Botswana Camps
Nov 27th, 2005, 01:10 PM
#21
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Thanks Johan. My goodness you plan ahead. Even I have nothing concrete yet for 07 and I love to plan ahead. But ideas are swirling around in my head.
Would you mind posting those 06 and 07 plans?
Would you mind posting those 06 and 07 plans?
Nov 27th, 2005, 01:35 PM
#22
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2006: Lebala/Kwara (7/1 nights)-Mala Mala (6 nights)(trip in May/June)
2006: The great Namibian journey (Ongava/Kulala/Palmwag Rhino camp/Damaraland camp/Skeleton research camp)+3 nights Wolvedans dune lodge (trip in August)
2007: Mombo (7 nights)+ probably Duba Plains (4 nights)+Little Vumbura (4 nights)(trip in April)
2007: Mombo (7 nights)+Selinda (4 nights) + private guided trip to Moremi (Khwai section)(7 nights) (trip in June)
For Duba Plains I'll ask the staff at Maun if April is a good period to go.
The reason why I book everything so early is I want to be 100 % sure that I am able to go to the camps I want to.
The plan is to publish a book about my safaris in Southern Africa (especially about the delta) after my trip in June 2007.
2006: The great Namibian journey (Ongava/Kulala/Palmwag Rhino camp/Damaraland camp/Skeleton research camp)+3 nights Wolvedans dune lodge (trip in August)
2007: Mombo (7 nights)+ probably Duba Plains (4 nights)+Little Vumbura (4 nights)(trip in April)
2007: Mombo (7 nights)+Selinda (4 nights) + private guided trip to Moremi (Khwai section)(7 nights) (trip in June)
For Duba Plains I'll ask the staff at Maun if April is a good period to go.
The reason why I book everything so early is I want to be 100 % sure that I am able to go to the camps I want to.
The plan is to publish a book about my safaris in Southern Africa (especially about the delta) after my trip in June 2007.
Nov 27th, 2005, 05:14 PM
#24
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hi johan,
i am booked for duba plains at the end of aug/beginning os sept 2006. do u think the waters will have receded enough by then or should i switch to another camp? currently i have duba, chitabe, duma tau and finishing with mombo. thanx in advance. and can u give more detail on your lion viewing at duba. i've read recently that the number of lions/buffalo is down compared to a couple of years ago. sounds like u got some good action but i'd like to hear if you saw the tsaro pride exclusively, skimmer pride etc. any info would be appreciated. thx
i am booked for duba plains at the end of aug/beginning os sept 2006. do u think the waters will have receded enough by then or should i switch to another camp? currently i have duba, chitabe, duma tau and finishing with mombo. thanx in advance. and can u give more detail on your lion viewing at duba. i've read recently that the number of lions/buffalo is down compared to a couple of years ago. sounds like u got some good action but i'd like to hear if you saw the tsaro pride exclusively, skimmer pride etc. any info would be appreciated. thx
Nov 27th, 2005, 06:00 PM
#25
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Hey Johan....
Yes, I'll be going on safari in 2006--either Botswana or Tanzania (I haven't been there). Can't decide, but it will be another scheduled safari. The Tanzania trip is with Natural Habitat and the Botswana trip is Wilderness Safaris' "Great Wilderness Journey." Any opinions??
Wow...that's great about your book!! I was in a bookstore last weekend and a saw a new book by that Natl. Geographic photographer that was in Nsefu when we were there. Fritz or Franz or whatever his name was--you know, the helicopter guy..
Yes, I'll be going on safari in 2006--either Botswana or Tanzania (I haven't been there). Can't decide, but it will be another scheduled safari. The Tanzania trip is with Natural Habitat and the Botswana trip is Wilderness Safaris' "Great Wilderness Journey." Any opinions??
Wow...that's great about your book!! I was in a bookstore last weekend and a saw a new book by that Natl. Geographic photographer that was in Nsefu when we were there. Fritz or Franz or whatever his name was--you know, the helicopter guy..
