PredatorBiologist

Footsteps in Africa will be marketing 3 new camps that were tendered to the CEO of Mapula Lodge.

The government is privitizing operation of some camp sites within National parks and reserves and the new camps will be in well known wildlife areas, and known as Camp Khwai, Camp Savuti, and Camp Linyanti.

My understanding is these will be small camps of 5 semi-permanent luxury ensuite tents and small central lounge areas. They will be separate from public camp grounds but in the same area offering access to some of the best wildlife areas but with more luxury than self catering or mobile camping and yet due to using public land areas I imagine pricing will be much more affordable than the typical private concession luxury lodge.

Seems to have potential to fill a big niche for more affordable Botswana access to excellent wildlife areas for people who want more facility than the typical mobile set up but do not need the over the top ultra luxury facilities and prices that have been the recent trend.

atravelynn

This sounds great!

ShayTay

Fantastic! I'm looking forward to hearing more. I wonder if this was Tuckeg's big news.

basto

Thanks for the news Bill!

Do you know when those camps will be up and running? And where could I find more info?

I am still in the process of booking a march 2009 safari with footsteps, and so far had considered DVL, Delta Camp and Mapula, but I am a bit unsure about the Delta camp part since I have not tried the mekoro and walking before. So I do not know if it would be better to concentrate on the "traditional" game-drives that I know I love so much. On the other hand perhaps walking would be wonderful...

Anyhow any info on the new camps would be greatly appreciated. And also how those concessions look in March, will the game-viewing be good or would you recommend other areas.

best regards,
Tom

sniktawk

This looks most interesting, amd may provide a viable alternative to mobiles for the Western and Southern parts of Chobe. Do you know if the Linyanti campsite will be same lakeside setting as the current public site?

torrem

Bill, this is great news, but why can't they be a bit more creative with the names of the Camps? I mean, it was confusing enough with Wilderness having a "Savuti Camp" and Delta a "Savute Lodge", now with a "Camp Savuti" it's going to be a mess!

skimmer

I don't see the need for such camps if they have access to the same areas as mobiles do.

Let's be realistic: they are not going to compete with the luxurious camps in the private concessions but with mobile operators. So in fact, it's just another form of upscaling again then.

Are we men and women in such a need of unnecessary luxury while travelling to such pristine places?

I would be more impressed if other more urgent problems concerning those areas are tackled ...

divine54

skimmer
these camps are NOT going to be LUXIRIOUS in the word's meaning.

it's going to be pretty basic but offer "luxurious" flush loos and bucket shower.
so there is not going to be a SPA, great library, outing (lunch, breakfasts and dinners) for which wilderness ask a fortune.

i would assume the prices are going to be around 400/450$ which means great savings to WS without lacking these basic "lux"

div

PredatorBiologist

Tom: the new camps are not likely to be open for your trip in March, I'm hearing probably sometime during the second quarter of the year but I don't think anyone could tell you for sure.

As for Delta Camp only you can decide about trying a walking safari for the first time but for me getting to put the feet on the ground leads to a new unfiltered experience that is invigorating. The walks are on Chief's Island, which has some of the best year round gameviewing so one of the better locations for March and a very good place to walk. Maybe stay at Delta for just 2 nights so you get in 4 walks but not too much time away from gamedrives as you expose to something new. If you do include Delta Camp have your agent try to request Matsaudi as your guide, he is outstanding.

Johan: I see where you are coming from and why you would view it as an upmarketing from mobiles. However, I don't see it as big competition for mobiles, people that want mobile tents, one guide for their entire trip or other mobile specific features and don't have the need for any extras will still choose mobiles as their best alternative. However, I think there is a large segment of people that simply want ensuite factilities and a little more camp structure but are not able or willing to pay for the luxury permanent camps that have added a lot of things they don't need or want to pay for. For the most part these camps will not likely compete with the luxury camps but might allow for travelers to come to Botswana rather than choosing a cheaper safari destination or it is a great option to extend a safari by using in combination with one or two more expensive private concession lodges.

Personally I'm happy to be in Botswana under any circumstances and don't need any amentities but currently there seems to be a pretty big void between mobiles and the high cost of permanent camps. This offering will help fill that niche. As for dealing with more urgent issues in these public areas I believe the government through privitizing some campground areas is doing so to improve management of those areas as well as raise revenues so hopefully there will be other benefits derived from the plan beyond just servicing a new tourist niche.

bots

Pred have you noticed Footsteps have lost Makgadikgadi Camp, its now Kalahari camp by Unchartered Africa, there is also talk in Maun that Mapula wont renew its contract with them. Kwando is also opening Nxai Pan camp in Feb.
Be careful as Footsteps is still advertising Makgadikgadi Camp as their camp.

basto

Thanks for your reply Bill! I think I will go with two nights at Delta Camp, to see what a walking safari is really like.

Johan, if possible could you please enlighten what urgent problems the areas have. It´s not easy to get "real" information as most websites are for marketing purposes. I get your point that if those new camps compete with mobiles it is a kind of upscaling. Looking to myself I would not mind going mobile instead, but somehow the permanent camps are easier to get info about and to book. CCafricas mobiles seem nice though, so we´ll se next time.

regards,
Tom

skimmer

Tom,

I'll come back to you in October as I am leaving for Botswana today.

Best regards,

Johan

basto

Hello Johan,

Looking forward to your reply and also trip report with excellent photos as usual in October. Hope you have a really great trip!

regards,
Tom

PredatorBiologist

Bots thanks for your concerns but I have none with Footsteps in Africa. They have by far been the most responsive and helpful safari operator that I have come across. I do like many others as well but Footsteps has exceeded in all areas in my experience and I like that they are trying to provide a more affordable product and work to provide more direct benefit to local people.

The three new camps that I started this thread about were in fact tendered to the CEO of Mapula Lodge so his recent decision to market them with Footsteps in Africa is a pretty strong indicator that they are quite pleased with their relationship with Footsteps so I would not take that rumor very seriously based on this recent action. As for Makgadikgadi Camp if an agent contacts Footsteps they will send them to Uncharted Africa, they do not sell it directly anymore. I believe it is simply a case of not yet removing it from their website. When I look at Uncharted Africa who keeps a great website the Kalahari Camp is still shown in it's old location on their map and features pictures of their previous camp so it would appear their site is not up to date either with promoting the former Makgadikgadi Camp. There may well be contractual issues and negotiations regarding existing bookings that none of us know about.

PredatorBiologist

Tom: I think you will like the change for a couple days of walking. I will look forward to hearing about how it works for you.

Johan: sorry I missed the opportunity for Safari njema but hope when you read this that you have had another outstanding safari!

cybor

Thanks PB.
Good info. for me as I'd love to go back and avoid having my DH disown me
for sending us into financial ruin.

I'll hopefully be posting about some new mobile upstarts soon.

PredatorBiologist

Cybor: I'll look forward to hearing about new mobiles. It seems that quite a few very good guides are moving into mobile operations which could be great news.