Just Back from Botswana, ANY QUESTIONS?
 

Thanks to all the fodorites that helped us plan this trip- it was wondeful! Our trip was 2 nites Jo'burg at the Mount Grace Country House & Spa; 3 nites each at Tubu Tree, Duba Plains, & the new Kings Pool then ending with 4 nites at The Victoria & Alfred in Cape Town. I'd would be happy to answer any questions. A trip report is on the way but might be a while as we're cleaning up from Hurricane Isabel. Arrived home Friday afternoon--after Isabel had been to visit.

Details on Duba Plains, please - it's part of my itinerary in B.

Duba Plains is an excellant camp. Very friendly staff & excellant guides. Six tents which makes for a small intimate atmosphere. Our guide, James, is also one of the camp managers. He has been studying lions for five years and is getting ready to take leave to write a book on lions. Tonya is the other manager & what a jewel! Food was excellant. Tents were very roomy, indoor shower & outdoor shower,front deck with chairs for game viewing. The game viewing was really one of the best. Five or six prides- large prides with the 12 year old "Duba Boys" as leaders of the area. Saw a lion kill and a leopard kill. Many elephants(also in camp) & cape buffalo. Be sure to ask your guide to take you to an area called "Paradise". Full of birds , hippos,and various animals. We spent a lot of time on our drives studying the lions. They are great to watch playing & chasing each other.

PCHsmiles, Weather was beautiful. Daytime high of about 85 degrees with early morning & late evening chilly enough for a light weight jacket. Area has lots of water to drive through which was fun. Any other questons,let me know.

Jann, thanks so much. I'll be at BP four nights next year following Savuti, and after DP, will fly to several more for short times at each. I'm happy you liked it. Sounds like it will be fun for me as well. take care.

Jann, looking forward to hearing everything but particularly interested in Tubu Tree as we'll be there in less than a year!

Kavey, I'm off & running at the moment but will sit tonite and tell you all about our "favorite" camp. It is a must when we return--YES, we now have the bug!! PCHsmiles, what other camps will you staying? Sounds as if you'll be at several. If so, all of us here at Fodors would love to hear your plans before an after.

Jann, I've made several earlier trips to that area, and this time will meet UK pals in J'Burg and fly to Maun - from which we have a small plane to Savuti Camp, then to DP, then Mombo (this part is nailed down and guaranteed), and then to several others (this part still in progress). Eventually back to Maun, then J'Burg, spend the night, then home. Like last fall, only longer and more in Botswana. Will post an abbreviated report afterward. Relying on Wilderness Safari for all arrengements. Used them before - highly reliable. My only concern is weight - how to get black tie aboard seeing that there will be a 12.2 limit. I usually try to dress a bit formally the first and last nights in camp. My dress code is not recommended for any sane and normal traveller.

Jann
Last time we went to Little Mombo, Little Vumbura and Chitabe Trails.
Next time we're visiting Savuti, Tubu Tree, Jacana, Gudigwe and Little Mombo as well as Jack's Camp.
Can't wait to hear your feedback!

Kavey
Wish we would have stayed a week at Tubu Tree. Chrystal, Mannie and staff were exceptional- very warm and friendly. Our guide, Grant, has been guiding for 15 years & knows the animals,birds and plants. Be sure & request Grant. We were always the last people returning in the AM & the last people in to camp at nite.

Tubu had the largest variety of animals of our three camps. Cheetahs lions,giraffs, cape buffalo, elephants,zebra, etc. Each & every drive was exciting & different.

Camp was our favorite of the three. Each of the five tents are built high on platforms. Tents are very spacious with king bed,plenty of 'easy' storage, writing desk ,nice bath area with indoor shower BUT the best was the incredible outdoor shower for two -looking out at the plaines & animals.
The large deck in front of tent has two comfortable chairs for viewing the animals in front of camp.


