lifelist

My understanding is that Botswana has a small number of high quality camps because that's the Botswanan government's policy on how they want to manage the parks. The reason you don't see a bunch of mid-range lodges is because they don't get licensed to operate in the concessions.

I do wonder how the loss of Zimbabwe as a safari destination due to political reasons has had an effect on demand. My understanding is that Zimbabwe was/is a premier safari destination, and the consequent loss of lodge inventory due to the political troubles may have increased demand for Botswana, and Zambia for that matter.

lbj

As for cost, there are a number of options available which are the same as a East Africa safari. Shinde, which has been mentioned, is a perect example. It is just that the perception is that all the lodges cost the same as Mombo, which is ultra high lux.

Much like in the Sabi Sands, not all camps cost the same as Signita, though it is these camp rates that receive the press.

To a degree, much of high lux market is driven by hype. Like Botswana being fully booked 24 months out. This also helps to put rates at the level tehy are currently at.

lbj

Whilst the Zim market was a heavily visited country, they were not operating on the same Botswana model. Most parts of Hwange you could equate to Kruger, with tarred roads etc. Mana has always been seasonal and just had your rustic bush camps.

In terms of taking up the slack, that has fallen onto the cheaper lodgings in Zambia, who fill that market void better than Botswana, barring Chobe.

lbj

I wish there was an edit function........I think that overall, Botswana has enjoyed the growth in all world travel.(cheaper borrowing and easy credit) I think this is where the demand is being driven from, rather than those no longer on their Zim experience.

PredatorBiologist

I've posted before about the Footsteps in Africa Kalahari Summer Special where it is possible to do a circuit of excellent lodges and camps in outstanding locations for under $300 pppn. This includes prime spots in the Delta (Mapula & Delta Camp), Kalahari (Deception Valley Lodge), Chobe (Muchenje) and the Makgadikgadi pans (Makgadikgadi Camp - one of only 3 camps on the edge of the pans). I don't see many itineraries to other countries posted on this board that go for less than $300 pppn. I've also posted about the 5 Rivers special which includes all the Kwando camps and should be doable for about $350 pppn, that was also had for under $300 pppn in 2006 when I went. Even in high season those Footsteps in Africa properties have rack rates anywhere from 15% (DVL, Delta) to 40% (Makgadikgadi) less than WS 5 paw camps.

I think it is more accurate to say the high season in Botswana is very expensive and that Wilderness Safaris tends to be very expensive. There are deals to be had that compare favorably with safaris in other countries, even staying in prime locations with luxury surrounds as demonstrated above. As Bots posted there are also excellent mobiles and cheaper lodge based options for those willing to forgo either some luxury or exclusivity that are very competitively priced.

As best I can tell Wilderness Safaris is so dominant with their offerings and success with a large number of agents that almost exclusively promote them, that too many people have started to equate Botswana safari with WS. WS has some outstanding camps and if your budget holds those prices they can be amongst the best choices, however, if you look beyond WS there are some excellent places to visit and your safari can be just as incredible.

One caveat though is it can be a big problem if you want to mix and match WS camps with others. Good luck finding an agent who is allowed to sell you WS camps and still sells other operators camps at competitive prices. I posted about this before but they will often mark up a camp like Mapula to the point where you are not saving anything anymore and you will likely just go with the all WS itinerary. This just helps perpetuate that all of Botswana is expensive.

isabel25

This is a fascinating discussion. Thanks for all of the suggestions; it is going to take me a while to parse through all of the information in these posts. I broke down and contacted an agent (after making all of the arrangements for my June/July trip myself) to discuss the feasibility of extending my trip 4 days or so to include Botswana. It looks like the situation isn't as dire as I had thought it would be -- there might be availability for this trip! A lot of places are booked up, but only with "provisional" reservations. Mapula is on the top of my list (thanks, PB!), and I'm still considering the WS "classic" camps. I'll let you know how it all pans out. I'll also pass along price info . . . .

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the discussion of the economics of the Botswana tourism industry and especially the reasons for the demand, and would love to hear further thoughts!

Thanks again, everyone!

atravelynn

Great comments and insights. That tidbit of the ultra-luxury travel niche growing 3% per year explains a lot.

HariS

Author: HariS
Date: 04/14/2008, 10:59 pm
There are a few agents that can book WS or other camps of your choice. However, it would be hard to ignore the fact that with WS wide assortment of camps across Botswana, they truly cover the whole spectrum and it would be hard not to find an alternate to some of your choices.

Ofcourse, style of operations are different- but, they obviously have a successful enough formula. This obviously, comes down to induvidual choices.

Surely, is good that there are lots of other options compared to WS - but, fact will always remain that they have a good product. Also, seeing pictures of some photographers that i respect they have some amazing gameviewing in their concessions also.

I obviously have only been to their camps only once and that was a long time ago - but, i can't find one single fault at any of them! Don't know how things are now, but, reading all the trip reports on this site and seeing pictures from other posters....everything looks just as good.

I think it's unfair to criticize products that we are unfamiliar with!



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sniktawk

Bill,

Thank you once again you are the voice of reason. Your comments hit the nail on the head!



The responsibility for the expense of Botswana lies with those people who believe the nonsense spouted by their agents and the fancy brochures, plus of course they seem to be willing to pay. If nobody went for a year then prices would fall.

