botswana camps
 

Hi,
After much research, I'm finaly getting somewhat of a sense of the different areas in Botswana. This is not easy. I'm looking for a bit of diversity but do want to see:

Dogs, Leopards, more cats, all the usuals such as elephants, zebras etc. and unusual animals if possible

Activities:
land safari, water, hiking and cultural tribal visits (I may be able to do this in Zimb. or the desert)

Want:
Good guiding and (tracking if you think it's nec.), attractive locations with views when possible (game viewing rules though) Fairly rustic smallish camps. Would love to sleep in a hide. Wildlife visits at camp are a plus.

I may add Zimb. and Mozembique at the end and also a trip to the desert or pans.

So far I've come up with a few camps and need advice and preference;
The below areas seem to be (relatively) affordable and I would hope to stay 4 days at each. Can you tell me if you been to any of the below and comment or help me choose:

Chitabe, Chitabe trails or Sandibe

Vumbura or little Vumbura, Kaporata (less costly) or Kwara camp

Selinda, Zibadianja or Lebala (kinda costly but will pay if good).

Then perhaps to the falls and onward to Zimb.

Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks;
Sherry

We certainly think alike!

Chitabe-4 nights that turned into 8 in Aug 2005, so that tells you I was happy there.

Vumbura-Little is less expensive than plains and you get your water activites just boating to and from camp, plus any additional time you want on the water.
Returned from here this past August.

Zib-the smallest at 3 tents and the most rustic of those listed. Returned from here this past August.

You picked what I would pick for your wildlife goals. My reports are in the Southern Africa Index for more detail.

If you wanted these ranked, then only Vumbura would give you water activities along with your game. I would tie Zib and Chitabe for game based on my one stay at each. For small & rustic in a good sense, Zib wins by a nose, though Chitabe had wonderful hospitality and atmosphere. But 3 tents at Zib is clearly smaller than 8 tents or so at Chitabe. Plus Zib had such a cool waterhole.

The only change I'd consider would knock out your water activities, which you indicated you want. That change might be Duba Plains instead of Vumbura.

For the cultural visits, Vumbura has a program called "local guest host" or something like that where a local person accompanies you on game drives. That is far short of a tribal visit, but a nice touch.

If you tacked on San or Jack's and spent time with the bushmen in the desert--you mentioned desert--you could have a fabulous cultural visit.

How great you are going back.

Hi Lynn,
I wasn't sure anyone was around on this horribly rainy/windy day. Only thing one can do is plan African trips - Is it rainy in Wisc?
Anyhow, Like minds, eh? I'm glad and flattered. :)

I choose 4 nights b/c a few of the camps seem to offer discounts and the thought of sclepping every couple days doesn't appeal.

So now if I may pick your brain;
why Zib. over Selinda or Kwando? Do you think it's nec. to have a tracker?

Why Duba over Vumbura?

Why knock out the water activities - although, eyes on Africa has a very inexpensive mobile canoe trip to Zimbabwe that looks like a nice end add on - this could count as part of my water excursion need. I do want to get out of the vehicle once and while to hike or get chased by a buffalo to keep the blood flowing.
Now as i probably should have done first, I'll check your report.
Who did you book with btw.
Thanks;
Sherry

Lynn forgot to mention (though it is in her trip report) that you can combine Zibalianja (also spelled Zibadianja) with a good walking experience-- a night or two at a trails camp called Tshwene. You can just about sleep under the stars at the trails camp...you'll find camp descriptions at linyanti.com . I've just noticed your later question to Lynn...her reasons may be different, but I would choose Zib over Selinda because it is so much smaller and intimate a camp. But they cover the same game drive areas and offer the same walking activity with armed guide and tracker.

John

Zib over Selinda (the camp) because I met someone who had a bad experience at Selinda with a lazy--for lack of a better word--guide. Also Selinda is fancier and you stated you wanted rustic. I like rustic too. However I feel like the use of the word rustic needs an asterisk here. Zib is a lovely camp with every amenity so I shouldn't overdo the rustic thing.

