Hi all - I got some great comments about my solo trip to Botswana for late Aug to early Sept 2011 a couple of weeks ago. I've contacted a few more TA based on the feedback I got. I'm interested in a trip Africa Adventure Company has put together based on what I said I wanted. But having never been to Bots I would like comments on the specific locations for the time of year. My main goal is to see lots and lots of animals. Birds are fine, but my focus is mammals - especially big cats. What are the chances of cats at these locations?

I'd also love specific comments on the camps because I am not locked into anything and can ask for changes. I like this trip because I would fly between all camps - no long road transfers.

JoBurg - stay near the airport at Southern Sun OR Tambo International Hotel
Day 2 - fly to Zimbabwe, stay at Matetsi Water Lodge, visit Vic Falls
Day 3 - road transfer to Kasane to clear customs, enter Bots
fly to the Linyanti-Savute concession, 3 nights at Savuti Camp
Day 6 - fly to Jao concession area on the western side of Moremi,
3 nights at Kwetsani Camp
Day 9- fly to Okavango, 3 nights at Chitabe Main Camp
Day 12 - fly to Maun and then on home

I found some very old posts on Fodor's about Kwetsani camp (I think from 03 and earlier) and the consensus back then didn't seem that positive about this camp. Where else would be good as a substitute? Chief's camp? Other?

Thanks everyone - Jean

All this reminds me, any one who follows closely the Bots scene, what's going with the Savuti channel these days? Is it suspected to continue its 20 year cycle of flooding? And if so, what impact does that have on camps like Savuti, Chitabe?

regards - tom

Sorry Cat - I haven't been to any of those camps, so I can't help. But you have 3 different areas, and three nights each. All good. I hope someone can be more help, and tom brings up a good point with the water levels.

It looks like a lovely trip. It's entirely different from where you started!

These are all Wilderness Camps. Rather than Kwetsani you may consider Tubu Tree (still in Jao) or Mombo (one of only a few camps where you can see rhino and very good for leopard). Go to the Wilderness website and look at the game sighting reports under the various camps.

Here is one of the many game reports that they have.

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ne...newsItem=20610

We stayed at Savuti and at Chitabe in early June this year. Both were excellent with good game viewing, accommodation and hosting. At Savuti we had good sightings of cheetah, leopard and one immature male lion. Also saw a pack of wild dog, and most of the herbivores, including sable.

At Chitabe we had leopard and lion (2m, 3f) plus wild dog.

We also stayed at Tubu Tree in the Jao concession, and due to the heavy flooding saw no cats, although other guests had good leopard sightings.

Oddly enough saw no buffalo on this trip.

We stayed at Kwetsani in early Sept.07. A beautiful camp with great accommodation and views, but the flood had only partially receded, so game viewing was marginal.

If mammal sightings are your no.1 priority consider switching from Kwetsani to Tubu Tree

Thanks Connor and Almac - that is good to know about the flooding. I will try to get more info on this before making a decision. It sounds like even Tubu Tree could be pretty flooded??

I know people seem to love Mombo from what I've read on Fodor's but don't know if I can afford that camp. This trip is already pretty expensive!!

Cristabir - yes, I've looked at lots of possibilities in the past couple of weeks, and am moving away from the small group tour to an independent trip. Actually it will probably only be a little more expensive but will free me up not to be stuck with the same people in case there were compatability issues.

jean

Have you considered Duba Plains? I don't know what the situation is now, but Sept 2006 there were 400 buffalo and lions, lions, lions. It was fantastic, but not a lot of other animals. The Joubert documentary Relentless Enemies was filmed there. We loved the staff - so nice.

Little Vumbura is the sister camp of "over the top" Vumbura Plains. We did boats, mekoro and game drives there. Maybe a good alternative to Kwetsani?

Mombo is on my list if I hit Lotto.

We've stayed at both JNB hotels. Intcont'l is walking distance, Sun is a shuttle. Sun will save you a few dollars, intcont'l a little more convenient. Both have restaurant and bar.

Little Vumbura would be a good substitute for Mombo if budget is a concern. You could go in a different direction.....

