Please rate your favorite Botswana camps in order...
Jun 27th, 2005, 05:12 AM
#21
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1. Kwara
2. Lebala
3. Lagoon
4. Stanleys
5. Chiefs
Kwara because of the location, staff, guides and sightings.
Lebala because of the sightings ( 5 species of cats in one drive!), food and staff.
Lagoon for the excellent sightings of dogs and the beautiful location
Stanleys for the elephant activity, excellent management (relief managers and sightings for the quality of the game.
Chiefs for lots of game, great food and nice rooms negative in terms of management
2. Lebala
3. Lagoon
4. Stanleys
5. Chiefs
Kwara because of the location, staff, guides and sightings.
Lebala because of the sightings ( 5 species of cats in one drive!), food and staff.
Lagoon for the excellent sightings of dogs and the beautiful location
Stanleys for the elephant activity, excellent management (relief managers and sightings for the quality of the game.
Chiefs for lots of game, great food and nice rooms negative in terms of management
Jun 27th, 2005, 06:07 AM
#22
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Lynn
I was at Chiefs in October 2003. I rated #1 of my Botswana camps so far, because of the game quality, followed, by camp facilities and food. When I was there, the management was excellent and our guide - Jonathan - was among the best we have had. I gave it the edge over Savuti on accomodations, food and management. The game at Savuti may have a small edge for a more experienced traveller, because of the diversity of nocturnal game seen in the channel (Aardwolf, very relaxed and really close) and the hide (depends on time of year).
I was at Chiefs in October 2003. I rated #1 of my Botswana camps so far, because of the game quality, followed, by camp facilities and food. When I was there, the management was excellent and our guide - Jonathan - was among the best we have had. I gave it the edge over Savuti on accomodations, food and management. The game at Savuti may have a small edge for a more experienced traveller, because of the diversity of nocturnal game seen in the channel (Aardwolf, very relaxed and really close) and the hide (depends on time of year).
Jun 27th, 2005, 06:22 AM
#23
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How else can I say this???
I HATE YOU ALL!
MV, now you have really confused me, as have you NapaMatt with your recent comments.
I mean if MV finds Kwara to be his #1 destination then what will an experience at the new Kwara Island be like, with its maximum capacity of eight guests?
Also, there seems to be some solid support for Chiefs Camp, and it will be less than half the price of Mombo.
Lebala is supposed to be great for wild dogs, and with the more recent commentary, I am favoring Savuti and its incredible elephant hide over Duma Tau. I will likely go now in late June, and by then I would expect plenty of action around the elephant hide.
There are just so many camps that are MUST SEES yet there is not enough time or money available.
The ones I want most, however, remain:
Little Mombo (love that max capacity of six guests and its location)
Kwara Island Camp (love that max capacity of eight guests and this will be Kwando's new flagship lodge, it seems, so they will be out to impress)
Duba Plains (I was watching that link to the website with all the videos of the lodge, and if the Duba Plains manager is to be believed, lion attacks of buffalo are witnessed on a daily basis)
Vumbura Plains (what a beautiful camp in a great location...hopefully it is not yearround high pricing like Mombo)
Savuti (that elephant hide is just incredible and I imagine it will lead to great photo opps)
Lebala (where better for Wild Dogs?)
Kwetsani (As much as I want to visit this camp, and as strong a reputation it holds, which Moremi camp above it would I give up? This may be the odd man out for this year unless Vumbura Plains is yearround high pricing)
Lagoon (another excellent place for wild dog spottings, even if it would only rank a 5-minus on the WS chart)
There are other great camps like Duma Tau, Kings Pool and Tubu Tree, but these areas are all being serviced by alternate lodges above. The glaring absence would likely be Chitabe, but it just seems further away from the other camps and despite its wild dog possibilities, I do not find this area particularly attractive. Until this season there was trophy hunting that occurred very close to Chitabe, if I am not mistaken.
Thanks for all the excellent feedback.
I HATE YOU ALL!
MV, now you have really confused me, as have you NapaMatt with your recent comments.
I mean if MV finds Kwara to be his #1 destination then what will an experience at the new Kwara Island be like, with its maximum capacity of eight guests?