Oh yes, the hide--Chitabe has that. I was told they pioneered the idea at least for Wilderness. I stayed one night and it was fantastic.

The only reason I do not recommend Kwando is I have no personal experience there. (I must rectify that omission some day!) I think the Kwando camps would make for a super itinerary.

I've used a tracker only once. I recall crediting that tracker for one or two of three serval sightings in Kafue in Zambia. So he was productive. Since I've rarely used a tracker, I don't find it essential.

I just found Duba Plains to be the most exciting place ever, so thought I'd give it plug. But I think a private guide is the way to go there if you wish to see lion-buffalo interactions that often take place outside of normal game drive times. So then that adds more cost and makes it less comparable with the other camps. Don't mean to downplay Vumbura at all.

I've looked at the inexpensive Wilderness Zimbabwe mobile safari and agree it would be great. I did an inexpensive Wilderness Botswana mobile and was very happy with it.

Booked those 2 Botswana trips with Africa Adventure in Ft. Lauderdale FL after lots of comparisons both in and out of Africa.

Not raining here.

Thanks John and Lynn - good info.
Do you think the 3 areas that I picked are diverse enough and different from each other?

Is Duba plains worth it if I can't afford a private guide? How much xtra is the guide btw.

How exactly does walking/staying to/at hide work i.e. do you hike in for 1 night and continue walking to another location in the morning? How about my favorite topic - bathroom facilities??? Would you rec. one hide or walking trail over another?
Loved your report btw, Lynn - our goals are indeed similar. See my comments. AA must have put a private itinerary together for you. Do you only deal with Allison there? as you know, she frightens me! :O
Thanks;
Sherry

Maybe I missed it in you post, but did you say what time of year you are going?

Kwando offers discounts in the low season if you stay 8 nights at any 2-3 of their camps.

probably the end of July into August

Sherry,

As you probably already have read my Kwando experiences....it honestly, is very high on my list and a fantastic game drive experience. I have read some dramatic trip reports from people who stayed at their camps for a night or two and slam them....but, there are tons of regulars (including on these boards) who have had great experiences...

For my own trip next year (June) i am doing a long-stay combining Zibalianja and Lebala. I dont have time to do any delta camps on this particular trip....

Based on your requirements mentioned, any of the following camps would make a fine choice......

Chitabe/chitabe trails/duba plains/zibalianja/lebala/lagoon/little kwara/Duma Tau/Little Vumbura/Kwara

But, in honesty...you really need to spend time in order to maximize your sightings instead of shuttling around all over the place.....

What is the total duration of your trip?

Hari

Time of year is a key component and late July-Aug is a really good time.

Chitabe, Vumbura, Selinda are quite diverse. With late July and Aug, then Chitabe and Selinda offer decent odds of denning dogs.

Duba: I went in early Aug and part of the game area was inaccessible due to water levels. This was normal and accessibility would return in late Aug to early Sept. If the lions had gone to those inaccessible areas, I would not have seen them. I was lucky that the Tsaro pride stuck around where it was easy to see them every day. It is possible that they could move to the region known as Paradise and you can't get to Paradise in late July. I asked how long the lions are out of view when they disappear to these areas and was told a couple of days and that seemed reasonable. So that adds another element
of risk to Duba in late July, early Aug.

Johan, when he was participating here, made these same comments. His return trip was October. My return trip, if I'm lucky enough to have one, will be October. That eliminates the risk of accessibility, but of course does not eliminate all the other risks of good wildlife viewing. A private guide at Duba was $400 extra--more than other places due to the small camp.

Is it worth it? Yes, but you need some luck in late July-Aug. Less luck in Sept.-Oct. I will not return to Duba without a private guide at any time of year. I will not request a private guide for the majority of my African travels due to cost.

