Question re: Kwando camps Little Kwara, Lebala, Lagoon
 

I hate to even have to ask this question because it goes against everything I believe in. We have reservations for 8 nights total at Little Kwara, Lebala, and Lagoon, and my boss is asking whether there is any way I can check e-mail while I'm in camp. Do they have internet access at any of these camps? (I'm assuming there's no cell phone service...). I am the opposite of the kind of person who has to check e-mail/blackberry/cell phone constantly, but if it makes the difference between getting to go vs. not, then heck, I can check e-mail every once in a while while I'm there (but I have a feeling they don't have it). I figured someone here who has recently stayed at Kwando camps might know. Thanks in advance.

Lisa,

No chance.....for emails at all at the Kwando camps.

The Kwando camps are designed around sheer emphasis of the bush....i think between now and the trip, you need to convince your boss that there is nothing you can do. Your boss may have never been to a location that is communication free and may need to just get used to this idea....

The one thing you can do is....book an extra flight during one of the afternoon breaks to fly from camp to Maun and make your phone calls and retun in time for your evening drive. Yes, it is an expensive option.....you need to book this early enough.

Rgds,
Hari

lisa,

Now you may or may not want to share this information with your boss, but there was one woman who was able to get reception for her Blackberry for text messaging.

Also, if you chose to, you could always rent or buy a satellite phone...however, if you do, please be considerate enough to use it away from the other guests (and never on a shared game drive).

Little Kwara is fantastic, as are the other Kwando properties. I single out Little Kwara because it is the most luxurious of the Kwando properties...the other properties, while not as luxurious, do offer fantastic gameviewing.

Have a wonderful safari.

On my recent trip in August...i was communications free for 10 days...i did make all my phone calls the moment i got to Maun. Nothing earth shaking, whatsoever!!!

Hari

I did once consider that if something was terribly urgent, a brief message could be sent or received via the operator's radio comms between camp and headquarters in, say, Maun or Kasane. This, after a businesswoman-member of a group I was leading asked me if she would have mobile phone or internet comms in camp. I was pleased to tell her No. I would probably not go knowingly to any safari camp which was able to provide clients with or was in range of communications with the outside world (other than in genuine emergencies). Of course, the time is rapidly approaching when most of if not all camps will be providing such facilities. Pity.

John

Lisa,

check the kwando website. www.kwando.co.za

go to Important numbers that is listed under teh Fast Facts heading....that's the best description you can possibly get........

Hari

Surprisingly, I got phone reception while at Lebala camp - which was a bit of a shock.

I switched on my phone to set my alarm (for an early start), and some text messages came through. My phone is on automatic roaming and I managed to pick up a network called MTC-Namibia. I did send a message home to let them know that we were still alive.

I was staying in room 8 where I picked up reception - but in the main lounge area there was no reception.

The managers and guides were very surprised and all headed towards room 8 to see if they could pick up any reception. I let one of the managers use my phone to send a message to her husband in Maun.

Thanks all. I know perfectly well that the world will keep turning on its axis while I'm incommunicado for 8 days...now I just have to convince my boss of that.

Very interesting that one woman was able to use her blackberry, but I won't count on it.

When we were going to Tanzania last year, my boss said, "Where?" And then asked one of my coworkers where "Tasmania" was. This time she apparently thought I said we were going to Barcelona.(!)

If it were up to me I wouldn't even HAVE a cell phone or blackberry, and nothing was more annoying while in Serengeti than the sound of a cell phone ringing (I have spotty coverage up and down the east coast, but somehow they have perfect coverage in the middle of the Serengeti...?)

Anyway, thanks for not slamming me for asking about this.

Lisa

I'm guessing you are US based, the main culprits for not understanding the concept of vacation.

Gaurang,

That Namibia signal is probably coming from the Caprivi strip....Hmmmm interesting!!! So room 8?

Hari

MTC's coverage map shows you could get some seepage from its coverage area in the Caprivi Strip across the Kwando River. You'd probably also get some further east across the Linyanti River.

John

I didnt have a signal anywhere in Moremi, but most of Chobe within 8-10k of the Namibian border has very good cover from the Namibian networks.

You will understand, of course, that I wasnt actively looking for a network!!

Tasmania and Barcelona :D

Woo hoo!!!! Boss just green-lighted my vacation even without knowing whether I will be able to check in by phone/e-mail (booked in February, put in for the vacation time in March, paid in November...and now we finally get to go!). I swear I feel like we just won the lottery. I'm so happy I could cry. Two weeks from now we will be ON the PLANE!!!

Go ahead and cry! Congrats!

Lisa,

Have been reading your on-going trip report......then i remembered this thread.

What did you do about your communications issues on your trip? Any luck with cell phone signals from the caprivi strip? etc etc?

Hari

I was just completely incommunicado, and yes, some things did come up at work while I was gone that they wanted to talk to me about, but they handled it and the world is none the worse for it. One of my coworkers really stepped up to the plate. And needless to say, it did me a world of good to feel untethered for a few weeks.

Lisa, you've gone and you're back? Can't wait for a report and pics.

Thanks Lisa.

Lynn....she just started her trip report. Lisa and Mark's trip report to SA and Bots.....i think she's in Kruger right now (in the report)

Hari