Would you take an extra day at Mombo or more time at Victoria Falls area?
Apr 23rd, 2003, 08:32 AM
#1
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Would you take an extra day at Mombo or more time at Victoria Falls area?
I have a choice where to spend an extra day. I could extend a 2-day Mombo to three days but my agent is concerned that 4 days (we spend 1 day at Chief's Camp, it can't be extended) in one area is a lot. Mombo has no walking, night drives or mekoros. <BR>Choice #2 - an extra day at Stanleys Camp which has more variety although not as luxurious. <BR>Choice #3 is spend 3 nights at the Falls at Royal Livingstone. She feels there is a lot to do (elephant back riding, game drives, sunset cruises, African villages and museums - and time to get over jet lag as it's our first stop. Am leaning towards this option but have heard people say they needed 3 nights at Mombo... thoughts please as we firm up this itinerary?
Apr 23rd, 2003, 08:53 AM
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It's hard to answer this in your context - would I spend an extra night here, here or here?<BR><BR>What I can say is that we spent 4 nights at Mombo in 2001 and will be doing so again in 2004.<BR><BR>People we met there had booked for 5 nights.<BR><BR>We didn't want to leave, there was so much to see, although it was all game drive based. I could easily have spent more time there.<BR><BR>Other camps we spent only 2 nights and found that sufficient.<BR><BR>That said, it sounds as though there is a great choice of activities on offer at your Vic Falls accommodation.<BR><BR>I know I'm cynical but don't fail to consider that your agent may recommend one over the other simply based on which gives most commission. I'd hope most agents gave more weight to your needs than their commission, but just throwing the thought out here for consideration.<BR><BR>PS Hello again! 
Apr 23rd, 2003, 08:57 AM
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Hi Kavey!! Nice to hear from you. Actually our agent is awfully good this way. She gave us several suggestions with the pros and cons of each including J'burg, Falls, Stanley's or Mombo - just found out it would be one night in main Mombo before our 2 nights in Little Mombo.
Apr 23rd, 2003, 09:56 AM
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The two camps are literally identical and the tents are less than a kilometer apart - we strolled along the elevated wooden walk way between them one afternoon. I expect staff would move your stuff between them for you whilst you were out on a drive.<BR><BR>That said, the option where there are lots of different activities to try sounds very appealing.
Apr 24th, 2003, 09:31 PM
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Okay, I put the extra day at Victoria Falls. My agent has two tours booked for us, one from each side of the falls. Also a sunset cruise and a trip to a local village. This was the least expensive option and also the one that will offer something different. Thanks, Kavey, I agree with you that clients have to always question what the travel agent suggests to be sure it is in your best interest.
Apr 25th, 2003, 07:13 AM
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Oh, I assume it's too late to strongly suggest extra time at Mombo.
By the way, the "Little" is only 100 yds. from main Mombo - and a wooden walkway (elevated in places) connects the two.
The "tents" are not what you imagine. Luxurious!
Mombo is the best lodge, rangers, etc. in all of Botswana.
Enjoy yourt trip.
By the way, the "Little" is only 100 yds. from main Mombo - and a wooden walkway (elevated in places) connects the two.
The "tents" are not what you imagine. Luxurious!
Mombo is the best lodge, rangers, etc. in all of Botswana.
Enjoy yourt trip.
Apr 25th, 2003, 10:49 AM
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DE ... of course, you're perfectly free to wonder about Mombo, to your heart's content ... but do get your life insurance up to date.
One morning, I was advised "lions in the parking lot." One morning, I had to wait until five hyena cross the walkway ... my breakfast got cold. Another, it was cape buffalo, another hippo, another .... oh, well you get the idea.
One night, as I entered my tent, the lions were roaring, close by. Next morning, I cautiously slipped down to tea, before the game drive. I thought that adventure enough before 6 a.m.
Certainly, you must follow your dream ... but may I have your car?
One morning, I was advised "lions in the parking lot." One morning, I had to wait until five hyena cross the walkway ... my breakfast got cold. Another, it was cape buffalo, another hippo, another .... oh, well you get the idea.
One night, as I entered my tent, the lions were roaring, close by. Next morning, I cautiously slipped down to tea, before the game drive. I thought that adventure enough before 6 a.m.
Certainly, you must follow your dream ... but may I have your car?
Apr 25th, 2003, 11:22 AM
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Woolly,
I GET the message and yes my insurance premiums are up to date and you might just like my car as it's a rather rare beast.
All kidding aside, I guess I wasn't aware that the wildlife was that prolific so close to camp. I think I might just opt to read a good book out on the deck and take in the scenery. I don't particularly feel like being a tastey appetizer for the resident locals.
I GET the message and yes my insurance premiums are up to date and you might just like my car as it's a rather rare beast.
All kidding aside, I guess I wasn't aware that the wildlife was that prolific so close to camp. I think I might just opt to read a good book out on the deck and take in the scenery. I don't particularly feel like being a tastey appetizer for the resident locals.
Apr 25th, 2003, 11:57 AM
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DE
Yeah the wildlife really is that prolific and the camp is quite non-intrusive - ie no fences etc so the game does get right into the camp... though only the very tiniest get into the tents!!
When not going on drives you can see a huge amount from either your enormous private verandah, from the viewing decks in the central area and you can walk along the raised walkway between Little Mombo tent 1 and Mombo's furthest tent - lots of animals and birds to see on the way. There is also a lovely plunge pool to cool off in located in the central area.
We also used down time to catch up on sleep and keeping journals updated.
I'm hoping to ask for a short walking safari next time I visit (in 2004) though I don't know if that's available - I guess it would depend on whether a guide was free.