Also, there seems to be some solid support for Chiefs Camp, and it will be less than half the price of Mombo.
Lebala is supposed to be great for wild dogs, and with the more recent commentary, I am favoring Savuti and its incredible elephant hide over Duma Tau. I will likely go now in late June, and by then I would expect plenty of action around the elephant hide.
There are just so many camps that are MUST SEES yet there is not enough time or money available.
The ones I want most, however, remain:
Little Mombo (love that max capacity of six guests and its location)
Kwara Island Camp (love that max capacity of eight guests and this will be Kwando's new flagship lodge, it seems, so they will be out to impress)
Duba Plains (I was watching that link to the website with all the videos of the lodge, and if the Duba Plains manager is to be believed, lion attacks of buffalo are witnessed on a daily basis)
Vumbura Plains (what a beautiful camp in a great location...hopefully it is not yearround high pricing like Mombo)
Savuti (that elephant hide is just incredible and I imagine it will lead to great photo opps)
Lebala (where better for Wild Dogs?)
Kwetsani (As much as I want to visit this camp, and as strong a reputation it holds, which Moremi camp above it would I give up? This may be the odd man out for this year unless Vumbura Plains is yearround high pricing)
Lagoon (another excellent place for wild dog spottings, even if it would only rank a 5-minus on the WS chart)
There are other great camps like Duma Tau, Kings Pool and Tubu Tree, but these areas are all being serviced by alternate lodges above. The glaring absence would likely be Chitabe, but it just seems further away from the other camps and despite its wild dog possibilities, I do not find this area particularly attractive. Until this season there was trophy hunting that occurred very close to Chitabe, if I am not mistaken.
Thanks for all the excellent feedback.
Jun 27th, 2005, 06:28 AM
#24
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Rocco
Firstly you must take into account that none of us that have responded have been to all of the camps mentioned. That means none of us can fairly compare our own favourite camp to someone else's favourite.
Secondly, I seem to recall that you weren't as enthused about water activities as land ones (though I may be thinking of someone else's feedback) in which case, Ketswani may indeed be one to drop. You can always select a camp such as Tubu Tree, which, depending on time of year, can also offer some water activities alongside it's regular land ones.
At the end of the day, you won't be able to know all the factors about all the camps - you just have to go with your instinct and preferences given what you know so far. There is no definitive answer to this kind of thing and the key thing is that, whichever camps you choose at this stage, you know enough about each to know that you'll enjoy the experience.
No one can know whether you'd have enjoyed another camp better and it's not like you're deciding blind so... go with the flow and make a decision.
Regardless of how much time you put into this, you can never take into account things like staffing changes, unusual weather/ climate/ water levels for the season, the unpredictability of wildlife. On the other hand you can drive yourself crazy trying to.
Firstly you must take into account that none of us that have responded have been to all of the camps mentioned. That means none of us can fairly compare our own favourite camp to someone else's favourite.
Secondly, I seem to recall that you weren't as enthused about water activities as land ones (though I may be thinking of someone else's feedback) in which case, Ketswani may indeed be one to drop. You can always select a camp such as Tubu Tree, which, depending on time of year, can also offer some water activities alongside it's regular land ones.
At the end of the day, you won't be able to know all the factors about all the camps - you just have to go with your instinct and preferences given what you know so far. There is no definitive answer to this kind of thing and the key thing is that, whichever camps you choose at this stage, you know enough about each to know that you'll enjoy the experience.
No one can know whether you'd have enjoyed another camp better and it's not like you're deciding blind so... go with the flow and make a decision.
Regardless of how much time you put into this, you can never take into account things like staffing changes, unusual weather/ climate/ water levels for the season, the unpredictability of wildlife. On the other hand you can drive yourself crazy trying to.
Jun 27th, 2005, 07:31 AM
#25
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Roccco, you are going to drive yourself crazy trying to pick the "perfect" itinerary!
At some point, I think selecting the "best" camps is kind of misleading-- I guess we can talk about out best experiences at camps, but unless there is some assurance that animal behavior, environmental & weather conditions, and camp staffing are stable over the course of a year and year to year (AND THEY EMPHATICALLY ARE NOT!!!) these things change too much to do a hard ranking~!
