Reise-Tagebuch
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Mombo Camp (Chiefs Island, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana) - Dezember 2007
Leroo La Tau Bush Lodge (Makgadikgadi National Park, Botswana) - June 2008
On Friday, 20 June 2008, Lorraine and myself had the wonderful opportunity of being invited on an agents educational to Leroo La Tau for the weekend.
The drive from Maun to Leroo La Tau takes approximately 2 hours. Please note that during the transfer, guests will stop at the Makalamabedi Gate and will be asked to get out of the vehicle in order to show the police their ID and will then need to walk over specially disinfected clothes. This will not harm any footwear, however, is necessary as a protective measure against foot and mouth disease. Should guests have any additional shoes in their luggage, they will need to unpack them and put them over the disinfected cloth. Please also be advised that the police can and will at any time search bags for any meat products or additional shoes that may not have been declared.
Sitting around the camp fire before dinner was relaxing as we all started relaxing around each other. I’m sure the alcohol consumption had something to do with the relaxed feelingJ Dinner was served just after eight in the large dining area. Dinner was a 3 coursed meal and was absolutely delicious. The food at Leroo La Tau throughout the weekend was outstanding!
The rooms are all built on wooden platforms overlooking the Boteti dry river bed. What an impression. The lodge has 12 rooms under thatch in total. Some rooms do have a better view than others and the rooms are situated very far apart from each other. If you have guests who have difficulty in walking, please make sure you request rooms closest to the main lodge area.
Each room is en-suite with a shower (no bath) that is separated from the bedroom with a door. The rooms are equipped with 1x double and 1x single bed; bed side tables with bad side lamps; tea/coffee making facilities; desk for writing letters; single lounge chair & coffee table; cupboard; luggage rack; overhead ceiling fan; torch; plug adapter; mosquito repellent and emergency horn. The rooms have an outside balcony overlooking the dry river bed with 2 loungers where guests can relax in the open. The rooms do not have mosquito nets.
The main lodge area comprises the large dining room, small curio shop, lodge office, bar and lounge area. The lounge area is built above the bar area as a double story. The main lodge area also includes public his/her toilets. Outside the main building area, the lodge has a wooden deck where guests can sit and relax and enjoy the view of the garden and swimming pool. This area also has the swimming pool with loungers where guests can relax during the heat of the day.
Running off from the main area, there is a wooden walkway leading to the fire place and to the hide which both overlook the waterhole. The hide is situated halfway between the top and bottom of the river bank and this is a wonderful spot where guests can sit and watch game drink from the water hole at a closer distance.
The activities offered at Leroo La Tau at present include day and night game drives.
During the dry season, game viewing in the Leroo La Tau area is prominent, especially with the zebra and wildebeest migration. The migration is during the dry months in the Boteti area, which will be from May/June to October each year. As soon as the first rains break, the zebra & wildebeest move to the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans area. The game viewing therefore decreases at Leroo La Tau during the rainy season, however, cheetah activity during this time is more prominent. Due to the decrease in game activity during the rainy season, the lodge will offer full day trips with packed lunches to Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans.
Game that is in the area consist of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, other plains game, hippo, crocodile, steenbuck, rhino and lion. The amount of guinea fowl is also prominent in this area as are other birds.
Since the relocation of white rhino in the Moremi area about 8 years ago, 2 of the rhino have moved to the Leroo La Tau area, making this an attraction to the area. Since the opening of the lodge on Saturday, 14 June 2008, the President of Botswana, Ian Khama kindly donated a male white Rhino from the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Southern Botswana to the area. This rhino was re-located during the same week of the lodge opening and has luckily been welcomed by the 2 female rhino who have been in the area for some time now.
Lorraine and myself had the wonderful opportunity of spending 2 nights at the lodge. On Sunday morning, we were woken up well before the first signs of light peered through the sky to the sounds of lion roaring.
What a wonderful weekend it was and Leroo La Tau definitely comes recommended. Written by Karen Dance
Sussi Lodge and Chuma Lodge (Livingstone, Vic Falls) - April 2008
I spent a night at Sussi Lodge in April, a few days after it had reopened it’s new Main area.
Sussi Lodge has 12 chalets which are known as Tree Houses as they are built high up on stilts in the canopy of the riverine forest. The rooms are large all with bathroom on suite including a bath. The rooms all have a safe, a hairdryer, tea and coffee station, mini bar, gowns and slippers and the most amazing chandelier. All have there own private balcony with a great view of the river.
