botswana camps
Nov 3rd, 2006, 06:01 PM
#101
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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
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
Nov 3rd, 2006, 09:16 PM
#102
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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.
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.
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:07 PM
#103
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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
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
Nov 5th, 2006, 04:43 AM
#105
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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 $$$$? I fear I'll go into shock if coming straight from a 4 day mobile canoe trip if I go to a place that's too civilized or if I'm made to look and act presentable
Is there a site that lists all the lodges in Zimb. including pricing?
Many thanks;
Sherry
I'd like to pick your brains a bit if you don't mind about the falls. I'm assuming from what I've read, that the viewing from the Zimb. side is best, true?
Does one need to stay at the lodges on the Zimb. side to position themselves to see the falls from the Zimb. side?
How close to falls should one try to stay for convenience?
Some of the places that I've seen seem to be very large and/or sterilized which I will go along with if nec. but can anyone rec. a nice place (not too crowded or stuffy) that's not over the top $$$$? 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
Nov 5th, 2006, 04:49 AM
#106
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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
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
Nov 5th, 2006, 05:06 AM
#108
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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
Nov 5th, 2006, 05:39 AM
#109
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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.
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.
Nov 5th, 2006, 05:53 AM
#112
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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
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
Nov 5th, 2006, 10:44 AM
#113
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Hari,
re. horseback riding in Botswana. Oh boy, I'm in real trouble when Ruth sees that <g>. 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
re. horseback riding in Botswana. Oh boy, I'm in real trouble when Ruth sees that <g>. 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
Nov 5th, 2006, 11:52 AM
#114
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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
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
Nov 5th, 2006, 12:17 PM
#115
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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
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
Nov 5th, 2006, 07:07 PM
#116
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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
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
Nov 7th, 2006, 12:26 PM
#120
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"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
Has anybody noticed Shenton Safaris' statement in their 'seasonal calendar' for Kaingo and Mwamba camps (kaingo.com): "May and early June are the one time of the year when we tend to see wild dogs." 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 & June because my main target won't be the dogs. Plenty of them at Zib
John
Has anybody noticed Shenton Safaris' statement in their 'seasonal calendar' for Kaingo and Mwamba camps (kaingo.com): "May and early June are the one time of the year when we tend to see wild dogs." 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 & June because my main target won't be the dogs. Plenty of them at Zib
John
