How does this safari itinerary sound?
 

I am planning a safari to Botswana/Victoria Falls/South Africa for the end of May 2008. So far this is what I have:

Overnight in Johannesburg at Park Hyatt-(free night)
2 nights at The River Club Livingstone
3 nights Savuti Camp-Botswana
2 nights Little Vumbura Camp
3 nights Mombo Camp
3 nights Mateya Lodge-Madikwe
3 nights Rattray's Mala Mala
Return to JNB to fly home

This is our second safari with the first being with a private guide in Tanzania. My husband loves the elephants and we saw so many lions in Tanzania, including a kill, that my priority is leopard and cheetah. We only saw a few in Tanzania.

Does this itinerary sound good? I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

all I can say is I wish I could afford an itinerary like this!

That's a wonderful itinerary! You should have no problems seeing leopards, especially at Mala Mala. You'll see rhinos, too, which you probably didn't see many of in Tanzania.

Looks wonderful. You'll have an outstanding trip. If you have a bit more time and even a bit more money, I would also do 3 nights at LV. I did two and would have like one more. Perpetual Student just did a report and also would have liked 3 at LV.

If you wanted primarily a water experience to fully appreciate the Okavango Delta, then 2 days is enough for some time on the water in a mekoro and/or boat. But LV has such good wildlife viewing there in addition to water activities, that another day would give you more time. LV is probably the only place you will see sable and there is an active lion pride too.

Whether you spend 2 or 3 at LV, you have a fantastic trip to look forward to.

With Mombo in there, I would secure your booking. It fills fast.

Definitely a tip top itinerary of high end camps. Do you know how the transfers will work getting from Botswana to Mateya and then Mateya to Mala Mala. You may need to either miss an activity for each transfer day or may even need an overnight in Joburg although possibly you could fly to Gaborone and then road transfer to Mateya and then fly from Mateya via Joburg to Mala Mala but be sure and check the times and make sure you are not missing game drives.

With an emphasis on opportunities to find leopard and cheetah I would probably skip those difficult logistics and drop the 3 nights at Mateya (unless of course you are set on staying there for the over the top luxury because dropping it will make travel easier and likely give you better opportunities for your game viewing goals) and add one to Savuti to increase chances of cheetah and wild dog, add one to Little Vumbura and add one to Rattray's which will be your best leopard viewing.

Thanks for the comments.

atravelynn: Mombo, Little Vumbura, and Savuti are confirmed for the dates we want. To keep the price somewhat reasonable and fit in with available dates we can do only 2 nights at LV.

PredatorBiologist: We are now dropping Mateya and considering 3 nights at Leadwood or Leopard Hills instead of Rattray's to reduce the price somewhat.

Any comments regarding the Kruger choices would be appreciated.

Western SSGR where Exeter, Leopard hills etc etc., are located are very crowded in terms of number of lodges in a small concession compared to the much larger MM. Don't get me wrong, like MM they have good leopard and lion sightings, but, IMO the stay at the sightings seemed rushed and too quick .....

The new itinerary is as follows: Overnight in Johannesburg at Park Hyatt-(free night)
2 nights at The River Club Livingstone
3 nights Savuti Camp-Botswana
2 nights Little Vumbura Camp
3 nights Mombo Camp
1 night in Johannesburg at the Saxon Hotel

Then in order of expense,
3 nights Leadwood
3 nights Leopard Hills +$510/pp
3 nights Rattray's +$770/pp

Is the extra cost worth it?

dpowlan,

There is MM main camp instead of Rattray's? don't know if there is availability for the dates you are going. Same gameviewing as at Rattray's.

I have read positive reviews for Djuma Vuyutela on these forums by Eric (eyelaser) ..... maybe, he will see this post and make his comments about Djuma.

Another thing about the Western SSGR is, not enough plains game ..... it is pretty unnatural to see just the odd zebra and wildebeest (ofcourse, plenty of impala). MM being in a bigger concession has much more plains game.

Is Rattray's worth the price? i can't answer it until January of next year ..... but, Kaye and others on these forums will be in a better position to answer your question.

Hari

You might also consider Kirkman's as an alternative to Rattray's. It used to be the third camp in Mala Mala and has limited traversing rights to what is now the southern end of MM. I stayed there last year and, despite our inability to cross the rain-swollen Sand River most of the time, saw lots of wildlife. We even saw the "Big Five" on one drive! Kirkman's is now managed by CC Africa, I believe.

dpowlan,
You may want to take a look at the trip report that I posted within the past few days which has a detailed review of my stay at Leadwood about 3 weeks ago, including pictures. It was my first safari but I am pretty picky re luxury and accommodations and absolutely loved it. Our ranger and tracker were phenomenal. I have not stayed at Mala Mala (yet!) and so cannot compare, but never felt crowded or rushed to leave a sighting, with the exception of one cheetah sighting (rare for the area, everyone wanted to see), and we did see zebra, wildebeest, etc. on several drives.

i would definitely recommend MM, but I think dropping Madike for SSGR makes some sense due to travel logistics, that also should save some money. Madikwe is a good spot for Cheetah though no longer so good for Wild Dogs.

hlg22: Thanks for the trip report and photos.

I bit the bullet today and told asked the TA to confirm Rattray's. The main reason is that the game vehicles are limited to only four people. We were spoiled with our Tanzania safari where we had a private vehicle just for us.

Now I just have to work on the air. I can do business from SFO-FRA but FRA-JNB will be coach. Ugh!

Your trip sounds good .....

Hari

Sounds like... a <b>Beethoven</b> Simphony

Dpowlan, Now Rattray's makes sense over Main Camp with your explanation. Fantastic itinerary.

Thanks to all of you for the advice given. We leave in two weeks for three days in MM at Rattay's, then to Duban for three days to Zimbali Estates (had a trade, to Kings Pool and Mombo Camp for six days and ending at River Club for two. Wilderness Safaris organized the trip, and Paul Swart who works for them used to guide at Mombo. Highly recommend these people, splurge trip but all your comments just confirmed the dollars were well spent.

Fantastic!