more days in zambia
 

Rocco. Because of you we are going to Zambia. Until today I thought we would spend 11 days on Safari and about a week in Cape Town -- 3 nights before and 4 nights after.

But you wrote a comment about how what you remember is the time on safari, not the time in the cities. So, if we can get it the itinerary is as follows:

4 nights, 3 days in Cape Town. Two of those with Selwyn.

Fly to Zambia. Four nights at Kaingo, Three nights at Mwamba, Two nights at Puku Ridge, Four nights at Kasaka.

Fly back to Cape Town for one last night. Then come home.

The budget of 4,000 pp is gone. More like 5,000. Oh well, you only live once and it will be a great trip. I have never regretted travel. And Africa seems to put life into perspective.

mpkp,

If I may just make a slight suggestion...I would shorten your time split between Kaingo/Mwamba to 6 nights to allow 1 more night at Puku Ridge. Kaingo and Mwamba are no more than 5 mailes apart and you are planning on spending 7 nights there, while only 2 nights in Puku Ridge.

The gameviewing right from your elevated luxury tent overlooking the plain while at Puku Ridge should be fabulous. If anything, I would even suggest that you go Kaingo (3), Mwamba (2), Puku Ridge (4), but at a minimum shave a night off of Kaingo/Mwamba to at least have a 3rd night at Puku Ridge.

Also, I just remembered...Star Of Africa is starting their own bush camps in the northern part of South Luangwa!!! I just found out about this on Friday and I am eagerly anticipating more information from Star Of Africa. Trust me, Star Of Africa puts out a quality product in South Luangwa, and it may be worth it to substitute your time at Mwamba for Star Of Africa's new bushcamps, in which case you would do this:

Kaingo (3)
Star Of Africa Bush Camp (3)
Puku Ridge (3)

I suggest you also e-mail Star Of Africa to try and get more information, but here is the link to the news advising of the additional concession won by Star Of Africa:

http://www.star-of-africa.com/news.htm

Trust me, 4 nights in Cape Town will be sufficient. It will be a bit rushed, but as beautiful as it is, you are going to treasure South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi more. However, by traveling with Selwyn, you will definitely be making the most out of your time in Cape Town.

mpkp,

By the way, I just received a response from Star Of Africa on their bushcamps. Their pricing is $400 pppns and I was told that was the reduced introductory rate.

Given the fact there may likely be a learning curve, I would stick with Mwamba. However, I do still believe you would be well served by spending 3 - 4 nights at Puku Ridge and only 5 - 6 nights in the Kaingo / Mwamba area. While Kaingo is in a great area, so is Puku Ridge. Also, be reminded that Puku Ridge has a fabulous swimming pool, while neither Kaingo nor Mwamba has a swimming pool. If you are going in September and especially October, you will wish, in the mid-day heat, that you had the opportunity to go swimming, on at least a larger portion of your time in South Luangwa.

ok -- we are taking your advice again and staying 3 nights in kaingo and 3 nights at puku ridge. the long 6 night stay kaingo-mwamba gave us a little discount so I do not want to jeopardize that. Every little bit helps.

I do expect this to be a really great trip.

mpkp,

Just curious...how much of a discount did you receive for your 6 night stay?

E-mail me if you prefer.

You are doing the right thing by extending your stay to 3 nights at Puku Ridge.

Thanks.

did you receive my email?

mpkp,

No, I did not. I see that the problem may that the underscore sign _ may not be visible when looking at my e-mail adress on Fodors.

My e-mail address is [email protected]

Please try again.

Thanks. :)