Help with Southern African Schedule
 

Thanks to all who've posted, I've got a real schedule together and am ready to book!! I need help on one selection. We're going from April 5-21. Given this time period:
1. In Botswana, should I spring for the extra $$ and hit Chief's Camp, or stay in Chobe? I'm not keen on Chobe for the crowds, but at this time of year is that an issue? Any other opinions on Bots in April.
2. In J'Burg Airport I've read where they have luggage storage, but I've never found the particulars. Can anyone tell me if I can leave bags after the visit to Cape Town and leave them for the next 9 days?

Thanks!!

Jason

Jason,

Chief's camp should still be good that time of year. I visited it in April 2005 (10 days) and the game was outstanding.

Duba plains is also a camp which I would strongly consider because you have a reasonable chance that most of the concession still can be reached by car. And seeing the skimmer pride or tsaro pride in full action, is a thing you won't forget easily.

Other camps I am thinking of for that time of year:

Little Vumbura/Kwara.

The only problem is the availability of these camps. But if you don't try, you won't know ...

I haven't been to the Chobe area that time of year but I would think that gameviewing isn't that spectacular as it is in wintertime. If you are into birds, it will be great to visit and maybe catch a last glimpse of the summer migrants.


Greetz,

Johan

Johan:

Thanks for the reply. I'll price out Duba now.

Jason

I really enjoyed Chobe and was not too bothered by the crowds, but I would not recommend it in April. The elephants are a main attraction in Chobe but they are not abundant in the rainy season.

I agree with Johan on giving Duba a try. Even though April is rainier, the flood waters from Angola will not have reached Duba by April. So while April is not ideal for parts of Botswana, it presents a unique opportunity for Duba.

You may catch the last reign of the Duba Boys (lions). I found Duba Plains to be a tremendously exciting place.

Duba and Chiefs would be a fabulous combo.

Are you asking about baggage storage at Jo-brg International or CPT? You CAN check your bags at CPT INTERNATIONAL for nine days; I think the charge is something like forty rand per day per piece, but you can go on the Capetown International site to confirm that. We went on safari in late NOvember for nine days and looked into doing that and both our TA and some of the Fodorites said it would be quite safe. Don't know if the same applies for Jo-brg. We wound up leaving our luggage at the hotel we planned to stay at in the Winelands when we returned from Safari--

Answering my own questions, but dheck out the web-site http://www.acsa.co.za/. There is baggage storage and lockers in J'Burg!