Sherry: you take a bush flight to DVL. They have a private concession that I believe is 15,000 hectares that borders on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve -- you can see the famous Deception Valley from their property but they are forced by gov't rules to have a fence there. They are trying to negotiate a gate that would allow direct access and would have you in the heart of the reserve very quickly. Right now for the drive into the CKGR they negotiate a network of firewall roads and then can enter through a main entrance. This is why it is a whole day journey with a packed lunch. Hopefully in the future they will be granted direct access. The other game drives take place on their property which has at least 5 leopards and the lion pride generally in residence as well as lots of other wildlife.

That should be bush flight from Maun to DVL.

Just so everyone is clear: Cooncat and her Keens is not the same person as Lady Keenya....

:-D

Sherry,

Bad luck about '07, but as you say, no surprise. I'm a little surprised by the '08 bookings; these places are popular but the popularity has rocketed since I last booked. I usually keep my dates fairly flexible, and don't set them in concrete until I've got what I want. But whatever you end up with, you'll have a magnificent safari for sure.

John

John: I think a lot of provisional bookings take place where big operators or groups may hold space. I have done that before for group trips that I was going to lead. Often they are held until a certain time (6 or 9 months perhaps) before arrival at which time its deposit or release. With growing popularity I would imagine this kind of safety provisioning will grow.

I'm sure some agents on the board know more about that than I do -- of course I don't know if its safe to speak of such things anymore.

A most important clarification Cooncat!

I thought so... ;-)

Yes, Sherry......i agree with PB, there may be lots of provisional bookings and space may open up....just get your TA to revert should WS get back to them regarding availability. I'm just glad i got my Zib booking for the first part of June. I only booked in September (a month ago)....

Hari

Well maybe Zib. isn't as popular as we think. I actually got an email from a TA who was not familiar with them. They promptly got removed from my contact list.

So far, I've got a few quotes that may be doable. Anyone know the UK $(don't have the key) to USD exchange rate today?
Thanks

*Nonsense - ignore as you had to be there
Gee cooncat, The Lady Keenya comment just slipped by me and I missed the whole innuendo thing, duhh. Although, if cooncat wasn't such a good handle this could have worked \:D/

Sherry,

Log onto xe.com to get today's current exchange rates.......

Your TA hasnt heard of Zib? Hmmmm

Hari

PB,
I enjoyed looking at your great photos again. They're not only well done but informative. I love your sense of detail and finding things (wildlife) that would normally be overlooked.
Question;
Did you see any tribeswomen?

sorry to comment on your pictures here as I would have liked to top your pictures for anyone who missed or would like to revisit.
Thanks;
Sherry

Thanks Hari,
Wow that's terrible - haven't looked at the exchange in awhile. Perhaps after the next elections things will change.

Sherry,

Take a look at their website www.linyanti.com they have put in their sightings for the month of October....go to camp news.

Hari

Sherry: thanks for the compliments -- I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures.

Women from local tribal areas work at DVL but they are not bushmen women (sounds funny but I think that would be the correct way to say it -- the fact is since they were the original people they didn't really have a term for themselves, they were simply the people. They were labeled as San but at some point it was degragatory to them so they prefer bushmen).

The owner of the camp somehow grew up in the vicinity of the bushmen culture and when the camp was founded they hired all bushmen (men and women) to staff it. Of course the culture is historically migratory and one day the owner woke up and the entire staff had just left. Because of this nature the support staff is local people and the bushmen trackers are free to come and go as they please. They also decide for themselves who will work as a tracker or conducting walks. They try to provide them with a good employment opportunity that is flexible enough to accomodate their culture needs. I found it all quite fascinating.

Have any of you had problems with TA's diverting from your wish list and suggesting irrelevant info?

I had one suggest Zambia rather than Bots. Another tell me that most people go to Bots. for less time and I should shorten my trip. And lastly, another divert completly and suggest that I go on an elephant safari - what? This is like asking for a porsche and being told that you need a VW or a new pair of shoes @-).

I feel like these people are suggesting that I am a delusional women who can't grasp the concept of the logistics or $$ volume that this entails. Although I am likely delusional about some things(lots really),I am not when it comes to Afreekah ;;)

I knew full well that this trip was going to set me back quite a few notches north of 10Gs.
I have just knocked the above vendors off my list.
End of vent, back to work!
Sherry

Hello,

Well, I'm now redeemed from Fodors Siberia -- though between that and my Tanzania trip I haven't been keeping up with what's been going on here.

