Would the Kwando camps be considered "plain tents"? Is the idea of luxury very different between WS and Kwando?

Parkertraveler,

The tents at Kwando are not "Plain" in any aspect. The ones at Lebala are huge and very very "Luxurious". Lagoon is nice but not as big. But still very adequate. They easily match all WS camps except Mombo, Kings Pool and Vumbura Plains.

The new Little Kwara tents, once they r up and ready are meant to be very nice also. I will be there in August.

Hari

Hello Parker,

Take a look at the tents on the operators' websites:

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com

http://www.kwando.com

I should also have some pics on my safari camp photo album once I get them posted.

Cheers,
Julian

Hi,

I stayed at Chief's camp two years ago. I know the management changes frequently, so I can't speak for who's there now. But I can say that Chief's camp is absolutely great. The game viewing just from the deck alone is teriffic.

Our driver, Stanley was one of the most knowledgeable ever, and the service and food at the camp was scrumptuous.

I am a travel agent and have booked several clients in this camp and have received no negative comments. My agency also books this camp and I've heard nothing negative and they've booked in the past year. I would highly recommend it.

Tell me about the water activites at the water/land camps. Mokoro rides, etc. What all is there to see? Abundant wildlife, or is it mostly just for the boat ride?

Parkertraveler,

Hi! Mokoro rides, are to experience the landscape of the delta and it's water channels. It isn't about big game viewing.........although, you may at times come across the odd elephant on the banks and some good birding.....

Land camps, refers to the areas that have complete access to all game drive areas.....no mokoro activities, here.

Hari

Thanks, Hari!

So what do you guys think of the water camps? Do you find that after the 2nd day of mokoro rides, you've had enough? Or is it pretty interesting?

We're getting closer. We have holds on the rooms and have narrowed it down to:

3 nights Lebala
3 nights Chitabe

or

3 nights Lebala
3 nights Little Kwara

Dates are the last week of May 2007.

Any feedback? We do understand we are missing the water camps by doing the Lebala/Chitabe option, but we don't think we'll be too interested in the water activities. I may be proven wrong...but it's just sorta my feeling... not really into boating or birds.

Thanks for all the help so far!!!

Parkertraveler,

Either option should be good. If u are not interested in Kwando's long stay discount structure, go for option 1. Also remember, Chitabe is a much smaller concession compared to Kwara. That probably makes it easier for the guides to keep track of the animal movements. Although Kwara area is awesome also.

Both camps hv a good track record for all the predators. Lions, Leopard, cheetah, Dogs, Hyenas.

Hari

I just re-read your post.....end May go for Lebala/Chitabe....

Flood levels may affect parts of Kwara.

Hari

If the water activities are of little interest, but some, then you may want to consider mixed camps where a water activity is available in the middle of the day and then you still get two game drives.
For your interest level I would second the Lebala / Chitabe rec.

Hi!
I' so excited for you. We went to Botswana last year for our first long- dreamed of safari.

One thing you don't have to worry about is disappointment ;D The guides are wonderful, knowledgable, thoughtful and enjoy a good laugh. It's your day and everyone wants it to be a good day. And they made it very easy for me to want to be my best too. I could learn a lot from the staff I had so much fun with last year.

EVERYTHING seems so fresh, the air, the light and smells. I feel like atleast my sensory experince was heightened. Who knows, I wasn't on acid but I sure was HIGH ;D And what's really great are the flashbacks!

My favorite camp was Chitabe Trails because not only was it small but it had a contantly fed watering hole infront of the camp and a circle of big dead branches by the pool that one of the "limo's" (4wd =:>) would take a guide and a few guests out to get up very close, elles, and personal, to the lions, and warthogs(xoxox), and wildebeauties, and 'lopes...

and of course the MOST interesting thing was watching the interaction between the herds as they would come down the valley and stop before making the final descent where the other animals had gathered by the water. Seeing the two lead females, one from the entering herd and one from the established herd each step forward and briefly take the lead as the herds made
face to face encouter and became indistinguishable. ALL in much less time than it you to read about it.

