We will be spending 2 nights at Vic Falls at mid june 2008. We have about 1 week in total so we can spend additional 3-4 nights for game viewing. We are interested in cats, hippos and crocs. At the beginning we were considering the Mana Pools area but due to limited time, being already in Vic Falls it could be maybe better to concentrate on the Chobe area ??!!
I ask you experts, considering the season, which camp you would suggest. I will be travelling with my 12 years old son and we do not look for luxury accomodations.

Mana Pools is spectacularly beautiful. If you are looking for cats, you'd probably want to do mostly drives, not walking or canoeing, which Mana Pools is noted for. In a 4-day walking mobile safari I saw one serval at a distance and no other cats. But I was on foot.

In contrast, I did night drives and one short daytime game drive in the Lower Zambezi, right across the river in Zambia during a 4-night stay saw two lions in the day and one or two at night. The vehicle made the difference in the cats.

As for crocs and hippos, I saw some, but saw far more in Chobe.

You would be more remote in Mana Pools than Chobe.

Chobe was wonderful for lions when I was there. Also saw a leopard at night. It has good all around game and I would expect a large elephant presence. I stayed in a mobile camp, but Chobe Chilwero should get you away from the crowds--for a price. There are also hotels in various price ranges near the Chobe River. You can drive out into the park from there and lose the crowds. The evening river cruise is amazing, though I saw no cats on it. The hippos and crocs were outstanding from the boat.

In Chobe you can determine if a wilderness setting or a hotel setting, where you can drive to wilderness, would be more appealing to your 12-year old. In Mana Pools you will definitely be in wilderness.

thank you

Which period where you there ?
Chobe is closer to Vic Falls and that is one reason to vote for, but I am not sure which kind of wildlife I would find most in mid-june compared to other locations.
We are definitely looking for drives but I have never driven a 4x4 car and would prefer having guided game drives, instead.
Mobile camping could be a good option, but I am at the very beginning of the plans and have no idea of which company to go with etc..

Fabio,
Masson Safaris is based in Maun and they do mobile tent safaris. They have set itineraries, but they do private safaris also. I did a mobile tent safari with Game Trails last year. I joined a pre set safari so I'm not sure if they do private safaris also.
Lily

I was there in July or Aug. I just assumed you would have a driver/guide. I don't know anything about driving yourself since I never have.

If you have just 4 days, then you may not want a mobile. I just mentioned that I was in Mana Pools and Chobe and to explain why I was not recommending a specific camp. It was because I did not stay at one.

I think either of those locations would give you a great experience.