Overnight Hides--how they work depends on where and how you set it up. I did only 1 night at both Chitabe and Selinda. Chitabe was preplanned and Selinda was spur of the moment upon arrival. You can do more nights if you want. One was fine for me.

Chitabe--I walked there, then got a night drive and drove out. Chitabe was a mattress with netting on a platform. Very out in the open. Bathroom was a short walk away on a path that stayed lit by lanterns all night. A drop toilet and a shower. A bed pan was provided as well for the night.

Selinda--I was driven there, did a pm walk and walked out. Selinda was a regular tent on a raised platform--much more of a tent than a hide. Bathroom was regular flusher at the foot of the stairs. Shower was a ways away and highlight of the experience.

I liked Chitabe a bit better due to its openness, but either is great. The Selinda Trails is set up for several nights and I deviated with my one night. Chitabe is often 1 night but they can do more.

I have not dealt with Alison in a long time but found her to be charming way back when. It is funny the different perspectives. I deal with Mark since that who I started with a long time ago. Also Milissa. This was a private trip but only Duba was a private vehcile. Most Botswana itineraries where you pick your camps are private trips.

Going back to Lynn's tracker comment....there genuinely is a lot of work to track the spoor off-road and locate the animals...

Yes, lots of camps across Africa dont have a tracker. But, i credit the camps that do use them- it not only provides a great game drive experience, but also creates more jobs for the locals....

I have on a couple of occassions walked gotten off the truck to walk with the tracker following the spoor. It was a fascinating mini-walk. Another ocassion, they had to do a lot of tracking on foot, so my cousin drove the truck to keep pace and minimize lost time (sun was going down quick)....

That said, i have had some fantastic sightings and experiences even at camps that dont use the trackers....different experiences both. In addition to tracking spoor, they listen to the sounds of the bush for give-away signs....the guide just does the talking and keep you entertained.....

Hari

Sherry,

I can't add much to what Lynn has told you about diversity, etc.

The walk to Tshwene trails camp from Zibalianja, if you choose to do it that way, is a morning affair of about 10 kilometres. This is followed by pretty much the same brunch/siesta practice served up by most safari camps, then a late afternoon walk in the vicinity of the trails camp. If you chose to stay at Selinda main camp instead of Zib, your walk would probably be to Mokoba trails camp, a similar distance. If you chose their standard walk, you would walk between Selinda, Mokoba, Tshwene and Zib (or the reverse of that)-- spending two nights on the trail, one at each of the trails camps. I've done that three-day thing, and found it a wonderful experience. The trails camps have been upgraded since then and everything is a bit fancier than I remember.

Zib must be one of the very best, or consistent, places for wild dogs. A big pack often dens close to the camp and frequently uses that 'cool' waterhole in front of the camp. You would be unlucky not to see the pack with pups at the den from early August (if the den's location is known) and hunting with the pups in tow some time later.

John

Thanks, your getting me very excited.

Hari, I was thinking 4 days at each to pick up discounts and hoping this would be enough time at 3 and possible 4 locations if I do a desert extension.

Lynn, When you refer to Selinda are you speaking of the Selinda camp or the general area? I wonder if perhaps Mark would take me under his wing. Hopefully, I won't get outed first from these threads. Would it be an extra 400. pp for the private vehicle or 400. total?

John, Thanks for the details - you can't get this kind of info. from the books. Do you think 4 days would be enough at Zib.? Place sounds like heaven.

It looks like Chitabe and Zib are in. Any more comments on Little Vumbura versus Duba, Kwara or Kaporata?
Best;
Sherry

p.s. are all these above mentioned places wide open enough to keep up with dogs. Can you off road? My books say Selinda is excellent would that include Zib.?
What happened to Johan, btw?

Hi Sherry,

Yes.....you can off-road at all those locations. Selinda and Zib are in the same concession (selinda), so you may be able to find the dogs if they are in the area....