Nov 28th, 2005, 07:35 AM
#27
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Bigcountry
When I was at Duba Plains I saw only the Tsaro Pride. We couldn't reach the territory of the Skimmer Pride because of the floods. When I arrived at Duba the guides told me the Tsaro Pride hadn't made a kill for a least a week. Next day we followed the pride through deep water and the females were able to make a kill but couldn't hardly feed on it because the males took over. In the afternoon, we met Derek and Beverly Joubert who were filming there at that moment and they told us they didn't followed the lions anymore that day because they went to very deep water and the chances of getting stuck were quite high. We took our chances at managed to find the pride on a small island and there they made their second kill that day. Chief, one of the other guides tried to reach that place but got really stuck. When he was using the jack, a lioness came to his direction out of curiosity but luckily nothing happened. Next day we found other members of the same pride again who were really trying hard to make a kill. They made 5 attempts I think. At a certain moment, one of the females rushed it to the herd by herself and almost killed a cow. Next day, a few members of the pride, killed a newborn calve. Others went for warthog but weren't successfull.
I think the floods will still be high at that time of year but you can be lucky. If I arrived 4 days later at Duba, I wouldn't have seen much I think in terms of lion-buffalo interaction. I'll talk you later about it because I have to speak with people of Wilderness safaris first. About the diminishing lion population, I'll advice you read the Duba newsletters like napamatt told you.
To everyone else -
I made an album of my safaris this year in the following areas - the pictures published here won't figure in my book that I am planning to publish. Enjoy!!
- Chitabe;
- Duba Plains;
- Linyanti;
- Chief's island;
- Moremi national park;
- Palmwag Rhino camp (Damaraland);
- Serra Cafema;
- Kafue (Busanga plains);
- South Luangwa (Nsefu sector);
- Lower Zambezi;
- Lochinvar.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-diw6g2
When I was at Duba Plains I saw only the Tsaro Pride. We couldn't reach the territory of the Skimmer Pride because of the floods. When I arrived at Duba the guides told me the Tsaro Pride hadn't made a kill for a least a week. Next day we followed the pride through deep water and the females were able to make a kill but couldn't hardly feed on it because the males took over. In the afternoon, we met Derek and Beverly Joubert who were filming there at that moment and they told us they didn't followed the lions anymore that day because they went to very deep water and the chances of getting stuck were quite high. We took our chances at managed to find the pride on a small island and there they made their second kill that day. Chief, one of the other guides tried to reach that place but got really stuck. When he was using the jack, a lioness came to his direction out of curiosity but luckily nothing happened. Next day we found other members of the same pride again who were really trying hard to make a kill. They made 5 attempts I think. At a certain moment, one of the females rushed it to the herd by herself and almost killed a cow. Next day, a few members of the pride, killed a newborn calve. Others went for warthog but weren't successfull.
I think the floods will still be high at that time of year but you can be lucky. If I arrived 4 days later at Duba, I wouldn't have seen much I think in terms of lion-buffalo interaction. I'll talk you later about it because I have to speak with people of Wilderness safaris first. About the diminishing lion population, I'll advice you read the Duba newsletters like napamatt told you.
To everyone else -
I made an album of my safaris this year in the following areas - the pictures published here won't figure in my book that I am planning to publish. Enjoy!!
- Chitabe;
- Duba Plains;
- Linyanti;
- Chief's island;
- Moremi national park;
- Palmwag Rhino camp (Damaraland);
- Serra Cafema;
- Kafue (Busanga plains);
- South Luangwa (Nsefu sector);
- Lower Zambezi;
- Lochinvar.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-diw6g2
Nov 28th, 2005, 09:35 AM
#30
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To Phernska,
You are talking about Frans Lanting. He's really great but I am not thinking to compete with these guys... for me it's just a hobby that went serious out of hand. Let me know what you think about my pictures?
About your trip to Botswana or Tanzania? Which time of year are you planning to go? And where do I find the itinerary for your trip to Tanzania?
Greetings,
Johan
You are talking about Frans Lanting. He's really great but I am not thinking to compete with these guys... for me it's just a hobby that went serious out of hand. Let me know what you think about my pictures?
About your trip to Botswana or Tanzania? Which time of year are you planning to go? And where do I find the itinerary for your trip to Tanzania?
Greetings,
Johan
Nov 28th, 2005, 02:57 PM
#33
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Johan,
I am so frustrated! I can't figure out how to view your photos..When I get to the kodak gallery, it says that I can't view that account, or something along those lines...grrrrr
I'm hoping to go back sometime next summer--July, August or September.
