botswana camps
Nov 15th, 2006, 05:41 PM
#141
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Sherry,
There is a difference between the walking trails camps where you sleep in the hide. I prefered the smaller of the two hides.
I copied this part of my report.
I stayed at the OLD Walking Trails, which accommodates up to four, and is only an hour’s walk from camp. There is a NEW Walking Trails that sleeps up to eight with platforms adjoined by hanging bridges and is a three or four hour walk from camp. The immediate area of the lagoon-less new camp did not seem as interesting as the old camp, but the new camp is closer to the Moremi border with its abundant, diverse wildlife.
You can walk between the new and old camp in several hours and spend two consecutive nights in the open-air bush. You also can be driven to and from either of these walking camps (despite the name indicating otherwise) in case you wanted to sleep on the open platform but did not want to give up the more game-intense drives.
There is a difference between the walking trails camps where you sleep in the hide. I prefered the smaller of the two hides.
I copied this part of my report.
I stayed at the OLD Walking Trails, which accommodates up to four, and is only an hour’s walk from camp. There is a NEW Walking Trails that sleeps up to eight with platforms adjoined by hanging bridges and is a three or four hour walk from camp. The immediate area of the lagoon-less new camp did not seem as interesting as the old camp, but the new camp is closer to the Moremi border with its abundant, diverse wildlife.
You can walk between the new and old camp in several hours and spend two consecutive nights in the open-air bush. You also can be driven to and from either of these walking camps (despite the name indicating otherwise) in case you wanted to sleep on the open platform but did not want to give up the more game-intense drives.
Nov 15th, 2006, 06:30 PM
#143
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Sherry,
Location and appeal of Zibalianja's tents may have changed slightly since the upgrade, but Lynn should be able to tell you if I've got it right:
Best tent in my view is #1, which is closest to, and on the same side of camp as, the dining/campfire/bar area. It's also the most elevated and has a great view across the floodplain looking towards the airstrip (the strip is distant so isn't a bother). The camp waterhole is also visible. The other tents are on the other side of camp and face the other way. As there are only three guest tents, each is nice and private.
John
Location and appeal of Zibalianja's tents may have changed slightly since the upgrade, but Lynn should be able to tell you if I've got it right:
Best tent in my view is #1, which is closest to, and on the same side of camp as, the dining/campfire/bar area. It's also the most elevated and has a great view across the floodplain looking towards the airstrip (the strip is distant so isn't a bother). The camp waterhole is also visible. The other tents are on the other side of camp and face the other way. As there are only three guest tents, each is nice and private.
John
Nov 15th, 2006, 09:12 PM
#145
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Hari,
Yes, same waterhole. The dogs are regular visitors until the pack abandons the den and the pups are big enough to roam afar.
The waterhole is only small...man-made in about 2001. It wasn't there when we stayed at Zib in 2000. It's only a stone's throw from the thatched bar. A dugout hide was built close to the water two or three years ago. I'm hoping the camp manager last year took my advice and raised part of the hide's interior so that a photographer can see the water's surface when animals are drinking. When I tried the hide, I couldn't see the water. You could get good shots of the wildlife but not of them with their muzzles in the water (the shot I got of a wild dog drinking in 2002 was from a vehicle). Early this past season, the floodplain in front of camp experienced one of its rare floodings from Zibalianja lagoon, and the water filled the hide!
John
Yes, same waterhole. The dogs are regular visitors until the pack abandons the den and the pups are big enough to roam afar.
The waterhole is only small...man-made in about 2001. It wasn't there when we stayed at Zib in 2000. It's only a stone's throw from the thatched bar. A dugout hide was built close to the water two or three years ago. I'm hoping the camp manager last year took my advice and raised part of the hide's interior so that a photographer can see the water's surface when animals are drinking. When I tried the hide, I couldn't see the water. You could get good shots of the wildlife but not of them with their muzzles in the water (the shot I got of a wild dog drinking in 2002 was from a vehicle). Early this past season, the floodplain in front of camp experienced one of its rare floodings from Zibalianja lagoon, and the water filled the hide!