It sounds like you've gotten a lot of good advice here Sherry -- you've got a very nice itinerary. Hope it all comes together for you!

BTW, I have NEVER claimed to be the resident expert on Botswana -- and thought that said claim was self-evidently silly enough that it wasn't worth acknowledging. Like everyone, I've learned a lot here, and continue to do so. I don't think there is a resident expert -- we all have different areas of knowledge.

Cheers,
Julian

Welcome back aboard, Jules! :-D

Thanks Sharon!

Cheers,
Julian

Hi Julian and welcome back!
You caused quite a stir when you got the boot. I suppose your not at liberty to tell us why - shame.

Would love to hear about your trip when your rested up. I also would like to hear your thoughts on L. Vumbura.
Best;
Sherry

Hmmm, Sherry, I'm not an agent so no list to scratch me off, and I haven't been to Botswana yet, but, I hope you were just having an off-moment snit when you compared Zambia to a VW. I think the suggestion was offered as an alternative to Zimbabwe for canoeing.

I do hope to visit Botswana someday, but, nothing I've read so far on this wonderful forum nor the pictures I've seen of wildlife and camps would put Zambia behind Botswana, or any other Africa destination in terms of wildlife or camps, certainly not the places we stayed.

Cuz, while we didn't see wild dogs, we had quality lion sightings every day and night, ellies everywhere, very up close and personal, leopards, plus too many other critters in the air, on land, in and under the water, to count. First class camps with accomodations for no more than 8, and on almost all drives we were the only vehicle on a sighting, night drives, guides who showed us things that I haven't seen discussed in many hours of perusing this wonderful forum, canoeing, including a too close incident with a hippo (That was more thrill than any Porche you will ever drive, but not recommended), and first class accommodations (eg, Chiawa rated in the top 10 Africa camps by Conde Nast).

Would love to do Mombo one day, but have a hard time imagining that it could offer any more than what we just experienced. And, perhaps less, since we had wonderful (well, the hippo incident should more properly be counted as memorable) water-based experiences that do not appear to be replicated in Botwana, since I gather that, while the mekoro rides sound nice, they do not equal the Lower Zambezi in terms of game-viewing. So, "harumph" to your Porche-VW metaphor. <g>.

Jim

Jim,
No, it wasn't an off moment snit on my part. The point of my analogy was that I inquired about Botswana and Zimbabwe not Zambia or E.Hodgepodge. My point had nothing to do with one country being better than another, just simply the fact that that was not what I asked for.

I fear your reading more into this than need be.

I'm glad you enjoyed Zambia and do hope I get to visit at another time - just not this time [(

BTW, I personally love VW's - had many and can't kill them. Drove my rustfree Rabbit from Ca. with many miles to my current home where we both lived to almost 200,000 miles. I then sold her (Nell) to a young man who rebuilt and got many more miles her. You got a problem with VW's :)

I actually prefer a VW over a porsche any day. Different cars for different lifestyles and purposes.

Most peacefully yours;
Sherry

Sherry: some agents definitely want to steer clients to certain places, it may be for their financial gain, or just because of their knowledge and comfort.

You clearly have thought out your desired itinerary and know what you want. No reason for you to work with any agent who can't get on that page and work to provide you with your requests.

Sherry,

I agree with PB. Any TA should be able to provide you with your requests....most importantly, YOU should be able to ascertain what YOU want for your safari and what YOU intend to accomplish......the answers to these questions may lead YOU to your desired destination.

Hari

Jim,

Horse-back safaris in the delta is pretty unique.....(nope i havent been)

Hari

Hello,
I'd like to pick your brains a bit if you don't mind about the falls. I'm assuming from what I've read, that the viewing from the Zimb. side is best, true?

Does one need to stay at the lodges on the Zimb. side to position themselves to see the falls from the Zimb. side?

How close to falls should one try to stay for convenience?

Some of the places that I've seen seem to be very large and/or sterilized which I will go along with if nec. but can anyone rec. a nice place (not too crowded or stuffy) that's not over the top $$$$? I fear I'll go into shock if coming straight from a 4 day mobile canoe trip if I go to a place that's too civilized or if I'm made to look and act presentable :)

Is there a site that lists all the lodges in Zimb. including pricing?

