Botswana Help needed with lodges
 

Plannning trip this sept. currently booked for: Sans camp 2 nts
Tubu tree 2 nts
Mombo 2 nts
Will these give me a variety of differnt game viewing? I would like to add 2 more nights, which of these would you add to, or should I try something different. I appreciate any help or suggestions. I also don't mind mobile tents.

Hi Sandy
I LOVE Mombo and Tubu Tree!
Well, I've stayed at Little Mombo rather than Main Mombo both times but they are the same except for the number of tents/ guests so it's the same difference.
Tubu Tree is a great all round camp and depending on the time of year you may also be able to experience water activities such as Mokoro rides from there.
If you'd like more variety in terms of environment I'd opt for either Savuti (or a camp in that area) or Jack's Camp (or another camp down in the Kalahari Salt Pans area).
Either would give you another facet to the experience.

Tubu tree--possible water activities in September depending on floods/rains. Never stayed here but it gets great reviews. If extra days at Mombo are just too expensive, then I'd do another day here for the good variety offered.

Mombo--well deserved reputation for exceptional game. I'd add a day here if the budget allowed. Another day here will cost more than elsewhere so 2 days may be your max. I've stayed at both Mombo and Little Mombo before the upgrade. Same superb experience.

San--Desert with meerkat colony. Meerkats are unique to this area. I'd add another day because you can do quad bikes and walks with the San Bushmen, so 3 days may make your activities more leisurely. It also increases your chances of seeing the rare brown hyenas. I'll be spending 4 nights in August.

My preference is to stay longer in fewer places, but if you wanted to be sure to get some water activities in the Okavango, you could add 2 nights at a true water camp such as Jacana.

The suggestion of the Savuti area would also be a stong game area.

If you wished to do mobile camping, then I'd look for a trip that hits the geographic regions you are interested in for a future trip. Adding 2 more nights at a mobile camp would probably not work well and be too expensive.

Have a great trip!


San--Desert enviornment with meerkat colony.

Oops. I read "Sans camp" as without camp - comes of doing a french degree for ya - not San Camp.

In which case, drop my point on Jack's which is same deal and go for maybe Savuti or another idea might be to add one night at one of the existing camps and then a night at Gudigwa for something different.

We enjoyed our visit there.

If you add Savuti Camp, spend a overnight at the remote hide which I highly recommend.
We just return from Botswana and really liked Savuti. It is a small more intimate camp and the game viewing was really good. By September there will be very high concentations of Elephants at the waterhole in front of the camp.
We were also able to do a bush walk there which was a incredible experience.
You might consider staying 3 nights at the camps you are currently booked at, otherwise you are constantly on the move.
September should be a great time to view game. Enjoy!
Brenda

sans camp = without camp is pretty funny

I had wanted Gudigwa for an upcoming trip in 2006 but was told that it will be closing. Too bad.

Really? What a shame! They have been beseiged with problems - they had a fire and were closed for a long stint - our visit was right on their reopening and there were no other guests at all. Also I think they have had issues with getting managers to stay long term as it's not a hugely exciting area, little wildlife compared to other camps and maybe they haven't had the interest in it that they hoped. What a shame as it was offering a reason for this community to keep their skills and knowledge and culture alive for a new generation.

What about the Kubu Queen?
It is a luxury Houseboat at the panhandle.
Greg and kate run it.have a look at www.botswana-botswana.com/fishing.htm
You can go catch a big Tiger.