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Savute Safari Lodge, Botswana

3rd October 2022

Savute Safari Lodge, Botswana


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Savute Safari Lodge, Botswana

If you were to look at a time-lapse photography sequence taken from Savute Safari Lodge between 2008 and the present, the one thing that will stand out – other than the passing parade of animals, day and night – will be the state of the Savuti Channel, a natural spillway which starts at the Zibadianja Lagoon and ends in the Savute Marsh.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Back in 2008 there was an artificially maintained waterhole in front of the camp and nothing else.  At the time the Savuti Channel had reverted to being an ephemeral river or linear oasis – the kind of river which occasionally collects some water from local runoff with a few pools here and there, and some spots where elephants could get their trunks into clean water just below the surface of the sand.  The water hole in front of camp was a hive of activity, particularly in the dry season.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

By 2009 – for reasons that are still not entirely clear but likely the result of a heavier rainfall pattern over several years – also known as a wet cycle – the Savute Channel had started to flow strongly again and at least for a while the presence or absence of waterholes such as the one at Savute Lodge did not matter one way or another.  There was water all along the channel from its source close to the Zibadianja Lagoon, all the way to the Savuti Marsh.


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At least initially this made game-viewing in the area more challenging because it created more dispersal of big game species such as elephants and buffalo who did not ‘have’ to come to the few remaining waterholes in the dry season – they had access to water pretty much anywhere.

By the time we got back to Savute late in 2014, the Savute Channel was still flowing but not very strongly – and the elephants were back at the original waterhole in big numbers, trying to get to the source of the fresh water which they prefer to the muddy stuff available elsewhere in the channel.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Right now – as our colleague Lyndon saw on a visit to Savute Safari Camp about 10 days ago – the Savute Channel is dry again with no water flowing at all.  There are pumped waterholes, but other than that no permanent water. Which means it has come full circle, all the way back to what it was like,  13 years ago.  The elephants frequenting the water hole in front of the camp on a daily basis are also back to stay, with the water hole being one of the few permanent and reliable sources of water in a huge area.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Savute Safari Camp had seen other changes as well over the last few years.  Extensive refurbishments had been undertaken in the main public areas.  The objective was  to make the best use of the space in front of the Savute channel and the active waterhole. The new facilities include a relocated swimming pool – now more private than before – new walkways, multiple dining locations and new deck areas with a live cooking area for brunches and dinner.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

The camp now has multiple leveled viewing decks connected by walkways, providing different vantage points over the waterhole so that guests can find their own space to enjoy bar service and admire the remarkable animal encounters that take place around the channel and water hole. The rooms/chalets at Savute Safari Lodge have been significantly upgraded as well.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

The chalets are elegantly furnished in neutral tones to blend with the natural environment, feature expansive private decks, a combined bedroom and lounge area and en suite facilities.  The lodge can accommodate twenty four guests in eleven thatched chalets built of local timber and one family room which consists of two double bedrooms.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Savute Safari Lodge offers an exceedingly comfortable stay at a reasonable price, and the management and staff are most welcoming and helpful.  On my most recent visit, everyone made a point of introducing him or herself and maintained a high degree of interaction with all the guests for the duration of their stay. 

The grounds of Savute Safari Lodge are well maintained with good walkways and borders and several natural patches, resulting in an abundance of birdlife and small mammals such as dwarf and slender tailed mongoose and tree squirrels.

Legendary Lodge


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Here is what Lyndon had to say at the conclusion of his recent (July 2021) stay at Savute Safari Lodge:

“Shortly after a buffet brunch we headed out in search of the Marsh Pride (lions) with our guides Metal and Isaac.  Although the drive was quiet on the way out, we were amply rewarded with a sighting of almost 20 lions lying in the shade of a tree.  This pride has been dominated by a couple of huge brothers for the past 12 years, longer than most wild lions’ lifespan.  Several wildlife documentaries have featured them and their hunting prowess.  They had recently taken down a wildebeest and were still resting up; it was not yet time to venture out again.  Even so, it was a rewarding experience to see such an abundance of lions in one place!


