cooncat

Hello everyone - believe it or not, I've got my man in Zambia checking up on this itinerary:

7 nights Chiawa/Old mondoro
May 24-31(for the good rates)

4 nights Luangwa River Lodge June 1-4

3 nights Chamilandu Bushcamp June 5-7

1 or 2 nights Vic falls, TBD, dep. on when flight arrives

So, what do you think? Before anyone goes off on the bush camp, I do know that this is the came company Bwana Mitch had problems with. I also know that communication issues and other glitches happen, and I can't base this decision on one incident. I've decided on this camp for its more southern location as per Rocco - who says the northern part of the park isn't as great early in the season. The only bummer about this whole itinerary for me is that I really wanted to experience Tafika, based on what I've read about their style and their great guides. But you can't have it all! Comments welcome! And, lest I forget...THANK YOU a million times over to everyone who's helped, suggested, argued along the way!

matnikstym

Congratulations on your itinerary!! Hope it all comes together!
Dennis

cooncat

Thanks Dennis, me too! Not long for you.....

phernska

Hi Cooncat...Having just returned from Zambia yesterday afternoon, I just wanted to say that 7 nights at Chiawa and Old Mondoro is a great plan. I only had 2 nights at Chiawa and 1 in Old Mondoro, wishing I could've stayed longer in each one. Prior to going to the Lower Zambezi, I was 10 days in South Luangwa (with robin pope safaris)...I much preferred the Lower Zambezi and would've opted to spend the bulk of my trip there.
Old Mondoro is managed by a young South African couple, Helen and Rulof. Rulof is an excellent guide--he was my favorite from the trip.

Have a great time!! I already want to go back...

cooncat

Thanks Phernska....trip report coming???

Keep your fingers crossed for me on those dates. Chiawa is pricey for a solo traveler in high season!

bat

fingers crossed.

cooncat

Thanks, bat!!!

atravelynn

Welcome back phernska!

Cooncat, looks like you'll be having a great time. The 7 nights Chiawa/Old Mondoro will be wonderful. How many at each?

If you can, try to canoe the Chifungulu Channel between Chiawa and Old Mondoro as your means of transport from one to the other. I went from Sausage Tree to Old Mondoro on this route and it was the most amazing water experience I've ever had. At the time in 2003 they said it was too far to go from Chiawa to Old Mondoro on the channel, but I've seen itineraries and suggested activities that include this route now from Chiawa.

Alejandra

Phernska can you tell me more about Chiawa and Old mondoro. I m booked at Chiawa oct 12& 13 but today got a notice that after a mistake there is no actual tent available on the 12th, they suggest we stay at Old Mondoro but i m not too keen on that. I have the 11th at sausage tree, so hope i can stay there for an extra night. You scared me by telling you prefered the Lower Zambezi to South Luangwa, i have 2 nights at Puku and 3 at Luangwa river lodge after the Lower Zambezi. ANyway i m not going to change that but maybe you can explain why you prefered the Lower Zambezi. Thanks

cooncat

Alejandra - I've never been obviously so hopefully others will answer, but I chose to go to both parks because they offer differing terrains, animals, etc...for instance you won't see giraffe at Lower Zambezi. Personally I like to see as much as I can of a place, so that's my take. I don't think you'll regret it!

cooncat

...and good luck with the camp situation!

Atravelynn - I haven't decided on the split yet. I told him either 5/2 or 4/3. Any recommendations?

jasher

Hi Sharon,

Go 4/3 -- 2 nights is too short a stay to enjoy a camp and get to know the area around it.

Cheers,
Julian

phernska

Alejandra...I'll respond to your questions later today or tomorrow. I'm totally fried from my trip home...it took 28 hours and I can barely think straight.

Alejandra

Dont worry, thanks anyway

Roccco

Sharon,

That looks like a winning combination to me!

atravelynn

Let's see what phernska's very recent impressions are, but I loved Old Mondoro in July 2003. But I am partial to small, simple, more rustic camps.

Old Mondoro fit the simple rustic description with nice thatched very comfortable huts and typically delicious food. There were elephants in the camp and outside the hut. Very nonthreatening, just ambling about near the water.

Walking is the main activity here and it was a lovely environment with the filtered light through the Thorn Acacias. Saw many hooved species, baboons, vervets, elephants at a distance, a beautiful herd of buffalo and we walked with a pair of congenial honey badgers!

Saw lions at night and on the drive to the airstrip.

Should be a nice combination with Sausage Tree, which is fancier and has much livlier atmosphere.

Do you think you can canoe between Sausage Tree and Old Mondoro down the Chifungulu Channel? That was a highlight for me. If Old Mondoro means you can do the channel canoe "transfer" then I'd say you definitely got an upgrade by adding it. If no channel canoe transfer is possible, it is still a nice addition.

Let us know your final itinerary.

atravelynn

cooncat

As for your split, I loved Old Mondoro and think 3 nights there would be great. And 4 at Chiawa is good too.

ShayTay

I stayed at Chamilandu Bushcamp in 2003 and really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful setting on the banks of the Luangwa. We had a leopard right in camp...it gave the guide quite a start when they almost bumped into each other! There were quite a few lions around, as well. Our group stayed at several Bushcamps and had great experiences at all of them. Tafika is a great camp, as well...sorry you can't work it into your schedule.

cooncat2

Thanks everyone~ I am, understandably very psyched!!! I am on pins and needles waiting to hear if this is going to work. Getting my dates at Chiawa is the clincher. I probably will make it a 4/3 split.

Glad you liked the bush camp, shaytay. It does look very cool on the web site. And leopards and lions...may I be so lucky!

cooncat2

Rocco - I am so glad you approve!!!