atravelynn

Right Hari, that's my gal!

Debwarr
By September, the flood levels recede a lot because that is well into the dry season. With temps rising each day, water evaporates at a high rate. The very high levels are more of a concern earlier, not as much by Sept.

Most of what is being discussed anyway is not whether the camp will be floating away or not, but whether the wildlife in the vicinity will be more dispersed or more concentrated.

If you are at Vumbura and Savuti in Sept, that's a great combo. Besides, there are so many factors that can influence wildlife besides floods. There are tectonic plate shifts (not dangerous earthquakes, just subtle movements that channel water this way or that); dry season fires (not that are a danger to guests, but that affect where wildlife goes and when the best light is); winds which can send wildlife to more wooded environs (but winds are more common in August); the full moon which decreases predatory activity; cold snaps which mean animals are not as active as early; plus just plain luck.

But you may have water flowing in the Savuti Channel. I think last year it had water flowing for the first time in a quarter century. That in itself is reason to go.

All of these things are variables that make every day different out in the bush and water levels are just one of the variables.

Here is a link to the flood post that you may be following. In that thread I mention how I fretted over water levels from rain and floods prior to my trip, which was a month earlier than your Sept. trip.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...flood-2009.cfm

I'm sure the flood levels are not such that you'll need waders, but I would suggest some support hose on the long flight over.

debwarr

atravelynn,

Thanks for the helpful information. We were in Botswana in Sept. 2007 and, realizing how dry it was, I assumed the waters would recede by then, but one of the posts above mentioned that the floods could have an impact into next year and it made me question my assumptions since this is such a big flood. We're also staying at Xudum (we think, although we may switch off to one of the Kwando camps if the sightings are too sparse at Xudum) and I'll be sure to report back since there don't seem to be much info on the camp so far.

I will ask our travel agent to check on the baboon situation at LV....

Thanks again, you are always very helpful!

atravelynn

Please share what your TA tells you.

When I was at Duba Plains in Aug of 2006, usually the water would have been lower by then, but the levels were high enough that parts of the concession remained out of reach through the next year. Maybe they still are inaccessible. I don't know, I haven't kept up. So you are right that the flooding impact did extend through the dry season. But I don't think the impact is that you can't get anywhere for a year, just certain parts are not traversable. The delta is a constantly changing entity anyway.

Have a great trip.

Don't know about Xudum.

atravelynn

I may have to reconsider my statement that camps won't be underwater. Check this out
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-in-angola.cfm

But by Sept. I think it will be true that they won't be underwater.

debwarr

Thanks for sending this link. Hopefully they'll be okay by September. We are also scheduled to stay for our last few days at the Islands of Siankaba. Since this sits in the middle of the Zambezi, I've been trying to find out if it is underwater, but haven't found any info yet on the web.

We're booking our trip through Africa Adventures and I'll see what they know and report back.

jweis

Debwarr,

Like in the Okavango and Linyanti systems, the heavy rains have resulted in unprecedented water levels along the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

As a pre-emptive measure, all furnishings on the Islands of Siankaba, 25 miles upstream from Victoria Falls, have been moved to higher ground. Siankaba will reopen on 27th April.
http://www.siankaba.net/

I think you will be fine since your trip is not until Spring time.

Regards,
James

debwarr

jwels,

Thank you so much for the information on Islands of Siankaba. I've been assuming that things will be fine by September, but it's hard not to be interested in what they are experiencing now.

Take care,
Debbie

debwarr

I received a reply today from our travel agent (Africa Adventures) and what she has heard from her contact as Wilderness Safaris is that the diversity of game at Little Vumbura is still among the best of all it's camps and the baboon situation is not a concern. Now, I suspected that would be the response from WS, but she also sent me feedback from a recently returning client who said that Vumbura (I'm assuming she meant LV, not VP) was their favorite camp with the 2nd best wildlife, while Mombo was their 2nd favorite camp, with the best wildlife. So, I'm a little more encouraged about LV. She also said that since this is the "green" season, they don't have as many clients reporting back right now, but that that should change soon and she would continue to keep me posted. No word yet on her end about Xudum....she's still trying to find out what the wildlife situation is there now. Once again....hard to get good reports during this time of year. Hope this is helpful.

HariS

Debwarr,

Your trip will be just fine. Go with the flow and have a great safari!!! Do not stress until then......

Cheers,
Hari

Temba

Thank you so much for the thumbs up "james_a" and while I have your attention, I see you just joined this month. Perhaps you would be so kind as to complete your profile, at least tell us where you are from.
Fondly-Ted

james_a

Ted,

I am very anxious to read all about your adventures in Africa. Hopefully your stories are captivating and aren't full of grammatical errors that make you look dumb.

As photography is one of your hobbies and you have been on numerous safaris, I'll be more than happy to catch a glimpse of your work here.

Will tell more about myself the moment you admit who you really are and after you apologize to everyone in person here on this forum for your unacceptable behaviour since you signed up here.

James,


PS: Perhaps your friend Tom (cary999) can teach you some good manners and I guess "raising Cain" is one of your favourite movies.

Temba

James,
Now we are making progress. You admit then that you are an alias and that you will not divulge your real identity. I'm afraid I am exactly what I represent myself as and my profile is accurate. Funny you appear to have joined just this month and already have joined in so quickly. I'm expect you are not a new character at all?
Ted

cary999

<b>james_a</b> -
"PS: Perhaps your friend Tom (cary999) can teach you some good manners and I guess "raising Cain" is one of your favourite movies."

<b>james_a</b>, kindly leave me out of any squabbles you may have with other posters. And that goes for anyone else here also.

While I'm at it, I recently had a private email from a poster here who wondered if I was also Temba!!! I assure you I am not.

Again kindly leave me and my name out of any postings involving personal attacks. And I would appreciate an apology <b>james_a</b>.

regards - tom

debwarr

I recently heard from a contact at &beyond that while the properties and surrounding environs are wonderful at Xudum and Xarrana, the scenery, birds, water, mokoros, etc. are the real draw right now, not predators. However, Wildwatch just posted a good sighting from Xudum of a Cheetah and two cubs. For us, I think we'll stick with Xudum. By September it should be better than now and sometimes there is great fun in the thrill of attaining those hard to get sightings.

Cheers,
Debbie

landlcochran

Hey Debbie:

My husband and I will be at Little Vumbura Sept 10 for 3 nights. Any chance you'll be there at that time?

Linda

Safari_Craig

Little Vumbura is an amazing camp with great game viewing. I went there in 2007 by myself and liked it so much I brought my wife and kids there for their first safari in 2008.

Did not see Leopards but we saw everything else and were charged by elephants which is always fun!

Craig Beal

debwarr

Hi Linda,

Unfortunately, we won't be getting to Little Vumbura until the 19th. I wish it were earlier! Have fun and if you're near a computer, be sure to post anything we should check out, or leave us a message with the manager.

Take care,
Debbie Warren

landlcochran

Debbie:

I will leave you a message with the manager!

Linda Cochran

debwarr

Thanks Linda. Have a wonderful trip!

Debbie