camp ever mention them.
I don't think any of us have any preferences of animals we really want to see (except elephants and giraffes bizarrely). But I am greedy for my parents - if this is the only time they'll go on safari, I want them to be able to see as much as possible (though I promise we won't have a tick list!), and to be suitably prepared so that they're not left wishing they'd brought x or read y. (Thank you for the packing list and the list of what you'd all wished you'd taken - very handy!)

And between the four of us, we like mammals, birds, reptiles (ish), and fauna, and we're punctual so hopefully we won't be on anyone's list of horrendous fellow guests.

santharamhari

You should have no problems regarding giraffe or elephants.

Vumbura occassionally gets wild dogs passing through, but dont count on it. You need bizarre luck!!!

Enjoy your trip!!!

Hari