I note that most of these posts don't mention WHEN they were at this camp, either by year or month. (Some people say Duma Tau had the best chef & service...I say the worst. We are probably both right...but staffing changed. It will change again, too. Almost definitely before you get there.)
In addition to all those things which cause changes, people can only rank a camp against the other camps they have visited and most people have not visited that many...and they certainly can't compare across time! (How do you rank Duma Tau in June vs. Tubu in July vs Chitabe in August? You would need a huge multidimensional data base...Arghhhh!)
Finally there is the issue of personal expectation...at one camp I met a couple going to Chitabe later in their trip, for one day. I met them again on the flight out of Botswana and asked "how was Chitabe?" "I was a bit disappointed in the game viewing." "What did you see?" (Remember, they were only there for one day.) "Some cheetah. Pack of Wild Dog. Leopard in a tree with a kill during the day." "Good grief, why were you disappointed?" " We didn't see enough lion. There were only a couple and they weren't doing anything."
Or in Zambia, one day we came back from a drive where we'd seen a pack of wild dog. We were nervous because the other vehicle from the lodge had been too far away to get to the pack, and we were afraid they would feel bad. They asked, "What did you see?" We answered rather sheepishly "Pack of Wild Dog". "Oh, so you didn't see anything either."
Everyone's expectations, preferences and criteria are so different~!
At some point, I think selecting the "best" camps is kind of misleading-- I guess we can talk about out best experiences at camps, but unless there is some assurance that animal behavior, environmental & weather conditions, and camp staffing are stable over the course of a year and year to year (AND THEY EMPHATICALLY ARE NOT!!!) these things change too much to do a hard ranking~!
I note that most of these posts don't mention WHEN they were at this camp, either by year or month. (Some people say Duma Tau had the best chef & service...I say the worst. We are probably both right...but staffing changed. It will change again, too. Almost definitely before you get there.)
In addition to all those things which cause changes, people can only rank a camp against the other camps they have visited and most people have not visited that many...and they certainly can't compare across time! (How do you rank Duma Tau in June vs. Tubu in July vs Chitabe in August? You would need a huge multidimensional data base...Arghhhh!)
Finally there is the issue of personal expectation...at one camp I met a couple going to Chitabe later in their trip, for one day. I met them again on the flight out of Botswana and asked "how was Chitabe?" "I was a bit disappointed in the game viewing." "What did you see?" (Remember, they were only there for one day.) "Some cheetah. Pack of Wild Dog. Leopard in a tree with a kill during the day." "Good grief, why were you disappointed?" " We didn't see enough lion. There were only a couple and they weren't doing anything."
Or in Zambia, one day we came back from a drive where we'd seen a pack of wild dog. We were nervous because the other vehicle from the lodge had been too far away to get to the pack, and we were afraid they would feel bad. They asked, "What did you see?" We answered rather sheepishly "Pack of Wild Dog". "Oh, so you didn't see anything either."
Everyone's expectations, preferences and criteria are so different~!
Jun 27th, 2005, 08:31 AM
#27
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Rocco - dude!
Sorry to confuse you, but all I did was elaborate on why I gave Chiefs the edge over Savuti. I did qualify my game comments by saying that Savuti had a greater variety of unusual mammal sightings and of course the hide. My edge to Chiefs was for general game, beauty of surroundings (Simbira may be the most beautiful place in the world, and I live in the Napa Valley, which isnt too shabby) and for the fact that we felt like we were at home, I did not get that feeling at Savuti. Had I ranked the camps on a number of criteria separately, then there would have been much more information. All of it subjective, time sensitive and therefore of limited value.
Sorry to confuse you, but all I did was elaborate on why I gave Chiefs the edge over Savuti. I did qualify my game comments by saying that Savuti had a greater variety of unusual mammal sightings and of course the hide. My edge to Chiefs was for general game, beauty of surroundings (Simbira may be the most beautiful place in the world, and I live in the Napa Valley, which isnt too shabby) and for the fact that we felt like we were at home, I did not get that feeling at Savuti. Had I ranked the camps on a number of criteria separately, then there would have been much more information. All of it subjective, time sensitive and therefore of limited value.