John
Nov 16th, 2006, 06:19 AM
#147
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Excellent info. Thanks.
I think I'd like to stay in the Chitabe Trails camp - does anyone have a room rec.?
L. Vumbura - I recall someone talking about having a great room - anyone remember who?
Also, isn't there a room/camp picture index link of sorts on the forum? Is southern Africa included in it?
Sherry
I think I'd like to stay in the Chitabe Trails camp - does anyone have a room rec.?
L. Vumbura - I recall someone talking about having a great room - anyone remember who?
Also, isn't there a room/camp picture index link of sorts on the forum? Is southern Africa included in it?
Sherry
Nov 16th, 2006, 06:56 AM
#149
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Nov 16th, 2006, 11:47 AM
#150
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Cybor,
Regarding the tents at LIttle Vumbura, there's only 6 tents and they are all spaced quite far apart. We were in the "Honeymoon" tent, it's very private. This is the tent with the outdoor tub that you always see on the Wilderness website. There is a small indoor shower, and the outdoor tub. I believe that all the other tents have an outdoor shower (instead of the tub)and I assume that they also have a small indoor shower (although I'm not certain). I think LV is supposed to be renovatied sometime in the future, so maybe before 2008, then things may change. Little Vumbura was my husband's favorite camp, so we are going back there next year for 3 nights. We will also be at Chitabe Trails next year. Your itinerary sounds wonderful!
Regarding the tents at LIttle Vumbura, there's only 6 tents and they are all spaced quite far apart. We were in the "Honeymoon" tent, it's very private. This is the tent with the outdoor tub that you always see on the Wilderness website. There is a small indoor shower, and the outdoor tub. I believe that all the other tents have an outdoor shower (instead of the tub)and I assume that they also have a small indoor shower (although I'm not certain). I think LV is supposed to be renovatied sometime in the future, so maybe before 2008, then things may change. Little Vumbura was my husband's favorite camp, so we are going back there next year for 3 nights. We will also be at Chitabe Trails next year. Your itinerary sounds wonderful!
Nov 17th, 2006, 04:29 AM
#152
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cw - thanks, that's a great site - no camp comments though. Nice work, Julian.
Lynn - your comments are thorough enough that I can figure out which hide is which by looking at the Chitabe site. I'll ask for the old one - thanks
Brandywine - Do you remember if all the tents at L. Vumbura had nice veiws? I'm curious why it was your DH's favorite camp and not yours. Where else did you go on your trip? The outdoor showers do sound great, albeit, a wee bit chilly - appreciate your input.
Sherry
Lynn - your comments are thorough enough that I can figure out which hide is which by looking at the Chitabe site. I'll ask for the old one - thanks
Brandywine - Do you remember if all the tents at L. Vumbura had nice veiws? I'm curious why it was your DH's favorite camp and not yours. Where else did you go on your trip? The outdoor showers do sound great, albeit, a wee bit chilly - appreciate your input.
Sherry
Nov 17th, 2006, 06:07 AM
#153
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Cybor,
I really don’t know how the views are from each tent at LV, but I assume that most of them are looking over the floodplain. The tents are spaced quite far apart and are each on a little trail off of the main walkway (all walkways and the tents are on the ground, not on raised walks), so you do not really see that much of any of the tents except your own. The tent we were in was very private (as you would expect with the outdoor tub completely in the open).
As far as outdoor showers or tubs go, we were there in June, and the temperatures are warm enough in the early afternoon to enjoy. Personally, I like to take a quick shower before game drives in the morning (to “wake up” before the drive) so I really appreciate at least a small indoor shower to use when it is still dark or cold outside.
