Looking for input re unfamiliar Botswana camps

Old May 18th, 2008, 05:50 AM
  #21  
 
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Hi Johan,

Agree -It will be a problem if safari-mates aren't interested in going out early.
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Old May 18th, 2008, 05:54 AM
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Hi Johan,

Just re-checked the recent "private vehicle" thread - very expensive seat rates for MM vehicle. It maybe more economical for someone to stay at Rattray's and have the camp manager find people that are into the gameviewing (max of 4 per vehicle)?
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Old May 18th, 2008, 06:00 AM
  #23  
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Hari,

According to the official website: 125 USD per empty seat out of 6. So if you are travelling with two couples it should be 250 USD a day.

Greetz,

Johan
 
Old May 18th, 2008, 06:04 AM
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For 4 people - Yes, surely!
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Old May 18th, 2008, 10:00 AM
  #25  
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I've been out of town and internet-less for a few days, so unable to join in. Thanks for the helpful replies, and when the thread veered off for a couple of days I even learned about some things that I didn't anticipate when I asked the original question.

Those of you who said the itinerary is safari-heavy and might be a little too much of a good thing for first-timers reflect one of my concerns. Although perhaps tantamount to heresy here on Fodors, not everyone is into game drives as much as many of us. As Johan suggested, we could probably cut out the Linyanti (saving a few days and a lot of money) since we will have likely seen more of the same at previous stops. That would leave the Pans, the Delta, and Chobe/Vic Falls as unique areas and activities for the Botswana Part 2 of the trip.

I did get a first estimate for our trip with a few agent-initiated changes, and it indeed did cause a little sticker shock -- I guess Africa in general and Botswana in particular can do that. Among other things, I learned that in 2009 Wilderness Safaris, Kwando, and Desert and Delta will all start their high season rates on June 1. If worthwhile, we might move the trip up to May, but still want to be able to do the quad bike trip into the Pans, so that may require some balancing and some luck.

Price differentials for different camps in the same general area can be so substantial. For instance, San Camp appears to be about $450 more pppn than Planet Baobab (although I'm still not sure I can envision Johan at PB). Kwando seems to be about $300 pppn more than the K&D camps. The cost of air transfers (in some case two flights) vs. road for 4 people can also be pretty steep. I know a lot of these comparisons aren't apples to apples, but boy, it makes it even tougher to choose from all the innumerable choices.

I think napamatt is right that the road transfer from Mashatu to Pafuri is about 7 hours.

One more question -- what do you think about the idea of spending 2 or 3 days self-driving from Pafuri to Mala Mala? The agent said the game in that part of Kruger is not very good.

Thanks for the feedback, questions, and suggestions, I may need to step back a little and digest all this for a while.
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Old May 18th, 2008, 06:34 PM
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One comment - May can save you money, especially if you pick the later part of May. There won't be much difference in game viewing between end May and early June.

Quad biking on the pans relates directly to the amount of rains during the summer months. If they have a normal rain year - you certainly can quad bike in May.
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