Hari

The Chitabe and Selinda areas had expanses that were open. Linyanti did as well but I think there were a few more wooded parts. Of course it all depends on where the animals are located. Each of these does have mopane forests and thick brush areas. When it is cold and/or windy the animals spend more time in those protected areas. The winds do not usually start until mid-August. There were some very gusty days on my last mid-Aug trip.

We did off road driving in Chitabe and Selinda. Much of the Selinda off road driving was to follow the dogs one morning. Don't remember off or on road when I was at Duma Tau in Linyanti, but never recall feeling hindered.

Zib is in the Selinda reserve.

Johan decided not to post here anymore which is too bad.

I'd like to do more drives with trackers. More eyes and expertise is always better in the bush.

Keep us posted, Sherry, on your promising itinerary.

Sherry,

One of the main differences between Duba and Little Vumbura is that the game is far more varied at Little Vumbura. And it's one of the most reliable places to see the sable antelope.

At Duba, you won't see impala, giraffe and zebra. Actually, it's mainly about lion and buffalo (one of the best places in Africa to see a kill happening during daytime). It also has a good track record for aardwolf. Your driving routes will be limited in both camps that time of year (unless the rainy season has been very poor). But you will be most affected by it in Duba.

Which camps or areas would I prefer that time of year:

- Moremi Game Reserve (especially near North gate) (camping would be advisable here);
- Savuti camp (Linyanti)/Selinda-Zibalianja (Selinda) ;
- Chitabe/Chitabe trails

From my own experience Moremi Game Reserve although a national park has superior gameviewing compared to most of the camps mentioned here. The only downsides you got there are the following:no night drives or off-road driving. (Unless you do game drives in the Khwai area (out of the national park)

I wouldn't consider Duba that time of year because you need a long stay to have a very good chance to see a kill (or you must be lucky). Actually even now, you can't reach Paradise Island (territory of the Skimmer pride)

A word about Kwando:

At Kwando (Lebala), your chances of seeing the dogs are less that time of year than at Savuti/Zibalianja-Selinda because they usually don't den there (hyena are quite dominant there). On the other hand, is one of the better places to see interaction between hyenas and lions.

And they use a tracker, which can make a big difference. (they are very serious about it)

A private vehicle is only to consider if you like travelling on your own or you have a particular intrest (f.e. birding/photography).

If you want to do water activities, I would recommend to opt for an extension at the Lower Zambezi.

Hope this helps

Sherry:
I have no advice of course--but wanted to say thank you for the thread. I'll be tracking your research and trip--what year are you thinking?

Oh the dilemmas and pile of books are mounting.

Hi Bat - are you going to Botswana,
I'm probably too late for 07 avail. as I got a late start due to illness and waiting for variances etc. for some property that I'm working on. So 07 if not too late, or 08- which sounds horribly far off. By then, I should have some good miles saved up.
I will surely drive you all insane by then, with my constant barage of questions.

Lynn and skimmer - many thanks;
Duba does sound like such a cool option and I could go later in the season, if that wouldn't interfere with the other options. Plus I don't think I'd like temps. upwards of 100 F with humidity if going too late in the season or if it means missing the dogs.

I would also love to see sable and have more of a chance at those elusive pups though. I'm assuming that with the close proximy to Mombo there may be some good spillage of good sightings if one stays in Little Vumbura. Why does Mombo seem to have such productive sightings - is it simply the terrain? Will the rhinos eventually be able to roam out of the concession?
Also, how easy is it to 4x4 out of L. Vumbura? Do the floods hinder any activities?

Question:
Does one generally see as much productive wildlife sightings when walking?
I'm assuming that the mokuru rides are more for the beauty of nature with an animal sighting as an additional bonus, no?
Many thanks;
Sherry

Sherry,

"Does one generally see as much productive wildlife sightings when walking?
I'm assuming that the mokuru rides are more for the beauty of nature with an animal sighting as an additional bonus, no?"

Sherry,

The short answers are 1) no; 2) yes.

