Sharona
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 Re: African safari talk...recommendations? | |
Primus wrote:
Sharona wrote:
VKM2F wrote:
berimbolo wrote:
Sharona wrote:
berimbolo wrote:
The conservancies in the Mara have rules about the number of vehicles at each animal sighting. Most of the NR does not. As far as I know, only the Mara Triangle has a 5 car (maybe 3 car) limit at an animal sighting.
I would more strongly consider other parks in Africa, like Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa and Mana Pools, but I haven't gotten good recommendations from anyone, and the flights are shit
What recommendations do you need for Zambia? Flights are pretty straightforward, lovely camps aplenty and great guiding. I've been there a few times and highly recommend it. In fact, Zambia was the very first country I visited in Africa.
Mostly good camps that can take care of transportation and itinerary planning for me. And what time of the year to go. I think the rainy-dry seasons differ compared to Kenya/Tazania.
I can highly recommend Kaingo Camp, run by Shenton Safaris. Great camp, awesome location. My guide there was Patrick and is probably the best guide I've ever had. I went in late October. It was very dry and very hot, but this meant better wildlife sightings.
Love this: Patrick was my guide many years ago. Kaingo, Tafika both family run with long roots in the valley. October is referred to as suicide month and unless you really tolerate heat I would not go then. I prefer it cool at night and warm during the day. That means late May to early-mid July.
I am seriously considering Zambia for 2025, especially South Luangwa. From what I've read, Kaingo indeed seems like a good place, they had a BBC crew staying there for some time. The hide photography is said to be very good too. I am not a big fan of that but the field sightings are not that crowded, so it feels more like a conservancy in Kenya, or so I believe (been spoilt now by Kicheche).
If I only had to go to South Luangwa, how many days and at what camp? If just one camp, is there a discount for longer stays? Is ten days at one place too much? In the end I am looking at the best possible sighting and photography, time of the year does not matter so much (would like to avoid extreme heat if I can though).
Thanks, this is looking very interesting.
This all depends on a lot of factors. How much time do you have? If you have 10 days, consider 5 at a camp like Kaingo, and 5 at one of the Bushcamp Company camps. They also run Mfuwe Lodge. That gives you 4 nights at two different parts of the park. Also, Lower Zambezi could be added; wonderful camps there - Chiawa and Old Mondoro to name just a couple. On my very first safari, many years ago, I spent time at those latter camps, then flew to South Luangwa for several days - at Chamilandu, one of the Bushcamp company camps, and then spent time at Tafika. I bawled my head off when I got on the plane home. ;-)
As far as timing - Again, it all depends. May, I think is the end of the Emerald season, so the parks should be greener and lusher. Again, late May into July weatherwise was perfect for me. Warm and dry during the day and cool enough at night that we needed jackets. Again, I would avoid Sept. and Oct. because it would be too hot for me - but I am told wildlife sightings are quite good as animals jockey for water. And with climate change, who knows? I could be all wet. :-)
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