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Dinner was on the deck overlooking the channel, where the water hole is lit up at night.  We enjoyed a meal with some delicious mashed sweet potato, broccoli, assorted vegetables and kudu steak as well as sticky toffee pudding for dessert.  It is shocking how quickly it can cool down in the evening and after dinner it became properly cold, right away.  Our group enjoyed some drinks around a bonfire before heading to bed.  

Our final morning drive was frigid but I actually prefer it that way.  Nothing better than to wake you up after a deep African slumber than a cold, cold wind blowing in your face as you set out on a game drive.  Layer up, grab a blanket and perhaps a heated water bottle like the ones they provide at Savute and enjoy!


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We took a small detour to a rocky outcropping which is home to an old San/bushman cave.  There are some beautiful rock paintings just outside the cave.  Visitors need to take note that the path is steep and rocky in some parts, albeit quite short.  Our game drive was successful again with us witnessing a brilliant roaring display by a striking male lion.


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One thing that I have noticed that has changed during Covid is that you no longer get the large spread of snacks as was traditional at a point during your morning game drive (tea/coffee break) or in the late afternoon for sundowners.  Instead each guest is given their portion in a small paper sack.  It typically includes all the ingredients you would need to make your own tea, coffee or chocolate milk and often includes some snacks.  I do miss the old way of doing this and I am hopeful that someday we will be able to return to that.  In the meantime I think everyone is now used to these small sacrifices and it shouldnt detract from the overall experience.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

While I am on the subject, the mask protocol, for the most part, is as follows:  In camp I wear a mask in public/main areas unless I am eating or having a drink.  In your room and on a game drive it is fine to go without.  On light air transfers and inside any airport terminals, I wear it.”

On my own most recent trip to Savute Safari Lodge, it soon became evident that we had happened upon a once-in-a-life time wilderness experience where the game-viewing was elevated to an almost surreal, hyper level.  Never before had we seen such a high density of elephants spread out in such a large area.   Not at Amboseli, not at Hwange, not at Chobe and not at Kruger Park.  The number of large bull elephants roaming around the Savute Marsh on this trip was simply astonishing, and there were dozens of large breeding herds around every corner.


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This was on an early December trip, just after the first rains had fallen.  Our driver-guide had to take evasive action all the time, either driving off road to avoid the lumbering animals, or stopping and waiting for them to cross.  In 30 years of going on safari, this still ranks in the ‘top three’ of our ultimate elephant experiences, the other two being at Little Makalolo in early November one year and at Amboseli in June.   It was a confluence of factors which we realize is unlikely to happen again.  Possibly there was inadequate vegetation available in the Linyanti area with earlier rain creating ideal grazing conditions in and around the marsh itself.  For whatever reason it seemed like every last elephant in Northern Botswana was in Savute that week.


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What made the entire experience even more special, was the presence of so many other animals.  There were zebras moving into the fringes of the marsh in their tens and hundreds, kudu of all sizes and ages around everywhere, hundreds of impala with multiple hundreds of babies, many giraffes, plus good numbers of wildebeest and even a few roan antelope.


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On top of that we also found ourselves right in the middle of a massive herd of buffalo on the final afternoon, moving in the direction of a watering hole.  A while later, we relocated to a different spot where two lionesses were watching the approaching buffalo herd, seemingly weighing up the odds of making a successful attempt at bringing one down.  Ultimately they decided not to, which was a wise decision as they were totally outnumbered and would have been no match for the many large, powerful buffalo bulls at the waterhole.


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The game-viewing at Savute Safari Lodge did not stop at hundreds of elephant, zebra and other plains game.  We had previously – on an all-day trip from Ghoha Hills – seen the Marsh Pride on the edge of the marsh.  On the day of our arrival at Savute Safari Lodge we went back to take a look at them and they were still in the same spot in the marsh, about 20 meters or so off the road.


