Diz01

We are reasonably advanced on planning a Botswana trip and want to experience the Kalahari desert. Our agent has recommended a newish camp called Tau Pan Camp but I can't find much information on it.

Similarly Muchenje Lodge has been recommended for the northern Chobe area . It doesn't get much mention on this forum but gets pretty good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Does anyone have views on these lodges? Our proposed trip will be in September 2010.

Thanks

Rundu

I will be staying at Muchenje for 2 nights at the end of this September. I will let you know "my views" of the lodge when I return in Oct. In case, if I forget to reply just revive the thread and remind me!

acprincess

I just got back from a safari that included 2 nights at Muchenje. I really loved it. We had a little cabin with a view of the Chobe River from a bluff - the most panoramic view we had on the whole trip. The management is warm and friendly, the staff is lots of fun, the game is amazing. If you stay there, make sure to do the whole day trip, which includes a boat ride. It was spectacular - we pulled up a few dozen yards from elephants drinking. The game viewing was so good that after 2 days, we got a little tired of elephants and zebras and giraffes. One night at dinner a genet wandered past the open door.

Before I left, I read complaints that it's far from the river. This is true. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the river, but so what? It's a nice drive and is almost entirely in the park. The great thing is that it's at the western edge of the park and there aren't a lot of other lodges or campgrounds nearby. On the morning and evening drives we never saw a vehicle from another lodge. On the full-day drive, when we went to the eastern edge of the park, we saw lots of other vehicles, many crammed with 9 or 10 passengers. Muchenje never sent us out with more than 7, which means that nobody had to sit in the middle seat.

In all honesty, the food at some of the other lodges was a little fancier, but no complaints. I can get fancy food at home. I went to Africa for gorgeous scenery and wildlife, and Muchenje filled the bill.

I recommend it wholeheartedly

Lou

Rundu

Hi Lou,
Thanks for your excellent report and we are really looking forward to staying there. Just regarding the cabin you stayed in, did it have a name or number?
Regards
R

acprincess

I think we stayed in cabin 7, but they all have nice views. I'm jealous that you have your trip ahead of you.

Lou

Rundu

Hi Lou,
Don't be, you know how you felt few weeks before your departure!!! The reasons we chose the Muchenje are similar to yours: furtherest from Chobe camps and the river cruise.
We have booked the whole day boat trip.
Thanks for the reply.
Regards
R