Botswana Travel Forum

Dear fellow travellers,
if anybody knows something from this?

1) How can I get from Livingstone/Vic Falls to Okavango Delta (Maun)? Balanced short travel time and price :)

2) Is it worth to get there in October? Is possible to do Mokoro trips on the water in this time period? Also is 3nights/4days OK to see it?

3) Can anyone compare Hwange National Park vs. Chobe? (sightseeing, walking safaris....).

Thanks a lot!
Milos

i would recomend that you take the francis town, Nata then Maun route its 604km from the kazungula border. its approximately 8-10 hours, the price will vary according to the transport means, public transport will cost 80 or less pula.
October is a timely period to be in Chobe, yes you can do the mokoro.the time time specified is ok...but i guess you might extend coz everything is cool....i recommend chobe.

welcome to Bots!

1) We drove from Maun to Kasane, via Moremi game reserve, Savute and Chobe riverfront in the Chobe National Park which is almost the route you need. We didn't go to Zim because tourist dollars notoriously line Bob's pockets. We were self-driving in a 4 x 4 Landrover Defender which was camping equipped, so we stayed in National Park campsites and some lodges along the way.

2) (a) - October is the dry season (end of) so is brilliant if you want to see Game, although it can be suffering by that time from lack of water. However temperatures are incredibly hot (high 40 - 50C)

2) (b) Yes you can do Mokoro trips most budget way to do this is go to Moremi, stay at 3rd bridge and get a trip from Mboma boat station. If you want a full half day getting out into the lagoons of Moremi in a Mokoro, you will need to get to Mboma and book in advance. They also do multi-day tours into the Delta. It is about £50 for a four hour round trip. The details for boat trips from Mboma Island boat station are online at www.mankwe.com or email mankw@info.bw or telephone +267 686 5788.

3) no, sorry.

I hope this helps, if you want more info I've posted a complete trip report at http://wilddogsandenglishmen.wordpress.com/

WD

3) Hwange is very different to Chobe. In Chobe you can do game drives, mokoro excursions, motor boat rides etc. All lodges and facilities are operating normally, food and fuel is available and the political situation is stable. I lived in Hwange NP for a while as a research assistant and the situation there is definately not normal. No fuel at the park, very little food supplies and national parks service is totally underfunded. Having said that I love Hwange! You would not see the density of game (apart from elephants) and would be very lucky to see any predators. I totally disagree about the comment from Wilddogs re tourism dollars going to the Mugabe regime. I am sure that some revenue of course goes to the government however I have sat and talked to desperate ordinary Zimbabwean people and wept with them at their plight. Those who were fortunate to be employed in the tourism industry are struggling to hold onto jobs. Whilst I was there I was bringing in dollars which were helping people to stay employed that bit longer. I bought baskets and other things directly from people who made them. Every person I spoke to thanked me for being in the park and in the country.
Zimbabwe is a difficult place to travel in at the moment and there is a lot of uncertainty as the situation deteriorates on a daily basis. But if you are independent (have your own car or stay at Hwange Safari Lodge or The Hide), intrepid and well prepared and informed you could visit Hwange and have it all to yourself and you will find the people there are wonderful!