The main area is a double story building open at the front also with an amazing view over the Zambezi. The top section is the bar and lounge area, a great place to sit a relax, with comfortable furnishings and service with a smile. The bottom section is the dinning area both indoor under a roof and outdoor dinning. I missed out on lunch but dinner and breakfast were great, with a main course choice of 3 different dishes. It was my birthday that day and the lodge made me a cake and the staff came out to sing. It was a great evening and a big surprise. All meals and local drinks are included.
The swimming pool is situated down from the main area on the banks of the river, accessible via a wooden walkway. It is away from the crowds so is very private, which I think is a very good idea. I did a sundown boat cruise with 2 other guests, the boats are small so very personal and one can get close to the banks to see good birds and the odd crocodile sunning itself.
Chuma Lodge consist of 2 houses and are great for small groups and families. They each their own chef, housekeeper, guide and boat. Each house has 2 bedrooms, a big verandah area and a great view of the river.
The management couple at Sussi and Chuma are Gabriel and Juliet Zulu who are well known to me as I worked with them at Songwe in Livingstone in 2000. They are a great couple and great hosts. Written by Lorraine Potter
Kanyemba Lodge and Bushcamp (Lower Zambezi, Sambia) - April 2008
I visited Kanyemba Lodge and Bushcamp as part of my site inspection trip in April 2008. 
Kanyemba Lodge consists of 9 chalets built in the traditional spherical thatched architectural style. 6 chalets are on the one side of the main area and 3 on the other. On the side with the 3 one of them is a family house which can take up to 8 guests. The house is also used as individual units. The chalets are very comfortable with bathroom on suite. Shower only. Each chalet has a private verandah with a view of the river.
The central area consists of a bar, dining area and an upstairs lounge and reading room all open to the front with a view of the river. There is a great outside dinning area just below the main area, where I had dinner at a large table with all the other guests in camp. The food all has an Italian flavor as the owner and host Ricarrdo is from an Italian background. All meals are included, drinks are charged for separately.
The swimming pool is on a raised area on the banks of the river, below the main area. The activities are done twice a day and include game drives in the area surrounding the lodge, boat cruises, fishing and walking. If guests are staying 3 nights then a daytrip to the Lower Zambezi National Park is included.
The camp has a great feel and I feel great value for money.
Kanyemba Bush Camp is on Kanyemba Island which is opposite Kanyemba Lodge. The Island is 7 km by 3 km and Kanyemba Lodge has a 99 year lease on it. It has lots of game so a great place for walking safaris. The Bushcamp has 4 chalets, 2 x doubles and 2 x twins. Each has a open air bathroom on suite, shower no bath. The main area is a bit back from the river and has a 180 degree view of the river and surrounding floodplains. The age limit for children here is 12 and over. It’s a great spot, very secluded and private so great for a group. Written by Karin Bullock
Chiawa Camp (Lower Zambezi, Sambia) - April 2008
Chiawa Camp is I of only 6 camps in the Lower Zambezi National Parkand I was lucky enough to have been able to spend 1 night there. It is family owned and run by Jenny and Grant Cummings.
The camp has 3 superior tents, which are large in size and have a bathroom on suite with bath and shower, and 5 classic tents with bathroom on suite shower only. The main area consists of a bar, lounge and dinning area under a large thatched roof. There is an open boma area close to the banks of the river where breakfasts are done prior to the morning activity.
The camp has a very relaxed feel about it and guests can do what ever they want to do whenever they want to do it. The activities include boat cruises, day and night game drives with a tracker, guided walking safaris, canoeing and fishing and any combination thereof. I did a sundowner boat cruise, stopped for drinks on the banks of the river and then did a night drive back to camp. It is a great honeymoon camp and the camp does lots of special things for these couples. I was treated to a floating lunch on the Zambezi with champagne which was very special.
Children 8 and over are accepted.
I really enjoyed Chiawa a lot and would not hesitate to sell it with confidence. Written by Karin Bullock
Kapamba Bushcamp (South Luangwa, Sambia) - April 2008
Kapamba Bushcamp is a deluxe bushcamp in the South Luangwa National park and situated on the banks of the Kapamba River, in the southern most part of the park.
It has 4 chalets which are open fronted giving sweeping views of the river. Bathroom on suite with the most amazing bath which can be used as a plunge pool in the hot and dry months. The main area has a help yourself bar, dining area, lounge and a large deck overlooking the river. The camp is lantern lit as no electricity, with a solar lamp in the bedrooms for easy lighting.
Game activities include day and night drives as well as guided walking safaris. The game activities are about 4 hours depending on what is seen. The walking safari is definitely a must as one is shown all the smaller things that are not visible from a vehicle. I had the most amazing sighting on a night drive of a pride of lions on a hippopotamus carcass on the banks of the Luangwa River trying to protect it from at least 20 huge crocodiles with at least 50 more in the water waiting for scraps.
