Botswana best camps/feb
 

Hi guys, I want to sqeeze in a trip to botswana or anyother part of africa in mid feb around the 9th and 10th feb. Which camps would be considered the best for lion viewing taking into consideration that the flood would not have arrived by feb. I want to see lots of lions and be able to follow them around when they are active. What camps should I visit so that the water level or soil does not obstruct me from accessing areas. Also which camps should I avoid as in some places the animals migrate to the bush/woodlands in the rainy season and are seen only around the camp only when the water resources dry up.I was thinking about duba plains, vumbura,chitabe and chief's. How would jao and tubu tree be???I read in Johan's report that one should not go to chief's around may/june, johan where are u ? ???thanks alot for all the help Sonali.

HI GUYS !!!!

WAITING FOR A POST,IS OKAVAGO SO BAD IN FEB,MARCH

No experience sorry. Reports on Mombo in February have been great.

I have only visited Botswana once, and that was in August, so no info either.

The Delta is great, but one of the points I tried to make in another post was that the safari experience can be very different from a National Geographic documentary. By that I mean, its not non-stop action, expecially from lions, since they sleep most of the day and are most active at night. Also, the game drives tend to move around and won't spend the entire drive following one pride (unless that's the unanimous decision of the entire group), so if you really want to focus exclusively on lions, you may need a private vehicle. Other guests will also want to see lions, but likely will also want to see leopard, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, wild dog, cheetah, etc.

Michael

Only been in June, both times... sorry!

Sonali,

I have been to Chief's camp in March 2004. We had some serious thunder- and hailstorms but gameviewing was excellent with lots of everything (cheetah/lion/leopard/rhino/buffalo). That time of year Chief's island (Chief's camp/Mombo) would be my favourite spot because the game normally tends to stay on the island unlike in most other places game can migrate. For example buffalo and elephant are mostly found in the mopane forest because there is water everywhere.

Johan

Thanks, guys, u all are gr8.
I think safari nut is going in early feb so I should get some idea what to expect if I go in march

Guys, I am actually tied up in feb, but was trying to skip one wedding and go to botswana instead and come back for my best friend's wedding which is last week of feb on the 25th. Then I have trip to kanha(tigers) for 4 nights starting on the 27th of feb.

Johan,Since u are soooo fond of wildlife, have u ever been to kanha or indian parks??
march would be the best for my itiernary. And chief's camp would be ideal. Can I include savuti or khwai river section OR chobe ??? for a couple of days in march and how would duba plains,vumbura,chitabe be at that time any ideas????
Micheal, I think the private vehicle
idea sounds good, but at times there is nobody at the camp or few people and u get a private vehicle for free

If any of u guys need any help for india pls write at my e-mail address, I am not sure whether I should post my kanha trip report on this forum, but I could send it to your e-mail addres.
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP,napamatt
johan,kavey,thit-cho,micheal also bigcountry,safarinut,rocco,predator biologist,santharamhari,julian,lungwablondes,raelo nd,lin,lynn,dennis and all the others who have helped me for botswana. I am very grateful to all of you,Sonali.

Sonali........at Chobe, you would definitely not see a single thing during the rains, leave alone active lions........

I agree with the other posts, Chief's, Khwai river, chitabe, Kwara, Vumbura....in that order of choice......

Sonali74

Were you born in 1974?((i))

Anyway back to the private vehicle.I think WS rate for a private vehicle of $340 a day is very reasonable.

At Londolozi it's $ 916,at Mala Mala it's $500+

My Botswana research has led me to believe that if you want to see lions... Duba Plains is going to be hard to beat...and of course Mombo.

I have booked a private vehicle at both camps...if you are paying $ 2 400 per night at Mombo what's an extra $ 340...right?:((

NUT, I am born In 1974,(good u could figure that one out)

Well and frankly I feel u are very lucky to be able to afford 2400$ a day and then to top it off spend another 300+.I am very envious,very very envious.

I definately cannot afford that, Do u know what sanctuary charges for private vehicles??? because I am staying at chief's(mombo is out of my budget).

Hey I am curious I hope u donnot mind,professionally what do u do????

sonali74

I don't know what they charge for a private vehicle at Sanctuary Lodges but I don't think it will be more than $ 340.

What are you paying for Chiefs?

Have you seen this special on Sanctuary Lodges(e-gnu.com)

BOTSWANA - Sanctuary Lodges Green Season Special
Valid 1 Dec 05 to 31 March 06 at US$325 p.p.p.n. for Baines, Chobe Chilwero or Stanleys Camps and US$450p.p.p.n. for Chiefs Camp. Subject to a minimum stay of 4 nights between camps.

I am a physician.

Sonali,

I haven't been to other parks than the ones in Southern and East Africa.
And for the coming 5 years, there is not going to be much difference.


If you are going in March to Botswana and your focus is on predators, I would stick to Chief's island because of what I told you before (lots of game is found in mopane areas,...)
You are not going to be there on your own that time of year because that area is well known to everyone.

The only thing I am also curious about is how the different prides of lions are doing at the very moment at Duba.

Greetings,

Johan

I would like to see your India trip report (thit_cho AT yahoo DOT com). I have visited India twice, but I did my wildlife trip in Royal Chitwan in Nepal (saw several rhino, but not one tiger).

I am looking into another trip to India (Gir for lions, Sunderbans for the experience and another park yet-to-be-determined for tigers). I'm fully booked through 2006, so that will be a 2007 or 2008 trip.

Dear DR NUT (gosh I like calling u that)
well i am negotiating and looks like I am going to get a good deal at cheifs as well as the other camps. For the package how would stanley's, baines and chilwero (I get the spelling wrong always) be during march, Any idea???

Johan, Yes going to duba and seeing the lions hunt should be interesting. I would give anything to know what the duba boys,skimmer pride, tsaro pride are doing at the moment. right now I definately wish I was gifted with remote vision. I think u were going to get some update on duba, keep me posted.

Also guys, how would stanley's, baines, chilwero chobe be in march for lions and other game pls advise, Sonali

sonali,
i havent been to the camps you have mentioned however i have visited wilderness safri camps the last 2 januarys so i think i have a pretty good idea for lion sightings in the rainy season. if i were you i would try to visit duba plains, chiefs (using teh assumption that mombo is out of your price range), and savuti camp. duba is great during the rainy season as traversing the concession near the panhandle is much easier hence being able to follow the prides easier. savuti is great bc the zebra migration moves through during the rainy season and the lions like to follow. and of course chiefs island is the best. combining wilderness lodges with chiefs may not be as inexpensive, but i still think they would be worth it. you can search for my past trip reports for more details on wildlife sightings in the rainy season.

Thanks, big country at present i am searching your post for your trip reports, I think I am better off at chief's and duba plains for 4-5 days each. Any suggestions??? If I want to pick a guide at either of these camps who should I choose????