KIBOKO

We would like to include a camp in the Kalahari in our next safari. At which camps would we be likely to see the Meerkats?

Thanks,
cj

mongoose

You can see meerkats from:
Jack's (Expensive camp)
Planet Boabab (Budget camp: easily reachable by car from Maun)
These and couple more alternatives from Unchartered Africa - www.unchartedafrica.com

jweis

Jack's is far and away the best place to see them... pretty much a guarantee every day, as they have a "minder" who stays with them from sun up to sun down.

James

mongoose

ditto Planet Boabab, the 'minder' stays there - might it be the same group as Jack's?

KIBOKO

Thanks James and Mongoose. I will look into both.
cj

atravelynn

Did I see San was not operating currently? When I went, San was the less expensive alternative to Jack's with all the same activities, including meerkats. Since then, San may have become = in cost to Jack's.

Good idea. Meerkats were one of my main reasons for going to the Makgadikgadi Pans.

amycyma

I am staying at Camp Kalahari in May, and from my understanding, I should be seeing the meerkats.
But I will report back about the camp when I return
amy

atravelynn

If there is a habituated colony nearby, I'm sure you will see some, amycyma.

LAleslie

Kiboko,
I thought "Meerkat Manor" was anthropomorphic silliness until I went to the Kalahari (stayed at Jack's, in Nov., HOT!). But tracking the meerkats, sitting down with them and having some fall asleep on my lap turned out to be one of the highlights of all my travels, anywhere. You can see Jack's, the Kalahari and the meerkats here
http://tinyurl.com/ddueqe

PredatorBiologist

All of the Uncharted Africa managed properties visit the habituated meerkat colony. Camp Kalahari is by far the best value, sitting in a wonderful location on the edge of the Pans with all the same activities as Jack's Camp but costs 65% less. Planet Baobab can be cheaper but not on the pans and a very different experience.

KIBOKO

Amy,
Hope you enjoy Camp Kalahari and I will look for your report.

cj

kak113

LAleslie, fantastic pictures. really enjoyed them, did you do a trip report? Would love to see the meerkats in that setting.

kak113

actually found it. can't wait to read.

LAleslie

Kak, it's really more of a photo trip report, so don't hate me when you discover that.

atravelynn

Thanks for the info PB, very helpful. What do you know about the current meerkat situation? One habituated colony? Two?

amycyma

enjoyed your photos LAleslie, I will also be staying at Kwetsani and Chitable Lediba.

A question about the meerkats.
When I went to my travel health professional last week, one of the things she cautioned me about was DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WITH FUR (rabies)

I questioned her several times about the meerkats and she continued to adhere to her precaution.

While I am sure I can enjoy them without getting in contact with them, the photos I have seen with travelers right up next to them are so so tempting.

anyway, I promise a trip report, and hope my photos also are worthy of this forum

amy

cybor

We saw them upon our return from sleeping in the desert and heading back to Planet Baobab. My understanding is that the group I saw were nomadic and not on any camp property. They were a good driving distance from Jack's, Sans (closest to) and Camp Kalahari.
As said in my report, I wouldn't recommend staying at Planet Baobab for a few reasons. One being that you have to drive an incredible distance to see desert activities including the meerkats.

LAleslie

Amycyma, you're actually not allowed to touch the meerkats, so no worries. But when you sit very still on the ground and wait, often they'll come up to you. They leaned against my pants and fell asleep in the shade under my legs, and one went into my lap, but none touched my skin. Also, the 24-hour minder at the colony would surely know if any had rabies and keep tourists away. But even if one brushed your hand, surely a little Purell would rid you of any nasties.
I wonder if your "health professional" thinks one goes to AFrica to pet the animals.

spassvogel

amy
the statement of your travel health professional reminds me of the horrific advise we all got when HIV was rather new and doctors were spreading advises based on lack of experiences/knowledge

First: If there is a rabies problem the researcher know of that for certain and would ask a visitor to refrain from getting even close - if not cancel the visit altogether.

Second: by "touching" anything with fur does not mean contamination and obviously some doctors think Africa is a big petting zoo ;-)

The Meercats colony is watched by researchers very closely and nothing but to enjoy!

Happy travels!

SV

atravelynn

amycyma, You can follow your health professional's advice DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WITH FUR. But if the meerkat comes up to you and touches you, it's ok.

In fact, I'd agree with the health professional not to reach out and try to touch any meerkat because that action could be frighten the meerkat and cause it to act agressively toward you. Any contact has to be the meerkat's idea.

I'd wear long pants and shoes and socks on the meerkat outing. I think any physical contact with the meerkats is lucky. I made 2 trips to them and got very close, but none initiated any contact.

You'll have a blast with the meerkats.