Exploration vs. Permanent Camp?
 

Planning our first safari to Botswana in December, 2008. Working with "A to A Safaris". Our options are the exploration (mobile) safari or the permanent camp safari? What are the pros and cons to each?

I have not heard of A to A Safaris.

I've done both and you'll be happy with either.

The big pro for the exploration is the lower cost. You give up the extreme comfort of the perm. tented camps and their level of cuisine, but the mobiles/explorations are very, very nice. You will be completely comfortable and eat too well.

There is a unique feel about a mobile that cannot be duplicated in a permanent struture. Kind of adventurous, wild, remote.

You'll want to be sure your exploration/mobile safari goes to game-rich areas. The animals in the vicinity of the perm. tented camps are habituated to vehicles. It is also easier to keep tabs on certain animals or herds from a stationary spot.

The word "exploration" is a term often used for the Wilderness mobiles. That's who I went with. They will do a great job for you.

I'll see if I can find any reports on Wilderness explorations/mobiles from the past.

Here are some links. Wilderness does numerous explorations, but these focus on Migration Routes. The itinerary I did is no longer offered.

RICKMCK's Botswana Mobile (WS Migration Routes) + Mala Mala (October 2007)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35087419


Here is the link to Panecott's trip report on Migration Routes:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34821348


Thats the link to my profile - this is really the link to our earlier migration route discussion. Sorry!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34928477

Thats the link to my profile - this is really the link to our earlier migration route discussion. Sorry!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34928477

Here is one more to replace the duplicate link above.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34957250

Permanent camp safari - You got to pick and choose where to go, when to go etc etc.,

It's also not true that in High season, everywhere you go will have stunning gameviewing. Often, some places will be impacted by flood levels etc etc.,

Also, if you are going to do a lot of camp hopping as some itineraries will dictate - you will depend a hell of a lot on the luck of the draw!!! not to forget the additional expenses from all the flights and transfers.

Thanks, Lynn, for posting a link to my WS mobile trip report. jusan, if you're interested, here's a link to the picture posts from that trip which include a few shots of each of the tent accomodations on the "exploration" mobile safari.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35089092

Basically, these were two-person, camping style, dome tents. Very basic, but comfortable if you are accustomed to camping arrangements. You cannot leave your tent at night, so "accommodations" consist of a "privy pot" should the need arise...

I had a fabulous trip and rank it as the BEST holiday / vacation I have ever had. (It will therefore not surprise you that I have a return trip booked for October and another in planning for next year!).