Jun 27th, 2005, 11:01 AM
#28
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Confused, who is confused?
I know exactly what I want (for the next few minutes)
Kwando Lebala (3)
Savuti (3)
Vumbura Plains (3)
Little Mombo (3)
Kwando Kwara Island Camp (3)
I hope Kwara Island becomes a reality because I had heard about a place called Tsum Tsum that was supposed to open for Kwando that never did. But, if they opened a luxury camp with only four tents, I would be there in a heartbeat. I really don't want to end my safari with only game drives when there is so much more variety available at Kwara (double decker boats, morning and night game drives, walking safaris, etc.).
I know exactly what I want (for the next few minutes)
Kwando Lebala (3)
Savuti (3)
Vumbura Plains (3)
Little Mombo (3)
Kwando Kwara Island Camp (3)
I hope Kwara Island becomes a reality because I had heard about a place called Tsum Tsum that was supposed to open for Kwando that never did. But, if they opened a luxury camp with only four tents, I would be there in a heartbeat. I really don't want to end my safari with only game drives when there is so much more variety available at Kwara (double decker boats, morning and night game drives, walking safaris, etc.).
Jun 27th, 2005, 11:26 AM
#30
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Tasha,
>>>Finally there is the issue of personal expectation...at one camp I met a couple going to Chitabe later in their trip, for one day. I met them again on the flight out of Botswana and asked "how was Chitabe?" "I was a bit disappointed in the game viewing." "What did you see?" (Remember, they were only there for one day.) "Some cheetah. Pack of Wild Dog. Leopard in a tree with a kill during the day." "Good grief, why were you disappointed?" " We didn't see enough lion. There were only a couple and they weren't doing anything."
Or in Zambia, one day we came back from a drive where we'd seen a pack of wild dog. We were nervous because the other vehicle from the lodge had been too far away to get to the pack, and we were afraid they would feel bad. They asked, "What did you see?" We answered rather sheepishly "Pack of Wild Dog". "Oh, so you didn't see anything either." <<<
Although I am not a violent individual, I would like to try my hand at a bit of violence with these people that you mentioned!!!
My God...each of them saw Wild Dog yet had the least appreciation for these sightings. Last time I checked, there were about 8 lions remaining in the wild for each wild dog...wild dogs are even rarer than cheetahs! What did they think that the local Humane Society had a jail break and there were just a few mutts on the loose?
These people do not deserve to be in Africa, at least not beyond the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Hope they were SO DISAPPOINTED with their "lack" of gameviewing that they do not return to Botswana or ever visit Zambia.
Except for when I have seen hundreds of impalas or pukus on a given day, there are very few wildlife spottings that I do not appreciate.
63 days and counting, 63 days and counting, 63 days and counting......................
>>>Finally there is the issue of personal expectation...at one camp I met a couple going to Chitabe later in their trip, for one day. I met them again on the flight out of Botswana and asked "how was Chitabe?" "I was a bit disappointed in the game viewing." "What did you see?" (Remember, they were only there for one day.) "Some cheetah. Pack of Wild Dog. Leopard in a tree with a kill during the day." "Good grief, why were you disappointed?" " We didn't see enough lion. There were only a couple and they weren't doing anything."
Or in Zambia, one day we came back from a drive where we'd seen a pack of wild dog. We were nervous because the other vehicle from the lodge had been too far away to get to the pack, and we were afraid they would feel bad. They asked, "What did you see?" We answered rather sheepishly "Pack of Wild Dog". "Oh, so you didn't see anything either." <<<
Although I am not a violent individual, I would like to try my hand at a bit of violence with these people that you mentioned!!!
My God...each of them saw Wild Dog yet had the least appreciation for these sightings. Last time I checked, there were about 8 lions remaining in the wild for each wild dog...wild dogs are even rarer than cheetahs! What did they think that the local Humane Society had a jail break and there were just a few mutts on the loose?
These people do not deserve to be in Africa, at least not beyond the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Hope they were SO DISAPPOINTED with their "lack" of gameviewing that they do not return to Botswana or ever visit Zambia.