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The following morning we were on our way back to the marsh when our guide received word of the presence of a pack of African Painted Dogs near the Rock Painting site.  We promptly drove there, missed them on the first attempt and then enjoyed a very good – albeit brief – view of 5 or so of the animals moving from our right to left and eventually disappearing into the thick bush.


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Just minutes later we were looking at a trio of mating leopards.  Usually leopards are found either by themselves or in a mating pair.  Or sometimes a female with youngsters.  This was an exception as an older male leopard was vying for the attention of a female who had paired up with a younger, more energetic male.  At first the older leopard was just resting up on a rock ledge but eventually he got into the action as well, displacing the young male towards the latter stages of the encounter.


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Driving around the edges of the marsh, our vehicle was followed by several carmine bee-eaters, intent on catching the insects stirred up by our activities.  In the process I managed a few decent pics of these colorful birds in flight – always something to behold. Beautiful birds in flight, something to look forward to when planning a visit to Savute Safari Lodge – and the Savute Marsh.

Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

More Info

Email bert@fisheaglesafaris.com

Email jason@fisheaglesafaris.com

@fisheaglesafarishouston

#FishEagleSafaris

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Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana

3rd October 2022

Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana’


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana

I’ve always been a Chobe Game Lodge ‘fan’ and my most recent experience there just underscored the many positives of staying there.  It is the only lodge inside the Chobe National Park and it has an ideal location right on the Chobe River.  There are some restrictions being inside the reserve (no off-roading and no night drives) and at times there can be too many vehicles in one area or at one sighting.  But these issues can be managed (for example with an early game drive start) and there is a very good road network so it is really not critical to be able to drive off-road.  In a park environment like this it will cause chaos and ruin the place in no time.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

The main reason to visit Chobe Game Lodge is to enjoy its proximity to the water and the much greater degree of exclusivity which you can get doing a boat cruise on the river, as opposed to a game drive.  Being on the river is a fantastic safari experience and lends itself to some of the best wildlife photographs of all, with animals inside or on the edge of the water, and a nice green backdrop to boot.  There are few – if any – places in Africa where you will enjoy better views of giant Nile crocodiles and hippopotamus, both in and out of the water, than at Chobe Game Lodge.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Year-round but more so in the dry season the boat safaris are ideal for observing the famous Chobe elephants in and around the river.  At times there are huge herds of them congregating on the banks of the Chobe River.  Sometimes just slaking their thirst, more often than not getting totally submerged and even swimming to some of the islands.  Ideally observed and photographed from one of the CGL safari boats.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

A couple of nights at Chobe Game Lodge will improve almost any Botswana itinerary.  Just don’t go there thinking it will be like spending time in a small tented safari camp.  Quite the opposite:  CGL is a hotel in the bush but a very special one with superb atmosphere, game galore, a very long list of things to do, great for kids and just flat-out fun and entertaining.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

My colleague Lyndon spent a couple of nights at Chobe Game Lodge barely a week ago (early July 2021) and had this to say:  “This is my second stay at Chobe Game Lodge and it has really cemented why it is a favorite of ours in Chobe.  Even though it is a proper lodge and on the larger side of things compared to many of the small, intimate camps in Botswana, the staff and guides always make sure it has the feel of a smaller camp.  Plus it has an enviable position inside Chobe National Park, farther west than the myriad of lodges in Kasane.  This makes the boat cruises feel almost as if you are in a private concession.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

After arrival into Kasane it is a 10-minute drive to get to the national park border, followed by a 45-minute slow-moving transfer to the lodge.  We had time to get settled in our rooms before heading out on a sunset cruise.  All the boats are electric, another unique CGL advantage.  Highlights included plentiful elephants, a gorgeous sunset and witnessing an African fish eagle pull a massive tiger fish from the river not 30 feet from our boat.  It actually landed in the water partially submerged before taking flight with the prize in its talons.  Fantastic!


