divine54

temba
in such a case i alway suggest the same simple but very effective relief from being offensive or biter: get some satisfaction in one way or the other and you evolve into a much more relaxed individual ;-)

ask your shrink....he will for sure support my idea

div

quimbymoy

Hi Hari,

This was a first pass at an itinerary that she wanted me to consider. We would LOVE to stay at properties like that in high season but we don't have that kind of money! So she suggested a green season itinerary... more bang for the buck. So, this being so early in my research I thought I'd consider it until someone talks me out of it!

I appreciate all the advice here!

HariS

Hi Quimbymoy,

Please do consider mobile safari alternatives to a lodge based safari - google operators like Massons or John Chase safaris, GameTrails etc etc., and you should be able to get great viewing either Green or Dry months.

If Lodge safari is your thing, my strong recommendation will be the 5 Rivers specials that MV has mentioned above - which may be able to get you to access Kwara. I was there in January recently (at LK) and had pretty damn phenomenal viewing.

Best Wishes,
Hari

lbj

The Okavango is a unique environment, though a consideration is which other locations within Botswana you will combining with your trip.

When to go?

Dry season, game viewing will be optimal as the grass will have died back and any seasonal pans will have dried out. It does depend on which area you are looking at visiting though, as not all concessions work on this conventional wisdom, as the Delta does not receive its summer flood until June.


Northern Delta - Vumbura, Kwara, Kwai

These concessions are rather mixed as they whilst being on the fringes of the Delta, they have mopane woodlands that stretch all the way into the Linyanti. Game viewing improves as the dry season takes a grip. This is because a number of animals move into these woodlands and live off the seasonal pools during the rains. The traditional flood plains still retain plains game, and viewing is would still be considered good.

The only issue that can sometimes hit this area, is the flood can restrict game drive areas from mid-May- August. Though this varies from year to year. A lot of camps have built bridges to counter this problem, though some areas will remain cut off. In the areas you can reach, it tends to concentrate the game.

Delta Islands - Duba Plains, Jao etc

These camps suffer less from seasonality as they are true Delta camps, so the game does not move due seasonal rainfall. The problems you do face come in the difference of areas accessible due to the water levels from high rainfall or the main flood. The Delta is at its lowest in December, at this time more game drive areas are available .

Chiefs Island: Mombo, Chiefs.....................

Prime game viewing area year round, the only restriction is not 'officially' being allowed to go off road. In the green season, the thick vegetation can interfere with game viewing. The flood can also affect Chiefs Island and restrict access to certain areas. It is expensive year round, though that is for a reason.

Southern Delta and public area of Moremi Game reserve:

The southern Delta is like the north, game may tend to disperse into their wet season ranges. Xaxanaka and self drive areas have mopane areas. Whereas around Chitabe, wildlife will move further down towards to NG32.

Combining with other Areas:

Nxai pan and CKGR are at their best during the Green season, so can be combined with the Delta.

Chobe and the Linyanti/Kwando areas are more dry season destinations. With many animals moving into mopane woodlands away from permanent water sources.


I find the shoulder season to be a good compromise. I would consider May or November if you are looking for good game viewing. It all depends on the season and how the rains have fallen. Normally, the grasses are longer in April/May making game viewing slightly more difficult. Though there are less cloudy days than November. You get those glorious puffy white cloud days.

I would not recommend the Central Kalahari for a first trip.....though it is a fantastic place to visit.

I prefer the lighting and the colours of the green season, but prefer the dry season for game viewing.

I have two shoulder season trips, from April/May 2007 and 2008. Sightings were good, but you have to work hard for them. In the dry season, it is a lot easier.

http://www.pbase.com/backtoafrica

For a green season trip report:

http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=2053

As a disclaimer, I have spent a lot of time in Africa, so don't mind working hard for my game or having quality sightings over quantity. In reality, for concentrations and good game viewing, plum with the dry season. It could mean substituting lodges for a well run mobile safari like Hari mentioned.

If you do choose the summer spectacular, I would wait until March for the Central Kalahari. I would avoid Savuti at that time of year. Although the zebra migration heads that way, they push on well through Savuti to Mababe and just to the north of Nxai pan.

As this blog will inform you, Predator viewing in February etc is pretty poor. They will be following plains game which will generally be spread.

Don't get wrong, you can have excellent game viewing at this time of year, it is just more hit and miss.

lbj

http://desertdelta.blogspot.com/

The blog!