Adding all of the pros and cons it seems as though Wilderness Camps are a far far better choice for those interested in serious photography. Kwando might have great guiding but "gimme a break", three passengers abreast-no way. Keep this thread alive, pehaps someone at Kwando will read it and take out the center seat and buy another vehicle. At their recent prices they have no excuse for offereing such second rate seats. As they say on these forums, "just my two cents".
Chuck

Having just returned from these three camps, there are 8 tents at Kwara, Lagoon and Lebala that accomodate 16 guests each. I believe Little Kwara is four or five tents. And they had more than three vehicles at each camp...they even brought over extra vehicles from Lagoon to Lebala to accomodate the private vehicles. They also have to have extra vehicles in case of breakdowns...we had two different vehicles breakdown. That being said, they have the extra vehicles, they don't use them unless they need them and they always send out the vehicles full, from what we saw. I don't have experience with full vehicles at Kwando, but I did in Kenya and I can tell you I much prefer a private vehicle. Considering what you pay for your safari, the cost of the private vehicle is a drop in the bucket. If you can afford to go to Africa four or five times a year then you don't need a private vehicle...if you're someone like us who can only go every two or three years you want to have the best possible experience you can.

If you could afford Africa four or five times a year, then a private vehicle is probably not a hardship at all. It would have the impact of 2 cents.

Ok, so how much extra per day does it cost to have a private vehicle? What is the number? I have a feeling it is more than 2 cents. Kindly, back such statements with $$$ facts so I can decide for myself.
You will not find me returning to nor recommending a camp that seats 3 across.
regards - tom

So, I see in another thread that ms. atravelynn says that a private vehicle is an extra $275-$400 per day. This is significant, not what I would call 2 cents. Given a budget, for most of us unlucky travelers, this makes the difference between a 8 day safari or a 12 day safari. That is one way to look at it.
regards - tom

Tom,
I agree completely. How can anyone justify a three abreast seating arrangement for what these camps charge? One might as well figure in the cost of a private vehicle (at Kwando) and then decide whether they want to go other camps with more reasonable vehicle seating.
Chuck

atravelynn - for your forthcoming safari to Mala Mala are you having a private vehicle? Whether or not, how much extra does one cost at MM?
regards - tom

loru100, thank you for your confirmation about the vehicle numbers at Kwando.

I always wonder, why should I pay for a private vehicle when some "serious talk" with management can change the shared vehicle situation to my advantage?

For me it works.

Just got to reading this......haven't read it all, but, just want to say Kwando have had enormous success with their winning forumla regarding their choice of vehicle/configuration etc etc., this combined with a great guide/tracker is all that one needs on safari.....

I doubt they back away from the winning combination to focus on my favourite phrase-"Chocolate covered strawberries"!!!

I would be more than happy to drive in a full vehicle if every member is as nuts about the drive as i am!!! However- delays at lunch, sundowners and wanting to move onto the next sighting is the reason i spend on the private vehicle.....

As the saying goes...."just my 2 paise

Hari

The photographic Africa Geographic expedition with Mark Tennant is with a full vehicle of "PHOTOGRAPHERS"....so there is no reason why fodorites unwilling to spend on the extra vehicle will be unhappy with their Kwando experience.

If one wants a standard product from all operators for Botswana or elsewhere, why bother travelling? Sometimes, we are too set with standardization in our day to day lives that we expect standardization in every phase of our lives including our travels.....

Cheers,
Hari

I remember the times when WS were still using trackers, much better game drive experience than now. Apparently clients' preferences have changed (or WS' opinion about these preferences).

Tom,
No private vehicle for me in Mala Mala or in Phinda, the other place I am headed.

The only private vehicle I have ever paid for was at Duba Plains because I wanted to stay out all day with the hunting lions. Expensive as it was, I think it was worth it.

I have had the luxury of a private vehicle probably more than my share, just due to dumb luck, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

My comment about a private vehicle being the equivalent of 2 cents was in this context: IF you could afford 4-5 trips to Africa a year, THEN that several hundred dollars for a private vehicle is no more significant to you financially than spending 2 cents would be for the average person.

By the same token, the financial impact of renting out a whole safari camp for Bill Gates is the same as buying a new pair of khakis at Goodwill for me.

I personally don't view several hundred dollars a day as a 2 cent expenditure! At least not until I win the lottery. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify.

thanks Lynn, also on my win the lottery list along with fly business class.
regards - tom

I COMPLETELY agree with Hari...getting a private vehicle has more to do with the freedom to do what you want more so than sitting three across. There were days we left two hours before everyone else...we didn't bother to wait for high tea when we knew there were wild dogs or cheetahs to see! I don't know if you could have convinced an entire group of people to do the same thing. We stayed out in the rain, we skipped dinner some nights and had lunch in the bush...it was up to us and we didn't have to check with a "committee"! We paid $165 US per day (in the low season). Well worth it in my opinion...especially with the excellent guiding of Steve K!

Those of us that are a bit more gungho than average should team up and head out.

What would you say to Kwanda Camps in Sept of 2011? I'm only half joking. The other half is quite serious. That's plenty of time to plan and save up.

By the way, if I could pick my seat mates, I might enjoy sitting in the middle of a row of 3 ;)

atravelynn, good point with the seat mates. Btw, any plans to go back to Rod and Guz?

Nyama,

How nice of you to enquire. I am booked in early August of 2008 for Kutandala and have been for some time! No need to worry about a private vehicle or seating arrangements there. How about you?

atravelynn, I will be in Zambia this year, mainly exploring the Mupamadzi area in South Luangwa. For sure I will be in North Luangwa, too, but still no itinerary, I will do that June. I like the guiding of Ernst Jacobs at Mwaleshi, and I also like Rod and Guz very much (and of course the camp: the only bushcamp I know with a reading table in the loo). No decision yet - it's becoming more difficult with each safari - you meet too much nice hosts.

I'm on Lynn; middle seat or not (I hate middle seats)!

So, if I have understood correctly, most vehicles can only seat 6 passengers? That will be a problem for our group of 7! But, we are not big photographers so won't have a ton of equipment. I guess that this is something that the travel agent that I hope to find will help work out...