Botswana Travel Forum

Kia ora, travellers.
we are a couple of hardy, experienced, older travellers who will be spending two weeks in botswana in the Okavango, Chobe, Maun and on to Luangwa etc in July. We have been told it can be "very cold" at this time but are not sure what this really means. We are very limited in the luggage we can take so don't want to take heavy clothes if we don't really need them but do want to be warm enough, of course. Has anyone travelled there at this time of the year? We'd be grateful for any advice.

during may I will be on a tented safari in botswana does any one have any information about the following campsites
Okavango cc africa
Savute channel
Moremi game reserve
serondela
it will be our first trip to botswana so any tips would be welcomed

I will be travelling to botswana on an organised tented safari-what currency should i take?
will I be able to case travellers cheques-in sterling

Dear,

Has anyone here travelled with drive botswana? We are thinking of taking them for our 16-day holiday in october. We would like to be sure it's a reliable organisation...

Thanks,
Carl

I'm totally naive about travelling in Africa. I'm planning on flying to Johannesburg, then getting (somehow) to the Okavango Delta, probably Maun. I don't particularly want to drive, but I'd like to see the countryside, and I think I'll be real tired of airplanes by the time I get to Africa. Are there trains or buses? I appreciate comfort, but I don't require luxury. Will it be tough with luggage?

Thanks
acprincess

Looking for advice on lodges within Chobe / Okavengo. We are considering either going to (1) Muchenje Safari Lodge and Mapula Lodge OR to (2) Chobe Chilwero and Xakanaxa Camp. Looking for help with the difference in experiences at these lodges (i.e., animals, activities, size, location).

Also, has anyone been to Mapula Lodge? I can't seem to find many revies online for this camp.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Hi,

I will be travelling with some friends to Botswana in September. We'll be based in Gabs but moving around a bit. We have a car, but not a 4x4, so are planning to drive to various lodges and campsites and get organised trips into game reserves. Are the places I have selected to stay at good? A couple of my friends are students so I can't be too extravagant.

Day 1: Gabs ---> Francistown for a couple of hours ---> Nata lodge

Day 2: Something fun in the morning then on to Kasane (Chobe Safari Lodge)

Day 3-5: Game drives, boat trips and fishing

Day 6: Off to Maun. Is it actually possible to drive direct from Kasane to Maun? There seems to be a road indicated on the maps, but I read somewhere else that "Nata is the halfway point between Kasane and Maun", suggesting that you have to go the long way around. We'll be staying at the Audi Camp.

Day 7-8: 2 day Moroko Trip with overnight camping. How good is this? I imagine it will be incredible...

Day 9: Back to Gabs, possibly via the Pans.



Any advice / suggestions? Thanks in advance :)

hello, a friend and i are looking to spend around 8-9 days in botswana via Joberg. im on a budget and willing to to do a self drive tour. Im looking for info on feasibility of renting a car or 4X4 and driving into national parks and Vic falls. here are some questions:
*do i need 4X4
*if im going feb 1st, do i still have time to book campsites? how do u do this?
*safety driving in parks?
* are there other options for overnighting if i cant get a site???
*which areas are best to see in FEB?

I know lots of questions, however I would be greatly appreciate any help from anyone who might help me make this a great trip. Thanks Alot! Erik

Hey! Was wondering how to best go about getting from Livingstone to Kasane? We're a group of 4 and want to avoid the expensive transfer offered by our lodge in Chobe. I'm sure we can do better than US$70 each way per person! That seems absolutely outrageous for such a short distance! Thanks, James

hi all
will be going back home to kenya with my children and with Nov 2008 late.. i will be using 4x4 .. we will be passing trough Kasane,Victoria falls,Zambia,Tanzania then masai mara.. anyone would like to join me you are free that time..

I read that the polers eat almost just fish , what I would like to know is if we go into the delta with the Makorros can I take my fishing rod with me ? A friend told me that thet polers quickly catch a couple of fish for their supper.You get a poler to take yoy on bush walks and bird watching , can mine take me fishing ?

