Need to Chose Camp in Botswana ASAP!
 

Hi all,

Going last minute to South Africa in December. Of course having trouble with availability for safari on the dates I want. Decided to check on Bots where I have never been and there is availability at the following camps:

And Beyond's Xudum

Sanctuary's Stanley's

Wilderness' Abu Camp

Wilderness Jacana

Reviews on TA are mixed at best for all camps. People love and people don't like, so it's confusing. Abundant game is important, though I'm aware of the major differences in relation to Sabi Sand, comfortable environment and great food, and fun for my kids who have done numerous safaris in SA, Kenya and Tanzania.

Thoughts? I have to tell them quick and in a hurry.

By the way, I'm leaning towards Stanley's. Not the most luxurious but TA folks have decent things to say about the game.

But want to hear from you!

Thank you!

I ended up going with And Beyond's Xudum Camp. I had to choose quickly and I've stayed at other properties owned by this outfitter. No one replied but I thought I would let you know!

Are you keen on gameviewing?

if so, Xudum is far away from your best option - it's a wet water camp.

If you want luxury and very good game viewing in the delta look to one of the following - Vumbura plains/Little vumbura; Chitabe; Chitabe Lediba

No luxury - but, very Superb game viewing - Little Kwara/ kwara.

I had excellent game viewing at Stanley's but this was about 6 years ago...sorry did not see this earlier.

Hi all --

Just wanted to come back and let you know that we had an amazing time at Xudum.

The camp is beautiful, the staff are amazing and the rooms are tremendous. The space is more than ample with a viewing deck on the lower and higher levels. Fabulous indoor and outdoor showers and plenty of other space. The food is worth mentioning as the chefs in the open kitchen come up with many memorable creations.

I know that there is a lot of talk about the game viewing but I am here to tell you that it is prolific. While it is not the Serengeti, Sabi Sand or the Crater, all of which I have been to, it is still an amazing Delta experience.

The Delta was not flooded at Christmas, but still had enough water to experience the adventure of rushing through the water in our safari vehicle and taking an idyllic mokoro ride through the waters.

In terms of game, we saw it all...lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, hippo, zebra, wildebeest, etc. And we saw the most amazing two hour pack of wild dog and pack of mother Rhone encounters that we will ever see in our lives. It was the mothers protecting their cubs against the ravenous wild dogs. Just astonishing!

As a mother of small kids, they also went out of their way to create an amazing Christmas morning for my kids. But the most important thing to say is that it is understandable to do other parts of the Delta or Botswana, but do not be shy of this lodge based on the animal viewing reviews. It is a really special place.

We also had an amazing time ringing in the New Year at the Cape Grace in Capetown and enjoying the fabulous music and entertainment on the V&A Waterfront.

It was a great trip and Xudum helped to make it so.

Take care.

Thanks for the update