Yikes - Cost of Bots Itinerary!
 

Ok, after much deliberation (and assistance from the Board), I've lined up a Bots itinerary I feel very comfortable with. Unfortunately, I'm late in the game scheduling for 2007, plus I have to buy a new car in a few months (mine's going kapooey) so I told the travel agent to give me 2008 costing. Below is the final itinerary:

1 September: Jack’s Camp - 2 nights.
3 September: Duba Plain’s - 3 nights. (private guide – James 007).
6 September: Mombo - 3 nights. (One night sleep out.)
9 September: Savute Camp - 3 nights.
12 September: King’s Pool - 3 nights.
15 September: Matetsi - 3 nights.

I know Savute & King's Pool are both in the Linyanti, but I just couldn't decide between the two (Savute seemed very game & predator-oriented, and King's Pool seemed very luxurious, so I kept both). Anyway, total cost quoted was $20,492 for a single person, as quoted by CC Africa. Does this seem in line with what you guys know about these lodges & camps? Sheesh, and I was going to add a 3rd night at Jack's. Do any of you know any Wilderness Safari operators that I can get a good quote from? I inquired through the WS website a few days ago, but have not heard anything back yet. As always, thx much!

whohw.. thats well over 1,000$ / day..
I guess I have to stick with tanzania for a while if this is normal.. :P

That's probably a fair price for your itinerary......you are staying at some of the most luxurious properties in Botswana

It is worth 3 nights at Jack's....if i were you, i wouldnt go there for just two nights (the transfer itself is expensive) and there is quite a bit to do.

If i were you, i would reduce Matetsi to two nights (You will have fantastic game viewing in Botswana and two nights is plenty to do Vic falls and some adrenaline activities....)

I know you asked the question about the white water rafting the other day, i stayed two nights at Songwe village in 2005 and did the sundowner cruise, visit to the village, visit to the falls, the white water rafting and their much famed bath with a view!!!

Hari

My thoughts on that-- you are getting hosed. I can camp across the river in sight of Kings Pool Camp for about $10/night.

Camp a couple hundred metres away from Savute Camp, see the same ellies and lions for about $35pn. Of course I have my own transportation and gear--but....

There is a point where spending excessive dollars at a camp or lodge is nonsense.

Hi LionQueen,
That does seem high despite Mombo. I recently used Bert (owner) @ fisheagle and found him very knowledgable and to have fair pricing for my customized trip.
http://www.fisheaglesafaris.com/price-list.htm

My *#!
Thats about 100 000 pula per person for 15 days.
You can see the same animals at some privately owned lodges in the same areas.
Or try Kwando, compares no problem with game viewing.

Yes, I thought this cost seemed high as well, even despite some of the 6-paw lodges. The single supplement is a killer (Let me know if anyone knows of a single, hottie man that likes to travel - I need him to help defray my costs)! LOL. I will look into some of the regions & operators suggested. I am open to changes in my itinerary, because afterall, I still need food, shelter & clothing once I get back from safari!

Have you looked at the web sites for these camps? Why not? Take a look at Mombo - http://tinyurl.com/37sdlw
Notice the published rate is $1,300 to $1,500 pppn. Your 17 nights times $1,300 totals $22,000. Go for it.
regards - tom

Tom,
Those rates are PP sharing, its more like $2k for a single!

<b>Let me know if anyone knows of a single, hottie man that likes to travel </b>

Well, if you're OK with two out of three I'll check with my wife and see if I can get permission ...

Actually more like 1.5 out of three though (will you settle for 'luke-warm' instead of 'hottie'?)

Bill
(glad my wife doesn't read this forum) :)

Well, the bulk of your $20K is coming from Mombo, KP and Duba (with the private guide).......but, from what i read from recent visitors to Duba your money over there is well spent, so keep the private guide option.......

Wow, Traveling in High season, including the single supplement rate, those 6 paw camps, 2008 rates, and a private guide at Duba, that cost doesn't seem bad! I am kind of surprised that includes the single supplement rate.

If you are trying to save a little bit, you could try a few things:

Contact another travel agent besides CCAfrica that books a lot of Wilderness camps, like Fish Eagle Safaris or Eyes on Africa to see if you can get a slightly better price.

Stay only two nights at Kings Pool, that still gives you 5 nights in the Linyanti concession.

