Botswana Safari
 

I am planning a safari to Botswana for Aug or Sep 2010 and a 3-4 night visit to an island off of Mozambique. I am looking at 3 wildlife regions (Delta, Moremi and Savute/Linyati). I would also like to go to Victoria Falls. The tight trip schedule will allow either staying 3 nights each at 3 camps or 2 nights each at the 3 camps and 2 nights in Victoria Falls area or only visit 2 wildlife areas with 3 nights each. Is 2 nights enough time to enjoy the camps (note I did a Tanzanian northern circuit safari in 2008 and 2 nights worked ok for each camp there). I would appreciate receiving comments from people who have traveled there and whether the Victoria Falls visit is a must do when visiting that area. Thanks, Gene

Gene,

In other postings, you sought information for a safari that you were planning for '07 and then again in '08. Did you ever go on those trips, and, if so, what did you learn about staying in a camp for 2 nights or 3 nights?

As you state 2 nights were fine in TAZ it should be fine in BOT with you as you obviously don't care about settle a bit more in in order to appreciate the camp and wildlife of the area.
So you have answered your question regarding duration/camp.

I for myself vote clearly for 3 nights at each camp in pure wildlife areas and different eco systems which is given the areas you mention to cover in BOT.
Or 3/3/2 (sacrifice 1 night) and one at Vic Falls for the Falls and then off to Moz. - but you have to stop-over at JNB prior to flying out to Moz anyway!

A combo of 3 nights/2 areas would be also my cup of tea: Delta plus Savute/Linynati.

Maybe you write a bit more where your interests are and whether this is supposed to be a "once in a lifetime" trip as ther are too many options but all depending on preferences.

Happy planning!

SV ((@))

How about this: Three nights in a land-based camp and two nights at a water-based camp in the Delta, then three nights at a Savuti-Linyati camp. Unless you're planning to go white-water rafting or some other activity at Vic Falls, you don't need to spend two nights there; one should suffice. From the S-L camp, you'd fly to Kasane and travel overland to Vic Falls (Zim side that time of year), arriving in the afternoon. You could view the Falls then and perhaps the next morning to get different lighting. Then, fly from Vic Falls to Jo'burg for your onward flight to Mozambique.

Thanks for everyone's comments. My concern here is we may be trying to cram in too much in 17 days from NY departure to return to NY and I am thinking about sticking with 3 good wildlife areas and Mozambique island and skip Victoria Falls.

Relative to the question on my prior postings, my son and I took our safari to Tanzania in Jul 08 and stayed 2 nights each at Olivers Camp, Olikara Camp, Sayari Camp, Plantation Lodge and finished off with 4 nights in Zanzibar(all were great camps/lodges arranged through Go2Africa - they did a great job). The arrangement worked out well with 3 game drives at each camp and we saw the big 5 and the wildebeest migration into Kenya. Thanks, Gene

I wouldn't skip Vic Falls and I prefer 3 nights/camp. We did Bots with 3 camps - 2 nts/2 nts/3nts - and it would have been better 3/3 at just two camps. We never missed a game drive - flights and helicopters between camps (ridiculous!) but in the delta it is harder to get around than in non swamp. But if you want to do it all, GO FOR IT!! Just my 2 cents.

dg
I am pleased you state your Asilia camp safari came out great!
I also love their venues very much - hospitality, locations: Excellent.
As christa states - similar to mine - go for it! You cannot fail!
Vic Falls - if in the "vicinity" is a MUST.

Happy travels

SV ((@))

Gene,

The overall operation you used in Tanzania was called Asilia. They own all the camps you mentioned. Because of similarity, I would not have gone to Olikara and Sayari on the same trip but all are excellent. I just booked a client on an "all Asilia" honeymoon today.

