Trip Report-Botswana 2007
Aug 20th, 2007, 08:08 AM
#22
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You had a fantastic time at Duma Tau in every way! We had also seen wild dogs humting there and more game than any other camp, however, the managers at the time did not provide as great an atomsphere as our other camps. Guiding was excellent though.
Keep in mind Rwanda for 2008! We'll hear some reports of Silverback Lodge now before we go.
Keep in mind Rwanda for 2008! We'll hear some reports of Silverback Lodge now before we go.
Aug 21st, 2007, 04:55 AM
#23
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Dana,
Your trip report(s) is fantastic and your photos are AWESOME! I'm just in the very beginning stages of planning a similar trip. One thing I didn't see/read in your report is how you arranged transport from Camp to Camp.
Your trip report(s) is fantastic and your photos are AWESOME! I'm just in the very beginning stages of planning a similar trip. One thing I didn't see/read in your report is how you arranged transport from Camp to Camp.
Aug 21st, 2007, 05:48 PM
#24
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Hari,
Glad you enjoyed reading the trip report. The game viewing was fantastic at both Duba and Duma Tau. I was also very lucky with vehicle mates, but not during my entire trip. Just in Botswana. In Namibia I was stuck with a horrible family. Well, at least Bots made up for it.
Jackie,
I had never seen the dogs before, so this particularly special for me. It was the perfect way to end this part of the trip. Who was managing when you were at Duma Tau? Re: the gorillas, I'm going to start looking into that trip as soon as I get the rest of the Namibia/Bots trip report written. Unfortunately I really only have time on the weekends, so it might take a little while. As soon as I'm ready though I am going to start picking your brain. Hope you don't mind.
AmyC,
Thanks for the compliments. I flew from camp to camp. This is pretty standard in Botswana, and in fact many camps are only accessible by plane. My TA included all of the flights in the cost of the itinerary, which I think is pretty standard.
Glad you enjoyed reading the trip report. The game viewing was fantastic at both Duba and Duma Tau. I was also very lucky with vehicle mates, but not during my entire trip. Just in Botswana. In Namibia I was stuck with a horrible family. Well, at least Bots made up for it.
Jackie,
I had never seen the dogs before, so this particularly special for me. It was the perfect way to end this part of the trip. Who was managing when you were at Duma Tau? Re: the gorillas, I'm going to start looking into that trip as soon as I get the rest of the Namibia/Bots trip report written. Unfortunately I really only have time on the weekends, so it might take a little while. As soon as I'm ready though I am going to start picking your brain. Hope you don't mind.
AmyC,
Thanks for the compliments. I flew from camp to camp. This is pretty standard in Botswana, and in fact many camps are only accessible by plane. My TA included all of the flights in the cost of the itinerary, which I think is pretty standard.
Aug 21st, 2007, 05:50 PM
#25
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Sorry if all of the squiggly marks made reading difficult. I cut and pasted from a Word document and I guess the apostrophes and quotation marks didn't transfer properly.
I'll post info and on Tubu Tree and Chitabe Trails as soon as possible.
I'll post info and on Tubu Tree and Chitabe Trails as soon as possible.
Aug 21st, 2007, 07:41 PM
#26
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Dana, Dana, Dana, my personal policy is to try as best I can to keep envy to a minimum, but this report and your photos--my god, I think I'm turning into a horrible person. Wow!
p.s. Despite my envy and resulting guilt, I am loving this report. Can't wait for the next installment.
p.s. Despite my envy and resulting guilt, I am loving this report. Can't wait for the next installment.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 12:40 AM
#28
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I loved your Duma Tau report Dana - it made me feel "homesick" if you can use that word when you have only stayed in a place for four days! I could picture everything you talked about - and your photos are sensational. I am going to spend more time going through them slowly but I have to go out now when I would far rather be sitting and dreaming of Duma Tau, our friends there and all the animals - I am sure some of those you saw are the same as those we became so fond of!! Thank you for helping me to spend the past half an hour very happily! Cant wait to read about Namibia - that is on my "wish list" !