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Meals are served a la carte and are quite good.  For dinner I had onion & leek soup, steak and creme brulee.  The first two were excellent; the creme brulee could have  done with a slightly more delicate sugar crust.

Temperatures during the afternoon and evening were quite mild, which made it surprising how chilly the start of the morning game drive turned out to be.  Visitors need to be prepared to layer their clothing in late June and July.  After a slow start we spotted a lion off in the distance and made our way over to it.  There were two females heading back to the bush after having an early morning drink in the river.  At Chobe Game Lodge the vehicles are all electric and seating is 4 X 3 – the guiding crew is all female.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Another good dinner on my second night there, with tomato and carrot soup, lamb and a delicious, traditional malva pudding to end things off.  The following morning we took a sunrise cruise.  If you spend at least two nights here, this is a good option.  There were lots of birds around, good general game and we experienced a gorgeous sunrise.”

Over the course of several visits to the property over the years,  the interior part of the lodge including the reception, bar/lounge, verandah and restaurant have remained very much the same.  The rooms have undergone some significant upgrading, with noticeably bigger bathrooms.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Something which I noticed on arrival on my last visit – for a late lunch – was the addition of an 800-meter long raised walkway which hugs the edge of the Chobe River and makes the most of the fantastic views over the water and grassy plains beyond. 

The walkway has several nooks where private dinners or other activities can be enjoyed and it is large enough – at the eastern-most point – to host an outdoor dinner for the entire camp.  Subsequently, the owners of CGL extended the western portion of the boardwalk as well, all the way to the current boat jetty.

Legendary Lodge


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

Another relatively new addition was a large outdoor dining/boma venue, with oversized umbrella stands capable of providing shade for 30+ people if required. The pool at CGL is still in an ideal semi-shaded spot, blending into the natural scenery.

From a previous visit to CGL, I recalled the wide choice and nice presentation of food dishes.  If anything, the food selection and choice was even better on my last visit.  Invariably there were multiple choices of starters, main course and desserts for dinner and lunch, and an array of hot and cold items for breakfast.  Coffee lovers take note:  CGL has an espresso machine which produces some fantastic coffee!


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

In summer (Nov to Feb), morning game drives at CGL start early – at 0530A – which requires a wake-up call as early as 0430A to 0500A – depending on how quickly you can get ready.  Most guests show up at the restaurant at just after 0500A for a cup of coffee or tea and a rusk or freshly baked muffin.

Then it is off on a game drive of about 3 hours duration.  The very early departure has two main benefits:  you get to enjoy the cool morning temperatures before it starts to get really hot around 10:00 am, and you mostly beat the crowd by being able to enjoy game viewing west of CGL for a good amount of time – as much as 2 hours – before other vehicles & day trippers from Kasane start to show up.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

My first two ‘green season’ outings at CGL – a boat trip on the day of arrival and a game drive the next morning – were quite slow.  No elephants were seen and other than some hippo in the Chobe River, the only large mammals we saw were a good group of about 50 buffaloes.  Plus hundreds of impala and all of their babies.

By the time a family of three Americans including their Peace Corps volunteer daughter joined us on the afternoon game drive on December 15 we were starting to get a bit anxious.  Would they see something on their first ever game drive in Africa?  Where were the elephants?  There was no reason to be worried.


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We were hardly out of camp when we started to see the first of what ended up being dozens if not quite hundreds of elephants.  Some were coming back from the Chobe River and others were on their way there – at one stage we saw two large breeding herds cross paths while a third – smaller – group was observing from nearby. 

It didn’t stop with elephants.  We also saw giraffes (many!), kudu, buffalo, and enjoyed a long-awaited sighting of a handsome pride of Chobe lions.  There were about 7 or 8 individuals altogether, one young male on one side of the road and a group of about 6 females all lying more or less on top of one another.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

We watched them for quite a while, with two sisters entertaining us with some playful jostling and display of affection.

