Roccco, 5 night package Chongwe River Camp
Dec 29th, 2005, 11:32 PM
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Roccco, 5 night package Chongwe River Camp
Hi Roccco,
I felt that getting off Phinda posting was my best option....
Thank you once again for your expertise on on Zambia. The subject trip package sounds great, but as previously stated we don't like moving from one camp to another. However, I'm leaning towards Chiawa and I like the fact that they are redoing their tents. I thought the tents were a little too small, including the honeymoon suite which we stayed at. Also, I would love to meet Grant's wife is now working there. Anyway, I'll keep in touch, I'm currently getting ready to depart for Burma/Bangkok for the holidays. I'll write you when I get back. Have you created a website for your travel company? What is your company e-mail address? I would love to refer some clients over to you.
I felt that getting off Phinda posting was my best option....
Thank you once again for your expertise on on Zambia. The subject trip package sounds great, but as previously stated we don't like moving from one camp to another. However, I'm leaning towards Chiawa and I like the fact that they are redoing their tents. I thought the tents were a little too small, including the honeymoon suite which we stayed at. Also, I would love to meet Grant's wife is now working there. Anyway, I'll keep in touch, I'm currently getting ready to depart for Burma/Bangkok for the holidays. I'll write you when I get back. Have you created a website for your travel company? What is your company e-mail address? I would love to refer some clients over to you.
Dec 30th, 2005, 08:27 AM
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jiggylou,
Thanks very much. Yes, I have a website and I am completely setup and sending clients to Southern Africa but just do me a favor and drop me an e-mail and I will be happy to respond to your questions in full as I don't want to offend the hall monitors around here.
Thanks very much. Yes, I have a website and I am completely setup and sending clients to Southern Africa but just do me a favor and drop me an e-mail and I will be happy to respond to your questions in full as I don't want to offend the hall monitors around here.
Dec 30th, 2005, 10:01 AM
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Jiggylou,
How are you travelling to Burma? Escorted/Private? Would you be willing to write trip report upon your return?
I'm going in September and info on Burma is scarce on this board. Thanks.
Femi
How are you travelling to Burma? Escorted/Private? Would you be willing to write trip report upon your return?
I'm going in September and info on Burma is scarce on this board. Thanks.
Femi
Dec 30th, 2005, 11:37 AM
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Wow, all this Burma activity. My sister's mother-in-law just left on Christmas night for a three week trip to Burma. She said it is about the least spoiled place left in Asia (as if it is still like it was hundreds of years ago). I don't even want to research it as I have a grocery list 10 feet long of other places I need to visit...the last thing I need is another place to worry about right now.
Dec 30th, 2005, 12:35 PM
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I was there twice in the mid nineties. Myanmar was probably one of my most memorable Asian trips. For chump change negotiated a ride on a working elephant-working meaning it was hauling a tree through a river gorge while I was on it. Rode the ferry from Mandalay and arrived in Bagan at sunset to one of the most beautiful sights one can ever hope to see. Too many fine experiences, and hardly any tourists. Its too bad so many people go on the guided tours. Its a good country to hire a car and driver.
Dec 30th, 2005, 12:50 PM
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Ooooh I can hardly wait!!
I've been anxiously wondering if I've made the right decision. First, in choosing this country, and second, in continuing with my plans even after my travelling partner bowed out.
Luangwablondes-my first choice was a tour company, but couldn't find one that was quite right, so now I'm going on a private basis.
Roccco- I feel your pain! I've also got a travel list as long as my arm, and after two big ones (E.Africa and Turkey), Burma was meant to be a less expensive break. Didn't quite turn out to be as cost effective as I meant it to be, because somehow the trip to Buenos Aires slipped in! I just can't win...
I've been anxiously wondering if I've made the right decision. First, in choosing this country, and second, in continuing with my plans even after my travelling partner bowed out.
Luangwablondes-my first choice was a tour company, but couldn't find one that was quite right, so now I'm going on a private basis.