A sand walkway through the palm trees lead you to the raised main tent. This area includes the dining area, large lounge area, a small gift shop, swimming pool, and the most incredible bar area looking out to the animals. The bar area & out door shower should be featured in Architectual Digest.

The food was plentiful and really delicious served by very happy & friendly staff.

As you can tell, we truly loved this camp. We thank Bert at Fish Eagle Safaris for suggesting this camp. Let me know if you have additional questions.

Hi Jann,

Did you go to Vic Falls and/or Chobe NP?

J.

Jann
It was also Bert who recommended Tubu to me. He'd had a customer visit and had very good feedback from them. This was several months ago when I was first looking into where we wanted to go.
I have nothing but the greatest respect for him - he was the one who said to me that, as a US based agent, it was unlikely he could better quotes I'd get from UK agents, so I went through a UK agent. It's unusual today to meet an agent who truly wants the best for people, even when that means suggesting that they don't book through him, rather than just looking for the next sale.
I did send him something to say thanks as I found his suggestions on itinerary very very helpful.
Kavey

JochenVDP
Kings Pool Camp is on the Linyanti River in Chobe NP. We decided against Vic Falls & went to Cape Town for 4 nights. Cape Town is a lot of fun especially if you stay at the waterfront. Any more questions?

PCHsmiles
Why do you have only a 12.5 limit-is that lbs.? We had 26 lbs each. Any way, would love to be at your camp & see that tux! We were always late arriving back in camp so we were at cocktails & dinner with dirty clothes but clean hands & face!

Hey, Jann - 12.2 kg - sorry, didn't mean to be confusing. I'm still trying to get that tux on board - last year it was the boots and camera or black tie - the latter stayed in J'Burg. I like to change clothes after the evening game drive - makes the drinks and wines go down so much more easily. And the predators would love it!! Take care.

One of my favorite times was drinks after dinner out around the camp fire.

Kavey, I believe my wife and I were the people Bert was referring to when he recommended Tubu. We stayed there last October, and it was truly incredible (as was every other camp). You can find all of my comments to Bert at the fisheagle safari website (fisheaglesafaris.com) under testimonials (OCT 2002 fly-in safari.

Wendy, it could be - I was talking to him about it in December last year and it was a couple that had returned recently at the time.

:D

Hey Jann,

Any more questions?! How about a zillion?! LOL! :-)

Can you tell me a little bit more about Chobe? What did you see? What are the best places? etc...

Thanks!

J.

JochenVDP,

E-mail all your questions to Jrbythebay@aol.
I'd love to answer them all. Kings Pool Camp is on the Linyati River.It' green on the river banks but everything else is brown. This area has about 40,000 elephants & they love bark on trees.

It was VERY hot during the day, 100 F ,but would cool off at nite. What camps are you going to ? Is this your first time in the Delta?

No no no :D Then we will miss the answers!

Jann will you copy the answers here too?

:D

Jann, I switched over the Bert as well - influences fo Liz and I believe Kavey. Seems like a reliable guy, and he was willing to quote firm prices. Saved me a bit of cash over some other agents I've used. One year, I did the whole thing myself - and at different times used a SA agent for hotels and FL agent for airlines. Took beaucoup time, so in the last several have always ouitlined my needs and given the agent the go-ahead.

Kavey, OK, will post them all on this site. We did go to Chobe but only to one camp for three nights. Our other camps were in a different area that had palm trees & tall golden grasses. Animals at Kings Pool were many elephants,lots of hippos, giraffs, zebra, saw 5 different leopards- one with it's fresh kill working hard to get it up the tree. Had to stop the Land Rover to let a very large python cross. What time of year will you be going? The animals & landscapes are very different throughout the year. Have you selected camps yet? Our favorites were the two smaller camps - 5 & 6 tents. Ask some more questions. Have you been before?

