We are going to Botswana in May. We will be flying into Joberg, spending two nights in Victoria Falls, then down to Botswana for 9 days. We will be staying at Savute, Little Vumbura, and then Mombo before heading back to Joberg to come home. Any comments on any of those camps?? It's too late of course for any changes, since we've made our final payment, but would appreciate any feedback on those camps, particularly anything recent..

Should be a super trip.

Savute--May is a beautiful month to be here. The wild dogs that hang around the Savute area may start their denning this month.. I've had nice lion and leopard sightings here.

Little Vumbura--Heading there myself on a first visit. From my understanding this water camp offers more land options than many water camps. A few mekoro polings are sufficient for me and then I want to climb in the Land Rover.

Mombo--It will be a highlight for sure. I can attest that the legends about Mombo are justified, though it has been several years since my last visit there.

Let the packing commence.

Lynn--we've never been to Africa, period, so all look positively wonderful to me!!! My travel agent--Bert at Fish Eagle--kind of implied to me that Little Vumbura was kind of a restful place, more than the others, because of the water aspect.

Do you have any pictures of Savute or Mombo? It seems that most people that I see posting pictures, post pictures only of the wildlife, which is great, but I would like to see more pictures of the camps themselves. You never know, when you see pictures on the company websites, whether they really represent what the place looks like...

Carol, am sure that you have done a lot of research re: your Africa Adventure......we have been doing much the same. Why did you choose Botswana...say ....over Kruger. We have friends that did Singita....but that trip cost them nearly 30 Thousand for 10 days.....a tad pricey no? I'd do it, but for that kind of money I would likle to be a little more certain. Hard to find info....so thanks for starting this site.

Hi Carol,
When will you be at Savuti Camp ?? I will be there in May as well, the 20th-23rd.
Will be fun to compare trip reports!
Brenda

Richard--Eric actually was the one who choose Botswana, but I totally agreed with his choice. We had started out with the proposition that we were going in the middle of June. This was because the trip was to be in celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary, which actually was in 2004. We started planning in 2003. We had everything booked, deposits made, etc., to travel in the middle of June 2004. Various circumstances conspired so that we had to re-schedule for this year instead. So, first, we wanted to see where would provide us the best wildlife experience in June. I don't think that May is much different, in terms of wildlife experience, and for this year, we decided to go a tad earlier, to hopefully get a little warmer weather. Anyway, first criteria was where would we have the best wildlife experience in June. Second criteria was where we would have the best wildlife experience, PERIOD. We were not interested in having to fight crowds to see the animals and were not afraid to spend the money to get a premium comfortable experience which wouldn't have any resemblance to camping. We weren't that interested in seeing desert, per se, or big cities. We wanted to see ANIMALS. We wanted to go somewhere that we felt the government was stable, and that we would hopefully be fairly safe, in terms of personal safety. Reading about Botswana in general seemed to suit our style--high end, low volume tourism, and a commitment to wildlife preservation. (Please note that for Vic Falls, we are staying on the Zambian side, not in Zimbawbwe.) So, that's how we decided on Botswana.

Oh MAN is this GREAT! We will be at Savuti May 18 to 21!!!!!!!!! We leave for Little Vumbura on May 21, so I would assume that we will see you in camp on the 20th, before we leave the following morning! COOL!

Brenda--please send me your email to chill@info-res.com, so we can talk in private, or register here so that we can exchange private messages.

Understand....are you familiar with Ultimateafrica.com/Botswana .....they have a trip(?) called Pride of Africa...13 days for about$ 9000....goes to Maun,Okavango Delta,Moremi,Linyanti/Savuti,Chobe and Victoria Falls for some extra bucks.


Sounds great on paper....but there is PRECIOUS little info about accomodations. For me, I'm happy in a shack on a trout stream.....my Bride....well....she is a little higher maintenance....not much....but would like to be sure there is a bathroom somewhere...if you know what I mean!

13 days for TWO for $9000??? Has to be, I assume. Not really familiar with that company. We really didn't want to do something pre-packaged, and that's why we went with Bert at Fish Eagle Safaris. We really don't expect to go back again--although we could be wrong!!--so we wanted to make sure that we didn't scrimp on things and be sorry afterward. My idea of camping is the Holiday Inn, if ya know what I mean! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

No ...per person....not including air fare from Arizona...but includes all the little puddle jumpers in between spots. I forgot to add....Wifey lives on this website.....


Did i ever mention what our bird seed bill is for her hobby?

http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/africabotswana.htm

Carol,

I have no pictures of accomodations in Mombo except a large fruit bat that spent its days way up in the ceiling of their old dining lounge. I never stayed at Savuti Camp but have been in the area. No accommodation photos. All of Wilderness camps are luxury camps that are extremely comfortable.

Richard--the itinerary that we have booked, 2 nights at River Club, 3 nights at Savute, 3 nights LIttle Vumbura, 3 nights Mombo, air transfers between the camps, and air transfers within Africa (and NOT including the flights from the US) was $12,750 for two. In addition, we'll be paying about $200 for a night in Joberg on the way to River Club. Those camps are all inclusive, as far as food and drink, except premium wines......

Hey....$6000....$7000.....$8000.....$9000.....pretty soon we'll be talking about REAL money....as Dirkson used to say. My Bride wants to do this trip so badly that it almost dosent matter any more. When we do it, it's gunna be one hellacious trip. We are now thinking of going the OTHER way.....ie through Hong Kong, Agra, Dubai....as they say out here in the Old West....may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb!

