Was sitting at Maun Airport and could not help but over hear 2 travellers complaining that the y did not see all the game on their list.
Had to ask a vew quest and it was amazing that they hated Chobe, The Okavango was boring and was very upset that a elephant had done some damadge to a lodge pool and it was not up too scratch.
Do people think that you will see a lion and wilddog around every corner?
I have been in the bush for weeks not able to see a lion in Moremi but hearing them every night.
They were upset and said it was a waste of time visiting Botswana?
What about the people, culture, scenery etc?

Was that spa girl complaining?
To answer your question, no I don't think I'll see a lion or wilddog around every corner on my upcoming and too far away trip to Bots. That kind of predictability would be zoo like. Part of the fun of spotting a treasured beast, is the fact that wildlife is wildlife and thus unpredictable.

It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Good guiding helps in this regard, but still no guarantees in life.

Also, just soaking up the beauty of Afreekah is priceless - ((&amp)'s and everything else are a bonus.
Sherry

Very good question, Bots....

No i personally do not expect to see predators around every corner, but, go every year with the hope that i will have some amazing/good quality sightings....as with any wilderness location, it's all the luck of the draw!!! every day is different....some days are brilliant, some days quiet but still offer different experiences etc etc.,

Good that you posed the question about People, culture and scenery....i choose the camps that have brilliant camp management/staff/guides who are all FANTASTIC ambassadors for your country. I have mentioned in my trip report (from August) that the people are just as big a draw to my return visits year after year.

Really, i have had many many fantastic sightings in terms of the game. But, what comes to mind more often is the people.....

Different people have different priorities....some people enjoy the siestas and the lounging by the pool. Not me, but, i think its their holiday and i'm not going to judge them for it....

The way i look at it....Botswana is not for everybody. If they dont want to return, so be it....their loss!!!

Unfortunately, some other parts of Africa have the zooish feel that people relate to and expect the same of Botswana.

Hang in there......Bots!!!

I can't wait for other responses to this thread....am sure there will be lots of great responses from everyone on these boards that i know...

Cheers
Hari

Not even on my first safari did I have a check list. I'd see what I'd see and go from there. As many of you know, I didn't see my first leopard till my 5th trip.

Haven't been to the Delta, but have to Chobe and admit disappointment in seeing only 3 or the 30,000+ elephants, but did that take away from the experience? Not for me. Our accommodations were outstanding as the meals and the views from our chalet were worth a few less elephants.

Likewise, I don't go out on every game drive available, rather take them as I feel and spend the non-game viewing time simply taking in my surroundings.

There have been days when I haven't gone on a single game drive and they have been wonderful because "I'm in Afree-kah."

Everyone goes to Africa for their own reasons and for those who aren't excited or just pleased with the experience, they won't return. More space for the rest of us when we venture there ourselves. Maybe these individuals prefer cruises. So be it!

I've never been to Botswana but I find this topic amusing. Given the photos and trip reports that come out of Botswana it seems to me like it's a place where there is an embarrassment of riches. I very much look forward to going there eventually!

That's two travellers that I won't have to compete with for some of the more popular smaller camps in Botswana that can be tough to book.

Unfortunately since Botswana is fairly expensive it attracts some people who expect complete service, including from the animals I guess.

The most dissappointing aspect of Botswana can be the other tourists one encounters.

Bots: unfortunately I think there is a growing movement of those who do expect zoo like viewing with relaxed animals willing to pose at every turn.

Rampant growth in travel to Africa means its becoming a more common travel destination overall and is going to get more uninformed travellers than in the past when a destination like Botswana was really being found by those who did some research and understood the wilderness opportunity that the country provided.

As discussed recently sensational t.v. shows may produce unrealistic assumptions and all the gloss marketing materials back that impression up. There are also very different safari destinations available now and I think once some folks go to the Sabi Sands or perhaps some of the better fenced S.A. reserves they grow attached to that kind of experience of almost constant relaxed viewing and thus don't have the same appreciation for wildlife in wilderness that some of us have.

As Hari says people have different priorities and its good that there are lots of different options to meet their needs. Hopefully information disemination continues to improve and agents focus on determining what kind of safarigoer they may have and send them to the right places.

Anyone who is truly disappointed at the end of a Botswana trip and feels it is a waste of time though may need to consider some counseling because they must have major issues if they have missed all the wonder around them.

Remember some people who go on safari ask questions like...


Who feeds the animals?

Where do the animals sleep at night?

Trust me, genuine questions asked not just once.

Do cats wear pajamas?

