Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Booking safari domestically or locally

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Africa & the Middle East (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/)

- - Booking safari domestically or locally (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/booking-safari-domestically-or-locally-48012/)

Booking safari domestically or locally

My fiancee and I are planning a trip to Botswana, Zimbabwe, and perhaps Zambia and have been torn trying to decide whether to book here, from the US, or wait until we get there and book with a local company. We are planning some independent travel time around the countries, but are concerned about gaining good access to remote areas for game viewing during Sept/Oct 99, their high season. Has anyone gone local there, or have most booked from abroad? Thanks,

JP, I just returned in late June from Botswana and Zambia. I went at the slowest time of the year. The weather was excellent - days 70s-80s, evenings 40-50 range. Dry and perfect. No one was there! I visited Lusaka in Zambia, so I can not comment on Kafue or Lungawa. I did visit three camps in Botswana: Chobe (2.5 hours from Vic. Falls, Zim., Machaba (30 min. prop flight from Chobe via Kesane Airport) and Shindi (a 20 minute flight from Machaba). Machaba & Shindi are in the Okavango Delta area. Machaba was the best, followed by Chobe Game Lodge and then Shindi. I rate them in the order of game viewing. Machaba and Shindi are operated by Ker & Downey - 800-423-4236. They are top rate and charge accordingly ($250 pp, per day). Chobe can also be arranged by K&D. We saw ... Chobe: Hundreds of elephant, loads of hippo and some giraffe. Machaba: Lion (a pride of 19 females on a zebra kill was the highlight), leopard - a mature male, giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, baboon, jackal, puff-adder snake (very leathal), hippo and an assortment of incredible birds of prey. You must go there. Shindi: Hyena, giraffe, elephant, hippo Chobe Game lodge is essentially a hotel with 20+ rooms, with all meals, morning & afternoon game drives inclusive - rates $300+ pp/ per night Machaba is a tent camp (8 tents, dbl occ.) with private toilet, shower, nice open air dining and bon fire areas. VERY NICE. Shindi offers the same as Machaba with the addition of boating through canals both morning and evening, as well as mocoro rides (boats propelled by pole). These two options offer great alternatives to game drives that can become a bit redundant after 4-5 drives. Let me know if I can give you any more specific info about these places.

Hi We are tour operators in South Africa. Members of SATSA and would love to assist with the planning of your trip. Our expertise lies in the planning of trips to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia. Have a look at our website at: outlookafrica.co.za for more info and reservation details. Looking forward to hearing from you. Regards from a sunny South Africa. Corinna

Hi from South Africa! There is a far less variety of trips offered from operators abroad - and the price will be more as the tend to only deal with the middle of the range upwards catogories. We are a specialist budget travel service operating from South Africa. If you check out our page: http://www.travelinafrica.co.za Any info I can give you, please mail

Hi from South Africa! There is a far less variety of trips offered from operators abroad - and the price will be more as the tend to only deal with the middle of the range upwards catogories. I would recommend that you book inadvance using a local company. We are a specialist budget travel service operating from South Africa. If you check out our page: http://www.travelinafrica.co.za Any info I can give you, please mail

We booked our honeymoon for this October in S. Africa, Botswana and Seychelles through a south african travel agent. Surf the web for them. It was much cheaper that way, and it will be tough to get into the best lodging at this point.