Botswana itinerary 2007 help
 

I have made my plans for a Botswana trip for the end of September-early Oct. 2007. I will be staying 3 nights each at Savuti, Little Vumbura and Chitabe Trails. Three questions, first other than the temperature and bugs and difference at that time of year than when we have gone in July or August; second, specific rooms or locations at the camps and third and I know guides move around but anyone really "special" I should request this far in advance. This is a short and sweet trip with just my 24 year old son who is a professional photographer (the sacrifices we have to make for our children :)) )
Thanks,
Eric

Z at Little Vumbura
Newman at Chitabe

I'll be interested in response to the bug difference.

Sounds like a good trip, Eric....

End Sept/early October will be awesome for game......that wood pile at Savuti will be in use for sure.

Hari

Thanks for the replies. Any room preferences?
Eric

Hi Eric,
I've recently asked the same questions on my thread. The replies are fairly close to the bottom.
Good luck!
Sherry
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

Don't think that link loaded properly - sorry.

Punch <b>botswana camps</b> into search.

Thanks Sherry, I will take a look at that post and sorry for not seeing it earlier.
Eric

Eric,

Have you booked a private vehicle otherwise it won't be that easy to request a certain guide.

A lot of guides change places all the time (James 007 at Duba Plains would be the exception to the rule) - so I don't know who is working at these camps at the moment. But I'll be around in April 2007 (Little vumbura) and June 2007 (Chitabe) so I keep you informed.

Like Gaurang and Lynn mentioned: Newman would be a excellent guide to have. I also had excellent experiences with Ben (left recently) and Phinley (Chitabe main camp). I can't say much about Savuti because since I've last been there (June 2004) the guides changed places. But I am sure other people like James Weiss can tell you.

This year, it was quite cloudy in September/October (especially in the Linyanti). But I have to say that the weather was quite unusual for that time of year.

Best regards,

Johan

Thanks Johan, I have booked a private vehicle so I hope I can get my request. As an aside with only 2 of us in the vehicle how would you adjust a gratuity?
Eric

Eric,

It's a difficult question but I'll always double my tip and if the guiding (that doesn't depend on the quantity of the sightings of course) has been extraordinary I'll give even more.

Sometimes I'll bring with me presents from Belgium which they requested on a prior visit.

Best regards,

Johan

Thanks, I think that makes sense. I do try to bring gifts as well... just not from Belgium:)
Eric

Hi Eric

I've just come back from stays at Chitabe Trails and Savuti. You can see my description of Newman in my report. I haven't reached the &quot;Savuti&quot; part of my trip report yet but I had Kane as my guide (pronounced Ka-nee). Kane was great and I would definitely recommend him. Despite a lack of game, his effort and determination were first class. More details will follow soon in my report.

Also, you have realise that most of these guides have a schedule that is &quot;3 months on - 1 month off&quot;. So if your trip coincides with the &quot;1 month off&quot;, it may not be possible to have your requested guide.

Gaurang

Eric,

Hopefully, you will move into a newer, LARGER office to accomodate all the good pictures from Botswana.......

Hari

Gaurang thanks for the info, I guess I will make the request and follow up when the time gets closer.

Hari, maybe I can convince my partners that it would be much better to have my pictures of leopards, eles ahd cheetahs than THEIR children on THEIR walls. We moved to the new location after being where we were since 1929! The move was in planning for over 3 years and 1 1/2 years of construction. Right now I still have 6 empty picture hanger hooks just waiting for some photos from the this summer's migration and Soussesvlei
Thanks for all the advise...is it too early to pack:)
Eric