Only 4 weeks until we leave for our first trip to Africa so it is time to do a trial pack. I know the morning and evening game drives in Botswana in June can be very cold so the hat, gloves and warm jumper will definitely be packed. My question is how cold is it sitting around camp in the evening. Will I need heavy or light jumpers? In Botswana we will be staying at:

Chobe Chilwero
Baines Camp
Chiefs Camp
Zibialanja and both fly camps.

Thanks for your help.

We also leave in 4 weeks. We are staying at Mala Mala, Kwestani, Chitabe and Duma Tau. I am having the same questions. Do you have to wear a coat to eat dinner? Are there any space lamps in the camps like in outdoor restaurants in the states?

What is a jumper?

Jumper must be an Australian term. It means sweater. It is an item of clothing you wear to keep your torso and arms warm.

Yes, 'woolly jumper'...from 'sheep'

Georgie, 'how cold' really depends on your personal tolerance. I'd suggest you take a heavy jumper. As you probably know, the vehicles will have blankets and/or ponchos to help keep out the windchill. I've been at Zib in June, and needed the latter on drives (see how rugged up we were here: http://www.afrigalah.com/sel3img/Lionmike.jpg

But around camp I was OK with a fairly light top.

John

Georgie2007, what dates are you at Chilwero. We will be there in June, leaving here May 31, arriving Chilwero June 5. I will be packing my fleece for sure! D.

We're leaving in 8 weeks. Do we need to bring ski jackets or will fleece and windbreakers be enough?

Dana70,
We leave Australia on May 27th arriving at Chobe Chilwero 31st May, departing 2nd June. We will just miss you. What a pity! Below is our itinerary. Anywhere else we might meet up. I will be seeing Hari at Zibilanja. My fleece will also be packed but was wondering if we needed such a heavy fleece when around camp in the evening.

Our itnerary:

May 27 Fly to Johannesburg from Sydney Australia.

May28 to 31st Victoria Falls hotel. We are doing the helicopter flight over the falls and the Boma dinner. We would like to go canoeing or fishing for a day whilst in Victoria Falls. Has anybody done this and if so which company did you book through and was it worth it?

May 31st Two nights at Chobe Chilwero. Thought we might go tiger fishing on Chobe river. Has anyone done this?

June 2 Walking safari Linyati. 2 nights at Zibialnja and one at each fly camp, Tshwene and Mokoba.

June 6 Two nights at Baines camp where we are doing the elephant experience.

June 8 Two nights at Kanana Camp.

June 10 Three nights at Chiefs Camp.

June 13 Two nights in Johannesburg. We are going to go to Soweto and Apartheid museum. Looking at going with Jimmy face2face tours as I ahve read some good reports on this forum about them. Any other suggestions about companies or what to do in Johannesburg for a day.

June 15 Nine nights on Quilalea Island in Northern Mozambique diving and fishing.

Then back to Johnnesburg overnight and catch the plane back to Sydney.

Cheers,
Georgie

Georgie2007, Sorry we will miss you at Chobe. Have a great trip. I have a previous post about tiger fishing on the rivers also as my partner wanted to get some of his much beloved flyfishing in. If you do a search you may find it. I emailed two lodges we are staying in requesting info on the fishing but a month later I have still no reply! One was River Club; the other Chobe Chilwero. I guess they are just not into emailing. We are just going to try and find a guide when we arrive. Have a great time - and if you happen to find out about the tiger fishing; please post! Happy Travels, Dana

Hello!!! i have been away for the last couple of weeks....but, nice to read this thread and remind myself that not long to go before i head out on safari.....VERY EXCIETED!!! just under 30 days to go

Georgie, i am taking a very thick winter jacket.....it can get very cold in the AM particularly when windy. In August last year, some mornings were chilly.....i expect end May/June to be COLD!!!

And yes, look forward to meeting any of you that may be at either Selinda or Kwando during end May/early june.....

Cheers,
Hari

Welcome back, Hari. I've been thinking how toey you must be getting as your departure date looms.

You never did get back to me with any complaints that I might have misled you about August temperatures! So you did find some mornings chilly? Your blood must be thinner than mine

John

Hi Dana70,

I sent an email to Sanctuary Lodges in December about fishing in May. Here is the reply:

The fishing at Chobe Chilwero is outsourced. The rate is 145Pula (local currency) per hour per boat, which seats a maximum of 3 people. This can only be booked and paid once in camp. The fish which is mainly caught is Bream (Tilatia) and Tiger fish. If you wish you can take the fish back to the lodge and they will cook it for you. You have a choice of either a morning or evening fishing trip.

There is apparently no problem arriving at Chobe Chilwero one afternoon and booking a fishing trip for the next day. Hope this helps.

Cheers
Georgie

Hi John,

Yeah didnt want to complain....actually, SA -Phinda in particular was very very cold in August compared to Botswana.

You watching the world cup finals tonite, John?

yeah very excieted(about my trip)not the finals.......

Hari

No, Hari. I'm not interested enough to stay up that late. I'll catch the result tomorrow.

It's cold and wet here now...looks like our drought has broken, so the woollies are coming out.

John