BOTSWANA

In addition to day and night game drives and walking, fishing for African Pike, Nembwe (at type of bream) and Tiger Fish is a year-round activity available at Vumbura Camp in the northern part of the Okavango Delta. Seen here with a 'not so big one' that did get away (it was released after being caught) is Fish Eagle Safaris' Kathleen du Plessis.

BEST CONDITIONS IN 20 YEARS IN BOTSWANA'S OKAVANGO DELTA
The annual flood in Botswana's Okavango Delta this year is the best in more than two decades. Colin Bell, managing director of our partners Wilderness Safaris, said that, "the entire Delta will be flooded to the brim this year as a result of heavy rains in Angola bringing high levels of water to an already full Delta. It is going to be the most amazing spectacle, so get to Botswana this year to see the Delta at its very, very best."

It is an amazing sight to see the ribbons of water from the air, and to observe the changes on the ground, where a particular spot may be dry one day, only to be covered by a thin sheet of water the next. More significantly, wildlife viewing this year will be exceptionally good anywhere in the Delta as there will be incredible concentrations of animals on every dry island.

In just 10 days in N. Botswana in May/June 1998 (see trip report), Fish Eagle Safaris' Bert Duplessis and his wife saw close on 50 lions - twice seen hunting - once for buffalo and the other time for kudu. We observed leopard on three different occasions including one with the remains of an impala in a tree and another one with a youngster frolicking alongside. African wild dogs were likewise seen three times, once just seconds after they had taken down an impala; and cheetah twice, the latter sighting of a female knocking down and 'delivering' an impala to her five youngsters. She patiently waited in the shade until they had their fill, before she moved in and fed herself, keeping a wary lookout as the vultures started moving in. There were many other fantastic sightings including scores of elephants, magnificent sable antelope, a martial eagle on a fresh impala kill, a 'Giraffic Park' scene at one of the camps with as many as 23 giraffe in one area, all staring at two cheetahs walking by; some superb night drives (including my first ever sighting of aardwolf ), etc. etc.

A mokoro outing near Xigera, on the edge of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve.

A couple of days at a water camp and a few more at a good game-viewing camp in the Moremi Game Reserve and in the Linyanti concession should suffice: go on to Zimbabwe or Namibia from there. The Moremi, by the way, is rated as one of the top two eco-destinations in the world by the editors of the authoritative Weissmann Travel Reports: "What makes this park so spectacular is that it features an "ark"-full of big game--lions, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, elephants--as well as a dramatic array of bird-life. The reserve encompasses the ecologically unique Okavango Delta, so visitors can go on a game drive in the morning, then, in the afternoon, glide along narrow, papyrus-lined streams to watch eagles, herons, storks, egrets and cranes soar overhead." A good idea is to combine Victoria Falls, with Linyanti Wildlife Reserve and the Okavango Delta/Moremi. If you're on a tight budget, consider an overland participation safari from Maun, Botswana to the Victoria Falls.

Game-viewing near Mombo Camp on Chief's Island, in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. Mombo is renowned for its predators, and it is one of very few camps in Africa where leopard, cheetah and lion are regularly seen every day.

Conventional wisdom has it that the best months to visit Botswana are July through September, but off-season travel can be very rewarding - and less expensive. Here is a sampling of what one of the Jacana safaris saw in the month of December.

• Six lion stalk and kill a male kudu; hundreds of elephant and buffalo.
• 25 lions on Christmas Day around the waterhole; three male cheetah.
• Pel's Fishing Owl, and both male & female sitatunga very close to camp.
• Two wild dog kills (lechwe & warthog); two cheetah kills (impala), plus four leopards and fifteen more lions.
• Fabulous general game and birding throughout.

Scheduled overland tours: 2004 prices: 11-day '3-paw' Mopane Safari (participation camping) and 11-day '4-paw' Jacana Safari, both between Victoria Falls and Maun. The Mopane Safari is US$1,735.00 pp sharing low season (March through June and November/December); US$2,055.00 pp sharing for other departures. Park fees is $160.00 p.p. Jacana Safari is US$4,245.00 pp sharing in low season, US$4,945.00 pp sharing for other departures, Maun to Victoria Falls or vice versa.