It doesn't mean you can't have sudden, up-close and exciting sightings when walking, but most will be at a distance. The guides, for example, will be very wary of elephant breeding herds and will not knowingly go anywhere near as close as they would in a vehicle; and lions, as another example, are likely to run away if they see you first. A very interesting and amusing experience: we were in a vehicle just a few metres from a male lion which was munching on an impala in a patch of tall grass. We couldn't see the lion, but we could hear him. We'd found him only because three cheetahs from whom he'd stolen the kill were metaphorically licking their wounds nearby. Our presence didn't bother the lion, but suddenly, a group of walkers appeared about 200 metres away and started to cross open ground. The lion stuck his head up out of the grass, took one look at the walkers, and ran off in the opposite direction as fast as he could. I've never seen a male lion run so quickly.

A great deal of the Selinda territory is flat and open, and we've followed dogs quite easily on a couple of occasions until nightfall.

For an idea of the kinds of activities and sightings that are possible at Mombo and Xigera (the delta, but some years ago), and Selinda, Zibalianja and Kwando in more recent years, take a look at www.afrigalah.com . The relevant pages are "Okavango Delta"; and a series of six pages on Selinda and Kwando starting with "Introducing Linyanti", ranging over the different kinds of wildlife and finishing with "Birds of Selinda". There are also accounts of walking safari experiences on the Zimbabwe page.

John

Sherry,

Sorry, I missed the other question: 4 days enough at Zib? How long is a piece of string? :D My personal belief: no. It depends so much on the individual preference. I know hari likes to spend a lot of time at one place- I suspect you could offer him three months at Kwando Lebala and the only limitations to his immediate acceptance would be how much you asked him to pay and whether his boss would give him the time off. Similarly, I would love to live and work at Zib for a very long stretch. Some people, though, can't stand more than a day or two in one place and like to flit from one camp to another. The least time I've ever spent in the Selinda concession was about a week, and the absolute minimum I would give any good safari camp <i><b>anywhere</b></i> would be three nights-- in fact, three nights minimum for any camp I'm trying for the first time, because it's unreasonable to make a judgment based on a shorter stay.

John

Wow, what incredible pictures, John. I madly looked at all your photos first all while thinking, this guy has to be a professional as these are some of the best photos I've seen. I was right.

You truly captured the essense of each location. You also managed to capture wildlife expressions and details right down to the claws of those cheetah beauties. You seemed to capture the victories and pain of the lions as well - that downed elephant was downright freakish, I actual thought it was something else at first.

I usually don't get goofy over sunrises/sunsets but your elephants in the water with the perfect amount of light is stunning.
Now I understand why your mad about Africa :)
Thanks;
Sherry

Sherry,

Far from professional; just very enthusiastic amateur. I set out to show what I love (wildlife in general, not just African) and it pleases me greatly if the demonstration succeeds to entertain and inform.

You have my best wishes in researching and settling on your final itinerary.

John

John,

Believe it or not.....3 months will be overkill....if i'm not able to start running every morning after a shortish break (couple weeks) i'm not pleasant to be around......

Hari

Hari,

What a pity ;)

I think I could take three months, but I'd like to be a useful resident...helping out with game counts and doing other work, as long as I wasn't depriving anybody else of a job.

Depending on the camp, you could probably organise a daily run and remain a nice bloke to be around :)

John

Cybor,
If you have a couple of weeks and you want to visit several regions, then 4 nights is good. I also like longer stays, but am usually pleased with 4 nights. I agree 3 should be the minimum under most circumstances, even though many typical itineraries stay 2 nights.

&quot;Why does Mombo seem to have such productive sightings?&quot; It is on Chief's Island which is its own little world. Chief's Camp, also on Chief's Island has really good sightings as well from what I've heard. While Moremi is a great game area it is the fact the Mombo is on Chief's Island that makes it so outstanding.

&quot;Will the rhinos eventually be able to roam out of the concession?&quot; I know they have made it to Chitabe, but were brought back to Chief's Island. I would think the plan would be disbursement once the numbers allow it.

