Need 2nd opinion on the recommended camps in Botswana
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Botswana
Need 2nd opinion on the recommended camps in Botswana
For our 2-week SA/Botswana trip in May 2012 our TA recommended the following camps: Chitabe camp (Okavango Delta/Moremi), Little Vumbura (Okavango Delta), and Savati Camp (Linyati wilderness reserve)
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Cat:Middle East and AfricaForum:0EEAA5DA
Cat:Middle East and AfricaForum:0EEAA5DADiscussion:b4248a58-b6d2-4ab0-a3f8-ad5c46675651
For our 2-week SA/Botswana trip in May 2012 our TA recommended the following camps: Chitabe camp (Okavango Delta/Moremi), Little Vumbura (Okavango Delta), and Savati Camp (Linyati wilderness reserve). He didn't include any SA camps.
I'd like to experience the various eco-systems and combine both land and water safaries so I'd appreciate to get additional recommendations. It looks like some of the camps above are in the same region. Should we change one (which one?) to the private reserve around Kruger?
I heard that SA camps are usually cheaper than the same class camps in Botswana because of available infrastructure. Of course, the game viewing is the main critera when choosing however, the cost is the concern as well.
In addition, we'll go to Cape Town (Victoria and Albert Hotel) and Victoria Falls (Toka Leya).
Your receommendations will be very much appreciated as it's a trip of a lifetime!
Ordinarily if you were doing the Falls and Botswana I'd say leave it at that. However, as long as you're going down to SA for CT, you could try fitting in a stop in the Kruger region, surely one of the premier safari regions in Africa and one that will allow you to experience a different ecosystem. I'd recommend either Londolozi or Mala Mala. Londolozi is one of my favorite places---they take great care of you and leopard sightings are their specialty.
BTW, I wish I had a dollar for each time I've heard people say it's a a once-in-a-lifetime trip, then return to Africa over and over. I'd have enough money for another safari! Beware mal d'Afrique.
Thank you very much for your reply. Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay in all 3 camps in Botswana and also stay in SA. So the QA is which one to drop in Botswana in exchange of the one in SA and should we do it?
In addition, it seems that I'll have to stay at least 1 possibly 2 nights on Jo'burg in between. Right now we're flying directly to Cape Town, than to Botswana, with the last stop at the Falls before heading back home.
What would you suggest? Unfortunatly time and especially money are limited.
As I mentioned in the earlier post, I tend to advise visitors to choose between going to Botswana, with a stop at the Falls, or going to South Africa and experiencing places like Cape Town, the wine country or the Garden Route along with some serious time in the Kruger region for safaris. I do this so visitors don't end up spending an inordinate amount of their vacation time seeing the inside of airports. But I certainly understand wanting to see as much as possible when making a long flight to get there. And yes, as a rule, you can get some better prices in SA.
You haven't provided a detailed itinerary so I don't know how much time you've got planned at each stop. I do think the 3 places chosen in Botswana are good, certainly well-spaced to give you the flavor of some excellent spots. I've been to Sandibe which is next to Chitabe and had excellent game-viewing, particularly with respect to wild dogs (2 packs, which was very lucky). Perhaps you can play with your itinerary to free up some time to hit the Kruger region, if that's a high priority? For example, I think one night at the Falls is sufficient, assuming you arrive there early in the day. You could visit the Falls, take a sunset cruise on the Zambesi, then head off to your next destination. It seems to me you could do 2 nights at each of the 3 camps in Botswana and then still have some time for Kruger. Again, I'm making these suggestions absent your current itinerary and not knowing your budget. If you did decide to stop in the Kruger region, I'd go with Londolozi, a camp that seems to be a favorite of so many.
I know making a decision can be daunting (I've been there many times) but just think of this as a win-win situation. You have a wonderful time ahead of you in any case.
Best of luck. Let me know if I can offer some additional thoughts.
We fly directly to CT (via J'burg) where we stay 3 nights (I assume that we'll arrive in the afternoon and quite tired), next 2 days will tour Winelands and Cape Peninsula. Then will fly to Botswana: Chitabe camp (Okavango Delta/Moremi) -3 nights, Little Vumbura (Okavango Delta) -2 nights, and Savati Camp (Linyati wilderness reserve) - 2nights. We'll finish the trip at the Falls by staying 1 night at the Toka Leya.
I'd love to include Kruger, but can't just add it due to the budget limitations (already way more than we're planning to spend).
So I can better comment, just a couple of questions: where do you originate and is that 3 nights total in the CT area or 5 nights (3 nights + the 2 for Winelands and CP)?
I think your itinerary looks good. You'll get to visit the Cape Town area, which definitely is a world-class destination, 3 excellent camps in Botswana that will let you experience the Okanvango Delta and Chobe area, and Vic Falls. Botswana does a fantastic job of offering top-notch but low-volume tourism (which translates to pricey) that helps keep its wildlife destinations pristine. If you get bitten by the bush bug, as so many of us have, you'll be thinking about how to get back to South Africa (and Kruger) when this trip is over.
BTW, Little Vumbura is near the Duba Plains which is the setting for the movie "The Last Lions," currently playing in select theaters. The movie was filmed over 6 years by the Jouberts, a husband/wife team of conservationists who live in Africa. The film is terrific and follows a lone lioness trying to rear her 3 cubs. Not a Disney movie, but very moving and realistic.
If you haven't already booked your flights, I just wanted to mention that you might want to consider South African Airways #204, a favorite of mine. It's non-stop (to JNB), but more important it arrives JNB in the (next) morning, giving you lots of time to get down to CT at a reasonably early time. Most other airlines/flights get you there in the evening or night and may require an overnight in Jo'burg.
Wishing you all the best on your African adventure-
Wow! I definitely feel better. As you said, there are so many choices and I want that trip to be the best possible. Thank you for making me feel more comfortable with the proposed plan. I'll certainly try to find the movie as well!
I didn't book the flights yet (it's impossible considering that we're planning to go in May 2012) but I'll definitely look for the flight you've recommended.
Any other tips and suggestion would be much appreciated
I am going to CT and O.Delta and Vic Falls in July 2012. Was in Vic Falls and Zimbabwe in 2000. Activties I wouldn't miss: The Elephant Back Safarii in VF. $120, 3 hrs. riding and then interacting with elephants. http://www.victoriafalls.biz/activities/elephant-back-safaris.html Also, interacting with lions in VF: (I did this in Gweru and it has been such a highlight of my Africa trips) http://www.victoriafalls.net/lion_encounter.htm ($130) In Cape Town there is the . Spier Cheetah Outreach Center - Cape Town, South Africa Cheetah research project (interact with cheetahs, hold meerkat, see bat-eared fox) (around $40).
Best wishes! Youw will have the time of your life, and this will be my 7th trip to Africa and I am still feeling that! I am a retired high school teacher.