Roccco- I feel your pain! I've also got a travel list as long as my arm, and after two big ones (E.Africa and Turkey), Burma was meant to be a less expensive break. Didn't quite turn out to be as cost effective as I meant it to be, because somehow the trip to Buenos Aires slipped in! I just can't win...
Dec 30th, 2005, 04:07 PM
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Hehe, and on another post Napamatt was wondering how the subject went from Phinda to 1,000 miles away to Lower Zambezi.
Anybody with any guesses on how far Lower Zambezi is from Burma? 5,000 miles is my guess.
Anybody with any guesses on how far Lower Zambezi is from Burma? 5,000 miles is my guess.
Dec 30th, 2005, 04:22 PM
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That's a pretty darned good guess!
Distance between Lusaka, Zambia and Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma), as the crow flies:
5119 miles (8238 km) (4448 nautical miles)
OR, as I prefer,
2.2 seconds in the mind of a Fodorite!
Distance between Lusaka, Zambia and Rangoon, Myanmar (Burma), as the crow flies:
5119 miles (8238 km) (4448 nautical miles)
OR, as I prefer,
2.2 seconds in the mind of a Fodorite!
Dec 31st, 2005, 02:09 AM
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Femi,
I don’t have the patients or skills to write a detail travel report like some of the other wonderful stories here on Fodors; however, I’ll be more than happy to give you pertinent information when I return home on Jan 16, 2006. This report will be posted under Burma (Myanmar).
I have managed to find a great travel agent in Burma. His name Mr. Sonny Jung, Gracious Myanmar Travel Co Ltd. Tel: (0095-1) 392 552, 392 554, 09 50 110 12. E-mail address: [email protected] ; [email protected] or his wife’s, Mrs. Kerstin Jung e-mail address is: [email protected]. Website: http://www.MyanmarTravelagent.com
With my instructions, Sonny has arranged all internal flights, visas (airport pick-up), hotels, car, drivers, guides and hot air balloon ride for my husband & me. So far, I have been very pleased with his prompt e-mail responses. He’s also very good on making recommendations too.
Additional information on Burma could be found on the following website below:
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/
http://myanmar-adventure.com/
http://www.myanmartravelinformation....angon/sule.htm
http://www.myanmartravels.net/
Best of luck and Happy New Year.
I don’t have the patients or skills to write a detail travel report like some of the other wonderful stories here on Fodors; however, I’ll be more than happy to give you pertinent information when I return home on Jan 16, 2006. This report will be posted under Burma (Myanmar).
I have managed to find a great travel agent in Burma. His name Mr. Sonny Jung, Gracious Myanmar Travel Co Ltd. Tel: (0095-1) 392 552, 392 554, 09 50 110 12. E-mail address: [email protected] ; [email protected] or his wife’s, Mrs. Kerstin Jung e-mail address is: [email protected]. Website: http://www.MyanmarTravelagent.com
With my instructions, Sonny has arranged all internal flights, visas (airport pick-up), hotels, car, drivers, guides and hot air balloon ride for my husband & me. So far, I have been very pleased with his prompt e-mail responses. He’s also very good on making recommendations too.
Additional information on Burma could be found on the following website below:
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/
http://myanmar-adventure.com/
http://www.myanmartravelinformation....angon/sule.htm
http://www.myanmartravels.net/
Best of luck and Happy New Year.
Dec 31st, 2005, 02:51 AM
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Roccco,
You weren’t kidding that the prices have gone up in Zambia. Chiawa camp prices are now $565 per person for a double room, $585 for honeymoon suite per person, and $675 for a superior room per person!!! Just a year ago they were $350-400 per person.
Since, I’ve already traveled twice to Zambia; I’m going to research my options by looking into Namibia/Botswana, since I haven’t traveled to these areas.
My biggest problem is that I’m a repeat junky and fail to checkout other places to visit.
PS-Has anyone stayed at the Ice Hotel in Sweden? Now that we went from Phinda to Burma to Zambia…why not Sweden…Heehee. You don’t have to answer my question. I’ll post this in the correct location.
Thanks again Roccco!!!!
