Hello everyone,

I finalized my series at http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat/v...ic.php?t=24309 (30 new pictures).

As I mentioned before, 2007 will be the last year of extensive travelling in Botswana for me. At the moment I am still in the planning stages for my last safari (August/september 2007). So I would like to know what you Fodorites would like to go to in Bots if you got one month to spend.

Best regards,

Johan

Johan...

Zib. No contest. I might be persuaded to share the month with one other location, but having a prolonged stay at Zib would be to die for.

John

30 days in Botswana--what I'd do

3-4 Deception Valley, Kalahari (not been)
4 visiting Bushmen in Kalahari or near pans Magadikigadi Pans (not done)
5 Chitabe or Chitabe Trails with one night at the walking trails camp
3-4 Little Vumbura
7 Duba Plains
7 Zibalianja, Selinda

Since I think you will have already visited Duba Plains 3 times prior to your monthlong trip, I'd offer a substitution for Duba of one of the 2 Kwando camps--Lagoon or Lebala, or maybe a 3/4 combo.

A whole month in one place, like Zib, is appealing, though.

Johan,

Easy for me....

7 nights Lagoon
10 nights Lebala
7 nights Zibalianja
6 nights Lebala again (just to give them a break, i may need to split Lebala into two)

However, back to reality.....only Zibalianja and Lebala for me (June 2007).

Either way, Johan pl.let us know your decision....

Hari

Oh yes, will take a look at the pictures now...

As usual Johan, i am able to take a look at only a few at a time....nice pic of Charles to start off with. There is a pic of the two male lions just after the pic of Spencer and his guests. I saw those two on a wildebeest kill in August. The guy with the one eye is a nasty fellow....

Will take a look at the rest from the office later today. The connection there is better....

Hari

saw them all, Johan....

Fantastic as usual...the Batleur eagle was a stand-out. I think there was a pic of a Duba boy with blood....

How did you get that pic of that youngish male growling? Was he on a termite mound or somewhere higher up?

Rgds,
Hari

Hari,

The youngish male was sitting on a termite mound. And you are right about the Duba boy.

John, Lynn and Hari,

I'll already visiting the following camps next year:

- Duba plains;
- Mombo;
- Little vumbura;
- Jacana;
- Chitabe;
- Selinda.

Initially I was thinking to visit three camps/areas:

At the moment I am considering Zibalianja (because I haven't been there and it sounds like a fantastic place) and Lebala (because of my love for that place and the people working there).

The third camp/place would be a difficult one:

I am thinking about the following options:

- Lagoon (I haven't been there but that shouldn't be the only criterium to pick out a camp);
- camping in Moremi game reserve (Khwai river section);
- Duba plains (because I adore that place)

The Kalahari and the salt pans are definitely on my list but I'll like to visit these places for a longer period. Maybe 2011???

Although I like to walk, photography is still my main objective. Maybe in the coming years I should do a walking safari (north Luangwa/south Luangwa/...) So if I should consider that I'll have my five-year plan ready after 2007.

Although northern Botswana it's my favorite place to be when on safari and I am/was on a mission there I'll definitely think it's time to visit other destinations in Africa after 2007.

Thanks already for the advice and if you still think I am making the wrong choices or you got better ideas, feel free to tell me - it would be very much appreciated.

Best regards,

Johan

Johan,

I think all your options are fantastic and either choice will be amazing....

Places that i have not been to prior on my wish listno particular order)

1.)Mobile safari into the Kalahari (i suppose is best done prior to May or june one of these years)
2.) Hwange national park
3.) Kafue national park
4.) Selous/ruaha/Katavi (not as high up on my list as the other ones...)
5.) Rekero, Masai Mara ( i havent been to East Africa since 2002)
6.) Gorilla trekking
7.) Walking safari in the Luangwa( i must experience this, after reading all the fantastic trip reports)

I guess this is a LONG wish list....i did not add Zibalianja to my list, as i already have confirmed bookings for June, 07.

Hari

Hari,

It looks like we have the same intrests. I'll say, go for it.

Best regards,

J

Johan,

Sounds like a great list of destinations. Obviously by Selinda you mean Selinda Reserve's main camp. It's getting too big for me, which is why I prefer Zib. But you're covering the same game viewing areas, so nothing is lost if you don't mind more people (three times as many if both are full).

John

Johan
Are you interesting only in the Delta/ Chobe area? If not I'd look at camps in the desert areas or perhaps a visit to the bushman rock art at Tsodilo - basically, take the opportunity to explore less frequented areas...

The pics just get better and better. The lilac breasted roller in flight, the many lion shots, the wallowing wild dog.

If you travel a month in Botswana, I don't think you can go wrong. It's just personal preference.

Kavey,

At the very moment, my main focus in Botswana is the Okavango delta and the Linyanti/Selinda/Kwando area.

The Kalahari, Tsodilo and the pans will be visited on another trip (it's one of the safaris I got in mind after 2007). At the moment, I strongly consider it as a must for myself.

John,

By Selinda I mean indeed main camp - although not a great fan of big camps, I can still live with it because of the private vehicle at my disposal, which gives me a lot of flexibility. I remember in Duba to spend hours at the fish traps, which we had for our own, because most other people found it nice to look at (for a couple of minutes) and then carry on.

The other fact is, although most of the camps are fully booked nowadays, not everyone is seeing the same thing .
Like you probably know, I like early mornings and in many cases, it paid off because we mostly came across an interesting scene first. Also, at the Kwando camps, I always skipped the afternoon meal and went on a drive.

Next year has indeed potential in terms of interaction between predator and prey but you never know ... and that's the fun part of it.

Lynn,

You are probably right but it's still interesting to hear what other people think about it. The biggest mistake I can make, is to think I know it all after being there so many times.

Glad you like the pictures. Do you know what's on top of my list for next year in terms of photography: a perfect shot of a crimson-breasted shrike.

Best regards,

Johan

Beautiful pictures Johan. My next trip will be to Tanzania, but I know I have to go back to Botswana someday!

What beautiful photos - I could look at them time and time again. You are a very talented photographer! Tell me one thing - what is the story behind the lioness carrying the tiny wounded cub covered in blood ? Did you see what happened?

What happened to the cub can be read in my trip report.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mmer&fid=4

Greetz,

Johan

Johan
Sounds like a good plan...

Thanks, Johan
Regards,
Alison

Hi Johan -

2 questions. First, what kind of camera did you use? Your pics are phenomenal. Second, how did you decide to go to Botswana? I am hoping to go to Africa for the first time next December for 10-15 days and was planning on visiting Tanzania and Kenya.

thanks for your thoughts!

I mainly use the following equipment:

Nikon D200 + 200mm-400mm VR F4;
Nikon D2X + 70mm-200mm F2,8.

It was at a bookshop in Capetown (in the nineties) that I decided that Botswana looked like an interesting place to visit. Also the Jouberts documentary on lions vs hyenas, made me want to see this area with my own eyes. It was love at first sight and since then I returned quite a few times. Prior to my first visit to Botswana, I had been visiting the Kruger National Park (2), Kenya and Northern Tanzania.

I guess everyone has its personal favorites and I can't say I have been disappointed in any African destination. If you got an open mind and you know what to expect and what not to expect, you should be having a great trip. So the best advice I can give is the following: look for a travel agent with in-depth knowledge of the country you will like to visit and don't forget to tell him/her what is really important for you. I heard too many stories about people who were send to the wrong camp for the wrong reasons.

Best regards,

Johan