Except for when I have seen hundreds of impalas or pukus on a given day, there are very few wildlife spottings that I do not appreciate.
63 days and counting, 63 days and counting, 63 days and counting......................
Jun 27th, 2005, 01:21 PM
#31
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Lynn
Chiefs October 2003
Lions on a giraffe kill half a mile from camp. Three males, three females, four cubs. Plus mating.
Pride of 13 Lions all lying in a heap.
2 of the three males following a pride of 6 that they did not have under control.
Cheetah - two males.
Leopard - two males having a territorial dispute. Female in a tree.
We missed by moments, a female carrying a tiny cub to a new hideout - we heard the cub mewing in a thicket. The other vehicle got some photos, though becasue they didn't have decent camera's they weren't very good.
Elephants - lots including a group who charged us.
Buffalo - lots.
Rhino - 3 white recently introduced. One sauntered right past our tent just before 6am.
Tons of general game right outside our tent and at the water hole in front of camp.
Great birds including Wattled Crane, Long toed Plover, Slaty Egret and Crimson breasted Shrike (first time unusuals).
Almost 30 giraffe together!
Also black backed Jackal, Hyena, Baboons.
Chiefs October 2003
Lions on a giraffe kill half a mile from camp. Three males, three females, four cubs. Plus mating.
Pride of 13 Lions all lying in a heap.
2 of the three males following a pride of 6 that they did not have under control.
Cheetah - two males.
Leopard - two males having a territorial dispute. Female in a tree.
We missed by moments, a female carrying a tiny cub to a new hideout - we heard the cub mewing in a thicket. The other vehicle got some photos, though becasue they didn't have decent camera's they weren't very good.
Elephants - lots including a group who charged us.
Buffalo - lots.
Rhino - 3 white recently introduced. One sauntered right past our tent just before 6am.
Tons of general game right outside our tent and at the water hole in front of camp.
Great birds including Wattled Crane, Long toed Plover, Slaty Egret and Crimson breasted Shrike (first time unusuals).
Almost 30 giraffe together!
Also black backed Jackal, Hyena, Baboons.
Jun 27th, 2005, 03:50 PM
#32
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Hey matt,
Do you know if Chief's vehicles traverse the same area as Mombo's, or is each camp restricted to a different area? Since this is national park, I would have assumed that they can drive anywhere they want, but when I was at Mombo, I never saw any vehicles from Chiefs...
Also, I'm also in the bay area...perhaps we should arrange a bay area africa travel dinner...
Do you know if Chief's vehicles traverse the same area as Mombo's, or is each camp restricted to a different area? Since this is national park, I would have assumed that they can drive anywhere they want, but when I was at Mombo, I never saw any vehicles from Chiefs...
Also, I'm also in the bay area...perhaps we should arrange a bay area africa travel dinner...
Jun 27th, 2005, 06:21 PM
#33
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Hi tashak,
I know Matt knows this too, but thought I'd chime in... Chief's is a good 45-minutes plus from Mombo by road but I have encountered Chief's vehicles on occasion in the Simbira area of Mombo (southern section) when the game is pumping there at the Simbira channel.
Having spent a good amount of time there, I have also made the drive into Chief's area when I've felt an urge, but it's more often the reverse in terms of the two camps' vehicles driving towards the other camp.
You are correct though that the vehicles are free to traverse into each others' game drive areas but there is an unwritten agreement/understanding between the camps. At a sighting, if the other vehicle is onto the other's roads, then they are supposed to cede to the resident camp's vehciles and respect the max vehicle rules of the camp (ie, 3 at a dog kill, 2 for leopard, etc).
Hope this helps.
I know Matt knows this too, but thought I'd chime in... Chief's is a good 45-minutes plus from Mombo by road but I have encountered Chief's vehicles on occasion in the Simbira area of Mombo (southern section) when the game is pumping there at the Simbira channel.
Having spent a good amount of time there, I have also made the drive into Chief's area when I've felt an urge, but it's more often the reverse in terms of the two camps' vehicles driving towards the other camp.