The camp does great surprises whether it is a special sundowner stop, dinners on the banks of the river or private meals for special occasions.
This camp is pure luxury in the bush. Written by Karin Bullock
Flatdogs Camp (South Luangwa, Sambia) - April 2008
Flat dogs is situated just outside the South Luangwa National Park and is the closest camp to the park entrance. It is owner run by Jess and Adrian who have a passion for The South Luangwa.
The camp has a variety of different accommodation types. It has 3 chalets which have 2 bedrooms with bathroom on suite with a interconnecting kitchenette for self catering guests. These chalets can be used for families, group of 4 friends or individually as 2 separate rooms. The chalets all have a view of the river. There is 1 family chalet that has 2 twin rooms and 1 double room also with a river view.
I was lucky enough to stay in the Jackal berry Tree house which is slightly away from the camp overlooking a dambo where the game walks straight past the front of the house. I had giraffe, elephant and puku pay a visit. The house is built up on stilts around a huge Jackal berry tree and consists of 1 twin room, a double room, both with bathrooms on suite, shower only and in the centre a lounge and dinning area. The centre area is totally open to the front and the sky with the bedrooms having only a roof. Lying in bed at night was amazing as I felt I was lying under the stars. The house has its own butler, who is very attentive to the guests needs.
There are also 5 safari tents on the banks of the river with bathroom on suite, shower only and a campsite for those camping. The main camp area, has a bar, restaurant, inside lounge with access to internet, curio shop and a great swimming pool.
Activities offered are day and night game drives, guided walks, combination of the 2 as well as full day game drives. All ages of children are accepted, 12 and under at half price and under 4 complimentary. Children are allowed on game drives but only 12 and up on walking safaris.
This is a great camp, has a very good feel and caters for every budget. Written by Karin Bullock
Mombo Camp (Chiefs Island, Moremi Game Reserve) - Dezember 2007
Living like a king in the land of plenty
My husband an I had the very fortunate opportunity to spend 2 fabulous nights at Mombo Camp in December last year. I have always been sceptical of premier camps, with the impression that they were overpriced, and that the people that visited them were more interested in luxury than wildlife.
While the camp was luxurious and the food and service outstanding, it was the wildlife experience for which Chiefs Island is renown which left me in awe. Having lived in Africa all our lives, we had never experienced anything like it. We saw eight different lion sightings on only 3 game drives, including young cubs, a leopard on a kill (after the fact), huge herds of buffalo at least a thousand strong, elephant, countless plains game, spectacular birds and a few too many snakes! I must just remind you at this stage that December is not the best time for game viewing in Botswana following the arrival of the summer rains! The first rain triggers the birth of countless babies which is a highlight of travelling a this time of year. With the floodplain in front of the camp having dried up, the game viewing was almost as good from the camps itself . We stayed back one afternoon and enjoyed the view from the comfort of the pool which was a spectacular. We were also treated to a hyena passing through the camp during breakfast, and resident buffalo sleeping outside out tent at night.
Important points to remember when selling Mombo Camp is that it’s located within the Moremi Game Reserve and is therefore governed by it’s rules and regulations which prohibit walking and night drives. Due to fluctuating water levels, no water activities are available at Mombo and activities are limited to game drives only. If your clients want to explore the waterways of the Okavango, it’s important to combine Mombo with another water based camp. Chiefs Camp, also on Chiefs Island, does offer mokoro excursions for a limited period during the year depending on water levels but be sure to check before confirming with you client.
In summary, yes it is incredibly expensive, but if your clients have the money to spend, I think it’s worth every penny!
Written by Lorraine Potter
Kanana Camp (Botswana) - April 2007
Kanana Camp has recently been given a facelift with a few minor structural changes, new fittings and both hard and soft furnishings. Although a fresh new look, the camp still reflects traditional safari style and has a comfortable, old school charm about it.
Kanana is not a big game destination, but offers guests a true Okavango water wilderness experience, with permanent water year round. Of special note is the birding at Kanana, a highlight being the seasonal heronry that teems with activity from August through the summer months.
The daily routine at Kanana is a little more laid back than most safari camps starting with a morning wake-up call at 6:00 with tea/coffee served in bed, followed by breakfast at 6:30 including the option of a cooked breakfast, departing on game drive at approximately 7:00. This routine may not suite wildlife enthusiasts, but I think that many will find it a welcome break from the typically stringent safari routine.
The camp was very comfortable and restful, the service excellent, with a high standard of guiding. The vehicles were well maintained with easy access and a canopy for shelter. The variety of activities including game drives, walking, mokoro excursions and boating was a pleasure. In my opinion, the only thing missing was an outside shower and the honeymoon suite needs a little something extra. Written by Lorraine Potter