You weren’t kidding that the prices have gone up in Zambia. Chiawa camp prices are now $565 per person for a double room, $585 for honeymoon suite per person, and $675 for a superior room per person!!! Just a year ago they were $350-400 per person.
Since, I’ve already traveled twice to Zambia; I’m going to research my options by looking into Namibia/Botswana, since I haven’t traveled to these areas.
My biggest problem is that I’m a repeat junky and fail to checkout other places to visit.
PS-Has anyone stayed at the Ice Hotel in Sweden? Now that we went from Phinda to Burma to Zambia…why not Sweden…Heehee. You don’t have to answer my question. I’ll post this in the correct location.
Thanks again Roccco!!!!
Dec 31st, 2005, 07:48 AM
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jiggylou,
Where you would be well served to consider would be Kwando in Botswana:
www.kwando.co.za
Between December 01st - March 31st, prices are $325 per person sharing.
April 01st - May 31st is $450 per person per night sharing. Unfortunately, high season pricing from June 01st - October 31st, are about the same price as Wilderness Safaris 5 paw camps, and is $675 per person per night sharing.
Also, I am currently getting all the information for this place in Mana Pools which I am told by a couple trusted sources is great:
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/vundu.htm
I have been told that there are more lions and wild dogs in Mana Pools than in the Lower Zambezi and that the landscapes are second to none. I am definitely headed here on my next visit in August/September.
However, there are still good options available in the Lower Zambezi. Chongwe River Camp, for a long stay of 5 nights or more, is only $375 per person per night sharing.
Chongwe River Camp is in an absolutely beautiful location and is very flexible, like you described Sausage Tree Camp, with the activities. Three activities per day is the norm, and nobody will look at you funny if you want your Mosi at 9AM!
I have many photos from my stay at Chongwe in September on my Kodak Gallery photo album:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/rocco/zambia___south_africa
I would say that the 4th and 5th row of photos are gameviewing while at Chongwe, and then it picks up again starting around the middle of the 7th row and then besides a few pictures of Chiawa Camp, it is all Chongwe and its gameviewingon until about the middle of the 9th row.
Quite honestly, if you go back and read my trip report, I was very saddened to have to leave Chongwe I loved it so much. It seems like there was always at least one elephant walking right through camp and the camp just enjoys such a nice open feel to it. For $50 per night more than Kasaka, it is probably the best value for a long stay.
Have a Happy New Year!
Where you would be well served to consider would be Kwando in Botswana:
www.kwando.co.za
Between December 01st - March 31st, prices are $325 per person sharing.
April 01st - May 31st is $450 per person per night sharing. Unfortunately, high season pricing from June 01st - October 31st, are about the same price as Wilderness Safaris 5 paw camps, and is $675 per person per night sharing.
Also, I am currently getting all the information for this place in Mana Pools which I am told by a couple trusted sources is great:
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/vundu.htm
I have been told that there are more lions and wild dogs in Mana Pools than in the Lower Zambezi and that the landscapes are second to none. I am definitely headed here on my next visit in August/September.
However, there are still good options available in the Lower Zambezi. Chongwe River Camp, for a long stay of 5 nights or more, is only $375 per person per night sharing.
Chongwe River Camp is in an absolutely beautiful location and is very flexible, like you described Sausage Tree Camp, with the activities. Three activities per day is the norm, and nobody will look at you funny if you want your Mosi at 9AM!
I have many photos from my stay at Chongwe in September on my Kodak Gallery photo album:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/rocco/zambia___south_africa
I would say that the 4th and 5th row of photos are gameviewing while at Chongwe, and then it picks up again starting around the middle of the 7th row and then besides a few pictures of Chiawa Camp, it is all Chongwe and its gameviewingon until about the middle of the 9th row.
Quite honestly, if you go back and read my trip report, I was very saddened to have to leave Chongwe I loved it so much. It seems like there was always at least one elephant walking right through camp and the camp just enjoys such a nice open feel to it. For $50 per night more than Kasaka, it is probably the best value for a long stay.
Have a Happy New Year!