&quot;how easy is it to 4x4 out of L. Vumbura? Do the floods hinder any activities?&quot; Since you boat from LV to your vehicle, you have the same land activities as Vumbura. Even with higher floods there is plenty of dry land to drive on. July-Aug will be fine.

&quot;I'm assuming that the mokuru rides are more for the beauty of nature with an animal sighting as an additional bonus, no?&quot; That is right and that is why I like about one of these but want the bulk of my time in a vehicle. They are the best way to see those colorful little frogs on the reeds.

&quot;Does one generally see as much productive wildlife sightings when walking?&quot; Less wildlife, but it can be exciting. I prefer to do just a little walking in Botswana because the game drives have such potential. I like major walking in areas where I don't feel like I'm giving up as much to do a walk.

At Chitabe I think you can drive to and from the hide. Walking at least one of the directions would be worthwhile, I believe, but is not necessary.

Sandibe vs. Chitabe: When I was there, I was told Sandibe had to get special permission to visit the dog den that we went to all the time. I never saw their vehicle at the den and I remained at Chitabe 8 nights and went to the dogs every chance possible. I don't know the details--if sometimes the dogs den on Sandibe land and the rules reverse or if Wilderness owns more of the concession so Chitabe has a greater area, or what. But Sandibe did not see dogs during my stay in 8-2005 and everybody at Chitabe did.

Booking: You could also ask to work with Andre or Sherry, if she is still there at AAC. Or you could go to Nicky at Eyes on Africa since she is a former Wilderness employee. She definitely won't scare you! My next trip is with her and I'll use AAC again too. I really liked Bert of Fish Eagle Safaris and he had good pricing. I have not gone with him, but would consider it.

Your planning and eventual report will be a good education for many.

If I could stay 3 months at a good camp, I'd make do with knee bends, push ups and tai chi and forego the aerobics for a spell. I'd even do dishes!

One guide told me they would drive next to a guest if s/he wanted to jog along the airstrip. Don't know if that would cost extra or not but it would be monotonous.

Skimmer,
Are you named after the pride? Did you indicate that late July and early Aug is not a good time for dogs at Kwando? What is the best time, then, in your opinion?

I noted your Duba comments with interest. They echo what another Fodorite told me before I went to Duba--the only person I could find that had Duba experience when I was seeking it. They agree with my conclusions on Duba, including when is a good time to go.

I have to tell you that last August there were 4 giraffe spotted that must have ventured over from Vumbura. They caused immense radio chatter and excitement.

The huge elephant herds in the area (edgy ones, at that) would make me not consider the thought.

However, i was reading an article in Runner's world some months ago.....Jeff Corwin the TV host (who is a runner) was doing some running during a trip to South America and while in the amazon...he found the spoor of a jaguar over his shoe prints (he assumes he was being stalked!!!)while running.

Hari

Lynn,

I would assume Skimmer was referring to the Selinda pack....that has been denning outside the Kwando concession in recent times. Usually, if they den in Zib or Duma Tau......they dont get into Kwando until maybe, the pups are old enough to move the distance....

You always have a shot to see the Lagoon Pack. But, that's near Lagoon camp.......

hari

I spoke to Bert at Fish Eagle when I first started doing my research for our trip and really liked him also. Of the several U.S. agents I spoke to, he was definitely the most informative and helpful. I wound up using a SA TA, but have friends who used him and spoke highly of his services. He is South African and has been doing safari agenting for over 15 years.

Lynn,

I am not named after the Skimmer pride and seeing four giraffes at Duba must be a rare sighting.

Sherry,

Seeing the dogs at Kwando is still possible but the sightings are not that frequent anymore like they used to be in the past. (even at Lagoon)

So when the dogs are not denning in the Kwando concession I consider seeing the dogs there in July/August a very difficult task. But it's still a fantastic area with so many other sightings on offer.

