cybor

Tanky,
Is the old Zib. price written in stone?
I, as well, was booked there for this coming Aug. '08' at the old price and was told once the '08' prices came in that I'd had to pay a huge increase to stay.
Like most here, I saw no need to pay extra for luxury in the bush so I opted out.
I instead opted for Selinda which gets me in approx. the same area but for less.
My only regret is the size of Zib. camp was very appealing.

Tanky

Cybor,

Yes, my price is set in stone. I checked as soon as I heard Zib was being upgraded.

Th main reasons I chose Zib were the reviews on this site, it's small size and the fact it had a hide.

Given I am in fact getting it at half the current price is a bonus but I don't want to be poncing around the bush tasting wine with a bunch of posh people. I'd rather go to Vumbura or Duba than experience that.

Lynn,

Thanks for the advice. I'd rather give the other areas the focus they deserve than fit them in a three day visit. Kwando prices itself out for the single traveller as well as the three seat in a row configuration which is no good for semi-serious photography.

Cheers,
Gary.

afrigalah

I know of others who booked Zib early enough who were able to stick to the old rates for this year. On my advice, they asked through their agents on the grounds that the so-called upgrade or at least the scale of it was not known at the time they booked. Those who delayed weren't so lucky. As for the relocation of the camp, I understand agents weren't informed of that until the second half of last year.

I doubt whether I'd be tempted to keep a Zib booking if I was on the old rates. It's an excellent wildlife area and the new camp remains small, but the other physical changes are too upmarket and removed from my idea of an attractive place to stay. I fear for the ambience of the place. But for those who don't mind posh.....

John

afrigalah

"As for the relocation of the camp, I understand agents weren't informed of that until the second half of last year."

I was a bit slack here. To be precise, the end of October/early November for Australian agents. But that wasn't terribly important...the new rates were already well-known, as was the general objective of pampered luxury.

John

HariS

In my book - the upgrading of the tents etc etc., no matter how ridiculous it is, is a business decision of theirs to take advantage of the favourable market conditions.

However, some of their game drive practices leave a sour taste in my mouth! i.e., The first on, first off rule! - all my best sightings have occurred while staying at sightings. I'm sure - Afrigalah will agree with this, as would have been his experiences during all his safaris?

The airstrip faux pas - is as ridiculous as it gets!

Yet, overall during my visit - all of the people i met at both Selinda and Zib were fantastic - i think that's just part of the people of Botswana. Fantastic!!!! and as i have said before - my two guides during the visit were very good - Kanawe and Motsamai.

HariS

It's just a pity that with all the luxury and facilities being added - more new do's and don'ts and rules and stuff - very inflexible in my book and not at all worth my time or money!!!

Tanky

Hari,

What are all the new do's and don'ts?

I'm still half tempted to go to Zib as I don't think I'll ever being going tothe Selinda concession again if the prices stay that high.

HariS

Hi Gary,

In that case, and you haven't been to the Linyanti before - then absolutely take advantage of your situation and definitely go ahead to the new Zib.

Get the msg thru to Zib camp, that you are into photography and like to stay at sightings for as long as you wish to stay! That you like to photograph the herds drinking in the spillway during the siesta hour (if you care to) and that you don't want to rush back to brunch or dinner! Also, that you wish to be guided by one of their senior guides ..... oh! if they find anything interesting on the airstrip during siesta hour that you wish to be informed, and that you don't mind missing your reading!!! ......

I must add that, the Selinda concession is spectacular in terrain and beauty and i have mentioned before - impressive viewing on the spillway to watch the herds drinking!

Cheers
Hari