botswana best areas/ camps
Jan 9th, 2006, 08:59 AM
#41
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Hi Rocco, thanks I checked the site game trails botswana and it does have some good packages. Also what camps other than mombo( its way to expensive)in the delta which have good sighting of lions. i have heard that linyati,savuti and selinda areas along with some parts of chobe are good for lion viewing. Do u know which lodges or camps I can stay at these places??? I tried to e-mail u after your post today on the web but I got the mail back( the web can be funny)maybe something is wrong with my mail. anyway write back. Just read eben's post. It is such a pity there is no rain in the serengeti.
Jan 9th, 2006, 12:16 PM
#42
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Sonali go to www.eyesonafrica.net they have a great map of Botswana showing the camps in various areas, with lots of photographs.
Jan 9th, 2006, 12:28 PM
#43
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Sonali, I'm curious at to what you mean by "seriously good lion viewing"? I have seen lions in the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Kruger and Sabi Sands, Okavango Delta, Chobe, South Luangwa, Etosha, Queen Elizabeth and Samburu (in that order), and I have seen at least 100 lions (probably way more), and I got to tell you, at least 90 of them were just laying around. They are not particularly active, although I have seen some mating and feasting. But mostly sleeping. I think it would be very rare to see a kill by a lion -- that being said, my cousin visited Sabi Sands last year (it was his first safari) and he saw lions chase and kill a warthog on his first drive, so it does happen. But they are not the most active cats.
Jan 9th, 2006, 03:54 PM
#44
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Hello,
For good pricing on Botswana, contact Nicky or James at Eyes on Africa (www.eyesonafrica.net). Botswana is their main focus and the volume of business they send there enables them to offer very competitive pricing. Nicky and James are great to work with as well, in terms of finding camps that will enable you to see the game you want to see. Nicky used to work for Wilderness, and they go back to Botswana yearly so they've seen all the camps quite recently.
Cheers,
Julian
For good pricing on Botswana, contact Nicky or James at Eyes on Africa (www.eyesonafrica.net). Botswana is their main focus and the volume of business they send there enables them to offer very competitive pricing. Nicky and James are great to work with as well, in terms of finding camps that will enable you to see the game you want to see. Nicky used to work for Wilderness, and they go back to Botswana yearly so they've seen all the camps quite recently.
Cheers,
Julian
Jan 10th, 2006, 05:07 AM
#45
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Hi guys, I just checked up eyeson africa and must say it is a fabulous site. I feel after reading some newsletters, certain camps should be good for lions even in april, may, also march. The calving season of the buffaloes is in feb march in duba plains, but I am not sure that all areas are accesible and how lion vieiwing is in duba plains in feb and march. Anybody any ideas or suggestions ???
By serious lion viewing I mean to see the lions active, forget about the nos, I would like to see them hunting,etc....
By serious lion viewing I mean to see the lions active, forget about the nos, I would like to see them hunting,etc....
Jan 10th, 2006, 06:48 AM
#47
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Sonali
the key thing you need for your next trip is luck.
It is very difficult to plan a trip around Lions being active.
Lions dont hunt/feed on a regular schedule but rather they are opportunistic. If they make a good kill that they dont have to share with a lot of other Lions, they may not feed for the next 3-4 days!!
During my last visit to the Kwando properties we missed 3 kills. Two of them because the Lions decided (opportunisticly) to hunt in the middle of the day during extreme heat which ofcourse surprised the guides.
The 3rd kill took place in the middle of the night.
At Kwando I have watched Lion kill a Hyena, hunting Buffalo on several occasions including a 2 hour long stand off, Lions Mating, Territorial dispute between Lions and for most of the sightings I have watched Lions doing what they do best, sleeping.
My best recommendation would be to get a private guide and spend as much time with the Lions as you can. Sooner or later they will have to kill
Michael
the key thing you need for your next trip is luck.
It is very difficult to plan a trip around Lions being active.
Lions dont hunt/feed on a regular schedule but rather they are opportunistic. If they make a good kill that they dont have to share with a lot of other Lions, they may not feed for the next 3-4 days!!
During my last visit to the Kwando properties we missed 3 kills. Two of them because the Lions decided (opportunisticly) to hunt in the middle of the day during extreme heat which ofcourse surprised the guides.
The 3rd kill took place in the middle of the night.
At Kwando I have watched Lion kill a Hyena, hunting Buffalo on several occasions including a 2 hour long stand off, Lions Mating, Territorial dispute between Lions and for most of the sightings I have watched Lions doing what they do best, sleeping.
My best recommendation would be to get a private guide and spend as much time with the Lions as you can. Sooner or later they will have to kill
Michael
Jan 10th, 2006, 07:30 AM
#48
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And a lot of the lion action occurs at night. On many drives, we have encountered lions upon kills just outside camp that occurred during the night. The night drives generally end around 8 or 9 or so, and you may have better luck if you can arrange an overnight drive -- I haven't done this and don't know if its possible, but it would be great.
Jan 10th, 2006, 07:30 AM
#49
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wow safarinut,(what a name) which dates are u going and what other camps are u visiting??? U must write a detailed trip report
Micheal, u suggest a private guide. (What does that mean??) Can I get a private guide at wilderness and kwando properties on site??? OR they travel with you. What would a private guide cost?? I am curious as to what month u were at kwando lebala, Sonali
Micheal, u suggest a private guide. (What does that mean??) Can I get a private guide at wilderness and kwando properties on site??? OR they travel with you. What would a private guide cost?? I am curious as to what month u were at kwando lebala, Sonali
Jan 10th, 2006, 07:39 AM
#50
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thit-cho, I think u were in august and visited chitabe and savuti (am I right??) Any idea how the sandibe lodge is in chitabe and savuti also can u give some ideas regarding acc/rates??