Don't use a private guide and vehicle at Duba Plains.

But if you are trying to cut out substantially, then it looks like you will need to use all 5 paw instead of 6 paw accomodations, (but that doesn't work for Mombo), go in shoulder season, or really reduce your number of nights.

Since it will be for 2008, you have some time to think about it (except for maybe Mombo), so good luck and have fun planning!

I'm very hot, but don't think DW will approve :S-

Actually, for a single traveler, staying at the most expensive camps, and with a private guide for three nights, I would have thought the price would be higher than your quote. You are staying at a lot of places that are more than $1,000 per night, plus air transfers and agent's commission. I would be surprised if you found a materially lower quote. If that's your desired itinerary, I would book it -- those camps get booked quickly.

I would think the only way to substantially lower the quote would be to sacrifice one of your four delta camps -- a dozen nights in the delta is a lot -- and you'll probably get the biggest reduction by sacrificing King's Pool or Mombo (but I understand the reputational allure of Mombo, even though recent trip reports suggest to me, at least, that the game viewing is no better than other camps in the delta).

I miss on all three, but just barely. However, how about RICH $$$$ ? That good enough????? I'll bet it is you little gold digging home wrecking heart breaking fluzy !!!
regards - tom
who can't afford Rattray's but can do one night at Main camp. (As long as nobody gets Cokes from their bar).

Hey Tom,
I resemble that last remark!

LionQueen,
Can you find one of those for me too?

Staying at luxurious camps in Botswana is expensive ... but you can't have your cake and eat it.

You can seriously reduce your cost if you are not staying at the 6-paw camps. Go to Chitabe instead of Mombo and stay f.e. at Zibalianja instead of King's Pool. But luxury was important for you so ...

Botswana has superb gameviewing on offer but I am sure other countries like Tanzania and Zambia have also excellent gameviewing opportunities at lower prices.

Personally I find f.e. that Mala Mala main camp has a much better price/quality ratio than the more luxurious camps in Botswana when it comes to gameviewing.

I like the suggestions you've received so far.

When I check e-gnu.com, below is what I get for prices. These are all 2007 prices, not 2008 and they do not include any air transfers between camp. It has been my experience that most agents can get a lower price than what is quoted on this e-gnu site, but it gives you an idea.

Jack’s Camp - 2 nights. 1056 x 2 = 2112
3 September: Duba Plain’s – 1052 x 3 + (1200 private guide) = 4356
6 September: Mombo - 1464 x 3 (sleeping out is usually an additional charge) = 4392
9 September: Savute Camp – 940 x 3 = 2820
12 September: King’s Pool - 1377 x 3 = 4131
15 September: Matetsi – 342 x 3 = 1026
Grand total per e-gnu = 18837


18837 for 2007 with no air transfers vs. 20492 for current pricing, plus air transfers.

Yikes is a good description but that's what Botswana costs. I went there in 2005 and 2006 and these prices are substantially higher than at that time.

What I'll suggest to save $$ has already been mentioned. Drop the private guide at Duba. (Though it was with a private guide and waiting for hours during midday that I saw the best lion-buffalo action.)

Swap King's Pool for Zibalianja.

I could agree with substituting Chitabe for Mombo, but with this comment. I had outstanding wild dog viewing at Chitabe, but overall game viewing was much more spectacular at Mombo.

To answer, does this seem in line? Yes.
I don't think you are getting ripped off for the stated itinerary. Botswana is just darned expensive. But as others have mentioned, try Eyes on Africa and Fish Eagle for price comparisons. You may be able to save a little.

If the above does fit in your budget, it would be one heck of a trip. I'll be very interested in what you end up with.

LionQueen,

Good suggestions as to Chitabe and Zib. Even Selinda main camp will save you some compared to KP, leaving some luxuary that you are looking for....

I still feel if you are serious about game viewing- money may be worth the expense at Duba.

To me, the game viewing is more important compared to sundowner stops, cookies and coffee breaks and fancy picnics in the bush........by having a private vehicle, you can just opt to stay with the animals. The more time you spend in one location, with patience you may hit some good luck!!!

Personally speaking, i have seen some vehicles at most camps in Botswana leave some fabulous sightings to go for sundowner breaks.......some return, some dont. My point being, i hate to even think that i was in that vehicle.......