I don’t think anywhere definitely guarantees for seeing the big 5 but the odds are probably better for Kruger/ Greater Kruger as it has a reasonable sized rhino population and has the highest density of leopards next to South Luanga.

You could even consider private concessions in Kwa- Zulu Natal as it is in close proximity to the southern Mozambique border.Phinda,Tembe and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi,would be the obvious choices, the latter having the world’s largest white rhino numbers.

Chobe or Hwange are the closest to Vic Falls so that might be more logistically feasible if you wanted an add on to VF.For Botswana in December,Chobe and Moremi will still give you some good sightings.Any of the aforementioned will offer the possibility of a variety of wildlife encounters.

PinkNosed Penguin has mentioned knowing your budget and that will definitely help posters offer relevant suggestions and that also applies to your other post about a Chobe Lodge,

Thanks for reply and recommendations.

Yes for budget we are thinking along the lines of the below around the same price or below.

Given so many options and difference with chobe vs delta wondered what would be the best ultimate experience. Seems like delta includes boat excursions and fishing. Although wondering if this would be around December

Deciding around these stays ideally wanting more of an intimate experience with lots of activities

Chobe:

Ngoma safari lodge

Muchenje lodge

Moremi:

Nokanyana lodge

Camp Xakanxa

Delta:

Kanana - Ker & Downey Botswana

Hi KyleeL

budget wise... you can tell a lot from the lodges you are looking at, just be aware that Nokanyana lodge isn't actually in Moremi.... its in an area called Mababe about 20km from the "North Gate" gate to Moremi itself. Nokanyana lodge operates in the Kwai concession as well as Mababe which can be good...

Camp Xakanaxa is a good lodge inside Moremi

Kanana is a good lodge also and in a private concession, just be aware that normally they like to do water activities... but in December the waters could be low so they will switch to more game drives...

Ngoma and Muchenje are very close together on the western side of Chobe National Park, which is the quieter side and much less traffic or lodges...

Its an interesting mix of lodges .... the best one for a private area would be Kanana for the Okavango.

Im not sure if you want to do 2, 4 or more days in lodges here? do you mean a combination of all areas?

If you have time... for a very cost effective safari you could look to the Desert and Delta Camps of the following

Chobe Game Lodge - the only lodge inside Chobe Park

Savute Safari Lodge

Camp Moremi or Camp Xakanaka in Moremi Game reserve

They offer good packages at good prices.. as they are in national Parks, they cannot go off road nor conduct night drives

Another option is Kwando lodges with very good rates in December, and more private areas.

If its just one lodge for the Delta and thats it., then Kanana could be good, as will a few other lodges like Pom Pom, Mma Dinare. Splash, Gomoti Plains and perhaps a couple of others... like Kanana, they are in big private areas with no rules so you can fully drive off road and conduct night drives.

Just also be aware that if you are entering Botswana from Vic Falls, to go anywhere into the Okavango, you need to fly from Kasane airport, and thats going to be about USD350 to USD380 per person... then you can fly out to Maun for about USD225 per person...

If you go to Chobe from Kasane its a USD0 transfer by road... just a thought.

Hope tat helps

Roger

Owner of Safari Lifestyles

Local Operator

Amazing thanks Roger for recommendations and help.

Ideally we are a group of 4 and wanted to do 2 nights in Botswana after staying 2 nights in VIC falls and then off to Mozambique for a couple of nights. Very quick I know.

So was hoping to choose one lodge for the 2 nights, seems like most recommend to do a experience of chobe and the delta stays to get the full experience.

Perhaps we can rejig our itinerary to add another day or two and do chobe then head to the Okavango.

I thought Muchenje and Ngoma looked Great as situated near the chobe river incase we didn’t go to the delta. But it seems the delta is a unforgettable experience even in the December would it be worth it?

Yes lodges are interesting probably chosen based on looks which may not always be the best and of course budget isn’t that big as staying in inclusive places at vic falls and Mozambique.

Thanks

Both Muchenje and and Ngoma are pretty good.... they have very good views over the Chobe floodplains and offer game drives inside the park at the quieter end of Chobe..

to get into the Kwando camps for any special they have you need to spend 3 nights minimum at 1 camp or minimum of 4 nights at any 2 camps.... they dont now a Chobe Lodge.

I think if its just for 2 nights then stay at one of the Chobe Lodge as mentioned, and do look at Chobe Game Lodge as thats the only one actually inside the park and right on the river.

if its 4 nights then yes you could extend to a host of lodges in the Okavango and then exit Maun to get an international flight to Joberg etc.

So really you need minimum 4 nights to do both Chobe and the Delta... its OK for a short trip... for the Okavango you could also look to Mma Dinare or Rra Dinare... they are both Kwando lodges and even out of there special season (doing 2 nights instead of the minimum 3), they are still very reasonably priced and are full private concessions with full game drives off road etc... as is Kanana.

Do remember that flight price though.

Roger

Owner of Safari Lifestyles

Local Operator

Great amazing thanks Robert for your reply and taking the time to answer :)

Do you know of those chobe lodges mentioned and the chobe game lode do they just do game drives in chobe only or go to savuti/moremi?

Thanks

Hi Rob would you rate the Belmond lodges in particular belmond elephant savuti ? Just wondering given the time we are going around December if elephants won’t really be there as wet season.

Also the chobe savannah lodge on the Namibian side and goa hills?

Most of the companies that you need to book via I find the customer service not so personalised and little detail from agents. With so many options can tell we are very overwhelmed and perhaps indecisive haha. Just trying to avoid booking something and having the thought we should have gone there etc

Cheers

they do game drives and boat cruises in Chobe Only... Savute and Moremi are really very far away and need to be reached via another lodge etc...

Roger

Owner of Safari Lifestyles

Local Operator

Hi Rob would you rate the Belmond lodges in particular belmond elephant savuti ? Just wondering given the time we are going around December if elephants won’t really be there as wet season.

Also the chobe savannah lodge on the Namibian side and goa hills?

Most of the companies that you need to book via I find the customer service not so personalised and little detail from agents. With so many options can tell we are very overwhelmed and perhaps indecisive haha. Just trying to avoid booking something and having the thought we should have gone there etc

Cheers