Back in camp I had a rare chance to get some exercise, spending 30 minutes on the treadmill.  My stay at Chobe Game Lodge was concluded with a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the property’s green initiatives which are significant and laudable.  The property is very serious about recycling everything from plastic and paper right down to glass bottles which get crushed and mixed into bricks – in fact as much as 95% of all of the lodge’s trash is sorted and recycled.  CGL has a very effective grey water recycling program and it also generates a substantial amount of bio-gas on the property.


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

CGL has been moving forward on other fronts as well:  the lodge is now operating a fleet of all-electric game drive vehicles as well as electric pontoon boats.   As I can attest from personal experience, it is a novel and exciting experience to approach the wildlife on the electrically operated game drive vehicles as there is no noise to scare them off or make them apprehensive.  Even the tiny impala babies, normally very skittish around regular game drive vehicles, let us approach very close.  Clearly it will improve the game-viewing experience as the guide is able to hear ‘clues’ like alarm calls which might otherwise have been drowned out by the noise of the engine.  There is nothing wrong with the vehicle’s ability to get into and out of ‘real’ 4-wheel terrain either!


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Photo: Desert & Delta Safaris

In summary:  For visitors who would like to experience a safari, but who are not quite ready for a tented camp or for the expense of flying into the Delta or elsewhere, Chobe Game Lodge is a great option. Yes, with 44 rooms it is much larger than other lodges, but it offers a lot of activities and services that are not available in the bush. It offers game drives as well as boat excursions on the Chobe River for some great looks at hippo, crocodiles and elephants along the shoreline.  Resident professional guides also offer stargazing and guided walks, there is a beautiful swimming pool, a riverside boma area where traditional dancers perform, fast wifi and a workout room complete with a treadmill. There is even a pizza oven!

More Info

Email bert@fisheaglesafaris.com

Email jason@fisheaglesafaris.com

@fisheaglesafarishouston

#FishEagleSafaris

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For 25 years we discouraged prospective travelers to Africa from trying to combine East and Southern Africa because of logistical issues; but no longer. With the introduction of daily direct, non-stop flights from Nairobi to Victoria Falls, we now offer a safari which combines up to four of Africa’s top-flight safari destinations in a cost-effective and time-efficient package.

  • Revel in the superb game-viewing of Kenya’s Masai Mara
  • Observe and experience the many attractions of Victoria Falls (Zambia or Zimbabwe side – or both)
  • Venture out among Hwange’s 30,000+ elephants and lots of other big game species. Try a foot safari with the best guides in Africa.
  • Experience the thrill of a boat safari – close up views of elephants, hippo & crocodiles – at Chobe in N. Botswana.
  • Fly between camps on all but one sector.
  • Daily departures throughout the year.

East Africa
For sheer numbers of animals especially in areas such as the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya) it is hard to beat East Africa. The difference (compared with most parts of Southern Africa) is that the habitat is generally more open, so the wildlife is easier to see. We just saw this again in February and March of this year, visiting the southern Serengeti. An absolute spectacle with thousands of wildebeest and zebra to be seen in every direction and amazing predator action.

I have re-visited many parts of Kenya (Amboseli, Chyulu Mountains, Samburu, Lewa, Laikipia, Masai Mara, Meru, Mathews Range and the coast) several times recently and in my opinion Kenya is still the Rolls Royce of safari destinations. As we all know, Kenya has some problems yet at its core it is still a warm and friendly and amazingly beautiful country which offers visitors an astonishing array of attractions and places to visit.

Nowhere else in the world will you see as much wildlife and so many different species, in just a week to 10 days or so. Nowhere else will you be exposed to such cultural diversity in a setting where ‘culture’ is interwoven with the safari experience: you don’t have to take a side-trip to meet with the Maasai or the Samburu. They are where the wildlife is and continue to co-exist harmoniously.