Regards, Alison
Regards, Alison
Aug 22nd, 2007, 06:56 AM
#29
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Dana, I don't remember the names of the managers at the time and kept no day by day journal of that trip, but it was a young man and his very blond girlfriend-perfectly nice people but they just didn't provide the same atomsphere as our other camps nor seem to go the extra efforts that other managers did.
As for Rwanda in 08, I may be doing the trekking portion alone since my spouse is again saying he's not that interested in the gorilla portion of the trip.
As for Rwanda in 08, I may be doing the trekking portion alone since my spouse is again saying he's not that interested in the gorilla portion of the trip.
Aug 22nd, 2007, 07:12 AM
#30
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Dana,
Well, you've managed to get me so excited about my upcoming trip.
I've recently and quite sadly, finished my last watercolor from my previous trip pics. and am getting itchy to do some more.
I see about 100 of your pics. that I wish were mine to reproduce. You've got some beauties. I love the way you manage to include the surrounding nature in with the wildlife.
As for your report, it's well done enough to transport me. Your enthusiasm is contagious.
Can't wait to hear about Chitabe trails as it's one of my upcoming destinations.
Thanks for sharing!
Well, you've managed to get me so excited about my upcoming trip.
I've recently and quite sadly, finished my last watercolor from my previous trip pics. and am getting itchy to do some more.
I see about 100 of your pics. that I wish were mine to reproduce. You've got some beauties. I love the way you manage to include the surrounding nature in with the wildlife.
As for your report, it's well done enough to transport me. Your enthusiasm is contagious.
Can't wait to hear about Chitabe trails as it's one of my upcoming destinations.
Thanks for sharing!
Aug 25th, 2007, 09:08 AM
#33
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Leely,
You are describing my sentiments exactly. When planning my trip I was green with envy while reading other’s trip reports and looking at their photos. But, I did not feel at all guilty at all!
Bat,
Thanks for the compliment. With luck I’ll get the next installment, Tubu Tree, posted this weekend.
Alison,
I know what you mean about feeling homesick for a place you’ve only visited briefly. I remember your report, and the dogs coming into camp and killing an impala right in front of you. Like you I could not have watched during the actual kill. But having the dogs that close, and when you weren’t in a vehicle, had me picturing exactly where you might have been sitting while it all happened.
Jackie,
I will most likely be going to Uganda and Rwanda alone. If your husband isn’t interested, maybe we need to start a Fodors trip. It’s been mentioned on the board before. Perhaps you should start a new thread or revive the old one!
Cybor,
Glad you like my photos. Not only would I not mind if you reproduced some of them, but frankly I’m honored that you like them so much. I take photos for the sole purpose of remembering my trips and for sharing with others. When do you leave for your trip and when will you be at Chitabe? If you promise to share photos when you return, I could set a reminder on my calendar that pops up in the middle of a chaotic work day. The reminder would say “Cybor now at Chitabe taking photos, check back for trip report.” This would transport me back to my own wonderful trip. And, at that moment I’d be feeling like Leely…green with envy.
WildDogs,
I’m glad my enthusiasm came through in the trip report. The more I wrote the more I found myself smiling. The photo of the leopard pup will be near the end of the Chitabe photos. But first I have to write and post on Tubu Tree.
Sniktawk,
Sorry you did not have similar sightings at Selinda. It is so close to Duma Tau. I know others have had great sightings at Selinda. That just shows how truly lucky I was on this trip.
You are describing my sentiments exactly. When planning my trip I was green with envy while reading other’s trip reports and looking at their photos. But, I did not feel at all guilty at all!
Bat,
Thanks for the compliment. With luck I’ll get the next installment, Tubu Tree, posted this weekend.