Many thanks;
Sherry

Hi Sherry,

I've only been on the Livingstone side of the falls. I like it....but, i can't compare as i havent been to Zim.

As to how close you need to stay....i dont think it matters. Even if you are a half hour away from the falls, you just get driven there to view the falls etc etc.,

Since you like activities, i strongly recommend the white water rafting. I did it on the Zambia side, but, i'm sure you can have the same thing organized in Zim. Fantastic!!! The best white water experience i have ever had!!!

Hari

Thanks Hari, I'm a bit frightened as I've only done a max of 4 and those rapids are 5+. I'm not sure I want to die before seeing Botswana :((

There are only one or two rapids with a 5 or thereabouts and the guides are fantastic. I'm a novice myself and didnt topple even once.....that white water trip will remain in my head forever!!! I have also bungy jumped in the garden route in SA in 2003. But, that's not something i'm going to recommend to you....

Hari

Hari,
I used to sky dive before I destroyed my knee from running but would <b>never</b> ever bungy jump. Do you think the rafting crews are professional? I actually was thinking of doing it - I just need some hand holding.

Very professional....fantastic guiding atleast the crew we used on the Zambia side....... Bundu adventures. Our guide was Temba or Tembo (cant remember his name now) but....awesome!!! Must do experience.

Ok, I'll think about the rafting but most definately not hanging from a string before plunging to the dark side.
Me thinks you're a braver woman than, I.

In fact, Sherry....there is one particular rapid (may be a grade 6 or so) that they dont allow us amateurs to raft thru....before you hit the rapid, you go to the side and get on the banks and walk around that particular rapid......then you get back into the raft....very professional!!!

The really tough part is climbing out of the gorge on completion. That's really steep climb...not difficult, but certainly tiring and works those calf muscles, pronto!!!

Hari

Hari,

re. horseback riding in Botswana. Oh boy, I'm in real trouble when Ruth sees that &lt;g&gt;. She just toodled off for her morning trail ride.

Now, if I could only figure out how to carry my telephoto--and take non-blurry pics from the back of a horse.

Jim

Sherry,

All accounts I've had say viewing is best from the Zim side. I haven't been on the Zambian side.

I've stayed at a few different places in Vic Falls, including the upmarket Kingdom, which is only a few minutes walk from the falls. My favourite place, though, is the A'Zambezi, which (if it is still in business) is out of town but right on the river. River cruise boats leave from the back-door. It's clean, comfortable, not stuffy, and has regular shuttle buses into town.

John

Sherry,

This is just one of a number of commercial sites which list accommodation options available at the falls:
http://www.flamelily.co.za/victoria_falls.html

John

Jim,

Personally, i'm way too focussed on the lazy-bone vehicle drive safaris, but, i met a group at the Maun airport who had just completed the horse-back trip and they seemed to have lots of fun. I think you do lots of riding and some jeep drives to rest up and go to areas in the vehicles to find the predators. They did mention that the zebras and giraffe and animals were relaxed around the horses and they were able to get closer than on foot.....

Hari

Thanks John, That site is a good start - no pricing though. Would love to hear about anyone else's experiences or rec. for the V. Falls
Sherry

Sherry,

Did you read Predator Biologists wild dog research thread? Appears like the South Luangwa will become a hot wild dog destination soon........something to confuse you even further...

Hari

Ha, I must focus, focus, focus.
Next trip perhaps.
Although..... deposits aren't made yet :)

&quot;Did you read Predator Biologists wild dog research thread? Appears like the South Luangwa will become a hot wild dog destination soon........something to confuse you even further...&quot; -Hari

Has anybody noticed Shenton Safaris' statement in their 'seasonal calendar' for Kaingo and Mwamba camps (kaingo.com): &quot;May and early June are the one time of the year when we tend to see wild dogs.&quot; That gives me the impression that at the right time, it's not unusual to see wild dogs in some parts of SLNP. On the other hand, isn't Rocco yet to see dogs, and that's one of the reasons he's on his way to Botswana? I expect to be booking Kaingo and Mwamba in the not too distant future, but won't be choosing May &amp; June because my main target won't be the dogs. Plenty of them at Zib :)

John