please help with final camp decision for Botswana
 

Hello, everyone!

We're getting closer to finally booking our entire safari for March 20, 2007 to April 3, 2007. The first half is all set, with time in South Africa in Hluhluwe, plus two nights at Vic Falls. The final aspect of the safari is six nights in Botswana, to be split into two camps. Herein lies the quandery:

We are pretty certain, given the time of year we'll be visiting, that we'll stay three nights at Chittabe Trails, but we're at a loss as to where to go for the other three nights to maximize our game viewing, particularly of predators, most especially lions. It's the sounds of the bush, the hippos, the lions and leopards, that I am most interested in; to fall asleep to the sounds of hippos munching, baboons making a racket, elephants in camp, leopards and lions vocalizing, that's what i dream about.

We've been told that King's Pool would be particularly good for this, especially the hippos there, but we've also been told that the Linyanti at this time of year is not necessarily going to offer the best game viewing opportunities. Is this tru of all the Linyanti, or just King's Pool? If the Linyanti is not the best place to visit, then we're open to other suggestions.

Vumbura Plains and Little vumbura have been offered as an alternative to the Linyanti. Any thoughts on these? What about Duba Plains? Must we discount the Linyanti?

Thanks for any help you can all provide. I learn so much from this board!

Lisa

Lisa,

If you are interested in lions: Duba Plains is the place to be. I'll be there too in April 2007.

If you stay with Wilderness Safaris I think Little Vumbura should be nice. One of the general managers told me in May 2006 that the gameviewing was even better in Vumbura than at Mombo for the last couple of months.

Is there any reason why you want to go to Chitabe that time of year?

I would actually go to Little Vumbura and Duba Plains if I was you.

Gameviewing at the Linyanti won't normally be as good as in the two camps I mentioned that time of year.

Greetings,

Johan

Johan:

One of the reasons we chose Chittabe Trails as one of our camps is because people have said that, at the time of year we're going, Chittabe is a good choice for maximizing predator game viewing. There is also the Walking Trails camp where we can sleep out in a hide, and we've been told that the range of game we might see is quite broad. I also have heard from people that there may be a good chance of hearing lions, although I don't know about hippos.

Originally, we wanted to visit the different regions of Botswana--a camp in the Linyanti, a land camp in the Delta, and then one that focused on some wateractivities, although not exclusively. We then decided to only do two camps, for three nights each, and the Linyanti wasn't coming as highly recommended for our time of year.

Do you have any thoughts why Chittabe Trails would not be a good choice? Are not Duba Plains and Little Vumbura both on the same concession? Do you think that perhaps choosing one of them, and then Chittabe Trails would give us a little more diversity? If you could choose only one of the camps, Duba or LV, which would you choose, and why? What other camp would you add on, as your second choice,given the travel dates and desire for good game listening?

Thanks for your assistance so far...it's very much apreciated.

Lisa,

If you finish your Botswana component of the trip on/before March 31, you will have much better pricing than first wk of april.

Also, Johan's suggestion of this time period of inactivity in the Kings Pool area must be considered. End March is a terrible time of the year for game viewing in KP.....most of the game is deep inside the inaccessible mopane forests.

Hari

Johan: Hi! Vumbura area has more game activity compared to Mombo at the moment? WOW!!! I would've thought most of the area is under water with the floods??? Thanks

Lisa,

Little Vumbura (NG22) and Duba Plains (NG23) are next to each other.

Although when staying in Vumbura you can't drive in the area of Duba or vice versa.

Duba plains is mainly about lions vs buffalos where Vumbura has a more varied gameviewing (is normally good for cheetah/sable antelope).

If your main intrest are lions, I would say go to Duba Plains because its reputation is well-earned. In any other case, opt for Little Vumbura.

If you want hear game at night, it can be heard everywhere. I don't know why Chitabe/Chitabe Trails should have a good tracking record for hearing lions that time of year.

I have been there in the past, and hearing lions roar wasn't better than anywhere else. Gameviewing was extremely good but I am going there always end of June. If you are considering Chitabe that time of year, ask the opinion of someone like Mike Myers at Wilderness Safaris (can normally be done through your travel agent).

My preferred camps that time of year would be: Duba Plains/Little Vumbura/Mombo. And if you are considering other companies: I would say: Chief's camp is very good that time of year.

Walking is normally at its best when grasses are short. And normally in March/April that isn't the case.

Hari, one spoke about the past months not about this time of year.

Greetings,

Johan

Johan,

Oh, ok that makes sense.......thanks

Hari

Johan:

You've certainly given me more food for thought.

Can you tell me: would you stay at Vumbura Plains or Little Vumbura? I am aware of the price difference, but setting that aside, which would you recommend, and why?

Also, now focusing on hippos, would I find any at Duba Plains? Where would i most likely be able to hear them, particularly at night?

Hari:

Thanks for the info about bricing. Yesk we are aware of that, and will have most of our nights before the end of March. I think we have one on the first night of April though.

Thanks to both of you for your assistance.

Lisa

Lisa,

I heard hippos at night at Litlle Vumbura/Pom Pom/Baines. They were just grazing next to my tent.

You can of course see hippos at duba plains.

My best photographs of hippos were all taken in the last hour before sunset. You have excellent chances to see hippos yawning then.

