Best safari in late May/early June?
 

Which is the best safari destination for a trip in late May/early June? <BR>We've done Kenya before and loved it,but this second time we want to stay in camps rather than lodges. We've looked at Botswana and Tanzania so far .We would be greatful for any advice on the best places to visit for the most ultimate game viewing.

Late May/Early June is a perfect time to visit the Okavango Delta, as the new waters will have just arrived. <BR>This is a time for excellent wildlife viewing, good for bird viewing, and a comfortable time of the year, being neither too hot nor too cold at nights. <BR>N <BR>

Northern Botswana would be an excellent choice for late May/early June as this is the time of year when the annual flood pushes into the Okavango Delta, a very special event. In late May/early June the weather is great (practically zero chance for rain), but it can get quite cold at night. If you have the means, do consider staying at Mombo Camp for two or three nights: it is one of the few camps in the area where it is not unusual to encounter lion, leopard and cheetah in the course of a single day.

Botswana sounds great,but what about Tanzania at that time of year? Does it come a close second or is Botswana definately a more spectacular destination with regard to game viewing?

Tanzania is a wonderful safari destination pretty much any time of the year, and despite the 'long rains' of March/April/May (of which there was very little this year, BTW), many locals consider the 'Green Season' to be the best time to be in East Africa. <BR> <BR>Trying to pinpoint the location of the migrating wildebeest herds can be a bit tricky in May/June, as they are then on the move north and westwards, sometimes splitting up, their movemement largely dictated by rainfall. If you do decide on Tanzania, be sure to include a few days in the Seronera area as well as either the north-eastern Serengeti (Migration Camp is great) or the Western Corridor. <BR> <BR>The very pronounced seasonal influx of prey into the southern Serengeti from December to February stimulates ovulation & mating of predators. <BR>So the best time to see LOVELY, CUTE, PLAYFUL cubs in the Serengeti <BR>is in April/May/June, some months AFTER the wildebeest have departed - <BR>nature’s way of controlling lion numbers. <BR> <BR>

I was in Botswana & Zimbabwe from May 15-31, 2000 and loved it! I enjoyed it much more than a previous trip to Kenya & Tanzania. Botswana has far fewer visitors than most other safari countries and it has a very remote feel about it. The weather was great, the camps were small and the animal sightings, while not in the numbers of Kenya, were impressive. I traveled with Wilderness Safaris and highly reccomend them.

I feel the same way as Dave. We visited Kenya and Tanzania first and then Botswana last year but a month earlier. You can book Wilderness Safari trips through www.fisheaglesafaris.com and you will be treated wonderfully.

I want to go on a safari (probably in Botswana, South Africa) in some form of escorted tour format. Does anyone have any suggestions for tour companies/travel agents etc. . . for me to contact?

I've spent a lot of time in Africa, Kenya,Tanz,Bots,Zimb,Moz, and love them all, but I truly think South Africa gets overlooked. Although South Africa is layed out differently, there are so many private game reserves and national parks all with spectacular game viewing, such as Kruger National Park and The Mali Mali. In addition there is Capetown and The Garden Route, both which have not only great game viewing but also winelands and famous landmarks such as Tabletop Mountain and the A/W waterfront. South Africa can be as outback as you want it to be, but has a larger variety of options than the other countries. If you would like to talk more, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks, <BR> Tom Quinn

Hi Jennifer, <BR> <BR>My parents have raved and raved about a trip to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe <BR>they completed last year which was organised by Sunvil. <BR> <BR>So much so that my husband and I are booked to go to Nam and Bot in June 2001. (We're missing Zim this time as we were unsure when booking about how long the violence would last as the scenes on TV of racial conflict were very distressing). <BR> <BR>I think the web site is http://www.sunvil.co.uk/africa/ <BR> <BR>This is a UK company but as they specialise in tailor made itineraries I am sure they would be able to help you. It may be that you would book your won flights to Windhoek and they would organise your trip from there. <BR> <BR>If you contact them be sure to mention my name and tell them you were recommended by the Guptas and Favelles. <BR> <BR>I'll be posting some questions here in the coming months as the trip gets closer and will be pleased to post a trip report when I get home.... <BR> <BR>Kavey <BR>