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-   -   Botswana Flood update (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/botswana-flood-update-690075/)

bots Mar 22nd, 2007 01:36 AM

Botswana Flood update
 
Great news Okavango flood looking good.
Flood at Chiefs Island and mokoro activities are on.
Water levels at Chobe very high with the main flood not there yet.Bit nervous
Good game viewing already as it is dry with elephants comming to Kwai for water already.
Good game viewing this year as flood high but rainfall not good.

HariS Mar 22nd, 2007 07:22 AM

Thanks, Bots......

What is your prediction for the linyanti/kwando/selinda areas in terms of game viewing this season?

Thanks,
Hari

lbj Mar 22nd, 2007 08:51 AM

My travel agent and other friends have informed me that there has been very limited rainfall in the Kwando/Selinda area. Hence the vegetation is not so substantial and wildlife are already returning to their perenial water supplies. eg Kwando and Zibalianja lagoon. However, they have had to shut Kings Pool airstrip because the floods are pretty substantial. The Zambezi has backed up and also flooded the Chobe flood plain, as you look across from the Kasane side.

safarimama Mar 22nd, 2007 03:31 PM

I just returned from Stanley’s, Chief’s & Chobe Chilwero camps in Botswana and from Vic Falls. I saw more game than I had anticipated in the green season. The game viewing was very good: mating giraffes (a first for me), two gorgeous male lions chasing off intruders into their territory, which was exciting to watch and follow. They gave up when the intruders swam across the channel. A leopard leading her cub to a kill was another exciting find.

Both the Chobe and Zambezi rivers were 2 meters above normal already. The Kasikili Island/Kasika village across in Namibia (on the Caprivi Strip) that is visible from the Chobe waterfront is under water as is the Chobe Savannah Lodge there. The people had to move out. The Chobe Riverfront is also totally under water now.

Chobe River cruises are still very good. Ellies still frolic in the water and a few crocs hang around. Hippos have moved closer to shore or hang around on top of submerged islands. A pride of lions even came to drink chased away by ellies who quickly moved on when the lions kept coming anyway, totally ignoring them.

However, Zambezi River sunset cruises (at Vic Falls) aren’t as rewarding game-wise, except for the boat full of “mooners”, which made up for the lack of wild game, although these folks would qualify! The sunset was gorgeous and the falls spectacular.

The real floods haven’t yet begun to flow from Angola, bringing the heavy rains down to the Okavango that fell in East Africa this season. It will be major, I’m sure! The question is where will it flow? Actually, it started to trickle in on Chief’s Island a bit on March 10th, filling in the channel from one day to the next.

Georgie2007 Mar 22nd, 2007 04:16 PM

Safarimama,
Have you posted a trip report anywhere. I am off to Chobe Chilwero, Baines,Chiefs, Victoria Falls, Zib and Quilalea in May and would love to hear about what you thought of the camps and any tips and tricks on how to get the best put of our safari.
Cheers,

Georgie

safarimama Mar 22nd, 2007 09:43 PM

Sorry Georgie, I just don't have time to write long trip reports, but choose to instead relate my thoughts in bits and pieces when the subject comes up. The Sancuary/A&K lodges are all superbly well run with good food and great service. You have nothing to worry about. Chobe Chilwero is a bit over the top with bathrooms bigger than most rooms elsewhere. Most permanently tented camps of the same quality tend to be about the same size and layout. Baines is unique in that it's all on raised wooden walkways, small and caters to people who like more privacy. The guides are great and well trained by Trevor Carnaby, who wrote Beat About The Bush for the guides. I have pictures of all the camps on my website, but I can't tout it on this forum. I will point you to it if you give me your email address.

Georgie2007 Mar 22nd, 2007 10:44 PM

Safarimama,
Thanks for the reply. I would love to see your photos. My email address is [email protected]. Thanks again.
Cheers, Georgie


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