Cybor, I’ve only been on safari once so far, so just comparing four camps, but I think it was my husbands favorite camp because of the access by boat (the camp is on its own little island), the small size, the tents and walkways on the ground, the more traditional look of the tents, etc. really makes you feel like you are “in the bush”. The game viewing was also quite good when we were there and I think this area is known to be one of the best water/land camps for animals, although probably not as good as some of the land only camps. I also liked LV a lot, and looking forward to going back, but my favorite camp was our first stop in South Africa (Londolozi Tree Camp). I think you will like LV a lot, and I’m really glad you decided to add a water camp in the Delta, as the scenery is very beautiful, and it would not seem right to go to Botswana and not spend some time in one of the Delta camps.
I really don’t know how the views are from each tent at LV, but I assume that most of them are looking over the floodplain. The tents are spaced quite far apart and are each on a little trail off of the main walkway (all walkways and the tents are on the ground, not on raised walks), so you do not really see that much of any of the tents except your own. The tent we were in was very private (as you would expect with the outdoor tub completely in the open).
As far as outdoor showers or tubs go, we were there in June, and the temperatures are warm enough in the early afternoon to enjoy. Personally, I like to take a quick shower before game drives in the morning (to “wake up” before the drive) so I really appreciate at least a small indoor shower to use when it is still dark or cold outside.
Cybor, I’ve only been on safari once so far, so just comparing four camps, but I think it was my husbands favorite camp because of the access by boat (the camp is on its own little island), the small size, the tents and walkways on the ground, the more traditional look of the tents, etc. really makes you feel like you are “in the bush”. The game viewing was also quite good when we were there and I think this area is known to be one of the best water/land camps for animals, although probably not as good as some of the land only camps. I also liked LV a lot, and looking forward to going back, but my favorite camp was our first stop in South Africa (Londolozi Tree Camp). I think you will like LV a lot, and I’m really glad you decided to add a water camp in the Delta, as the scenery is very beautiful, and it would not seem right to go to Botswana and not spend some time in one of the Delta camps.
Dec 1st, 2006, 11:47 AM
#154
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I'm on pins and needles waiting for my (hopefully final) revised itinerary. Everything seems to be fitting well except Zibilianja - we've had to redo this trip 3X. It's easy to believe that this place is booking 1 1/2 yrs. prior. For those of you thinking of going, start booking now, as some groups are picking up blocks of time in prime weeks.
The other stumbler is that one can only start the mana pool canoe trip tues. and thurs.
I should know what's what by the end of the day.
As it's narcisistic and probably a jinx to wish myself good luck, I'll ask you to do my wish request.
Thanks;
Sherry
The other stumbler is that one can only start the mana pool canoe trip tues. and thurs.
I should know what's what by the end of the day.
As it's narcisistic and probably a jinx to wish myself good luck, I'll ask you to do my wish request.
Thanks;
Sherry
Dec 4th, 2006, 11:21 AM
#159
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Hooray!!!!!!=D>
I'm provisionally booked.
Here's my itinerary:
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY:
ZIMBABWE & BOTSWANA
22 July 2008:
JOHANNESBURG
Southern Sun
23 July: VICTORIA FALLS
Ilala Lodge
24 July: MANA CANOE TRAIL
3-night/4-day Mana Canoe Trail
27 July: Victoria Falls
Matesi Water lodge
28 July: SELINDA-LINYANTI
Ziblianja Camp
02 Aug: OKAVANGO DELTA
Little Vumbura Camp
05 Aug: MOREMI
Chitabe Trails Camp
10 Aug: DEPARTURE OR
Add on a desert extension
I'm provisionally booked.
Here's my itinerary:
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY:
ZIMBABWE & BOTSWANA
22 July 2008:
JOHANNESBURG
Southern Sun
23 July: VICTORIA FALLS
Ilala Lodge
24 July: MANA CANOE TRAIL
3-night/4-day Mana Canoe Trail
27 July: Victoria Falls
Matesi Water lodge
28 July: SELINDA-LINYANTI
Ziblianja Camp
02 Aug: OKAVANGO DELTA
Little Vumbura Camp
05 Aug: MOREMI
Chitabe Trails Camp
10 Aug: DEPARTURE OR
Add on a desert extension
