J3

it's my 60th next year and my 24 year old son's first safari and seeking advise.

we have been working with TA but so far nothing firmed up yet. not sure their idea matches ours except that we want to see animals, be safe, stay active all the time.

-Botswana/Ziambabwe preferred.
(security in Zimbabwe ok?)
-end June/early July '08
-migration viewing important
-14/15 days. depends on budget.
-fancy places every day not important.
lodging: mobile tent ok, tree camp, down to earth ok to some extent but clean and safe.
-budget around $5000 or so each.
places/events of interest:
-Victoria Falls a must/maybe white rafting?
-Hwange?
-Moremi Reserve?
-Okavango Delta?
-Chobe?
-Mokoro/canoe for sure
-night / day safari> open top
-big 5 animals + all others possible
-we are not one to sit around too long.
-inclusive (good)food/drinks/wine etc.

like to lock down the ground destinations/camps within this week if possible

internet literate ok to look up camps etc.

looking forward to hearing more about other trips on this web site. any other web sites we should refer?
thanks
Jerry [email protected]

matnikstym

Have fun planning! I think the migration is mainly in Kenya/Tanzania not Bots or Zim.

I loved Hwange, saw 3 of the Big 5, rhino is there but don't think there are leopard. No mokoro there, but you could combine Hwange with Mana Pools for those activities.

Check out www.safpar.com for more activities in Vic Falls. Lots of things to do there.

ShayTay

The Migration is in East Africa (Kenya or Tanzania). If you can miss that, then Botswana and the Vic Falls area would be good. If the Zim side is a bit dicey, then you can stay on Zambian side and do your activities (white water rafting, etc.) Given your budget, a mobile safari in Botswana would be doable.

waynehazle

Your itinerary sounds good, but even more important is the fact that you are taking this father & son trip. Not sure if you two have done one of these before.

Several years back I took my Dad on a father son trip back to our homeland of Jamaica. That was a great time that can never been taken from us.

best wishes

atravelynn

What a wonderful experience this will be for you both.


(security in Zimbabwe ok?)

The election is in March. For normal safari spots, should be fine. No problems reported.

-end June/early July '08
Great time.

-migration viewing important
As mentioned, the migration would be in Tanzania then.

-14/15 days. depends on budget.
Fine, but probably not enough time for Botswana, Zim, and migration.

-fancy places every day not important.
lodging: mobile tent ok, tree camp, down to earth ok to some extent but clean and safe.

Any reputable agent, outfitter will be safe and clean.

-budget around $5000 or so each.
places/events of interest:

Assuming this does not include air, a mobile would fit well with your budget.

-Victoria Falls a must/maybe white rafting?
Most Botswana or Zim mobiles include Vic Falls. I know nothing about whitewater rafting.

-Hwange?
-Moremi Reserve?
-Okavango Delta?
-Chobe?
These would all be great.

-Mokoro/canoe for sure
If you choose the Okavango, that will be easy.

-night / day safari> open top
status quo

-big 5 animals + all others possible
-we are not one to sit around too long.
For Big 5, you'd need to include Hwange for Rhino. The less you sit around and more you walk or canoe or mekoro, the less wildlife you see. Though the sightings you have a very special. A mixture of active safari and vehicle is good.

-inclusive (good)food/drinks/wine etc.
status quo in Zimbabwe and Botswana from my experience

Next post--some links to mobiles.

atravelynn

These mobiles skew to Botswana over Zimbabwe.

The only mobile I’ve done in Botswana was through Wilderness. It was an itinerary no longer offered.

Here are the itineraries from Wilderness, along with their much more expensive permanent camps.
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com
The Wilderness mobiles, including one for Zimbabwe, are under Explorations.

Here is a recent report that included a Wilderness mobile.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35089092

Here are some more on a Wilderness mobile.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34821348

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34928477

This is from Linhelen who sent me an email on Capricorn. I think Wilderness Travel in California uses them (or used them) as their ground operator for mobile camping.
"...experienced travelers and I couldn't have wanted for better company. We were all in synch. ..."

http://capricornsafaris.com/index.html

" ...and they do a good job of stating their philosophy and what they do. The guide was excellent and the hardworking camp staff (6) were very nice as well. I was with only 3 other people, a fellow from Glasgow who had done this trip with the same company over 10(!) times and a couple (she was French and he was English..."

Masson safaris described
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34684546

Gametrails Botswana
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34701244

Uyaphi has a useful website. This mobile was discussed once. I don’t know if anyone has gone on it and reported back.

http://www.uyaphi.com/safaris/bots/authenticsafari.htm

I think ccAfrica does mobiles in Botswana too.

http://www.ccafrica.com/expeditions/bots.asp


General discussion of mobiles
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34866915

Is your TA an Africa specialist? Can they book Wilderness trips, which cannot be done directly?

Good luck!

J3

sorry for late reply from our side, but we took a long holiday anbd just returned home.

we really appreciate all of the input received from each of you.

looked into the various options and recommendations and warnings and have decided to stick to Botswana and Zambabwe this time and will lokc down the safari cost package early next week.

again, thanks
J3