cybor

Thanks again Julian.

One more question if you will - if one opts to hire a private guide rather than use the camps, will they get a rebate of sorts off the room charge?

jasher

Hello,

The guide's accommodation is often included in his or her fee, though his or her transportation would probably be extra -- this varies from guide to guide and company to company (some companies, like Kwando and Wilderness, have private guides who work with them regularly). If not, guide accommodation is usually quite inexpensive.

Cheers,
Julian

cybor

I don't think I phrased that properly,sorry.

What I meant was, if I pay for a room with a guide/vehicle etc. fee included in the room rate and decide to use a private guide instead, will my room fee be less costly b/c I would be using less services .

jasher

Hello,

Unfortunately, the answer is no -- most camps require that you take a local guide with you when you go out (and any private guide worth his fee will do so anyhow to take advantage of their local knowledge).

Cheers,
Julian

cybor

Thanks yet again Julian.
Now I just have to figure out which season will be best to go and if I should incorperate in an additional side trip. Zambia, Zimb (maybe do a river trip) to keep the costs down or splurge on Moz.

Also, I have friends who want to go and I'm on the fence about it. A private gig may be cost prohibitive - so it's a question of whether if stuck doing a shared vehicle, would I want it to be friends who I may end up worrying about their well being and trip enjoyment or strangers who may be interesting or horrible.
Such dilemmas and drama in the grand scheme of life!!!

jasher

Hi Sherry,

Either Zambia or Zimbabwe would make a relatively low-cost add-on to a Botswana trip. Also, if you choose your dates wisely, Botswana does not have to be horrendously expensive.

The closest thing you would find to an East African style safari where you have one guide throughout would be a mobile safari. Mobile safaris can range from camping to fully serviced, and often include stays in the private reserves. This route is also less expensive, and you could potentially book a private mobile for you and your friends.

If you do go the camp-based route, you'll find that the vast majority of the people you meet are friendly and interesting. In Botswana, there is a good mix of Americans and people from Europe. On my safaris, the number of good vehicle-mates I have had has far outweighed the number of awful ones.

I usually travel solo as I haven't been able to convince my friends to go to Africa with me (though now that I'm a tour operator, this shows signs of changing). If you have similar travelling styles and interests, it would probably be a lot of fun.

Cheers,
Julian

cruisinred

Hi Cybor-

I thought I would post a link to another accomodation option I came across for northern Mozambique. It is definitely more rustic than the Rani resorts, but it supports a local charity and does look quite nice in an eco-chic kind of way: http://www.guludo.com/

cybor

Merci,Julian.

That looks like a great place Cruisin, thanks - have you stayed there? Also, is there a walking town close by and do you know how the diving is?

cruisinred

Hi Cybor-
I have not stayed there....it is quite new but has been written up a lot in travel and architectural magazines. The diving in the area sounds very good...the reefs are in great shape.
From the website, I gather there is a village close by the which you can walk. The can also arrange bush walks to view elephants, etc in the new adjacent national park.
Guludo is on my definite maybe list for May 2007....to be done in combination with something a bit more luxe right after.

jasher

Hi Sherry,

I've heard good things about these two places in Mozambique:

http://www.marlinlodge.co.za

http://www.quilalea.com/

They're both smaller, boutique properties which appeals to me, and sound like wonderful places to stay (and I'm not even a beach person!)

Cheers,
Julian