As always, thanks Mitch! Curious though: Why don't you like the two-country trips? It's not really that far away...or are there border hassles and things like that? I wouldn't mind a little variety in the countryside/landscape. No doubt, if I choose Zambia I will try different park sectors. Didn't you once say you really like Nsefu camp? Myabe that was someone else....And what about Kafue? Worth a visit?

Sharon,

Internet access from your bed? :-D
(I must admit I need some sleep too - 2:40am and still in the company...)

Why I don't like multi-country trips? Why should I go to another country if it would take weeks (or months) to explore the parks and wildlife of one country? (Two years ago I was five weeks in Botswana and only saw a small part of the country.) Second, I hate 'western' civilisation while being on safari, and try to avoid any stay in a city hotel or 'country' lodge. Unfortunately, multi-country safaris often include such stays - and that would spoil my trip.

Mitch

Mitch - I envy you who live in Europe or closer to Africa. For me, having two really long flights to get there, I want to make the most of such trips. Plus I cannot really say for sure when I'll be able to go back. It's a lot of money for me.

BTW: you are ignoring my question about Kafue! (just tired, maybe?!) ;-)

Sharon

cooncat2-don't envy him, I envy you...i live in Hawaii so I have 3 long flights!

Ahem...is it Dennis? Sir, I don't know where you live, but I've been to Oahu and Kauai. Yes, I feel soooooooooo sorry for you! :-)

Really, three long flights would be tough, I'll give you that....

I'm actually on the big island so that is 1 short flight and 3 long flights
Dennis

I'd love to see the big island sometime. Lucky you! Sharon

Sharon,

if it comes to wildlife Kafue can't beat Hwange (with the exception of wild dogs), but Kafue gives you more different landscapes (Busanga Plains, bushland, rivers) than Hwange, and if you go with operators such as Busanga Plains you also have a wider spectrum of activities.

Mitch

Mitch - The thing is, is that the camps in lower Zambezi and South Luangwa also offer walking, canoeing and driving activities, and I don't fish, so....I'd get that variety there, too. I don't want to sound argumentative; I really appreciate the input from you and others who have been in Zambia, so I'm asking to ensure that I plan a really great and varied trip. I do like the idea of the open plains. Thanks again!

Sharon,

I never mentioned canoeing, I spoke about river cruises, which you could call a different kind of game drive. Look at this:
ftp://www.podszuck.de/po/podszuck.de...verCruise.jpeg

Mitch

Looks nice, Mitch. I think one of the camps in lower Zambezi, maybe... offers this type of cruise, as well. Not to say they are the same. Do you have any other photos of this area? Any cruise photos with animals on the river banks?! Am I asking too much? Probably! :-D
Sharon

Hundreds of images, but not in digital format. Sorry.

River cruising in Lower Zambezi depends on season and water level. At the time of my stay (October) it wasn't possible.

Mitch

Aww, that's OK Mitch. I'm sure it will all come together in due time! Wish I was going this year instead of next!

Sharon

I've found a digital one from Lufupa River:
ftp://www.podszuck.de/po/podszuck.de...itedHippo.jpeg

Hi Sharon,

You can certainly do a river cruise from Vic Falls (at Chobe) if you don't do one in Zambia.

Cheers,
Julina

Well, I didn't make at VicFalls, only at Kasane/Chobe, and there it is more a mass spectacle and the boats often reminded me on swimming bars.

Mitch

Hello,

If you stay at a good lodge, you can do a cruise in the lodge boats which is more like a 'game cruise'. You can also book a 'game cruise' with one of the local operators.

Personally, I would avoid the booze cruises like the plague.

Cheers,
Julian

As would I.

Julian,

I stayed at Chobe Chilwero and had a boat for myself. This won't help you much, because waterways are free for everyone. You can't compare this with the exclusive cruises offered in the concessions of the Delta (or Kafue).

Cruises on the Chobe (and certainly also on the Zambezi around VicFalls) are like East African safaris with herds of mini busses. With luck you avoid those herds, but no one gives you a guarantee.

Mitch

Hello Mitch,

I was talking more about escaping the booze/floating bar aspect of it.

I don't know about Kafue, but you'd probably see more wildlife on a Chobe cruise than you would while boating on the Delta -- when I did boat cruises on Lake Zibalianja and in the area around Little Vumbura (and mokoring around LV), I saw some gorgeous scenery but very little in the way of game. The water camps in the Delta emphasise that you shouldn't expect to see lots of game whilst boating there.

I haven't been to Chobe myself, but people I met in Botswana who stayed there saw huge elephant herds massed on the riverbanks, and sable as well.

Cheers,
Julian