ZIMBABWE

The Wilderness Safaris camps in Zimbabwe are being filled by savvy Africa travelers who know that it is during these times that one enjoys the finest wildlife encounters, at attractive prices.

A view from the deck at Makalolo Plains Camp, Hwange Game Reserve, Zimbabwe.

While Zimbabwe has lately been a controversial destination due to the political situation there, the safaris are operated in very remote and very safe areas, completely isolated from any populated towns or cities. Zimbabwe has had excellent rains so far this season, which is good news for the game later on in the year. The wildlife sightings have been absolutely awesome! On a recent safari in Hwange, Brian and his guests spotted over 20 different mammal species in one game drive – including Wild Dog, Lion, and the very rare Red Hartebeest.

Game-viewing in Hwange - and other Zimbabwe parks - is generally excellent in late winter to early spring (July through October), and you should see between 25 and 35 different species of mammal, not counting bats & small rodents. You simply can't beat Hwange for elephant, at the right time of the year. Zimbabwe has many small safari camps which offer a high quality, personalized service. And it has the incomparable Victoria Falls, one of the four most impressive sights in sub-Saharan Africa.

Scheduled overland safari: 2004 prices: 10-day '4-paw' Rhino Safari, between Victoria Falls & Kariba. Rhino Safari is US $3,195.00 pp sharing in low season (May to June; in the high season (July to October) the Rhino Safari is US $3,450.00 pp sharing.

NAMIBIA

Namibia offers arguably the most diverse safari experience of all: wildlife, adventure, culture, beach resorts, hiking and more.

Aerial view of the massive red sand dunes near Sossusvlei, in the Namib Desert.

The massive dunes at Sossusvlei, the stark beauty of Damaraland, driving across the Khomas Hochland into the Namib Desert, the vast expanse of the salt pan in Etosha, the fort at Namutoni and many other places make this an intriguing, off-beat destination.

Namibia is definitely my personal favorite because it has the unique combination of excellent game-viewing in Etosha and the true desert experience of the Namib, one of the world's driest deserts.

In February 1999 we went on an educational trip to Namibia, visiting Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, Damaraland Tented Camp and Ongava Lodge. A trip report with photographs is available by clicking HERE.

Scheduled overland safari: 2004 prices: 12-day '5-paw' Toktokkie Safari US$3,520.00 pp sharing from Windhoek (Jan to June); US$3,740.00 p.p. sharing (July to October) and US$3,630.00 p.p. sharing (November & December).

The Toktokkie Safari has the ideal Namibia itinerary, in my opinion, including the following:

• Kulala Tented Camp in the Sossusvlei area, for the massive sand dune experience.
• Swakopmund on the Atlantic Coast, interesting small town with much to do & see.
• Damaraland Camp - located in a rocky 'moon' landscape, not far from the Huab River Valley, home of the enigmatic 'desert elephants'.
• Ongava Tented Camp, central Etosha: excellent game-viewing, including opportunity for a foot safari in search of white rhino.
• Mushara Lodge, eastern Etosha: more game-viewing, in a different habitat with lots of water holes where predators are often to be seen.
• Okonjima Lodge, Waterberg Mountains: an excellent finish to the safari, with superb opportunities to photograph cheetah and leopard.

To order a brochure, newsletter or 'Frequently Asked Questions' about selecting an African safari destination, send an e-mail message to info@fisheaglesafaris.com with your name, address and telephone number, or call 1-800-513-5222 (713-467-5222 if you're calling from outside North America)

We can also be reached by fax at 713-467-3208. To send us a request for further information, simply complete the response form.

Fish Eagle Safaris
11152 Westheimer #150
Houston, TX 77042
Tel 1-800-513-5222 (USA and Canada)
Tel 713-467-5222 (from outside North America)
Fax 713/467-3208
E-mail: info@fisheaglesafaris.com

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