Hi.... first of all let me apologise, as i have not posted in a long time.... mainly because i was over burdened with work and there were health issues in my immediate family, so have not been able to post as well as go on a holiday

I am planning to go on a 10-15 day vacation in any of the three months oct,nov and december.... As usual i want to feast my eyes on all cats...but especially the lions.... sooo...which country and in which month and park should i go to among zambia,botswana, southafrica,east africa etc...

please suggest.....and give your expert opinions, thanks, Sonali

Do you have an indication of budget or type of accommodation?

Well... I am not much interested in walking safaris, other than that....unlimited budget....just need the best location with the highest density of cats(lionsss), best guides and spotters, preferably places where off roading is allowed and night game drives allowed.... good vegetarian food as well as mostly luxury accomodation, only semi-luxury accomodation if wildlife experience facilities are better, like provision of a private vehicle with expert spotter and silver level or award winning guides etc,Sonali

Don't know how each camp rates for cats in comparison to others but we recently saw quite a few lions and leopards at L.Vumbara and Chitabe L.in Bots. - great guides who were both very good trackers.
Vegetarian food was plentiful.

Sonali: based on your parameters I'd say first half of October in Botswana.

Duba Plains would be the one definite camp for lions. 4 nights with a private vehicle with James 007 as your guide if the budget will hold it, if not go without the private vehicle.

Mombo is chock full of lions but there are no night drives so it's a great place to find lions but witnessing action is not as good but again if in budget with lions the priority I'd probably include it.

Then for variety I'd go to Lebala if you can get a private vehicle. If no private vehicle they can put 3 in a row so I'd go for another Linyanti area camp with Savuti, Duma Tau, Kings Pool, Selinda, or Zib all possiblities.

For lower budget drop Mombo and go to Chitabe, Little Vumbura, or Mapula.

Another great lion option but only some of it will be offroad. Early October in Tanzania.

Focus on Ruaha and Katavi. If you do the full 15 days you could combine a little time in the Serengeti too.

I haven't any suggestions, sonali, just well wishes to you and your family. Please do remember to take care of yourself. And take your trip and post lots and lots of photos when you return!!!

Sonali,

Ruaha is a good option, we saw 56 individual lions on the Southern Circuit in July and 90% of these were in Ruaha.

Cheers,


Pol

If you want to spend some quality time with animals like lions, I would definately recommend that you consider doing a Specialist Safari in South Africa. I do a Specialist Safari every month, and can honestly say that no other safari experience compares to it! You can do a Specialist Safari in South Africa's Phinda Private Game Reserve (of the most beautiful lions in AFrica, plus the majority of them are daytime hunters, making for adrenaline rushed game viewing!), Ngala (in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve) or Kirkmans (in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve). As part of the Specialist Safari you will receive the full time services of a Specialist Ranger & Tracker, your own private game viewing vehicle, unlimited game drive hours (day & night), plus you get to choose a tailor made itenary, so that you can spend your time in the bush to best suite your interests! I highly recommend this to someone who wants to focus on specific animals. Be warned though, you will have to book soon, as the lodges & Specialist Rangers are in very high demand, and availability can be quite limited at times!
Good luck with your arrangements!
Best regards from South Africa
Tanya ([email protected])

Hi Sonali

I would suggest the Mara. We were last weekend at Mara Explorer. In 2 days we saw 27 lions (inc. 6 cubs and 3 males), 5 different leopard, and 3 cheetah with 11 cubs.

But I also love Duba and the lions there, Kings Pool and Little Vumbara.

If would say do it all, but I know time would not allow it. have fun in making a very hard decision.

Ditto re the Mara. Lions galore!

Kevin from California

Sonali,

I'd also recommend the Mara, staying at any of the camps along the Talek River. The Big Cat Diary team chose that area for a reason!

Also, it seems like Kenya needs the business at the current time.

Hi.... thanks alot.... reading all the suggestions.... want to go everywhere at once.....

Pb & cybor
... definately botswana sounds so appealing........

Stakerk, wingi and road warrior africa, mara too looks tempting....

Treepol...ruaha to sounds fantastic and pb's mentioned it too

Tanya... thanks for the suggestions.... a specialist safari with cc africa...would be a dream.....

Leely....so sweet of u to write and wish me well.... all the options are soo tempting.... i am getting sooo confused....

All said and done.... I neeeed a brreak....wanna go to africaaa.... if anybody has any more suggestions.....pls write,

Thanks, Sonali

The wildlife chart on the right may help.
p.s.
I'm not attempting to take Lynn's African research expert job away. LOL

www.africa-adventure.com/best_time_to_go