In Chitabe they tend to go in the morning to watch the hippos at the Gomoti channel but then the sun is in the wrong direction. So if you are going to Chitabe you'll have to ask to go in the afternoon.

I haven't been to Vumbura Plains. But because you can drive in the entire concession I would opt for little Vumbura unless you want real luxury in the bush.

Best regards,


Johan

Johan:

That's great information about the hippos, when to see them, and how to see them at Chittabe. This is why I llove the board; there is always so much valuable information that can only be gleaned through experience.

You mentioned you had spent some time at Chittabe. It doesn't seem to be at the top of your list. Would you be willing to share your thoughts on this camp, why you do or do not prefer it alongside others?

I may have to start a new thread on the board, taking votes as to which camps we should choose! :-) We were quite certain about Chittabe Trails, but now after hearing from you, we are back to rethinking again. At this point, with the Linyanti not a good spot in late March, we are considering Chittabe Trails, Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura and now Duba Plains. We can only pick two. Joha, I think your vote is for LV and Duba Plains. Noted. Tell me, why not Chittabe, though, just so I get the whole picture. Thanks.

I think the most important things for us in choosing our camps are having wildlife freely roaming through the camp, hearing the sounds of the bush up close and personal, particularly those lions, leopards and hippos, and having the sense that we are part of the bush, not merely observers. I love the idea of hippos grazing right outside my tent. I think we'd love Mombo, but it's out of our price range!

Please keep your thoughts and ideas coming; we need all the help we can get.

Lisa

Lisa,

About wildlife roaming thru the camp and hearing sounds at night. They happen at most Botswana camps, including everyone on your list of probables......you hear lions roaring at night at virtually every camp. You get a clear loud sound, even when they are 5 miles away. At a lot of places, the pride males are patrolling their territories at night and stroll around and roar etc etc.,

Elephants, there's a chance of them feeding around the trees in camp both day and night.

Hear hippos at night....could happen in a lot of areas.

About Chitabe, i am thinking Johan gave you specific recommendations for that particular time of the year, end March early April....

Hari

About taking votes for favourite camps, my absolute fav in Botswana is Lebala operated by Kwando safaris. However, end March may not be the best time there.......

Hari

Lisa,

Like Hari told you I was giving you my preferred camps at that time of year.

I'll give you my recommendations of camps I would like to visit at certain times of year:

- March/April: Chief's camp;
Mombo;
Duba Plains;
Little Vumbura

- June: Selinda;
Lebala;
Chitabe/Chitabe trails;
Mombo;
Jacana/Kwetsani (mainly
boating)
Baines

- September/October: Savuti;
Lebala;
Duba Plains;
Little Vumbura;
Mombo;
Kwara;
Chobe Chilwero;

- December: Chief's camp;
Mombo;
Xigera (birding);
Kwara

Chitabe trails is a very nice camp and Kenny, who's managing it is a wonderful person. But I think Duba Plains and Little Vumbura has more to offer in terms of predator viewing in March/April then Chitabe/Chitabe trails.

Best regards,

Johan

I have been lurking and reading for weeks and need to also make final decisions. WE are going to Botswana hopefully mid June 2007. We are looking at Stanley's , Kings Pool and Chief's Camp. Do you think these are the right camps for this time of year? That is my biggest question. We want nice camps but are not able to afford the prices at Mombo. Chitabe and Selinda have been suggested also. We have about 9 days in Botswana because we have a few in Cape Town and probably 1-2 in Victoria Falls.
Thanks

spiegelcjs,

Be advised of the seasonal pricing as this may save you some serious money.

Wilderness' High Season begins on June 15th (it was formerly July 01st)

Sanctuary's High Season begins on July 01st

Kwando's High Season begins on June 01st.

2007 Pricing For Chiefs:

Shoulder Season (until June 30th) is $635 per person per night sharing.

High Season (July 01st - Oct. 31st) is $1,060 per person sharing.

Rocco

Thanks for this information. I seem to remember that you have now started in the travel business. If you were picking camps for June with an emphasis on the big 5 and especially predators and elephants, where would you stay. I am really hoping for June to take advantage of the pricing but I have to use FF miles and I am starting to call on July 5 for this. Should we stick to one company and is there a discount if you do. What lodges would you suggest from Santuary and Wilderness, because we are not going to go in May.

Spiegeljcs,

End june/early July isnt a great time at Chief's camp due to water levels from the floods, however, will be very good at Mombo.....as it is thru the year.

Chitabe/Selinda works very well for predators in June. You wont find huge volume of elephants anywhere until late in the dry season. i.e., Sept thru early Nov.

No rhino anywhere except chief's island.

Hari

Johan - Why did you not put Kwara into one of your favorites for June?

spiegelcjs,

Very few companies offer more than a 5% long stay discount. Don't be fooled by operators that offer more than a 5% discount for long stay...chances are they are just trying to get you to go with a longer package. My own opinion is that 5% is not enough incentive to stay with a single safari operator if you would really like to experience a variety of operators be it Wilderness, Kwando, Sanctuary or another.

Kwara is still nice but other camps offer better gameviewing that time of year.

It seemed to me that some places couldn't be reached that time of year due to the floods.

Best regards,

Johan

Johan.....i'm hoping Kwara dries out a little by the time i get there....i think around August 28th....that gives the area almost 3 whole months to dry out!!!

Hari