You are correct though that the vehicles are free to traverse into each others' game drive areas but there is an unwritten agreement/understanding between the camps. At a sighting, if the other vehicle is onto the other's roads, then they are supposed to cede to the resident camp's vehciles and respect the max vehicle rules of the camp (ie, 3 at a dog kill, 2 for leopard, etc).
Hope this helps.
Jun 28th, 2005, 12:20 AM
#34
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Rocco
I just wanted to add a few comments to my previous posting.
The fact that I put Chiefs at number 5 out of 5 does not meen that I did not like it!
Of the 5 lodges Chiefs has the best game viewing from (and in) camp. My neighbours had an elephant scratching its back against one of the tent poles in the middle of the day (they were in the tent). Food was great and lots of lions and Hyena. I did not see Leopard during the two days. I met another guest that arrived just as I left. He was very intent on seeing Leopard. When I met him again 4 days later he had seen Leopard, but only on his last day. The two things I did not like about camp was management (this was back in June 2002) and the lack of night drives. Also back then they were claiming that soon they would be able to do night drives.
Further to Tashak`s comments I met some americans at Lebala last year. When the guide asked them if they wanted to drive up to Lagoon to see Wild dogs, they asked "what is a wild dog?"
Rocco, I will be at Kwara in late September. They will take me over to see the new Kwara Island camp. I will let you know about it.
I just wanted to add a few comments to my previous posting.
The fact that I put Chiefs at number 5 out of 5 does not meen that I did not like it!
Of the 5 lodges Chiefs has the best game viewing from (and in) camp. My neighbours had an elephant scratching its back against one of the tent poles in the middle of the day (they were in the tent). Food was great and lots of lions and Hyena. I did not see Leopard during the two days. I met another guest that arrived just as I left. He was very intent on seeing Leopard. When I met him again 4 days later he had seen Leopard, but only on his last day. The two things I did not like about camp was management (this was back in June 2002) and the lack of night drives. Also back then they were claiming that soon they would be able to do night drives.
Further to Tashak`s comments I met some americans at Lebala last year. When the guide asked them if they wanted to drive up to Lagoon to see Wild dogs, they asked "what is a wild dog?"
Rocco, I will be at Kwara in late September. They will take me over to see the new Kwara Island camp. I will let you know about it.
Jun 28th, 2005, 07:53 AM
#35
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Tashak
Jim already answered the driving question and he really is far more knowledgeable on Moremi questions than I ever will be.
Dinner sounds like a great idea, out next trip is less than two weeks away, so maybe some time in the fall.
[email protected]
Jim already answered the driving question and he really is far more knowledgeable on Moremi questions than I ever will be.
Dinner sounds like a great idea, out next trip is less than two weeks away, so maybe some time in the fall.
[email protected]
Jun 28th, 2005, 02:53 PM
#37
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mv,
Thanks. A portfolio of photos of Kwara Island Camp will also be much appreciated.
One other thing...have you intentionally avoided Wilderness Safaris camps or did it just work out that way? I don't see any WS camps on your top 5 list?
What does your itinerary look like for this September?
Thanks. A portfolio of photos of Kwara Island Camp will also be much appreciated.
One other thing...have you intentionally avoided Wilderness Safaris camps or did it just work out that way? I don't see any WS camps on your top 5 list?
What does your itinerary look like for this September?
Jun 28th, 2005, 11:41 PM
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Rocco
I have been to Wilderness camps in Namibia (little Kulala and Little Ongava) but not in Botswana. During my stay at Chiefs and Stanleys ( a special deal at the time with TAGA) I was highly recommended to go to the Kwando region by the relief manager at Stanleys.
The following year I went to Namibia (Impalila, Susuwe, Little Ongava, Erongo Wilderness and Little Kulala) organised by Islands in Africa.
Islands in Africa did a wonderful job so it was easy to choose them for my 2004 trip to Namibia and Botswana (Impalila, Susuwe, Lagoon, Lebala and Kwara).
I was so impressed with the gameviewing and guiding that I decided to go back to Kwando this year.
I will start with 3 nights at Kwara, then 4 nights at Lebala and the 3 nights at Lagoon all with the same private guide, Steve Kgwatalala who is an extremely qualified guide with a great sense of humour.