:D

Jann -- I'd love to hear about your time in Cape Town, how you liked the Victoria & Alfred (location, rooms, service, food, etc.), any sights/restaurants you'd particularly recommend, etc. Fiance & I will be in Cape Town for 6 days in early December. P.S. The reference to Isabel makes me wonder: Are you a fellow Washingtonian?

Lisa, We live in Alexandria, Old Town but the mess is at our cottage which is in the Northern Neck.

The Victoria & Alfred is a restored warehouse on the waterfront- the best location for walking, eating, shopping, etc. The rooms are beautiful( sort of Ritz Carlton look) and very large. The double doors/windows open to the water front in the mountain facing rooms. The view of Table Mountain is spectacular. Breakfast was included with the rate and it was very good - a buffet of cold, pastry buffet plus you could order from the menu. Staff at the hotel were very friendly and most helpful. Great bar outside of hotel, a great place to people watch.

One restaurant stands out, food was the best - actually way above the other ones! It's downtown and the name is "Kennedys". The bar is downstairs and restaurant up. They will get a cab for you after dinner. The other restaurants are about a 3 minute walk and most are in the mega shopping mall. "Mortons" is good.

A guide for one day is well worth the money---especially if you can get Selwyn at I LoveCapeTown.com He is a regular here on Fodors and a very big help to most of us. It was probably the best tour we've had. We went up Table Mountain, vineyards, Cape of Good Hope,and many more places. The best part is that it's a private tour. He has a very nice van and best is that he's fun to be with. Check out his web site- you'll see our tour if you look on Sept. 15,2003.

Hope this helps a little. Cape Town is beautiful and people very friendly.

We just got back from our first trip to South Africa. We also stayed at the Victoria and Alfred hotel, and Jann is right on all counts,we also liked it a lot.

Jann, how interesting that you used Selywn,we did to.We are Sep. 05, 2003 on the photo album. Wonderful man,can't say enough good things about him. Selywn took us to Kayamundi,a township not to far from Cape Town. Lisa, I recommend this very highly. We learned a lot, and met some wonderful people along the way.Selywn has such a great love for the people, that you just can't help but love them to.It truly was the highlight of our trip.

Africa cafe is a great place to try food from all over Africa. Fun place and great food.

question?? how do they handle the "bathroom" situation when you're out on game drives??? hand you a shovel?? :<)... joan

On the game drives we were on in South Africa,a bathroom break,was a matter of finding the right size termite mound.:-D

Dottie-
Cute! I was wondering how to reply. Liz

Hey, Jann, neighbor. I'll wave at you on King Street sometime soon.

I'll second the termite mound! Actually, we never had a problem finding a few bushes or a mound . The guide always checked them first. It is usually taken care of during the morning coffee break.
PCHsmiles, I'll be watching for you on King--- been gone a few days to the windy city.

Sassyrn, the guides are very kind and will find a place for you if you alert them you need a bush break other than the tea break or sundowner stop. BTW, if you are putting on mosquito repellent, be sure to do it before you dress. You may wish to bring your own tp/tissues, handi-wipes, bag as these are not provided. Bush breaks are very easy, not to worry.

We did the same - stopping in an area open enough for the guide to keep an eye over and with a termite mound or two to serve as temporary screen to the bathroom area.

One morning we spent hours following a female leopard - we were within feet of her and it was wonderful. Our guide said we were soon to break off to visit a lion pride which were often nearby.

I said that I really needed a stop and when we left her could he find somewhere for me before we reached the lions.

Instead he stopped right there, and, as he kept an eye on the leopard infront of the vehicule, I found a termite mound behind it.

That was the most terrified pee I've ever had! LOL Even a few minutes later I wondered what we were thinking but he was a guide in whom I had absolute trust.

Kavey, we had one similar... We're having coffee break beside this beautiful body of water, lots of birds etc. Up on a the little rise is a group of the low palms. Our guide checked it out and my friend & I went. About 10 minutes after we returned...out pops this big hippo charging for the water. He had been asleep & guess we woke him up!!!

scary!