Yeah the wildlife really is that prolific and the camp is quite non-intrusive - ie no fences etc so the game does get right into the camp... though only the very tiniest get into the tents!!
When not going on drives you can see a huge amount from either your enormous private verandah, from the viewing decks in the central area and you can walk along the raised walkway between Little Mombo tent 1 and Mombo's furthest tent - lots of animals and birds to see on the way. There is also a lovely plunge pool to cool off in located in the central area.
We also used down time to catch up on sleep and keeping journals updated.
I'm hoping to ask for a short walking safari next time I visit (in 2004) though I don't know if that's available - I guess it would depend on whether a guide was free.
Apr 25th, 2003, 12:33 PM
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DE ... uh, about that deck ... each tent offers a "sala" ... an outdoor affair on stilts, complete with mattress for leasurely post-lunch snoozes. Perfection!
But ... our sala was visited by a snake, numerous rowdy monkeys, and hosts of birds. All rather docile ... but you may be certain we insisted rangers id the snake for us ... all assured us "varigated wood snake" ... safe.
Apparently the small print in our contract didn't provide for staff to remove it ... so it became a daily treat ... often on the front door.
After dinner, do wait for a ranger escort back to your tent,
.
Welcome to Mombo! You'll love it.
But ... our sala was visited by a snake, numerous rowdy monkeys, and hosts of birds. All rather docile ... but you may be certain we insisted rangers id the snake for us ... all assured us "varigated wood snake" ... safe.
Apparently the small print in our contract didn't provide for staff to remove it ... so it became a daily treat ... often on the front door.
After dinner, do wait for a ranger escort back to your tent,
.Welcome to Mombo! You'll love it.
Apr 25th, 2003, 04:07 PM
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It all sounds like an amazing experience as this is our first time to Africa. Any trepidatons I have at the moment being in the great wild outdoors will surely be alleviated once I'm there, I think...
We will spend 16 nights in various camps etc. mostly in Botswana and one in Namibia before heading back to civilization with a night in Joburg and 5 more in Cape Town. It should be quite a trip.
We will spend 16 nights in various camps etc. mostly in Botswana and one in Namibia before heading back to civilization with a night in Joburg and 5 more in Cape Town. It should be quite a trip.
Apr 25th, 2003, 06:04 PM
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Wooley, it's never too late to change things but we'll probably keep it as is. We will have had two nights at another camp before 2 at Mombo and then one more night at Chief's. Then a one night break at a J'burg hotel because we fly out of J'burg to get to another camp for 3 nights. All in all, this is 8 nights of safari camps, probably enough for our first visit.
And about that snake... you mean they refused to come remove it? Which room were you in, btw? I know I'll have to get used to sharing the space with wildlife but did you ever worry there would be a snake in your bed?
And about that snake... you mean they refused to come remove it? Which room were you in, btw? I know I'll have to get used to sharing the space with wildlife but did you ever worry there would be a snake in your bed?
Apr 25th, 2003, 09:55 PM
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Hello Woollytenderness,
I like your name! I haven't been paying much attention since I have not been to Botswana although I had an amazing trip to SA & Zimbabwe & just craving for more! What is the difference between Mombo & little Mombo and which do you recommend? Thanks a lot
Hi Kavey (hope this is coherent-it's rather late)
I like your name! I haven't been paying much attention since I have not been to Botswana although I had an amazing trip to SA & Zimbabwe & just craving for more! What is the difference between Mombo & little Mombo and which do you recommend? Thanks a lot
Hi Kavey (hope this is coherent-it's rather late)
Apr 25th, 2003, 11:09 PM
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Mombo and Little Mombo are identical and in some ways could be considered one camp.
Basically you have a long wooden raised walkway - maybe a kilometer in length. At one end are three of the tents and a central dining, bar and pool area for their guests. At the other end are 9 of the tents with their own dining, bar and pool area.
Tents are identical - public areas are pretty much so too except for size.
Guests from the two don't mix - so that's why it's sold as two camps. Each one has it's own manager, staff and guides. Guests are taken out on drives with people from the camp they are staying in and eat with their fellow camp guests.
So the choice is purely down to whether you want to be in a group of 3-6 guests or a group of 9-18 guests.
Basically you have a long wooden raised walkway - maybe a kilometer in length. At one end are three of the tents and a central dining, bar and pool area for their guests. At the other end are 9 of the tents with their own dining, bar and pool area.
Tents are identical - public areas are pretty much so too except for size.
Guests from the two don't mix - so that's why it's sold as two camps. Each one has it's own manager, staff and guides. Guests are taken out on drives with people from the camp they are staying in and eat with their fellow camp guests.
So the choice is purely down to whether you want to be in a group of 3-6 guests or a group of 9-18 guests.
Apr 28th, 2003, 07:17 AM
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Clematis - no one wanted to pick the thing up - it was three feet long, green and slender. And was always around - we bumped into it daily. By the way, we were in tent 9 (some call it the honeymoon tent) - it's the closet to Little Mombo. There was water under us, so we were visted at night by hippo and water buffalo 40 feet away. Lying in bed and hearing them sloch around was a thrill - and we always turned our torch on to watch and say hello.
Pattysuericia - many thanks. Kavey's comments are right on the mark. We selected Mombo so we'd have a few more folks to socialize with - and having said that, it was never more than 15 people total. Very nice, and we are going back. Take care.
Pattysuericia - many thanks. Kavey's comments are right on the mark. We selected Mombo so we'd have a few more folks to socialize with - and having said that, it was never more than 15 people total. Very nice, and we are going back. Take care.