After wanting to visit Africa for more years than I can count, I finally went to Botswana this past June. It exceeded my expectations! I was thrilled with everything about it, not just the animals. I found it exciting to have to look for the animals rather than expecting then "around every corner". As one of our guides said "let's see what presents itself today." We found the funnel-web spider as fasinating as all the birds and all the other animals we saw! The people we enjoyed immensely. I think some people just don't get what Africa is all about!

I can only agree with what is stated here and I firmly believe that travel agents have an important role to play.

Also like Pred mentioned, the media in general can create unrealistic expectations. If you know how long it took for the Jouberts to finish their documentaries.

A fascinating thread
I am born and bread in Africa and have no desire what-so-ever to leave this amazing continent. I live every single day of my life in the "Garden of Eden". Well, nearly every day as I do have my offices in crime ridden Johannesburg. But none-the-less Africa is just so special. I am a lucky person and I would never change it.
Mark

Potential visitors see the travel shows, the camp websites, brochures, Travel channel, etc. etc. and it looks like the animals are just sitting around every turn waiting for people to drive alongside and admire them. Couple that with the cost of an African trip and it's easy to see why someone might be disappointed with the number of animals they've seen.

It's really about expectations. We all need to do our part to squash this rubbish about the "big five", "serious seven", "classic eight" and all the rest.

When I suggest to friends and collegues to take a trip to Africa, I always tell them you never know for sure what animals you'll see but I know for sure you'll see unique things in a unique setting that will stay with you forever.

I think I agree with everybody who has responded so far.

Unfortunately, some people do expect a zoo-like experience, probably for the reasons Pred outlines. Also unfortunately, some self-proclaimed wilderness destinations in Africa strike me as already resembling zoos and have done so for some years. Either they are heavily managed and/or human interference with the wildlife, out of necessity, is not uncommon, or it is par for the course for there to be queues of vehicles harassing animals. There's a sighting, two-way radios burst into life and everybody heads to the same place! Reminds me of what happens when the lions are about to be fed at my city zoo.

I don't think there are places in Botswana which fall into that category, though some may come close or may do so in the not too distant future. But I don't know for sure...

Frankly, I believe it's inevitable that Africa's wilderness areas at best will gradually become fenced, managed open-range zoos. I'm glad I won't be around to see it happen.

John

Favor and afrigalah
Very good posts. I was brought up in the Kruger NP in the 60s and 70s and I am sure you can appreciate the changes I have seen. I would give anything to go back to those years but unfortunatley or fortunately tourism has now taken over and I am involved in the industry to make a living. I yearn for the old days like you cannot beleive. We used to wake up at 04h30 amd make a fire to cook our water for coffee and watch the sun come up to the African sounds and oh how can I tell you guys. My Dad who gave me this passed away 5 months ago and I am trying to find a way to convert the old 8mm movies onto CD so that I can show all of you what it was like back then.
Mark

And how about the wonderful smells and sounds of Africa? Every time I sip a cup of Rooibos (which is about every day) I am transported back to the Lower Zambezi. I swear the air there smelled of Rooibos~~

Well if Rocco continues on his quest and posts a salacious report on his return then it is without saying that most are going to expect the same: zoo like conditions in Botswana!

I am convinced that those who post here on a regular basis are of the more educated, certainly when it comes to African travel expectations, however for the vast majority there is, it seems, an unrealistic expectation created by the media.

Without being overtly presumptious, many westerners are influenced by the media and its messages. The various wildlife channels seem to pack every hour with wall to wall sightings of endangered species involved in rare activities. Couple that with the printed media exposing the overly luxurious lodges throughout the continent and one can almost understand why those two were dissapointed, which is a shame.

I agree with you all, Africa and its many moods is a special place and even without the sexy game sightings on a given day would be enough to keep my juices flowing.

mkhonzo, you are so right.

These same travelers who expect what the media promotes should also know that the wonderful offers from National Geographic take years to produce. Even these folks aren't fortunate enough to get "click the finger, click the camera, here are your animals."

I think that the cost of the safari plays a role with regard to expectations for first timers. Many times this is the most expensive vacation that someone has taken and so they expect big bang for their buck. That is what stimulates the Big 5 syndrome at many of the lodges. It is interesting from my own mind set that some of the game drives I had on my first trip I would now catagorize as "uneventful" were thrilling back then. But similar to bad golf being better than no golf...a "bad" game drive is light years ahead of no game drive. Just the possibilty of seeing something around the bend has gotten my heart beat going into overdrive. For those of us who "get it" there is absolutely nothing like the thrill of the next encounter as well as the sounds and smells of the bush. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't mind less people competing for my space at the lodges but I don't do my part to disuade as everyone who asks (and some who don't) get an earful and eyeful (my office is filled with Africa pix) of this wonderful place.
Happy Holidays to all!
Eric