A big plus for Kenya is the presence of several private conservancies where vehicle numbers are controlled, avoiding the seasonal congestion associated with the Masai Mara National Park. On a recent visit we spent a considerable amount of time in the Naboisho, Olare Motorogi and Mara North conservancies and we were mightily impressed with the game-viewing and the relative absence of other vehicles, compared with the Mara itself. There are similar conservancies elsewhere in Kenya such as Lewa/Borana Wildlife Conservancy and Namunyak Conservancy. The same benefits to visitors are evident in those areas.

Western Tanzania including Katavi and Mahale Mountains
Over the space of a couple of weeks in Tanzania recently, we experienced some superb game-viewing in far northern Tanzania (on the Mara River) as well as in the remote and atmospheric Katavi national park. Buffalo, lions, hundreds of hippo, plenty of general game and few other people. Ideally combined with the really magical Greystoke Camp on Lake Tanganyika where the main objective is to find and observe a large group of well habituated chimpanzees. The lake itself is worth the trip and the chimps are a huge bonus.

Tanzania and Ngorongoro Crater
On two educational trips to Tanzania, the highlight was undoubtedly the Serengeti, where we ran smack into the annual wildebeest migration in February and March in the shortgrass plains around Ndutu (it was amazing). We also revisited Ngorongoro Crater, which has lost none of its appeal. The natural beauty, the wealth of animals, the mystique surrounding the entire place, definitely worthwhile.

At certain times of the year the Crater can get very busy, and in fact some East African travel experts think that it is over-promised and oversold. That is true to a degree but of course there is a reason why the place is so popular: it is special.

While the central Serengeti is nowadays quite busy year-round, there are still properties which offer a first-class safari experience, away from the congested Seronera area. On a recent visit one of our team spent a couple of days at Namiri Plains camp which is to the west of Seronera. He found both the camp itself and the game-viewing experience (plenty of cheetahs!) to be first-class.

The Southern Serengeti is an excellent choice for the December through April time-frame when the wildebeest herds congregate there for the calving season. It is possible to do off-road driving in some of the areas outside the park boundaries (such as in the Maswa Reserve and the Ngorongoro Wildlife Management Area) which is great for observing cheetahs, seen here on a near daily basis.

Tanzania
is a good choice for people who want to combine wildlife and culture, and we can also offer excellent programs for families with young children, such as by incorporating ‘exclusive use’ properties.

Southern Tanzania (Ruaha and Selous)
If you’ve already visited Kenya and Tanzania’s Northern Circuit including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater then Southern Tanzania might be a great option for you. If you appreciate Africa’s truly wild and unspoiled places and everything they offer, Ruaha National Park and the Nyerere (formerly Selous) National Park are definitely worth serious consideration. By all means stay for a few days in each area. Certainly no less than three nights, four would be even better. This place is made for slow travel. And Zanzibar is just a short hop from Dar-es-Salaam.

Private Kenya Safaris
Our clients who have recently traveled to Kenya have all been extremely pleased with the quality of the game-viewing there, and the cultural experience is without rival. Our best advice is to go with a private vehicle and driver. We now offer a privately guided Gameventures safari which we believe is the ideal safari for the first time visitor to East Africa, and perfect for serious photographers due to the ample weight allowance. Over the course of 12 nights in Kenya you will see approximately 35 big mammal species, 350 bird species, 3 distinct tribal groups, and much more. Want to spend a bit more time in Kenya? Add 2 nights at Amboseli – in my opinion one of the two or three best places for elephants anywhere in Africa. We can also offer a shorter 7-night version of this privately guided trip.

Comparable group trips are invariably run on a very tight schedule and many of them spend way too much time in transit, with a minimum of time allocated for actual game-viewing. Some of the packaged itineraries you may see, have lots of big names such as Mt. Kenya Safari Lodge, Treetops etc. but preciously little time is spent actually looking at wildlife, which is after all the purpose of a safari.

