amolkarnik

I am planning a week in the delta between September and November 2008 and would like to split my time between 2 lodges.

Based on Bill's recent report on Mapula camp, I might consider splitting it 4n+4n or 5n+3n with either 4n or 5n going to Mapula followed by 4n/3n at another camp.

Suggestions please, bearing in mind that Mapula is located in NG12, and not too far from Duba Plains (I think), what other camp would combine well with it? Lagoon/Lebala?

Doogle

8 nights in the Delta with any camp - my choice would be:

3 nights at Jacks
2 nights at Baines/Chiefs
3 nights at Kwando Kwara/Kings Pool

amolkarnik

Doogle - Thanks for your input. I am not a delta expert by any measure but isnt Jacks atleast a couple of hundred km away near Makgadigadi?

Will all due respect, I am not interested in going on safari for what one highly respected poster here calls 'Chocolate Dipped Strawberries'. On that basis I'd prefer to stick with operations where the focus is on the bush/wildlife rather than the camp itself.

Also, I wouldnt do less than 3 nights at any camp.

Doogle

Hi there

Indeed Jacks is that far, but you fly in and fly out, so it is not that much of a detour.

the lodges that I have suggested are by no means "Dipped Strawberries", Jacks gives you an amazing desert experiance like no other in the area it is awesome.

Baines and Chiefs are great for spoiling which is nice for two nights and Kwando is fab for game viewing, as said if I had 8 nights that would be my ideal and it would give me a great experiance, each person is entitelled to their own option!

nyama

If looking at the latest marketing photos of Jack's, especially the plunge pool, they've come very close to 'Chocolate Dipped Strawberries'. San Camp is also being upgraded. For more rustic needs I would recommend Camp Kalahari (same company), or Makgadikgadi Camp.

amolkarnik

nyama - I dont know if I am maikng any sense here with my logic, but I plan to visit Kgalagadi Transfrontier park which would form the other half of my trip. The terrain in KTP and around CKGR would be dry in both cases and on that basis, I'd like to focus my time in Botswana on the Delta. Its increasingly looking like a combination of Mapula and Lebala/Lagoon/Chitabe.

nyama

amolkarnik - my post was meant as a reply to what Doogle said. For the Delta I would recommend NG20 (Kwara) which gives you the option of some water activities (visit to Gcodikwe Lagoon).

HariS

Amol,

My perception was, CKGR/Kalahari is at it's best during the rainy months and just after.

amolkarnik

Hari - Thats absolutely true. But for some reason KTP is good from Sep-Nov. Perhaps because there are no real migrations???

Nyama -I am at Kwara in March 08. Do you think Kwara is still a better bet over Lebala/Lagoon in Sep/Oct?

nyama

amolkarnik - don't ask me, I've never made it into NG14 (at least not to the camps).

Hari - do you know where the game viewing hide is located at Lebala?

aby

Hi all

any map of NG's to see which is where?

aby

just found a PDF one (looks nice on 400%)

i was using before this map:
http://www.eyesonafrica.net/african-...ngo-safari.htm
but didn't pay attention to this NG coding
first time i notice NG14 or NG20

aby

Sorry-
the PDF map is on page 5
http://www.terredafrique.com/images/...otswana_NL.pdf

nyama

The map still lists Jedibe... ouch!

HariS

Nyama,

That's opposite the main lounge area at Lebala. Between the rooms and the lounge off the walkway. However, it's just a place for you to chill out with a book and binocs for birds.

It's up on a platform.

Hari

atravelynn

If Jack's is too CDS (choc dipd strwb), my new acronym for Hari's term, there is San Camp. More basic, less expensive, better view of the pans, and ensuite toilets since mid-2005. I loved San Camp. Then Planet Baobab is several notches down from San as far as fanciness goes. I believe San, Jack's, and PB all do the same activities. Certainly San and Jack's does.

I was there in Aug. with game as disperesed as Sept. Still, we saw ostriches, kudu, two aadwolves, black backed jackals, mongoose, ground squirrels, many black korhans, and other birds. Of course the meerkat colony is there in all seasons and you have a chance at brown hyenas, but I didn't see any.

Quad biking is good in the dry season.

Back to your original question...

If you have 4 nights, I'd do Duba, absolutely, and I'd get a private vehicle to stay out longer and see the lion-buffalo interaction. (Only private vehicle I've ever done due to $$) Or 3 nts at Duba in a shared vehicle if you want to see lions and buffalo, but don't have your heart set on seeing them interact or a kill.

If something is close to Duba, it is close to Vumbura, which has more mammal diversity than Duba and also had good lion activity.

Lagoon/Lebala always get good comments. I don't consider them in the delta, but up in the Linyanti area.

I think Bill will be selling a lot of us on Mapula.

HariS

Lynn,

That's chocolate covered strawberries (CCS)

nyama

...and the San tents will go to Camp Kalahari.

HariS

Nyama,

Has Jack's changed their accomodations recently? My experience is pretty outdated (2003 or thereabouts) .... and i remember a fabulous experience and nothing over the top from memory. Meerkats and brown hyena experience amazing!!!

Hari

nyama

Hari -- Jack's and San will be (or are in the process of being) upgraded. I can't find the newsletter, but I remember a very 'nice' shot of the new plunge pool area at Jack's, and the open public loo will go into a tent. Tent design will also be updated. Camp Kalahari will be more permanent and gets the tents from San. Can't remember what San will get from Jack's.

From what I saw and read I will not go back to Jack's - that plunge pool in the pans is definitely not my style. Fortunately Jack's, San, Camp Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Camp are very close together in the same area, so there are still enough accommodation options for different needs - wildlife and activities are the same for all camps.