In future I may go to Mombo, Duba Plains and Savuti but if Kwando continues to deliver I will probably stay with them. Just like you have a hard time getting away from Zambia I have a hard time getting away from Botswana!
I have been to Wilderness camps in Namibia (little Kulala and Little Ongava) but not in Botswana. During my stay at Chiefs and Stanleys ( a special deal at the time with TAGA) I was highly recommended to go to the Kwando region by the relief manager at Stanleys.
The following year I went to Namibia (Impalila, Susuwe, Little Ongava, Erongo Wilderness and Little Kulala) organised by Islands in Africa.
Islands in Africa did a wonderful job so it was easy to choose them for my 2004 trip to Namibia and Botswana (Impalila, Susuwe, Lagoon, Lebala and Kwara).
I was so impressed with the gameviewing and guiding that I decided to go back to Kwando this year.
I will start with 3 nights at Kwara, then 4 nights at Lebala and the 3 nights at Lagoon all with the same private guide, Steve Kgwatalala who is an extremely qualified guide with a great sense of humour.
In future I may go to Mombo, Duba Plains and Savuti but if Kwando continues to deliver I will probably stay with them. Just like you have a hard time getting away from Zambia I have a hard time getting away from Botswana!
Jun 29th, 2005, 02:54 PM
#39
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mv,
Okay...you are the culprit now!
Reading your posts on this thread and then going back and reading some of your old posts regarding the game activity at Kwando has me very nearly considering a preliminary May safari to Wilderness Safaris camps and then an October 2006 safari to Kwando.
You absolutely show no hesitation, whatsoever, in spending 7 nights between Lagoon & Lebala, despite the fact that they are separated by only 18 miles, and then you also throw on 3 nights at Kwara. I imagine if Kwara Island were open for your stay that you would also throw on 3 nights at Kwara Island, as well! What is the matter with you?
What, may I ask, is the going daily rate to hire the private guide while at Kwando?
Okay...you are the culprit now!
Reading your posts on this thread and then going back and reading some of your old posts regarding the game activity at Kwando has me very nearly considering a preliminary May safari to Wilderness Safaris camps and then an October 2006 safari to Kwando.
You absolutely show no hesitation, whatsoever, in spending 7 nights between Lagoon & Lebala, despite the fact that they are separated by only 18 miles, and then you also throw on 3 nights at Kwara. I imagine if Kwara Island were open for your stay that you would also throw on 3 nights at Kwara Island, as well! What is the matter with you?
What, may I ask, is the going daily rate to hire the private guide while at Kwando?
Jun 30th, 2005, 12:00 AM
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Rocco
I do believe that most of the Botswana camps can "deliver" the game with good guides (and trackers). Between the 3 (soon 4 ) camps Kwando can potentially deliver all the interesting game species (less Rhino) and birds. The dedication I have seen with their guides (maybe with one exception) and trackers I have no reason to go elsewhere. Eventhough Lagoon and Lebala are only 18 miles apart the scenery is quite different with Lebala having huge open plains in addition to the river and the flood plains. 18 miles does not seem a lot but the two areas are different.
You can chose between a private vehicle (and Kwando will appoint the guide) which is app 200$ ( I do not have accurate pricing). My private guide is 350$ pr day but you could also get "Mad" Mark Tennant of "Mad Mike and Mark". I do not know his price but I am sure it is quite a bit higher.
I do believe that most of the Botswana camps can "deliver" the game with good guides (and trackers). Between the 3 (soon 4 ) camps Kwando can potentially deliver all the interesting game species (less Rhino) and birds. The dedication I have seen with their guides (maybe with one exception) and trackers I have no reason to go elsewhere. Eventhough Lagoon and Lebala are only 18 miles apart the scenery is quite different with Lebala having huge open plains in addition to the river and the flood plains. 18 miles does not seem a lot but the two areas are different.
You can chose between a private vehicle (and Kwando will appoint the guide) which is app 200$ ( I do not have accurate pricing). My private guide is 350$ pr day but you could also get "Mad" Mark Tennant of "Mad Mike and Mark". I do not know his price but I am sure it is quite a bit higher.
