Botswana Safari Suggestions
Dec 14, 2015 13:44:52 #
Heading to Botswana next September...wondering if anyone out there has used Timeless Africa (Julian Asher) to coordinate a customized Botswana safari for them???
We've done a few safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, but this is our first southern Africa trip. We are doing one day at Victoria Falls (Zambia side), 3 days at Linyanti, 3 days in the Okavango Delta, and 2 days in the Makgadikgadi Pans (edge of Kalahari). Suggestions...comments???
We've done a few safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, but this is our first southern Africa trip. We are doing one day at Victoria Falls (Zambia side), 3 days at Linyanti, 3 days in the Okavango Delta, and 2 days in the Makgadikgadi Pans (edge of Kalahari). Suggestions...comments???
Dec 14, 2015 14:24:02 #
The tour you describes is a very common one and will be very satisfying. I would recommend you visit Vic Falls from Zimbabwe side as 75% of the falls can be seen from here. There will be doomsayers regarding Zimbabwe but this applies to other areas and not the falls. We were lucky enough top have 3 days at the falls and day 1 we did the Zambia side and found it great but somehow less than we were expecting. Day 2 we did the Zimbabwe side and were blown away. If we did it again it would be Zimbabwe only.
Do expect a myriad of walk beside you, best friends forever, peddlers as you trudge the paths in both countries. They do not comprehend the words no, not interested, get lost, beat it, I have no money and a host of other negatives. They keep on smiling and yacking in the hopes of making a sale but they do not go beyond that. Keep smiling and talking with your group and as you get close to your destination they will run back to get the next mark. Oh, I also highly recommend carrying a microfiber cloth to clean your camera lens. Do this often, the fine spray can wreak havoc on your photos. Check your lens front often. Nothing worse than looking at the days photos and seeing water drop flairs all over the pics.
Do expect a myriad of walk beside you, best friends forever, peddlers as you trudge the paths in both countries. They do not comprehend the words no, not interested, get lost, beat it, I have no money and a host of other negatives. They keep on smiling and yacking in the hopes of making a sale but they do not go beyond that. Keep smiling and talking with your group and as you get close to your destination they will run back to get the next mark. Oh, I also highly recommend carrying a microfiber cloth to clean your camera lens. Do this often, the fine spray can wreak havoc on your photos. Check your lens front often. Nothing worse than looking at the days photos and seeing water drop flairs all over the pics.
Terry in Indiana wrote:
Heading to Botswana next September...wondering if anyone out there has used Timeless Africa (Julian Asher) to coordinate a customized Botswana safari for them???
We've done a few safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, but this is our first southern Africa trip. We are doing one day at Victoria Falls (Zambia side), 3 days at Linyanti, 3 days in the Okavango Delta, and 2 days in the Makgadikgadi Pans (edge of Kalahari). Suggestions...comments???
We've done a few safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, but this is our first southern Africa trip. We are doing one day at Victoria Falls (Zambia side), 3 days at Linyanti, 3 days in the Okavango Delta, and 2 days in the Makgadikgadi Pans (edge of Kalahari). Suggestions...comments???
Dec 15, 2015 06:52:26 #
I have been fortunate to go on Safari in East Africa ,South Africa and Botswana. Each has its own unique qualities. However Botswana felt the most real- you are seriously away from " civilization" . Wonderful local people. I am sure you are aware that Botswana does not have the huge herds of The Mara or Serengeti,but there are plenty of animals and the chances are you will not be sharing that viewing experience with a bunch of other Landcruisers. Certainly take up the offer of riding a "makoro" ,a dug out canoe on the waters of the Delta. A fantastic opportunity for photographing animals and birds. The Government of Botswana has one of the strictest game preservation programs in the world. Even our guide was not allowed to carry a gun. The dug out canoes are no longer made from local trees,in order to preserve those special trees,but are factory made to look like the original.
I agree about the Victoria Falls view being superior from the Zimbabwe side compared to the that from Zambia . But your tour operator may not have given you that choice. Whatever happens try and do a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River - this is special.
You have not mentioned gear . Remember safari drives are usually early in the am and at sundown. So make sure at least one of your lenses can accomadate low light without having to compromise . As I am sure you know, ,the other compromise is having as much telephoto as is reasonably possible.
This will be a trip of a lifetime. Have a blast. ( We went with Abercrombie and Kent,who are terrific tour operators). The picture of my wife and I attached to our logo was actually taken in Botswana.
I agree about the Victoria Falls view being superior from the Zimbabwe side compared to the that from Zambia . But your tour operator may not have given you that choice. Whatever happens try and do a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River - this is special.
You have not mentioned gear . Remember safari drives are usually early in the am and at sundown. So make sure at least one of your lenses can accomadate low light without having to compromise . As I am sure you know, ,the other compromise is having as much telephoto as is reasonably possible.
This will be a trip of a lifetime. Have a blast. ( We went with Abercrombie and Kent,who are terrific tour operators). The picture of my wife and I attached to our logo was actually taken in Botswana.
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