Zib upgrade
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Yes, i agree.....the way things sky rocket, Robin Leach (sp?) may soon be making his episodes in Northern botswana to figure out which celebrity goes to which camps and which camp is more extravagent to be seen in!!!
Celebrity spa vacations in the delta, next up?
Celebrity spa vacations in the delta, next up?
#23
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I am going to visit Zib the first week of November, so it looks that for a close call iīm going to experience that rustic,intimate feeling for what this camp is famous(in this forum).
I love to go to Africa for his landscape,wildlife and culture,not for the accommodation.
However things like this are not going to make me wonder if i go back to Botswana.
I donīt know if politic conservation is well manage or not, but when i see what we are doing to our own countries on a daily basis i am not going to blame others that over centuries have maintain their land much better preserve.
Of course i hope they are able to do it much longer for next generationīs joy,but money and business are probably the biggest issue to achieve it.
Paco.
I love to go to Africa for his landscape,wildlife and culture,not for the accommodation.
However things like this are not going to make me wonder if i go back to Botswana.
I donīt know if politic conservation is well manage or not, but when i see what we are doing to our own countries on a daily basis i am not going to blame others that over centuries have maintain their land much better preserve.
Of course i hope they are able to do it much longer for next generationīs joy,but money and business are probably the biggest issue to achieve it.
Paco.
#24
Join Date: Oct 2006
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I too read the release about changing Zib next year. I first stayed at Zib with my husband in October1996 and also walked and camped out with Andre and Marianne. I went back in 2001, again I had a terrific time. This October I'm returning to what sounds like the end of the old style.
This is just another example of what has happened to most of our favourite camps. Iam also returning to Mombo which was such fun in the old days when it was basic but such fun with Dave Hamman running it.
I've resisted going back so far, but this year I decided to have one more look at the fabulous game area, and form my own opinion as to whether it is worth the exhorbitant charges.
Bye the way----my alltime favourite is Lloyd's at Savuti---now that was nature in the raw in every way!!!
Jan
This is just another example of what has happened to most of our favourite camps. Iam also returning to Mombo which was such fun in the old days when it was basic but such fun with Dave Hamman running it.
I've resisted going back so far, but this year I decided to have one more look at the fabulous game area, and form my own opinion as to whether it is worth the exhorbitant charges.
Bye the way----my alltime favourite is Lloyd's at Savuti---now that was nature in the raw in every way!!!
Jan
#25
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Jan,
Wish I could have visited that one (Llyod's camp).
Curious to hear your thoughts about Mombo. I think I know ... but let't wait till after your return.
Next year I am doing a mobile (in small tents) again (that's the way I felt in love with the delta).
Bill,
You are spot on ... and the sad part is that it's not only in Botswana that I see the changes. But like I said it's market driven.
Greetz,
Johan
Wish I could have visited that one (Llyod's camp).
Curious to hear your thoughts about Mombo. I think I know ... but let't wait till after your return.
Next year I am doing a mobile (in small tents) again (that's the way I felt in love with the delta).
Bill,
You are spot on ... and the sad part is that it's not only in Botswana that I see the changes. But like I said it's market driven.
Greetz,
Johan
#27
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I sure wish I could move my '08' trip up. Perhaps Zib. and L.Vum. will have snow cone vendors and kiss the live hippo concessions by the time I get there. Tell me it ain't so.
Are there that many people who want Africa to be just like home?
grrrrrr
Are there that many people who want Africa to be just like home?
grrrrrr
#28
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Re market driven: I often wonder who is driving whom in this game. The design of luxury camps in Botswana and Zambia often is no longer a local affair - the decisions are made by global players and their share holders in SA, EU and the US, and (from what local management told me) apparently often by marketing executives who don't know much about the bush and conservation but are more interested in creating new exciting markets. So far they were quite successful, there are enough clients who believe every word in the glossy brochures and really like the new products and services. If it's always the best for conservation is a different question.
This week I had been in contact with the MD of a Kenyan operator who presented his new upmarket camp in Samburu to me. Only six tents, each "protected" by a Maasai moran who has an eye on any intruder and, of course, on the movements of the clients. Compare this with the big structures built by some SA operators to "protect" (a better word might be "control" their clients on behalf of the insurance companies.
I'm not against luxury, but I believe that there are better ways to offer a "low-impact" and "environmental-friendly" luxury product than some of SA-based operators currently do.
This week I had been in contact with the MD of a Kenyan operator who presented his new upmarket camp in Samburu to me. Only six tents, each "protected" by a Maasai moran who has an eye on any intruder and, of course, on the movements of the clients. Compare this with the big structures built by some SA operators to "protect" (a better word might be "control" their clients on behalf of the insurance companies.
I'm not against luxury, but I believe that there are better ways to offer a "low-impact" and "environmental-friendly" luxury product than some of SA-based operators currently do.
#29
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Nyama,
It's not the way I like but I've met many people who are really in for such camps.
I choose my areas in function of the game around and I would be more than happy with basic accomodation. But in some places there is no other option.
The fact is that at the moment dominant operators or marketeers are paying more attention to the upmarket clientele. I can tell you stories about it but I don't want to upset anyone anymore on this board.
Kind regards,
Johan
It's not the way I like but I've met many people who are really in for such camps.
I choose my areas in function of the game around and I would be more than happy with basic accomodation. But in some places there is no other option.
The fact is that at the moment dominant operators or marketeers are paying more attention to the upmarket clientele. I can tell you stories about it but I don't want to upset anyone anymore on this board.
Kind regards,
Johan
#30
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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"John, you're a lucky person. Your Zambian destination in SL is about 10 kms outside of cell phone coverage"
Nyama, you know I'm very, very careful about choosing my camps
Nyama, you know I'm very, very careful about choosing my camps
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