I wrote this article as there are many choices in the Botswana safari market, and the question is , how does one choose, which camp is best for you.

I am well aware that many media outlets rank camps, and as such, many people approach me with there list.

As well, friends or family may have traveled, and they told you about the trip, and that is what you want to do.

No problem…I can arrange any of the above trips for you.

However, if you don’t have an idea, then hopefully what the information below, will be helpful, in helping you decide. We can talk about these choices as well, which I do with all my clients….one cannot reserve a  trip like this, just by E mail.

There are some  factors that has to be considered when choosing a safari

1)     Length of time that you have to be away

2)      Your budget ie trip allowance for the trip.

3)      Your personal interests ie walking safaris, driving Safaris, water Safaris ie mokoros and or power boating,   Birding Safaris, special interest game safaris  ie wild Dogs, Lions, Leopards, Elephants, photography, etc

4)      Your level of comfort that you want…..luxury, moderate, etc.

5)      The time of year that you are  traveling.

Most people when I mention tented Safaris think of REI tents, sleeping on the ground…..this type of trip, is for the budget market, overland trips, and even there you can get cots, sleeping pads, etc.

A Tented Safari means permanent tents within a safari camp, vs  a lodge style unit.

Both types have private en suite bathrooms,  beds with mattresses, some have private decks…both types have there own ambiance, décor, unique features…tents usually have more view area to nature as you can roll the flaps up and down as you like .

So where do we go………

Botswana has 4 distinct areas……

1)The Chobe National Park …..not a  wilderness area, however  river boat cruises to watch the herds of elephants, and other animals come down to drink…game drives as well…..usually recommend no more than 2 Nights. .definitely very seasonal ie May to the early December time , when the first rains start falling.

2)The Okovango Delta… Definitely very seasonal ie May to the early December time , when the first rains start falling. Many choices of camps and land vs water camps. This is important as there are others in Botswana which are mainly land only, so one can experience both types of eco systems.

 Some areas better than others for year round game viewing.

3)Savute Area .. seasonal ie May to the early December time , when the first rains start falling…however this is a dry dusty area, that is famous for the Big Bull elephants, as well as the strong pride of Lions that dominate this area.

 This area is the home of the annual Zebra migration, that arrives in this area, in the thousands, at the beginning of the rainy season, and leaves in April/May for the Linyanti/Selinda/Kwando area.

4)Linyanti/Selinda/Kwando area..a wonderful area of mainly open plains, with larger herds of grazing animals, river systems to boat on, and fish, as well as this is the area that one will be  most likely to find wild dogs.

I usually advise time in each place….if you have less time, then choose 2 or 3 of the areas.

Depending on the choose factors above, and the different areas, you now can decide.

The best game viewing time in Botswana is about from May to  about early December , when the rains start falling.

However from  the middle December to January time period, though wet, when  the  rain start to fall, its  a time when many of the young ie the antelopes etc are born, so its quite a special time. As well, the air is clearer due to the rain falling, but its hotter as well.

Camps must be chosen thinking of your interests….now everyone wants to see the Big 5, etc, and use that as a starting point.

 As well please remember that all the time frames given are subject to change as its nature we are dealing with. For eg this year, 2006, due to the above average and late rainfall, many of the time frames, indicated above, will be adjusted.Mnay of the animals will be arriving later, from the interior wilderness areas, as the water pans in those areas, will carry water, until later into the year.

Hope the above helps, and now  lets talk…I can review and send you links regarding specific camps so you can narrow down your choices.