Little Kwara (excellent for lion and cheetah. Also and this is a key point, it is truly a wet/dry camp as it sits next to permanent water)
Lagoon Kwando (most reliable for dog sightings and excellent cheetah. Loads of elephant & buffalo during Sept. Is also being refurbished/rebuilt as I type)
Chitabe (after Mombo the best chance to see leopard)

Little Kwara and Lagoon are Kwando camps (http://www.kwando.co.za/) and are renowned for their tracking and guiding. A little less polished than Chitabe (a Wilderness Camp) but still luxury in my book but may be different than yours.

To me this selection of camps would provide the ultimate predator safari if Mombo couldn't be added. Be aware mixing the two companies will more than likely increase the price.

Thanks Connor! Little Kwara looks like a good possibility for me. I've asked the TAs to check out the places you mentioned for me and give me quotes.

We loved Chitable. We saw an after lion kill of a buffalo with a leopard in the background waiting for the lions to leave. We also loved King's Pool where we saw wild dogs.

I have never been to Botswana or anywhere else in Africa for that matter, planning my 1st trip there in Dec 2011 so I might not add any value in terms of which camp.

My only question is why do you have Matetsi there? Its a great lodge, I went for it at first too but since my prime reason for being in Zimbabwe & Zambia ( in this trip) was the Vic Falls and since I am going in Dec when it wont be gushing and spraying and roaring like middle of the year, I went for both sides of it in order to ensure proximity from the Zimbabwe side ( which is better in Dec) and enjoy a cpl of nights in (what i perceive to be )a good lodge.( just qualifying my reasons as everyone will have different priorities).

Now coming back to Matetsi- it is roughly 40-45 km away from the Falls ( takes anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes depending on who you ask and which site you google), the lodge has a complimentary bus service that leaves everyday at 11 AM from the lodge and leaves Vic Falls for the lodge at 2:30 pm (this is done to accomodate the 2 gamedrives everyday with the vic fall trip). Anything else you would have to pay extra for transport and depending on who you do it with they might charge you twice ( logic being they have to come alone one way to pick you up from Matetsi- though i would think thats totally b/s if someone quotes USD120 for this). It didnt work for me as I wanted to be at Vic Falls for sunrise, for sunset, chopper rides, microlights (etc etc etc).

If you are looking at proximity to Vic Falls- my personal choice would be either the Vic Falls Hotel or Ilala lodge ( I chose the latter on the Zimbabwe side- both 1 km from the falls with the former having a private pathway to the falls-gates to falls open at 6 am) and if you want some kind of lodge/camp kind experience (but happy without abundant game) then you could look at other options. I am still undecided between Tongabezi & Toka Leya both Zambia side, 10 km from Vic Falls) and hoping for divine intervention now to tie this last end.

Cheers

Hi Tanya - I am indeed staying at Matetsi Lodge, based in part on the travel agent's recommendation. I'm interested in seeing the falls, then moving on from the area. Not interested in helicopter ride etc. Matetsi, though a bit of a drive, sounded interesting for several reasons - near a river, see animals right there, quiet and away from the hub of Vic Falls, game drive, etc.
So I think (for me) it is worth a bit of a drive to get there. Plus it's the only &Beyond property I'll be staying at and I think it'll be nice.

My now locked in itinerary in late Aug and early Sept 2011 (via Africa Adventure Company) for anyone interested is:

JBurg 1 night at Southern Sun Hotel near airport
Fly to Vic Falls and 1 night at Matetsi Lodge
Road transfer to Kasane and then fly to
Banoka Bush Camp - 3 nights
Fly to Chitabe Camp - 3 nights (birthday celebration for me here!)
FLy to Duma Tau - 3 nights
Fly to Maun and then on to JBurg and then on home.


I'm very excited about my first trip to Botswana

Cate - you'll have to let us know all about Banoka. It's new, in a great spot (and more "affordable). I hope it lives up to its promise. Sounds like a perfect itinerary. Word of warning - you're going to be hooked!

Christa - yeah yeah!!! Can't wait. What I found out about Banoka since our last "chat" was that they do night drives like other camps. Off road is "allowed" but like other camps they don't do it very often to help preserve the environment, protect animals etc. I'll let you know how it is for sure

Hey Cateye

Yeah you will enjoy Matetsi itself as a lodge. Your itinerary looks good, I am going in Dec 2011 and would be visiting Chitabe and Banoka then! will post my final itinerary soon. Keep us updated about your trip!