Savuti not available- replacement camp?
 

It seems Savuti camp is not available in September 2007 so would you sub with Selinda or Duma Tau?

Either option should work out....

Take whatever is available right now and keep yourself waitlisted for Savuti should they open-up at a later time......

Hari

50-50 here. But if the potential number of vehicles at a viewing was to influence my decision, I'd go for Zibalianja (Selinda's small camp) because I've seen bigger concentrations of vehicles on the Duma Tau side of the boundary between the two concessions. Savuti and Duma Tau share territory. So do Selinda camp and Zib, of course, but I believe there's less chance of Selinda and Zib's vehicles being at the same place at the same time. The difference might be marginal. James (jweis) has the Savuti/Duma Tau experience, I have the Selinda/Zib experience. Toss a coin ;)

John

John,

Any update on the walkers from Duma Tau doing the charity walk and perhaps improve relations that ease out the border conflict?

Hari

Hello Zin,

I agree with Hari -- choose one and waitlist for Savuti. A lot can happen between now and September 2007, and space does clear.

As to Selinda vs Duma Tau, I think you'll have a good experience at either camp -- I've stayed at Duma Tau (and Savuti) and had great game-viewing, and others here have stayed at Selinda (and Zib) and had an equally good experience. September is a great time to be in the Linyanti region, and you'll have excellent sightings at both camps. However, if you're interested in doing some walking, Selinda or Zib would be a better choice.

Cheers,
Julian

Curious about booking at a second choice camp and waitlisting at the prime candidate. Aren't non-refundable deposits required at most camps?

BTW, welcome back, Julian. Looking forward to your trip report. That is allowed, I trust.

Jim

Jim: sometimes camps seem booked up because they have provisional reservations -- ones not secured with deposits. In this case the camps being recommended can all be booked by an agent via Wilderness Safaris so if the first choice opens up WS can move you there and you lose no deposit because you are just switching from one WS marketed camp to another.

Hi Jim,

Thanks - it's nice to be back. I hope to start posting my trip report this weekend (and continuing my South Africa trip report).

The waitlist system is usually available with any two camps booked through one company (e.g. WS, CCA, Kwando, Sanctuary).

Cheers,
Julian

Julian, hope you had a good trip to East Africa.....

Zin,

When you make your booking, you can ask your TA as to your chances of Savuti opening up at a later date, they might know more info depending on their close relationship with WS....but, even if it doesnt i'm sure the other options will be good also......

Hari

I am a bit surprised by John's observation about too many vehicle's in Duma Tau's area. We just returned from our visit to southern Africa this week. We were told by the manager a Savuti (one of the camps we stayed at) that no more 52 guests are permitted at one time in the entire concession of 122,000 hectares.

Hello Mediatorr,

I've never experienced vehicle crowding around Duma Tau either -- in general the three camps in the concession (DT, Savuti, and King's Pool) tend to stay within their own core areas, which don't overlap.

Maybe there was an unusual sighting which drew some vehicles down from Savuti to the DT area?

Cheers,
Julian

I've seen three vehicles on the Duma Tau side of the boundary on a couple of occasions. There was no special 'event' in the area to my knowledge, though of course there could have been...but isn't that what you want to avoid, a crowd at a sighting?

John

Mediatorr,

Welcome back....hope you had a fantastic trip!!! would love to hear more when you have some free time.

52 guests in the Linyanti concession of 122,000 sounds way more compared to a max of 32 guests in the 232,000 hectare Kwando concession (Lagoon and Lebala). However, i have only been to Kings Pool in the Linyanti. Since, i have neither been to Savuti or DT i wont comment on the crowding of vehicles. I think they now use the old Linyanti trails camp for their mobile trips....so your account of 52 guests is between KP, DT and savuti....
Still, i'm sure WS tries their best to avoid too many vehicles at sightings.

Btw, The Selinda concession between Selinda and Zib, have a max of 22 guests.

Hari

Hari,

And even 22 is getting too many. Thank goodness Zibalianja remains a 6-person camp.

Your post puts things in perspective, I think.

John

John,

Yes, even at Kwando....until a couple months ago they had a max of 28. Now it's 32 with two additional tents at Lagoon. Likewise, i understand Selinda have moved up by two tents....

I do realize that camps try their best to limit sightings within their own "core area"....but, it all depends on the situation, what the guests want to see, what the guides attitudes are, game movement at that particular point etc etc.,

As to vehicle crowding, i think 3 cars is fine....but, i'm sure all these above mentioned companies will ensure that the sighting is shared in a proper conduct. For example, at Twin Pools area on the Kwando/selinda border(which is a HUGE open space) there were 3 trucks from either side watching the female cheetah attempting to hunt. It was done in good taste and the cars took up induvidual positions and the guests really didnt even notice each other's presence until after the sighting........

Hari

Hari,

I can accept three occasionally. We've had three at sightings only two or three times in the approximately 30 days we've spent at Selinda and Zibalianja. Not a bad strike rate. On one of those occasions, the third vehicle was a Kwando vehicle which we generously invited over :D

You're right...Selinda camp's capacity is now 18, meaning the whole concession can have 24 guests. The potential for vehicle crowds is growing.

John