Oh, and Elvis IS alive...I saw him sweet-talking two young ladies and their quite delighted auntie chaperone until the pride's Big Daddy sort of reluctantly drug himself over, a rather poignant sight really. I thought we might be in for a very unhappy ending to what had been such a lovely afternoon flirtation, but Elvis , after a few VERY VERILE DISPLAYS OF HIS YOUTHFUL VITALITY left the valley without a farewell glance.

Oh,oh. First morning out we saw a pack of wild dogs make a kill as we were just 20 min. out of camp, right as they were not 10' from the limo! Took it back to their totally whacko pups, "Hey! it's another puppy day. Let's EAT this thing and them tear it to SHREADS!"

Kwando Kwara's got it all. Lion's: 3 brothers, one is a hard worker, persistent, the kind of guy everyone wants in their family. Then there are his two brothers who are like the guys we pray our sisters never bring home. While our STAND UP MAN is out in the mid-day heat following a wildebeeste herd, because all 3 are "rib stickin' out" hungry, those other two slackers are lyin' about in a shady ditch, where every once in awhile one can lift his sorry head to see if his bro' is still in view. Why are they such laze-abouts? Because they can be and they know when it comes to the end the their minimun participation is can make the difference between success or failure.

And Kwara has water, and if you go to Botswana I think it's the law you have to go IN THE DELTA and you really do have to hear all the chiming tiny frogs as you come back to camp with its little twinkling lights, gliding over the water, keeping an eye out for hippos in the dark.

We went to 5 camp, 3 days each. You will have your own wonderful flashbacks to bring back home. What do most of us really have to give to ourselves.

Good luck to you.
Marilyn

Marilyn,

I love those 3 big boys..........saw them on our last morning at Kwara. Actively following a female that was "ready". One of them walked majestically by our car and sent chills up my spine when he looked me straight in the eye!!!

Hari

This message is for anyone that can help me get off the dime and finally make some decisions on camps and time of year.
I am looking at a map of Botswana that shows most of the camp locations. I know that they look closer together than they actually are but I do not understand what makes one camp better at a particular time of year better than another. When you look at the "tours" set up by Ker and Downey, Geographic Explorations, Natural Habitat etc. they use the same camps no matter what time of year.

We are trying to make a final, final decison between June and July/August. Some of this decision may be taken out of my hands if my nephew gets married in August. June would be better financially if we could get the cheaper rate, but not at the expense of seeing the best there is to see. I really doubt we will be back again. We had looked at Chiefs,Kings Pool and Stanleys for June. Someone on the board suggested Chitabe and Selinda, another Chitabe and Lebala, I am so confused. What we want besides everything; Good accomodations but do not need gourmet dining. We are not really bird people so want the water experience but not for several days. Maube a camp that has both land and water. Predators, elephants, girafes etc. We will have 18 days including travel time from Los Angeles. We will spend 3 days in Cape Town and are considering adding a few days at Kruger before hitting Botswana. Also at least one night in VF on either end of the trip. Please someone clarify this for me.

I would highly recommend Kwetsani as a water camp in June or July. I was just there June 19 to 22. There was more water than usual because of the heavy rains in April and the game viewing was still awesome. The camp is beautiful. Duba Tau is also a wonderful camp in the Linyanti area.
See my trip report under "Back from Botswana and Zambia".

radlond:
Glad you had a great trip. Can you tell me how long you were gone and what your iteniary was? Did you stay anywhere else besides Kwetsani and Duba Tau? When I showed my husband your trip report regarding "long underwear" he laughed because he is rarely cold. Do you know what the actual temperature was in degrees. Your trip report sounds great.

Spiegeljcs,

I think the recommendations for Selinda/Lebala/Chitabe were given to you because they give you the best options to view all the varied diversity of predators namely, Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, hyenas and wild dogs. The 3 camps, give you some of the better opportunities to see the dogs. Dogs operate over large territories and home ranges and honestly many ppl on these boards plan their entire trip around them.

Also bear in mind, the longer you spend at a camp the better ur chances of seeing something truly special (3 nights minimum) and giving your guide the time to work things out. Also, you dont need to rush off at sightings.

Hari