Why a privately guided trip?
All of the Kenya camps – and for that matter the ones elsewhere in Africa – generally do a great job in managing game drives and other activities (with as many as 6 people in a car most of the time). They try to put people together who have similar expectations, experience and preferences, so that keen birders don’t end up with visitors interested in seeing ‘big cats only’, for example.

It doesn’t always work out perfectly and even under the best of circumstances, being thrown together with total strangers in a vehicle for 3-plus hours can be challenging.
The perfect solution to that is to have your own private vehicle and guide on safari. In Kenya we consider that to be ‘doing it right’. It makes a decisive difference in the overall level of enjoyment and of what you get out of the trip. Not only because it gives you more freedom to explore at your own pace, but because of the strong rapport you build with your guide.

One of the Origins guides we employ for our guests quite frequently (they have several in this category) is Edwin Selempo. In addition to being hugely knowledgeable about animals, birds, plants, ecology and everything associated with it, Edwin is also erudite, with a dry sense of humor. Spend a few days with him and you’ll have a wonderful time, see all the animals and birds you’ve ever dreamed of plus you will get the story behind the story on matters like corruption, poaching, conservation, the increasing Chinese presence in Africa, and so on. I had the same outstanding experience with Edwin’s colleague Zachary Methu. Ebullient and energetic, nothing was ever too much trouble for Zachary and his unbridled enthusiasm is a joy to experience. A phenomenal birder as well.

From a photography point of view this (Gameventures) itinerary is a great trip because of the diversity of habitats, scenery and wildlife – and the fact that you can take up to 100 lbs in luggage; so no need to leave any big lenses at home!

There’s some driving involved from Meru to Samburu and from there to Laikipia but nothing too strenuous and you’d cross over some interesting terrain with great views. In my opinion a bit of driving – particularly in Africa where the roads are very quiet – adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.

About the Gameventures safari itself:
There is simply nowhere better for a first safari than Kenya. Why? Diversity of habitats, abundance of animals and wide open plains making game-viewing relatively easy and rewarding. Plus good tourism infrastructure, super-friendly people and a wide range of accommodations. Add to that one of the best private guides (silver or Gold KPSGA rating) in your own exclusive 4-wheel drive vehicle and you have the perfect safari combination.

High quality camps in East Africa’s top parks & reserves.
Daily departures throughout the year.
Private guide, private 4×4 vehicle throughout.
Fly all sectors that are greater than a 4 hour drive.
Luggage allowance of 27 kg (60 lbs) per passenger.

The Masai Mara when the migration is not there
The wildebeest migration (depending upon local rainfall patterns) usually arrives in the Maasai Mara (from the Serengeti) sometime in July every year. However, the Mara is anything but ’empty’ outside of the “migration season”. All the animals that can be seen during the migration, can be seen all year round. And they can be seen in big numbers. The big prides of lions do not migrate with the wildebeests, only the bachelors without a home range do. Most leopards and cheetahs are territorial too and do not migrate either. Many animals are actually moving out of the Mara during the migration, because the big herds of wildebeests compete with them for food. According to an article by Stelfox (Herbivores in Kenya, Journal of Wildlife Management), this is how the wildebeest migration effects other species:

July (migration) June (before the migration)

Wildebeests 819,500 101,700
Zebra 107,800 65,200
Tommies 90,500 106,500
Grants 18,500 19,900
Topi 25,500 31,500
Buffalo 31,500 30,000
Kongoni 5,000 8,900
Impala 51,800 59,200
Eland 4,600 8,500

As can be seen, for almost all species the numbers are actually higher in June (or for that matter any other month before July). Only wildebeests and zebras migrate in really big numbers.

So even if you travel to Kenya outside of the ‘migration’ time (July through October) you will still see a lot of wildlife.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR IDEAL ITINERARY WITH FISH EAGLE SAFARIS

With more than 30 years of Southern and Eastern African travel planning and execution, along with our South African
background, we are able to provide you with expert advice and guidance to find a trip that is right just for you!

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