YOu can see the Tanzania itinerary at
www.nathab.com It's called "Secluded Tanzania"
Thanks, Johan..
cheers,
Fern (phernska)
I am so frustrated! I can't figure out how to view your photos..When I get to the kodak gallery, it says that I can't view that account, or something along those lines...grrrrr
I'm hoping to go back sometime next summer--July, August or September.
YOu can see the Tanzania itinerary at
www.nathab.com It's called "Secluded Tanzania"
Thanks, Johan..
cheers,
Fern (phernska)
Nov 28th, 2005, 08:49 PM
#35
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Hi Ruth,
We were in Botswana May 2005 and stayed at Savuti, Kwetsani and Chief's Camp.
For more details you can read my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34632411
I'd be happy to answer any of your questions. I loved Africa and hope to go back in 2007. It's really hard to branch out and go elsewhere as we loved Botswana. Happy Travels!
Brenda
We were in Botswana May 2005 and stayed at Savuti, Kwetsani and Chief's Camp.
For more details you can read my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34632411
I'd be happy to answer any of your questions. I loved Africa and hope to go back in 2007. It's really hard to branch out and go elsewhere as we loved Botswana. Happy Travels!
Brenda
Nov 29th, 2005, 10:45 AM
#36
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Divewop: I like the D2X a lot but still got a lot to learn. I am thinkin' about following a course on photography because until now I developed a few skills just by practising. Like I said before it's a hobby that went serious out of hand.
Napamatt: it was indeed a pel's fishing-owl. We saw it at Tena Tena (South Luangwa). Although I am not a birder I always enjoy to see them and on my last trip I could recognise approximately +/- 130 different species.
Phernska: I think you did somethin' wrong when you were tryin' to look at my photos. Just copy my link and on the website of Kodak just choose the option "view photos without signing in". I had a look at both trips and I think they are both very nice but if I had to choose I would go for the trip to Tanzania but you'll have to take the extension to the Serengeti. After 2007 I'll focus on East Africa.
For your Botswana trip I would recommend to pick out specific camps although the trip you were talking about is well-balanced. By the way did you never consider to go to Namibia?
To everyone: thanks for you nice comments on my gallery!!
Napamatt: it was indeed a pel's fishing-owl. We saw it at Tena Tena (South Luangwa). Although I am not a birder I always enjoy to see them and on my last trip I could recognise approximately +/- 130 different species.
Phernska: I think you did somethin' wrong when you were tryin' to look at my photos. Just copy my link and on the website of Kodak just choose the option "view photos without signing in". I had a look at both trips and I think they are both very nice but if I had to choose I would go for the trip to Tanzania but you'll have to take the extension to the Serengeti. After 2007 I'll focus on East Africa.
For your Botswana trip I would recommend to pick out specific camps although the trip you were talking about is well-balanced. By the way did you never consider to go to Namibia?
To everyone: thanks for you nice comments on my gallery!!
Nov 29th, 2005, 03:15 PM
#37
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Johan,
A co-worker helped me out so I was able to see your photos...OHMYGOD! They are fantastic--let me know when your book comes out! Plus, my co-worker and I were so blown out by the first leopard shot that he (my co-worker) has it as my wallpaper for my computer. Beautiful.
Thanks for looking at the itineraries. I'm glad you recommended Tanzania as I was leaning that way as I haven't been yet, but have been to Botswana. As for Namibia--of course, I'd love to go there too. Maybe in 2006 or 2007. It seems I can only get to Africa once a year right now. Poor me.
ciao,
fern
A co-worker helped me out so I was able to see your photos...OHMYGOD! They are fantastic--let me know when your book comes out! Plus, my co-worker and I were so blown out by the first leopard shot that he (my co-worker) has it as my wallpaper for my computer. Beautiful.
Thanks for looking at the itineraries. I'm glad you recommended Tanzania as I was leaning that way as I haven't been yet, but have been to Botswana. As for Namibia--of course, I'd love to go there too. Maybe in 2006 or 2007. It seems I can only get to Africa once a year right now. Poor me.
ciao,
fern
Nov 30th, 2005, 08:00 AM
#38
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Phernska,
Thank you for your comments on my gallery.