Curiously....the air fare dosen't change that much regardless. Sky high any way you cut it! Am working with Cathay and British Air to see if they will let us "layover" at each stop to avoid the 25 hour flight days. I stop functioning at about the 17th hour. Of course, the bigger downside to the stopovers is that it opens up a "window of opportunity' for her to...SHOP!

Richard--we are doing Virgin Atlantic through London. 14 hour layover in London on the way over. Provided our flights are on time, we will probably do a bit of sightseeing in London that day. I hear EVERYTHING in London is very expensive, so doubt I will be doing much shopping there..

London is approaching....no fun....cost wise. We were there about five months ago and it was truly shocking....I have no idea how even the Doorman at the Hotel could possibly afford to live anywhere near his work . I remember spending over a hundred bucks for a very late after theater snack at a Chinese Restaurant near Soho....Chinese no less.....was starving by 7 in the morning.

14 hours at Heathrow? Don't know what to say...it will take you about 75 minutes to get to Westminster....taxi and tip about 70 US. each way. Twere it I....I would opt to spend 2 days there coming and going if both layovers were that long. If 'TIME' is an issue....you are screwed.....sorry.....


Find the nearest Pub close to but not at LHR and have 10 pints of John Smith Smooth over a 10 hour period ....and you won't feel a thing.....and you will be in South Africa before you know it!

Richard--we are planning on taking the express train. Supposedly only takes about 15 minutes from Heathrow to downtown. Pricy, at like 20 pounds each, something like that, but worth it to get downtown quick. Probably will do a doubledecker bus tour, once downtown..

Eric and Carol watch out for Hippo's I've heard those are the real killers in Africa.

And Richard What about Singapore Air LAX to Sinapore nonstop 16.5 hour flight them to DXB via Singapore Air then Emirates to JNB? Might cut down a stop or to?

Actually, been watching Animal Planet special on hippos this evening. Didn't realize that they sometimes eat meat!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

Richard,
I used Ultimate Africa for our upcoming trip to South Africa.
They are located near Seattle Washington and are very well traveled in Africa and knowledgeable. I priced both SA & US companies and found Ultimate Africa's prices to be very competative.
Call their toll free number and ask for Ian, he will answer all your questions about the package you described.
They can set up any type of package you want..we booked our safari camps individually. FYI, the package that you described is most likely priced per person and the amount will vary depending on the camps and hotels that you use.
Africa is expensive no doubt..but I can hardly wait!
Happy Travels,
Brenda

Hi Carol,
What a hoot..can't wait to meet up with you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Our trip is scheduled as follows:
May 16th-20th - Cape Town
May 20-23rd - Savuti Camp
May 23-26th - Kwetsani Camp
May 26- 29th - Chief's Camp

Brenda

Thanks for the reply....being that you are from the West as well, what Airlines are you using....

Expensive....no kidding....the more I get into this....I think we are expecting $25000 when all is said and done....depending on stop overs etc.....

That's a Looooooong way away.....makes New Zealand look like it's next door!

By the way...has anyone been here on the way to the Dark Continent?
http://www.burj-al-arab.com/

Richard,
We are using Delta miles so as a result we are flying three different carriers. Not that I am complaining. It was free, business /first class ( well sort of) and the itinerary is actually quite good.
Our nine nights at three different game camps in Botswana was appx $5100 pp including our flights from Cape Town/Maun, all intercamp flights and Maun/Johannsberg.
I am estimating we will spend another $800 pp for our 4 nights in Cape Town which included transportation, private day tours, accomodations & meals. Since we are traveling with another couple there will be some shared expenses in Cape Town such as private day tours, accomodations etc.
Hope this helps...but still expensive none the less.
Brenda

Brenda--this is too cool!! I sent you a PM also. Check out the little flashing envelope toward the top left of your screen..

A bit pricy, but one of the top hotels in the world. Can I hide in your luggage and go with you.

Yeah...at about 1500 per night....they should at least include a massage of more than your wallet....I do understand from one friend who has been there that the undersea restaurant is something to behold. He said it cost him another 500 for dinner for two....with a modest wine!

Am I in the wrong profession....or what!

Richard--yowsa, I think I'll pass on that place! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Indeed....maybe I will have (another?) moment of insanity....but geeeeze....the flight from Singapore gets in at 4pm......and leaves for JNB at 9 or so the next morning....so that would be about $2000 for a meal and 8 hours of sleep....or put another way....about 300 per waking hour....


Only my Lawyer charges that much....LOL....

Carol needs to charge more! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Had an inkling you would respond to that.....

On my end....I have shamed my significant other into going back to school to get her Masters.....if only to keep her from buying more stuff for our home...........it will pay for itself.......

If it works let me know -- doubt it will work, but worth a try I guess! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

The hippos are not dangerous because they might eat you, they just kill more people than any other animal in Africa because they seek water when frightened and run over anything in their path. Fishermen are the most common casualties because they are most likely to be between the hippo and water.

"but worth a try I guess"


By the love of God, I hope so..................but this is when she would chime in and say something like....."but this is what you work so hard for isn't it Honey"........

Humph....

Lynn--yes, that was the impression I got from the special, just was surprised that they ever eat meat, as I didn't know that..

Hi Carol, Looking through some of your marvellous stories. Have to tell you that the short form of Johannesburg is "Joburg", or as we South Africans say "Joeys"

Sorry I spelled it wrong! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Have you been to the areas that we went to on our trip??