HariS

Indeed, Ken - i fully agree. Part of the marketing, isn't it - Agents and packaging along with the product to a ready market?

isabel25

Yeah, but agents only have that power if clients do not perceive adequate substitutes elsewhere. There are plenty of highly sophisticated travelers -- such as the ones on this board -- who are willing to pay the price for even the most expensive camps, which suggests to me that there is indeed something quite special and unique about this particular spot on the planet (if not the particular camps with the highest prices). One could argue that the fact that some of these places sell out a year ahead of time means the prices are too low! (Don't count me among those making that argument, though!)

skimmer

Isabel,

Most places are not sold out a year ahead. The fact is that there are a lot of provisional bookings (which others also mentioned)

As a regular traveller to Botswana, I witnessed several times that some camps were half empty - even during peak season. I am sure others did too.

Many people visiting these camps are quite affluent and price isn't really a criterium on which they decide where to stay.

The reasons why people go there are different:

- passion for wildlife;
- didn't know where to go and were advised to stay there by friends/travel agent...;
- to say I have been there.

If you don't have a particular intrest,I wouldn't go for the more expensive ones. F.e. why pay 1000 USD a day if you can have a good experience for a third of the price.

It's a myth that you can't have good gameviewing in national parks.

It's true that you can't go off road in the National Parks but would that justify to pay such a high price.


People saying that Chobe is overcrowded and should be avoided for that case, don't know what they are missing. Especially the boat cruises are fantastic there.

Also going out early helps a lot.

Last time in Etosha, I saw only two vehicles the first two hours in the morning.

I had some fantastic sightings (rock kestrel, eland, bontebok, rock hyrax, black oystercatcher) at Cape Point in February this year and didn't see any other vehicle for 2,5 hours.

My recommandation is to do a mobile trip combined with a 3-day stay in one permanent camp which suits most your intrest.

And I wouldn't say that Botswana is any more dangerous than other safari destinations.


Best regards,

Johan

bearable

Some of the posts were helpful but some were misleading. At the outset, let me confess that I really want to see Botswana but refuse to pay these ridiculous rates. To paraphrase P.T. Barnum "A sucker is born every second" in the land of the free. A recent survey shows ~45% live from paycheck to paycheck and another ~23% are a paycheck away from bankruptcy. I have nothing against slick marketing which is really "Getting suckers to buy things that they don't need with money they don't have". Las Vegas has customers that drop millions in one night but also those who get the heck out of Dodge after dropping $20 at blackjack. My question is "How do I see Botswana without the marketing hoopla and without spending a fortune?"

HariS

Thanks Johan for your inputs. Much appreciated.

Like Johan, i have seen some empty camps or near empty camps in Botswana also. Which is all pretty confusing .......

Rgds
Hari

PS: I am going to try to get to Chobe for a couple of days later in the year. I am going to try to do some drives and boat trips with someone based in Kasane.

atravelynn

Johan,
Some good info. Are you in Botswana now?


Hari,
I'll be very interested in what you find out. My contribution to that is I got favorable reviews on Savanna Lodge, that is actually located in Namibia, for an all boat safari on the Chobe.

Bearable,
Mobiles are a way to go. Earlier in this thread I listed some mobile links. I've done one and it was great and I'll go again. If you do participation camping, the price drops more. I have not done that.

Though the company has had some negative comments, Overseas Adventure Travel does a group trip that spends about 5 days in Botswana, plus Namibia and Zimbabwe. They are known for good prices and include your international air. People who have posted here that have gone with OAT to Africa have enjoyed their trips.

Green season or rainy season travel cuts the prices. When you look at the reports/pics of those going when it is not high season and high pricing, their sightings are impressive.

Some people rent their own 4x4 and go camping in Botswana. With limited time and lack of familiarity with the area, I wouldn’t, but it’s an intriguing option.

One thing I didn’t mention earlier is just showing up in Maun and visiting the Wilderness and Kwando offices to see what’s available. Some day I might try this. I think it works best for a solo or a couple because spaces in camps and on planes are more limited last minute. I wouldn’t suggest this for a once in a lifetime Botswana trip because it is a gamble.

Did you have a budget in mind that you would care to share? Then more specific suggestions could be given.

HariS

Lynn,

I don't know where i'll be staying in chobe - i know someone ex-kwando running gamedrives based in Kasane and i plan to hook up to do some drives and boat trips. It's a great opportunity for me, i think as i haven't even been to the Chobe as yet.

skimmer

Lynn,

I am leaving tomorrow to the mighty planes.

Best regards,


Johan

amolkarnik

Hari -If you can get your ex-kwando contact to get you out on a mobile camping trip into Chobe to camp at Ihaha, you;d love it. The campsite is along the Chobe river, pitches are set about 100m apart, so very private and quiet, the scenery is stunning and its only about an hours drive from Kasane from where you can get onto any number of boat trips - private or shared.

Further west along the riverfront is another campsite (Serondela?) which is havent visited, but meant to be every bit as impressive.

I'd be interested in finding out more about this option.

HariS

Amol,

He doesn't do mobiles - only drives and trips from Kasane. But, will talk to him to see what we can come up with for maybe a three day visit.