I need help determining which camp to visit. We will travel Sept 2010 and the focus is game viewing w/o a particualr focus re: species. I've read reports in this forum that suggest Lebala is top notch for game viewing, in large measure because of its guides. I am concerned about seating in their vehicles - 3 to a row. I've read that game viewing at Zarafa is more limited because the concession lacks water frontage. I have no info re: vehicle seating re: Savuti Camps. Can someone inform on this topic? We also plan to visit Little Vambura for the Delta experience, thanks for your insight

Hi Kathy501

I stayed at Zafara August last year for 4 nights. Zafara Camp has a splendid view over the Zibalianja (sp?) lagoon. From (and in) camp I saw warthog, kudu, buffalo all come down for a drink. Elephant browsed right next to my tent! At Night a hippo mum and baby grazed metres away from the dining boma. Dukes our guide was exceptional. I saw my first wild aardvark! First Honey Badger! And a Fat Mouse The camp is exquisitely appointed and the food is sensational. The most we ever had in the vehicle was 4 people. I didn't go on all the drives though because the camp is so fantastic and the game viewing so good from the deck!
I have not been to Lebala so I can't compare but other on the board sing it's praises.
You have a tough choice
September will be a good time to travel- enjoy!
Kaye

Kathy501,
P.S. A Fat mouse is a species of mouse in Africa- don't want you to think that this premier camp was overrun with well feed rodents. That Dukes spotted the Fat mouse at night is testiment to his guiding.
Kaye

We have been to Botswana four times and each time we return to Savuti. The game viewing in September should be excellent wild dogs, lions, cheetah, leopard. The staff and guiding is outstanding. Little Vumbura is also a great camp. Both of these are Wilderness camps and the vehicles have three rows of seats with no more than 6 guests to a vehicle this means everyone gets a "window" seat. You will get a much better pricing deal if you do not mix and match companies. Wilderness safaris provides a top notch safari experience from beginning to end.

cj

Hi Kathy501

We have stayed at Lebala and Zib (Old Zarafa). Our game viewing was much ,much better at the Kwando concession in 2 days that at Selinda concession in 3. That was in November,you are going in September that normally should be better.

For the price of 2 days in Zarafa you can go 3 days to Lebala or Savuti,of course not as fancy and luxury but you say focus is game viewing .

Also for the price of 1 day at Zarafa you can go to Lebala and get private vehicle and guide wich would be great if you want to focus in some particular species (that´s what i did, because i wanted to have more chances to find wild dogs and sable antelopes and we did find them...with some luck of course)

Paco.

Sorry for the late response, so you may already have made up your mind, but we stayed at both Zarafa and Savuti (each for 4 nights) this past September and had wonderful experiences at both camps. I've posted the details in a long trip report you may want to check out if you haven't already done so. We went to the two camps mentioned, Xudum, Little Vumbura and Little Mombo, and Zarafa and Savuti were tied for our favorite camps. Wildlife viewing was excellent at both camps and while the facilities, vehicles and food were superior at Zarafa, it comes with a higher price tag. We had exceptional luck with leopards and wild dogs at both camps and had the best game drive of our life at Savuti. While we were there this year, both camps were right on the water (although next year could be different, depending on the flooding) and the views and wildlife seen in camp (especially elephants) are wonderful. I enjoyed the smaller, more intimate feel of Zarafa, but we were with a more fun, congenial group at Savuti. I haven't been to Lebala, so I can't comment on that, with the exception that I've read many comments about the fact that they do put people in the middle seat - the primary reason we ruled the Kwando camps out -but I think you'd be happy with either the Zarafa or Savuti choice. Next trip we may go to the Kwando camps, but we'd only do so with a private vehicle.

Good luck with your planning.

Debbie