&Beyond, Wilderness or Desert & Delta for Botswana in August
 

Hi everyone,

This is our first safari! We are going to Botswana in August (2 months from now). I have 3 different itineraries from 3 different outfitters and am wondering if anyone has feedback about the operators that can help us make a decision! Pricing is roughly the same but length varies. In particular, I'm curious about Desert & Delta feedback as they have the longest trip for the same price as the other operators.

Here are the Itins:
&Beyond--either 13 or 15 nights; includes a stay 6 pay for 4 special. The dates are the least convenient for us.
2 nights Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp
2 nights Nxabega Okavango Delta Camp
2 nights Chobe under Canvas
1 night Savute under Canvas
3 nights Selinda Canoe Safari with mobile camps along the way
either 1 night back at Savute under Canvas or 2 nights at Matetsi River Lodge on the Zambezi River (latter preferred, or may drop this portion all together)
2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel

Wilderness Safaris via Premier Tours--12 nights total with no special deals as of yet, though Premier has gone back again to see if they will honor stay 7 pay 6 special
2 nights Camp Kalahari in the Makgadikgadi Pans
2 nights Chitabe Lediba Camp, Okavango Delta
2 nights Tuba Tree Camp, Okavango Delta
3 night Selinda Canoe Safari with mobile camps along the way
1 night Zarafa near Savute Channel
2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel

Desert & Delta via Siyabona--16 nights total, no special deals but longest trip of the bunch for around the same $$. Has me a little worried that lodges/ experience isn't as nice as other two operators?
2 nights Leroo La Tau in the Makgadikgadi Pans
2 nights Camp Okavango
2 nights Camp Moremi
1 night Motswiri Camp
3 nights Selinda Canoe Safari with mobile camps along the way
2 nights Savute Safari Lodge
2 nights Chobe Game Lodge
2 nights Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Thanks very much for any feedback!!

I've only been partially following the recent reports here of water level issues around some Bots safari camps. I assume you have been following it closely?? And understand its impact, if any, on the camps you are considering.

regards - tom

Hi Tom, Thanks for the reply. I have been following the reports but frankly am not sure I understand completely the implications of the flood levels. From what I have understood from the tour operators, the only thing that would change right now is how we get in and out of the camps as some of their airstrips are flooded, but they say game is not a concern.

I don't know that anyone completely understands what's going on with water levels, except maybe Mother Nature, and she doesn't post comments.

This year has exceptional levels, but last year was real high too so you could check out reports from then. Of course the operators are going to say game is not a concern because they want you to go this year. But from reports and comments so far, it appears there are amazing sightings to be had and great experiences abound. With any reputable company, I would trust they would figure out a way to get between camp and airstrip and would offer acceptable alternatives that accomodate rising water levels. I recall some of that going one last year.

Here is some personal experience with 4 nts in the Selinda area in August during a year of exceptional rains and high floods. The terrain was spectacular and we had equally spectacular isolated sightings--cheetah, wild dogs (3 times in one day), caracal at night. I got some wonderful photos too. But wildlife was more scarce than normal as the animals could find water in the mopane forests and did not have a need to expose themselves in the open. Normally there would be big ele herds, but I saw maybe 6 elephants the whole time. Birding was superb (even for non birders--lots of big interesting, colorful birds wading swimming, creating picturesque scenes.) For some game drives, though, a hunting kori bustard was the highlight.

Your canoe safari in Selinda will allow you to take advantage of the wet conditions in the region. You may have access to areas that you would not otherwise have access to by canoe.

Some of the places on the last itinerary are lodges vs. permanent tented camps on the first two. The larger, more populated lodges tend to cost less because they offer a less intimate, remote experience. But when you are out in the bush, it is all the same anyway.

#3 would undoubtedly offer a Chobe River cruise, which will be a wildlife highlight of your trip. The cruises leave from Chobe Game Lodge, so that's convenient. Do the other 2 offer a Chobe River cruise?

If you wanted a desert experience, then #1 is out because it does not have that. If you wanted a desert experience AND a chance to see a meerkat colony that is accustomed to visitors, I'd check if that is possible with #2 and #3.

From what I've learned D&D usually comes in less expensive. I've seen good experiences with them. If you search reports, you may be able to find some first hand accounts.

From what I know about the places/locations, I would want more than 1 night in Savuti, but 1 night would be about right for me in Motswiri.

Here's a good web site where you can check out all the camps and map them too. I found this site very, very good when planning our upcoming safari.
http://www.africatravelresource.com/...swana/0/intro/

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, atravelynn. Much appreciated! I think we are learning toward a decision between 2 & 3 at this point because of the addition of the Salt Pans. I agree, on #2, more than 1 night in Savuti is our preference as well, but they don't have availability for us beyond just the one night at any of the camps in the area. The agent said we will still be able to get in two game drives while there. I will ask her about a Chobe River cruise as it sounds like it is not to be missed--thanks for the tip on that.

I'll do some more hunting around on the forums for feedback on the D&D camps.

tinydancer: thanks for the link. The maps are extremely helpful, and the site has great info.

All of them sound great. I would prefer a minimum of three nights for each camp instead of moving around so much. I know you want to do it all, but that's a lot of travelling. We went with WS in 2006, and it was incredible. Atravelynn makes a good point about lodges vs camps. I do prefer tented camps. And if you want to do the Kalahari #1 is out. #2 has two camps in OD - can that be changed to do three nts at one and add a night at one of the others? I'm sure availability is limited at this late date. All three companies have good reputations. Tough decision you have! Botswana is a special place - you'll love it.

Thanks, Christabir, for the suggestion on 3 nights versus 2 nights. I'll check, but because the trip is being planned so late, most places so far have seemed to only accomodate us for 2 nights max. The Selinda Canoe Safari has set dates, so shuffling nights has been tricky.

My understanding was that the 2 OD camps offer much different experiences...can anyone vouch for my admittedly rushed research?

Most posters here would reccommend 3 nights in each. What about trading in Premierr's 1 night in Zarafa (tho I'm unfamiliar with it) for 2 or 3 nights in Chobe Game Lodge, which is right in the national park and offers Chobe rivers cruises right from its property. You'll see thousands of elephants there, and I worry Zarafa is a drive from, the park.

All of the lodges listed here, I'm sure will be fantastic for a first time visitor and you are likely to have a great trip. Yet, sounds like a heck a lot of travelling given all the 2 night stays and very hectic/rushed.....

The Selinda canoe trail is actually run along the Selinda spillway, now flowing fully .... I guess you'd get some good activity change up to all the game drives. Also, seems the one common denominator in your plans, due to last minute availability. I'm sure you'll see Elephants by the water and some very fiesty ones too ...

D&D lodges, I'm sure are all of very high service. But, bear in mind they are all in national parks where you can't off road....