lerasp

Hello,
we are thinking of a trip to botswana. due to scheduling problems, we can only consider going between march and july. this will be our 2nd trip to africa (went to Kenya/Tanz and loved it!). while it won't be "once in a lifetime" trip, botswana prices are a stretch for us and it may be a few years before we can go back. i've read through all the posts discussing pros/cons about the rain/floods/game and i'm still a bit confused. For someone in our position, is it worth making the trip at all or instead wait for some time in the future when we can go in high season (aug/sept)? if it's still a good idea to go during mar-july, which time is better? Prices are a consideration, although not a deal-killer (i'm leaning towards not going in july because they prices are high-season, but it doesn't sounds that conditions will be optimal. for the same price, it seems to be better to go in aug/sept). our date limit is mar15-july30
thanks for all your help

girlpolo33

I would imagine it comes down to personal preference. My trips have always been in late May and early June. The weather has been perfect (80/50 F) and the gameviewing prolific. The Okavango Delta is literally 'the garden of Eden'. The confluence of water, wild environs, and abundant animal/bird life is stunning. It is a magical place and my attempt to capture it's essence and effect is futile. I do hope you go.

skimmer

I don't know which camps you are looking at and what will be your main focus when there (overall experience/photography/birding/predators/elephants/...).

Also because of the floods, some camps are better be visited in some parts of year than in others parts but even that can be a bit varying from year to year depending on the height of the flood levels.

I've been travelling to Botswana in all months except January and February and I don't think that my photography and overall experience was that much better in August/September than f.e. in May/June. This year my predator sightings were even better in May than in September/October.

Like you know, sightings can never be guaranteed and besides the knowledge of the guide there is always a great deal of luck in it. If the animals are not there, you won't see them ... no matter which camp you are staying at or which superb guide you are having.

F.e. next year I'll be going in April/June and August-September.
The reason why I am going different times of year is the following: I am interested in different things which are best seen in different seasons and I'll like to photograph the same area in different seasons.

Of course, the later you go in the dry season, the more animals congregate around the available water sources. And because the grass is lower, animals are easier to spot. But on the other hand, there is much more dust and everything looks a bit brownish.

If I am correct, high season starts at beginning of June at Kwando and mid June at Wilderness safaris.

If you want to go next year, it won't be easy to visit the camps of first choice because most of them are probably already fully booked (or almost).

Greetz,

Johan

kcruikshan

looking for guidance also. we are planning a trip to kenya. may 26 - june 3. should i be worried about the rains or will they have faded by then?

thank you for your advice

santharamhari

Yes, agree with Johan.....make your bookings ASAP if you intend to travel for that time frame in 2007. Someone recently reported that some camps are booked for certain dates in 2008 already.

Goodluck!!!

Like Johan said, it's always luck. Let's hope the rains this year isnt as much or as late as last year.

Hari