Based on the level of comfort you experienced with Asilia and based on my personal experience, I recommend you go with Wilderness Safaris in Botswana. Here are three classic camp ciruits in order of my personal favorites. I have been to all these places:

Dry Land Okavango/Moremi: Chitabe, Chitabe Ledibe (3 nt)
PLUS
Water Activity and Dryland Camp: Little Vumbura, Kwetsani, Tubu Tree, Jacana, or Xigera (2 nt).
PLUS
Linyanti/Savuti: Savuti Camp, Duma Tau, Selinda (3 nt)

I also recommend one night at the Falls and eight on safari. You will need an overnight in Jo-burg before Mozambique. On Mozambique I recommend Azura or Marlins for a mid-range lodge.

Go2Africa is an excellent Cape Town based safari consulting firm. But, if you are going with Wilderness Safari camps, you will likely find the USA based destination specialist management companies for Wilderness Safaris have better rates. Go2Africa will have cut-throat rates for Mozambique.

Hope all this helps. I recommend you get a reservation and get under deposit ASAP. The Wilderness camps in July-October are about 90% sold out. Little Vumbura and Mombo are pretty much sold out except for a few beds here-and-there.

Craig Beal

Gene,

2 questions--how important is photography to you and did you want to do a delta activity such as a mekoro? The answers to those questions may direct you wone way or another.

My son and I are now set with the Botswana safari in Aug 2010. We are doing 3 nights in each camp in the order of Chitabe Lediba Camp, Xigera Camp and Kwando Lagoon Camp. For our side trip of 3-4 nights after leaving Lagoon Camp we are considering either the Victoria Falls area or an island off of Mozambique. Since we are in the area already, it seems the most obvious is to take the short hop over to Victoria Falls area rather than flying back to J-burg, overnighting, and then flying to Mozambique for 3 nights and then back to J-burg for our trip back to the states. Is Victoria Falls a must see place worth not relaxing on an Indian Ocean beach instead? We have been to Zanzibar and other beaches in the Hawaiian Islands.
Thanks to all again for your thoughtful and helpful advise. I took Craig's recommendation. We went with Premium Tours in Penn. to make our arrangements. thanks, Gene

We had a great time during our short visit to Victoria Falls in Sept. several years ago. However, it was our first stop on our first visit to Africa. We were enthralled by the wildlife wondering freely about the hotel which we did not expect. We enjoyed wondering around the falls area on our own and were glad we stayed in a hotel within walking distance, the Royal Livingstone. The hotel was a bit over the top; what to do with the butler??? We did a microlight flight over the falls which we loved and would highly recommend. Having never been there, I cannot help with your question as to whether you should go to VF or Mozambique.

Leave out the falls. Tourist trap. Not worth losing time on, certainly since you're far away from it (Chobe's not on your itinerary).

Thank me later.

B.regs,

J.

Gene,

Good work on picking Kwando Lagoon ....... that's historically been consistent with wild dog dens ...... so good luck!!!

Hari

PS: As discussed a few months ago, another example of a mix and match itinerary with camps of different operators. No surprises ......

PS: I'm assuming you are into a lot of birding and quiet water activity on a mekero?

We visited Victoria Falls after a trip to Botswana and on our way to camps in Zambia. It was well worth it and we loved staying at the River Club. Certainly not a tourist trap as pixelpower suggests.

I don't think I'd skip the falls. It's one of the seven wonders. You can do that and a couple of nights in Hwange in Zim. But I'm not a beach person - live 12 miles from the ocean and the LI Sound - so take that advice with a grain of salt. But I'd consider Cape Town - it is really a lovely city and you can beach there if you want to, although a bit cold. (I'd add it to the beginning, as everything after Bots will be a bit of a letdown).

I can't imagine not seeing Vic Falls. Sure lots of tourists go there (FOR A REASON!), tho much less so these days with the political situation. It's spectacular. The water is the lowest when you're going, but still amazing. 1 day is plenty, but there are plenty of other activities in the area, like taking a boat trip on the Zambezi, where wild things abound, blus river rafting, bungee jumping etc. You can also loll around the pool at the Royal Livingstone. But not quite the same as an island if you're looking for laid back beach time. What island are you thinking of?