At Little Vumbura you can still have a good experience in July/August but depending on the water levels some interesting places would be difficult to reach. Personnaly I think that area is more interesting before the big floods arrive.

Mombo, which lies on Chief's island as very fertile soil I think which attract lots of herbivores and their counterparts (predators). Chief's camp, I would only consider to go to if the floods have recided. Gameviewing in their part of the island, is less abundant than at Mombo.

Thanks.
Your responses to L. Vumbura and Duba seem luke warm for the end July and beginning of August which I'm assuming is the best time to see dogs, if not, I can go at another time if rec..

I'm pretty sure that Chitabe and Zib. will remain on my list - do you think I should stay longer at each camp or should I pick up a 3rd place for more diversity? Is there another camp/area that I'm missing? I still think I will add the falls and possibly a Zimb. canoe trip at the end.
This is my 1st visit to Bots.,btw.
Sherry

Sherry,

Don't be pre-set on the dogs. There is always an outside chance that you will miss them. Following reasons, that particular year-the pack may choose to den in a different area than normal, sometimes they may re-locate the den and it may take the guides a few days to locate it etc etc.,

Really by being fixated on one thing (in your case, the dogs) you are setting yourself up for possible disappointment.....but, i hope you see plenty of dogs.

You mentioned Zib, i am hoping to see them in early June....but, wont be upset if they choose to not be around.

Hari

Sherry,

Being your first bots trip- i would recommend atleast two nights in a delta camp that offers water activities. Mokoro is a one time &quot;must-do&quot;, just to experience the delta scenery. Choices include, Little Vumbura, Jacana, Kwara etc etc.,

Hari

Sherry,

One more thing....that said, i appreciate the fact that you should make your plan centered around the best possible areas for wild dog....

Hari

Hi Hari,
Yes, I'm prepared for the dogs being elusive. If missed, I'll have to go back :) Have you been to Jacara or Kwara?
Thanks

Cybor

I took three trips to Botswana with dogs being the aim before I got good enough information to even have a chance of getting it right. At least coming here, you are giving your self the best chance. Ironically on one trip which included Mala Mala followed by Botswana, we saw the dogs at Mala Mala and not at the other locations specifically chosen.
Please go prepared to enjoy everything and see dogs as the huge bonus, good luck, gift from God, insert phrase here, that they are.

In late June we saw dogs four days out of 6 at Mombo and followed them hunting three times. Though our itinerary at first site would have had Duma Tau as the best place to see them. We did see them there once.

Hi Matt,
Well I'll try not to sulk too much if I miss the pups. If I see a bonus sable, leopard or if the beauty of the delta is even close to the images that I've seen, I guess I can get over it. If I find myself getting to obsessed I could go to Madiwke (sp.) Think I'll try to find your pictures to hold me over.
Such dilemmas! :)

&quot;Yes, I'm prepared for the dogs being elusive. If missed, I'll have to go back &quot;

Sherry,

That's the best part about missing something you want to see :) I'm glad you're being a realist.

I've just finished doing some research on the den locations of the Selinda pack in recent years. I posted some of the results in another thread recently (Wild Dogs - DumaTau). Now I've confirmed that the pack has denned in the Zibalianja area every year except two since 2000. They denned outside the concession in 2004 and this year, but were still seen regularly in both years. Their den was in Zib territory in 2000 but we were unlucky on our trip and missed seeing them! In 2002, the den was 500 metres from camp (we saw them, and could have done so on a daily basis for almost as long as we liked); in 2003, it was 800 metres from camp; there were regular sightings in 2004, but once again we were unlucky and missed out. So, as you're aware, you can't be guaranteed to see them. The den this year was in Duma Tau territory (where Matt saw the dogs), but Lynn was among the lucky people who scored some of the many sightings at the Zib waterhole and elsewhere.

John

Hi Sherry:
Yes, thinking of a Bots-Namibia trip--but truth be told, it is all in the thinking part right now.