kak113

Thanks for all the great help so far. As this is the most expensive vaca I have ever planned I am hoping to get the planning right.

Based on all the input on the board, our itinerary includes Cape Town and Vic Falls. The travel agent's first pass had us on safari in Botswana. Hearing all the raves about Mala Mala, I had initially planned on us going there for the safari part.

I am open to the idea of Botswana, and for mid-October it looks as though gameviewing could be the same in either place, but I'd like some feedback. I don't mind the extra expense / travel to do both Vic Falls and Mala Mala, but if the game viewing conditions are the same if not better in Botswana, I am open to new ideas there as well.

We would like to see the Big 5, giraffes, hippos, etc. Not as much into the birdwatching. I wish we could see meerkats, but I think they are likely more interesting on TV than in real life

From a safety perspective, which is better - or does it not matter at the luxury lodges?

thanks for your patience as I try to plot our our honeymoon.
Kathy

HariS

Main emphasis on Big five - Mala Mala or any of the surrounding reserves in the Sabi Sands will be your best bet!

It is a completely different experience - MM and Botswana. Deceide what you want and go there! Gameviewing and terrain would be very different .........

Botswana in October - Chobe and Linyanti areas will have the huge herds of elephant and buffalo.

Good luck!!!

annhig

hi, kak,

there is a trip report about safari in Botswana at the moment.

it looks vey inviting.

regards, ann

atravelynn

Safety = same in my opinion.

Meerkats = Makgadikgadi Makgadikgadi pans in Botswana, staying at places such as Jack's, San (where I stayed) or Planet Baobab.

Big 5 means you'd have to go to Chief's Island in Botswana to see rhino in that country. In turn, that means the very expensive Mombo/Little Mombo or Chief's Camp.

If you have several days and would combine Chief's Island, with a couple of other camps, perhaps even one where you can see meerkats, then I'd do Botswana.

Otherwise I'd stay in SA in or near the Sabi Sands. Mala Mala would be an excellent choice in my opinion.

Congrats on your marriage.

napamatt

I would not choose Mombo as a potential Rhino spot, Chiefs would really be the best choice, and then the chances are very slim. To guarantee Big 5, almost any lodge in Sabi Sands is going to come through, after that it depends on your budget.
I love Mala Mala, but like anywhere it has its deficiencies and detractors, you just have to weigh up what you read on the board and make as informed a decision as you can.
I would be tempted depending on budget to combine MM with Botswana, I've done it several times.

hills27

bump