Like you know I am seriously hooked on Africa so one time a year won't do it for me I think. So I'll be back in Botswana the 13th of December for 12 days with Kwando Safaris. First time to go in December, so I am curious about the light conditions. And after that I'll go for a week to Capetown to chill out.
If you are going to Tanzania it would be very nice to read your comments afterwards.
Johan
Greetings,
Johan
Thank you for your comments on my gallery.
Like you know I am seriously hooked on Africa so one time a year won't do it for me I think. So I'll be back in Botswana the 13th of December for 12 days with Kwando Safaris. First time to go in December, so I am curious about the light conditions. And after that I'll go for a week to Capetown to chill out.
If you are going to Tanzania it would be very nice to read your comments afterwards.
Johan
Greetings,
Johan
Nov 30th, 2005, 08:31 AM
#39
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Hi Johan,
I presume you're from Belgium to. Where do you book your trips to Africa?
Which is the best company?
Me , I have been booking with travel agencies in Belgium as wel as with a travel agent (who quit business now) in South Africa, and last year I booked my trip with go2.africa.
I have some friends who want to go on a first time Africa, first time safari trip, so where to go??
And as always, where can they get the best value for money.
BTW , wonderful pictures, I am sooo jeaulous ! (only bought myself a first dig. SLR camera this year and haven't practiced a lot uptil now)
I presume you're from Belgium to. Where do you book your trips to Africa?
Which is the best company?
Me , I have been booking with travel agencies in Belgium as wel as with a travel agent (who quit business now) in South Africa, and last year I booked my trip with go2.africa.
I have some friends who want to go on a first time Africa, first time safari trip, so where to go??
And as always, where can they get the best value for money.
BTW , wonderful pictures, I am sooo jeaulous ! (only bought myself a first dig. SLR camera this year and haven't practiced a lot uptil now)
Dec 1st, 2005, 07:32 AM
#40
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Africa lover,
I book my trips with "Talisman reizen", a dutch company with a belgian subsidiary in Gent. When I see a good deal on websites of other travel agencies I am telling my travel agent about it. So to be honest, I am always telling him what I am gonna do.
It's difficult to tell which place to go to without knowing the budget and the interests of your friends. So at the moment, I just can tell you which my 7 favourite spots are in Southern Africa if money is not an issue:
- Mombo (Botswana) (fabulous gameviewing especially if you are interested in the big cats - only place in Botswana where you have a fair chance to see white rhino)
- Palmwag rhino camp (Namibia) (black rhino tracking on foot and my favourite guide who's there at the moment: Chris Bakkes).
- Busanga plains (Kafue - Zambia) (lions - sable - roan - cheetah and wild dog if you are lucky) - very remote and harsh place
- Tena Tena (South Luangwa - Zambia)(leopard, lion, hippo, elephant)
- Moremi national park (Khwai section - Botswana) (leopard - lion - wild dog - cheetah - birds of prey)
- Skeleton coast/Hartmann's valley (Namibia) (the place speaks for itself)
- Duba plains (Botswana) (good chance to see lion-buffalo interaction during daytime)
Thanks for your comments on my gallery.
Johan
I book my trips with "Talisman reizen", a dutch company with a belgian subsidiary in Gent. When I see a good deal on websites of other travel agencies I am telling my travel agent about it. So to be honest, I am always telling him what I am gonna do.
It's difficult to tell which place to go to without knowing the budget and the interests of your friends. So at the moment, I just can tell you which my 7 favourite spots are in Southern Africa if money is not an issue:
- Mombo (Botswana) (fabulous gameviewing especially if you are interested in the big cats - only place in Botswana where you have a fair chance to see white rhino)
- Palmwag rhino camp (Namibia) (black rhino tracking on foot and my favourite guide who's there at the moment: Chris Bakkes).
- Busanga plains (Kafue - Zambia) (lions - sable - roan - cheetah and wild dog if you are lucky) - very remote and harsh place
- Tena Tena (South Luangwa - Zambia)(leopard, lion, hippo, elephant)
- Moremi national park (Khwai section - Botswana) (leopard - lion - wild dog - cheetah - birds of prey)
- Skeleton coast/Hartmann's valley (Namibia) (the place speaks for itself)
- Duba plains (Botswana) (good chance to see lion-buffalo interaction during daytime)
Thanks for your comments on my gallery.
Johan
