nyama

2008 rates for Zib are on the new Selinda website.

It's US$ 1335 pppps.

nyama

PS: forgot the URL, www.selindareserve.com/rates.html

HariS

Sherry,

You can find information on "Wild dogs kwando/selinda".....but, only information on the animals.

Rgds,
Hari

cybor

Well Nyama, you've depressed me with the Zib. pricing.... Why such a jump? Also, Is that site quoting Wilderness prices?

bat

I agree with you cybor--that is depressing. And they say this on the website:

"What we want to create is a camp where people will want to stay for a month."

At those prices???

CarlaM

A month, I wish! That would be over $40k, PLUS a S/S cost for me. If I hit the lotto I will pick 5 of my favorite Fodorites and reserve the entire camp, so be nice to me!

nyama

cybor, sorry for depressing you, but I guess you are not the only one who is depressed by the latest developments in Selinda - many of former Selinda clients (including me) are certainly not happy about all this.

Wilderness prices? Better would be "wild prices". The Selinda website has nothing to do with WS, and Selinda is not owned by WS. WS are only marketing Selinda on their own website, maybe because of their good relationship with the Jouberts, and maybe because the CEO of the 'Selinda Consortium' is Colin Bell, their former CEO.

HariS

But Sherry, when you spoke with your agent and came up with a plan....did you already deciede the final price of your trip? If so, then....you should be okay.

safarichuck

afrigala/John,
I just returned from Savuti and can report that the cheetah brothers are doing well. They had just killed an ostrich and were spitting out the last feathers when I left them. One had a slight limp (hind leg) but it didn't look too serious. Still only two in the coalition unfortunately. They did have an encounter at the watering hole with elephants, the winner was... We have already booked our return to Savuti for next year. Regards, Chuck

cybor

Chuck,
Any conparison between Savuti and Zib?

Hari,
No, all I have is a provisional booking reserved with a small deposit at the above mentioned camps.
I will have to pay the difference for the 2008 prices and hope to keep my original deposit if I have to choose other camps if Zib.
It may now be out of my league - I've got 5 days there.

Who the hell can afford those ridiculous rates? I thought that that was what Mombo was for.

HariS

Chuck,

Hi! Good to hear that the boys are well. May i ask, what dates you were at Savuti? i am asking this as i am trying to ascertain the duration of time they hv spent in the duma tau/savuti concession(for my potential future trips). When i was at Selinda they crossed over into the WS concession on the morning of june 5(according to my notes) and as on june 16th they were still in the concession, and getting ready to leave. Appreciate any feedback on this!

Thanks
Hari

safarichuck

Cybor,
I have not been to Zib but I can give some very recent information on Savuti. The new tents are really fabulous, they do a Monday night traditional dinner in an attached Boma (fantastic experience) and the staff, as in all of the Wilderness Camps we have visited, go the extra mile to make you feel welcome. The Hide at the exge of the watering hole at camp, is not operational because the eles have become very territorial. Camp mamagement are afraid the vehicles will be attacked bringing guests down to the hide and the hide isn't rally that much protection. Actually the game viewing was such that it made little difference. They do have another hide at Rock Pan which offer great opportunities. In the four days we were there, we spent three days with the Wild Dog Pack (11 dogs) two days with the Cheetah brothers, 2 days with the lion pride, and two days with two different leopards. When I say days I mean several hours with each and 1/2 day with each of the leopards and with the cheetahs. He observed an incredible interaction between the Wild Dog Pack and a band of Hyena. The Hyena tried to steal the Dog kill but the Dogs beat them back (Biting their private parts) and chasing them into the water. It was so funny that I almost forgot to press the shutter. We enjoyed Savuti enough to book it again for 2008. Whichever camps you finally settle on, try and stay 3 days or longer at each (4 days is ideal). At Savuti, try and do sundowners at Rock Pan, wonderful photographic opportunity. As a last minute addition I should mention that the Dogs had not yet denned but were getting ready to do so. The alpha female is heavy with pups so things might be even better next year.
Regards, Chuck

safarichuck

Sorry, should read "We observed an ......." Someone please make this Forum more user friendly

safarichuck

Hari,
Regarding the Savuti Boys, we were in Savuti on June 8-11 and saw the Boys on June 9, 10, and 11. They made a kill (Ostrich) on June 10th. Brandon, the Wilderness Manager for all of the Classic Wilderness Camps was at camp and he told us that Ostrich was a very unusual prey for these two. They were in good shape and on the night of the 10th made a half hearted attempt at catching an impala. When they failed, they began to stalk one another (great fun). On the evening of the 10th they were quite full, having eaten 1/2 an adult ostrich each, and then visited the watering hole at Rock Pan. The elephants objected and it was amazing to watch the elephants chase them into the bush. The Boys took it all in stride and waited for the herd to leave before visiting the hole for another drink. Good luck catching up with them, they are among the more interesting cheetahs we have ever been fortunate enough to spend time with.
Regards, Chuck

HariS

Hi Chuck,

Appreciate your information. On june 16th....when i was leaving Lebala i was joking with the camp manager that the moment i leave the boys WILL come back.....sure enough, i get on the plane and i had to open my big mouth and ask the couple seated next to me,"what camp are you guys coming from?" they mentioned duma tau and the two boys and that they were "energized" with a fresh meal and that they were ready to move on.....true, i felt ready to jump off the plane!

Thanks
Hari

mv

Hi Chuck
Last year I saw the brothers stalk Ostrich (unsuccessful) between Kwando Lagoon and Lebala. I did ask my guide, Steve, if it was not unusual for the boys to do this and he replied that he had seen them kill Ostrich several times.
Later at night we had an Ostrich almost
falling into the vehicle as it was being chased by a young Hyena.

HariS

Hi Michael,

I am sure you are going to see them in September. My sister and her family spent an entire day with them between Lagoon and Lebala on june 2nd.

Rgds,
Hari

HariS

I think they have a picture of one of the boys on an ostritch kill in one of the two camps.....

mv

Hi Hari

I certainly hope to see them in September.
Have booked Spencer as a private guide for both Lagoon and Lebala and will spend a lot of time looking for the dogs and the brothers

HariS

Hi Michael....he promises to keep a watch on the two boys until next year.

On one of the days, we went tracking all day, up and down the concession to see if they were back.....but, these two boys seem to be hiding from me!