Jan 10th, 2006, 07:47 AM
#51
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That's correct -- I visited Chitabe and Savuti in August 2001. I don't know about the other properties b/c I like Wilderness' operations and camps, and the price was right. I don't remember what I paid, but the Nasdaq hadn't tanked at that time and price was not an issue. I was also on a two-week trip that included Chitabe, Savute, Chobe, Vic Falls, South Luangwa and Malawi, and Lake Malawi, and involved several private planes, so I don't know the per camp prices. But the trip was very expensive.
Jan 10th, 2006, 08:50 AM
#52
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Sonali
at most lodges you can prebook a private vehicle or private guide.
This means that you have the vehicle to yourself and therefore full flexibility at sightings. If you want to spend the entire drive at a Lion sighting you can do that and there will be no other guests saying "I want to see Hippo" "I want to see Giraffes"
You decide what to do. Also you can typically do longer drives.
Price will vary from a private vehicle where the camp will assign a guide to the much higher price of a private guide chosen by you. A private vehicle is probably around 200 USD pr night and a private guide between 300 - 1000 USD pr night. The private guide will only accompany you on the game drives
Michael
at most lodges you can prebook a private vehicle or private guide.
This means that you have the vehicle to yourself and therefore full flexibility at sightings. If you want to spend the entire drive at a Lion sighting you can do that and there will be no other guests saying "I want to see Hippo" "I want to see Giraffes"
You decide what to do. Also you can typically do longer drives.
Price will vary from a private vehicle where the camp will assign a guide to the much higher price of a private guide chosen by you. A private vehicle is probably around 200 USD pr night and a private guide between 300 - 1000 USD pr night. The private guide will only accompany you on the game drives
Michael
Jan 10th, 2006, 10:25 AM
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Hi sonali74
South Africa:
Jan 26/27:Mala Mala
Jan 28/29/30: Londolozi Tree, Leopard
Specialist safari
Botswana:
Feb 5/6 : Duba Plains
Feb 7/8/9: Mombo
Feb 10/11: Jao
I haven't confirmed my last portion in South Africa but I will be in the SSGR again from February 14th to the 19th.This will definately include Ulusaba Rock Lodge for two days and Mala Mala.
South Africa:
Jan 26/27:Mala Mala
Jan 28/29/30: Londolozi Tree, Leopard
Specialist safari
Botswana:
Feb 5/6 : Duba Plains
Feb 7/8/9: Mombo
Feb 10/11: Jao
I haven't confirmed my last portion in South Africa but I will be in the SSGR again from February 14th to the 19th.This will definately include Ulusaba Rock Lodge for two days and Mala Mala.
Jan 10th, 2006, 11:27 AM
#54
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Nut I can't believe we miss each other by a couple of days! Great trip you have lined up, will be very interested to hear about Bots in the wet season.
I'll have a word with Tjololo and encourage him to make an appearance for you.
I'll have a word with Tjololo and encourage him to make an appearance for you.
Jan 10th, 2006, 05:46 PM
#55
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Guys I cannot wait to get to botswana. I have been checking the news letters and I feel that duba plains should not be bad in feb/march. I could afford the luxury of a private vehicle and follow lions all day around,providing there are some to follow. How should duba be in feb/march to spot and follow atleast one pride of lions ??? Which other places/camps would u recommend for quality and quantity( I prefer quality, so in that order) of spotting lions in feb/march
IF I book a private guide, I would definately get the vehicle with it, micheal???
safarinut, since u are going to duba in feb it says it all, I hope u have great sightings,and pls post a detailed report on the web
napamatt, bon voyage and enjoy
IF I book a private guide, I would definately get the vehicle with it, micheal???
safarinut, since u are going to duba in feb it says it all, I hope u have great sightings,and pls post a detailed report on the web
napamatt, bon voyage and enjoy
Jan 10th, 2006, 07:09 PM
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sonali74
I have booked a private vehicle at Duba Plains and intend to follow a pride for a whole day!
I will give a detailed report upon my return.
I know some months are probably ''better'' than other but I can't imagine a ''bad day'' being in the Okavango Delta!!
I have booked a private vehicle at Duba Plains and intend to follow a pride for a whole day!
I will give a detailed report upon my return.
I know some months are probably ''better'' than other but I can't imagine a ''bad day'' being in the Okavango Delta!!
Jan 11th, 2006, 08:18 AM
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Safarinut your itiernary looks envious. I am also interested in knowing how jao is in feb.
Micheal lets see how things shape up as a private guide is pretty expensive.
Also I believe(correct me if I am wrong) that after reading alot of posts on botswana is it correct that the floods arrive late march early april so other than the rainfall being a hinderance, u can pretty much access
the same areas in the rainy season and the dry season(high season). How would the savuti region and linyati be in feb and march. Any ideas??? Also would most areas be accesible in duba plains, vumbura, chitabe in feb and march, how would the khwai river section be in feb march to spot cats.Sonali.
Micheal lets see how things shape up as a private guide is pretty expensive.
Also I believe(correct me if I am wrong) that after reading alot of posts on botswana is it correct that the floods arrive late march early april so other than the rainfall being a hinderance, u can pretty much access
the same areas in the rainy season and the dry season(high season). How would the savuti region and linyati be in feb and march. Any ideas??? Also would most areas be accesible in duba plains, vumbura, chitabe in feb and march, how would the khwai river section be in feb march to spot cats.Sonali.