Hi there,

I'm planning a self-drive trip from Cape Town, via Namibia, through Botswana. I understand that the road conditions in South Africa and Namibia are such that a 2WD vehicle is sufficient. My question is: Will a 2WD vehicle get me safely from Windhoek to Kasane? Are there major places I won't be able to go? My vehicle rental is $600 for a one-way trip in a 2WD car and nearly $1500 for a 4WD. Is it really worth the extra $900?

Thanks,

Hello,

We are making a 13-day trip in Botswana. Can anyone recommend us where we can best hire a fully equipped 4WD (starting in Maun)?

An agency made an itinerary for us for the 13-day trip mostly at camp sites:

Aug 11: Maun (Ensuite tent)

Aug 12: Savuti (camping)

Aug 13: Savuti (camping)

Aug 14: Linyanti (camping)

Aug 15: Linyanti (camping)

Aug 16: Ihaha (camping)

Aug 17: Ngepi camp, Caprivi (tree house)

Aug 18: Guma Lagoon (camping)

Aug 19: Guma Lagoon (camping)

Aug 20: Moremi (camping)

Aug 21: Moremi (camping)

Aug 22: Santawani (lodge)


They came up with a total price of around US$2200 per person. Is this expensive or not?

Does anyone have more tips for our trip?

Thanks in advance.


Giten (Netherlands)

I have planned to do a self drive safari with three friend in the beginning of December of this year and I am wondering if anyone has done the same or a similar trip? I am a bit worried about the conditions of the road an especially navigating. We have rented a toyota Hilux double cab.

All tips & Hints are more than welcome!!

Looking forward to read more about driving through Botswana!

Douwe

Has anyone tried 5 Day Mokoro Trail in the Okavango ?
5 Day Mokoro Trail in the Okavango

i need some advice and suggestion.

i just know that i want to see animals and local culture.

and i cannot afford luxury in Botswana.

Hi!
I happen to have the opportunity to go to Botswana for a week when I'm in Johannesburg before I go home. But it's in the end of January and I'm a bit worried about the weather. I would like to go to the Okavango Delta and to Chobe NP and end in Victoria Falls before I fly back to Jo'burg. I'm not so much worried about the heat, but more about the rain. Is it something to worry about? Or is it still possible to have a nice trip through Botwana despite the weather?
Thanks in advance!

We are staying at the Madikwe game reserve SA in Feb 2008 and have found reasonable air fares to Gaborone from Jo'burg. (A lot cheaper than flying direst!) We could get picked up at the border by the game lodge but need to get to the border. Is it possible to take a taxi there and are there taxis for a return journey?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Congratulation to all Botswana Nationals on this great day. I share this date because of my wedding anniversary on the same date. Request pray for us.

Can anyone help me find a bus/shuttle service from Manu (or Ghanzi) to Windhoek in Namibia? Audi Camp no longer provide this service. Flights are already full too. Current plan is to travel on a Thursday in October. Many thanks

Day 1 - arrive Johannesburg @ 06h55, connect for a flight to Namibia [Kulala]
Day 2 Namibia [Kulala]
Day 3 go to Botswana (looks like there is a flight WDH to MAUN) [Seba Camp]
Day 4 Botswana [Seba Camp]
Day 5 Botswana [Seba Camp]
Day 6 go to JNB; Overnight in Johannesburg
Day 7 fly to Mauritius [Le Victoria Hotel]
Day 8 Mauritius [Le Victoria Hotel]
Day 9 Mauritius [Le Victoria Hotel]
Day 10 Mauritius - JNB- CPT
Day 11 Capetown
Day 12 Capetown...late flight to LHR

I know this is a very fast itn. Any suggestions?

What do you think of Seba Camp? My children are 7, 9, and 11 year old.

How reliable is the WDH-Maun flight?

Hello

are you travelling to any of these places?