Alison,
I know what you mean about feeling homesick for a place you’ve only visited briefly. I remember your report, and the dogs coming into camp and killing an impala right in front of you. Like you I could not have watched during the actual kill. But having the dogs that close, and when you weren’t in a vehicle, had me picturing exactly where you might have been sitting while it all happened.
Jackie,
I will most likely be going to Uganda and Rwanda alone. If your husband isn’t interested, maybe we need to start a Fodors trip. It’s been mentioned on the board before. Perhaps you should start a new thread or revive the old one!
Cybor,
Glad you like my photos. Not only would I not mind if you reproduced some of them, but frankly I’m honored that you like them so much. I take photos for the sole purpose of remembering my trips and for sharing with others. When do you leave for your trip and when will you be at Chitabe? If you promise to share photos when you return, I could set a reminder on my calendar that pops up in the middle of a chaotic work day. The reminder would say “Cybor now at Chitabe taking photos, check back for trip report.” This would transport me back to my own wonderful trip. And, at that moment I’d be feeling like Leely…green with envy.
WildDogs,
I’m glad my enthusiasm came through in the trip report. The more I wrote the more I found myself smiling. The photo of the leopard pup will be near the end of the Chitabe photos. But first I have to write and post on Tubu Tree.
Sniktawk,
Sorry you did not have similar sightings at Selinda. It is so close to Duma Tau. I know others have had great sightings at Selinda. That just shows how truly lucky I was on this trip.
Aug 26th, 2007, 04:17 AM
#34
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Hi Dana,
I'm absolutely thrilled that you'd allow me to run amouk thru your photos.
I'm currently on relaxing vaca. and look so forward to painting from your pics. The dilemma as I see, will be picking the first one, they're all so good.
Disclaimer;
I'm really not that good, but if you'd like a copy of one of my attempts at art, please let me know and I'll post my email for you.
My upcoming trip, btw, sadly is not until next summer. I've got it all planned with deposits etc. with the exception of the desert part at the end.
I'm absolutely thrilled that you'd allow me to run amouk thru your photos.
I'm currently on relaxing vaca. and look so forward to painting from your pics. The dilemma as I see, will be picking the first one, they're all so good.
Disclaimer;
I'm really not that good, but if you'd like a copy of one of my attempts at art, please let me know and I'll post my email for you.
My upcoming trip, btw, sadly is not until next summer. I've got it all planned with deposits etc. with the exception of the desert part at the end.
Aug 27th, 2007, 05:42 AM
#36
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Such an entertaining and well written report.
You have described all the unique elements that make Duba Plains so special. That's wonderful you got to see the Duba Boys in action. I never thought they'd remain in power this long.
Your Duma Tau stay had so many highlights. The baby leopard must have been wonderful and to be treated to a midnight aardvark run is outstanding. You seem to be trouser-less for much of the excitement.
Next, I'll check out the photos.
You have described all the unique elements that make Duba Plains so special. That's wonderful you got to see the Duba Boys in action. I never thought they'd remain in power this long.
Your Duma Tau stay had so many highlights. The baby leopard must have been wonderful and to be treated to a midnight aardvark run is outstanding. You seem to be trouser-less for much of the excitement.
Next, I'll check out the photos.
Aug 27th, 2007, 05:00 PM
#38
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Your pictures also capture the drama of Duba Plains. Some regal shots of those lions. The Duba boys are still looking handsome. Glad you got a good photo of the elusive aardwolf.
The water hole shots with the hyenas and zebra are especially good at Duma Tau. Plus more lions. Great shots.
The water hole shots with the hyenas and zebra are especially good at Duma Tau. Plus more lions. Great shots.
Aug 27th, 2007, 08:02 PM
#40
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Thanks for the Duba Plains stories. Glad to hear James and the Duba boys are still around. Also one of my favorite camps. Grant Woodrow of WS will speak in Houston next week of the Black Rhino relocations from Zim to re-populate Botswana. WS is truly dedicated to conservation/preservation/community-a reminder of a sometimes overlooked value of booking with WS.