DAY 1 Arrive in Maun Motsentsela Tree Lodge, Maun
DAY 2 The Moremi Game Reserve North Gate Campsite (Khwai)
DAY 3 “ “
DAY 4 The Moremi Game Reserve Xakanaxa Campsite
DAY 5 The Moremi Game Reserve Xakanaxa Camp
DAY 6 Chobe National Park - Savute Savuti Elephant Camp
DAY 7 Chobe National Park - Savute Savuti Campsite
DAY 8 Chobe National Park - Chobe River Front Ihaha Campsite
DAY 9 “
DAY 10 Chobe Safari Lodge - campsite - Kasane
DAY 11 Nata Lodge
DAY 12 Nxai Pan National Park South campsite
DAY 13 “
DAY 14 Makgadikgadi National Park Xwarago Campsite (Leroo-le-Tau)
DAY 15 fly home

I did a self-drive camping trip around Botswana and stayed in each of these places so I'm happy to answer any of your questions or if you visit http://wilddogsandenglishmen.wordpress.com/ there are tips for trip planning and preparation and detailed reviews of all the lodges and campsites we visited.

WD

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

Hi,
at the end of August we will visit Botswana. We will 2 days in Okavango, 1 day in Moremi and 1 day in Chobe. Then we will 2 days in Victoria Falls.
Do you think that is better use pills agains malaria?
Is it malaria zone in August?
For example in Namibia and South africa we didn´t see any mosquito in August, but I don´t know, how is it in Botswana, when there is water from Okavango.
Thank you very much

Hi,
We are renting a 4wd camper in Johanesburg & driving to Kruger. We are also thinking of visiting Botswana & Namibia but have not made any bookings. We will be self sufficient & will only require basic campsites. We did try to book National Parks in Botswana some time ago but there were no spots available.
Is it worth visiting Botswana in July/Aug without any bookings? would we still be able to access National Parks on a daily basis & try to find camp sites outside the parks. Or is it simply not worth visiting Botswana without bookings.
Thanks
Mark

Hi,

we are leaving from Spain to Maun at the end of August and I would like to know if it is possible to rent a 4x4 in Maun airport and how much it will be the price.
Thank you in advance
Pilar

Hi all!
finally i booked flights for Johannesburg this augoust and will make an 1 week trip to Okavango delta and perhaps kalahari desert or chobe (and 1 more week to the zambian / zimbabwean part- Victoria falls etc).
would you suggest to book a complete tour from joh or to use public transport to get to the places and then book shorter tours locally?
would that be easy to be done right on the spot, or have to book in advance for this time of the year?
i would very much enjoy the places without luxury - just time limits.
Any recommendations will be a big big help
thanks - Nikos

I plan to rent a car in Johannesburg with some friends and drive my way through Botswana to the Victoria Falls. It seems to be no problem to cross the border to Botswana with a rented car, but all car hire companies say something like "No cross border rentals are allowed from South Africa to Malawi, Angola or Zambia, even if returning to South Africa."

I would like to know if there are possibilities to park the car in Kasane and if, in such cases, there are transfer possibilities across the border.

We are going on a camping safari in July and was wondering if any other travelers would like to join?
If there are 4 or more of us the rate will be 2179$
We are only 2 and hope someone will want to join.
The dates are :
11-13 July - Chobe
13-15 July - Savuti
15-17 July - Moremi - Khwai
17-19 July - Moremi/Okavango - Xakanaxa
The safari is all inclusive and should be great at the time of year.
We are going with Dumela Botswana.

My boyfriend and i wanna do a reasonably-priced private safari+boat trip in Okavanga Delta this Oct.
If budget allows, we wanna fly to Victoria Falls too.
We can stay 10 days in africa in total, not counting the flying time.

Any suggestions on which agency to go?

Any experience to share?

Hello,
I am new to the forum and have already a question. We will leave for Botswana end of april and have booked campsites in Moremi starting May 10.
I can not find information on the recent conditions in the park. Is the park open at all and is it possible to go to all camps (Third Bridge, Xakanaxa, North Gate).
It would be great if you could help me.
Greetings from Germany
Grit1962