Botswana help please?

23 June 2009, 01:22

Larry Sellers

I have a friend who will be in Bots on business the end of September this year and is looking for an outfitter for a photo safari and possible short duration hunt. His wife will be along, so most likely the emphasis will be on the photo side. Any leads to outfitters would be appreciated along with any help from all you great booking agents on here. I will pass the info along and let him make contact and arrangements. This is a serious, interested person. Thanks.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

23 June 2009, 01:50

shakari

He'll be restricted to areas such as the Tuli Block at that time of year and it won't be the ideal time to hunt but it's not impossible. I'll also mean a plains game and possibly non exportable Elephant(s)

If he wants to go game viewing as well, I'd say he'd be better off crossing into RSA and going into the KNP.

We might be able to fit him in towards the very end of the month and feel free to give him our contact details if we can help in any way.

This might help: http://www.shakariconnection.c...unting-botswana.html

23 June 2009, 02:23

TerryR

You may want to try a photo safari in the Okavango Delta combined with a ranch hunt. Wendell Reich books for Clive Eaton's ranch. I have hunted there and wouldn't hesitate recommending it. Mark Kyriacou also uses a ranch in the Kalahari. His web site is biggameandbirdsafaris.com I have also hunted there and would go back. I imagine Clive or Mark could suggest a photo operator in the Delta. I strongly recommend doing the photo part in the Delta, it is spectacular.

23 June 2009, 03:39

Larry Sellers

Thanks for the replies so far. I really think the game viewing/photo thing far outweighs the hunt aspect. I know he would like to do both by will only have 7 to 9 days for it all.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

23 June 2009, 03:43

Wendell Reich

TerryR is right. This is not a problem, in fact it can be done out of the same camp so one can hunt and one can photo. (Different areas of course).

Maybe 3 days in the Kalahari and 3 in the delta would be about right for the phototographer, of course the hunter would prefer more hunting days ... gotta give a little though!

Larry, shoot me an email or give me a call since I do not have your contact details.

23 June 2009, 03:44

ivan carter

larry ,
the best photo safari outfitter in bots is wilderness safaris they have over 15 camps in the delta and are very very good at details and easy to book ....the contact i use for that operation is yvonne christian , she is awesome ..Yvonne@wilderness.co.zw ..

as far as the hunting side , the government concessions will be closed at that time so he will be somewhat restricted

23 June 2009, 03:52

Larry Sellers

Thanks Wendell and ivan. E-mail sent Wendell, and I'll contact Yvonne for some details and forward to my friend.

24 June 2009, 15:30

Safaris Botswana Bound

Dear Larry
I hope this finds you well , sorry for the delay been out hunting.
I would wear 2 hats here - the first is as the Ex director of the Botswana Wildlife Assoc ( Outfitters and Ph assoc) ; and then as game rancher and concession owner as well :
As correctly pointed out at this time of the year the commercial concessions are closed ( third tuesday of september ) but all the game ranches can help you with your quest. There are elephants available on Directors permits with certain outfitters as well.
In order to have a great photographic trip and hunting on the side - I would recommend Maun as your entry point - this is close to the Okavango - rated as the best place in Africa to view wildlife by many leading outdoor journalists and magazines. From Maun its an easy strike to Ghanzi and other game ranch regions.
Clive Eaton is one of the most reputable game ranchers and outfitters in Botswana and Africa so as the earlier post recommended its a good option. There are other great ranch's as well , close to Maun , and I could let you have a list of contacts and recommendations.
Wilderness Safaris is without doubt the biggest in the region and has awesome camps and facilities , but there are many other operators including Ker and Downey , A&K , CC Africa , and smaller community driven operators.
Which ever option you take I urge you to please only book through acredited outfitters and agents - your game ranch / outfitter should be registered with either the Botswana Game Producers Association or the Botswana Wildlife Management Association , and your photo operator with HATAB. Non registred operators are the source of many problems which are placing the hunting industry at risk here in Botswana.
Please contact me should you need any info or assistance : saf.bots@info.bw or BWMA@yahoo.com
Happy hunting
Graeme Pollock

24 June 2009, 18:24

Larry Sellers

Thanks Graeme for all the information. This hunt/photo safari is for a friend and his wife. He will be working in Maun for a month or so prior, so should be close to all this extra activity. I will pass along your contact information to him and many thanks for the help.

Best regards

Larry Sellers

quote:
Originally posted by Safaris Botswana Bound:
Dear Larry
I hope this finds you well , sorry for the delay been out hunting.
I would wear 2 hats here - the first is as the Ex director of the Botswana Wildlife Assoc ( Outfitters and Ph assoc) ; and then as game rancher and concession owner as well :
As correctly pointed out at this time of the year the commercial concessions are closed ( third tuesday of september ) but all the game ranches can help you with your quest. There are elephants available on Directors permits with certain outfitters as well.
In order to have a great photographic trip and hunting on the side - I would recommend Maun as your entry point - this is close to the Okavango - rated as the best place in Africa to view wildlife by many leading outdoor journalists and magazines. From Maun its an easy strike to Ghanzi and other game ranch regions.
Clive Eaton is one of the most reputable game ranchers and outfitters in Botswana and Africa so as the earlier post recommended its a good option. There are other great ranch's as well , close to Maun , and I could let you have a list of contacts and recommendations.
Wilderness Safaris is without doubt the biggest in the region and has awesome camps and facilities , but there are many other operators including Ker and Downey , A&K , CC Africa , and smaller community driven operators.
Which ever option you take I urge you to please only book through acredited outfitters and agents - your game ranch / outfitter should be registered with either the Botswana Game Producers Association or the Botswana Wildlife Management Association , and your photo operator with HATAB. Non registred operators are the source of many problems which are placing the hunting industry at risk here in Botswana.
Please contact me should you need any info or assistance : saf.bots@info.bw or BWMA@yahoo.com
Happy hunting
Graeme Pollock

25 June 2009, 18:29

Gail Selby

Hi Larry,

Have been offline for some days so apolgies for the late reply but I totally agree with what the others have said about OWS (Wilderness Safaris - they have some of the best camps in the world, especially Mombo Camp for awesome game viewing) and Clive Eaton's ranch. Clive and Linda are good friends of mine and they run a really good show. The Okavango Delta is a must see!!

Cheers
Gail

25 June 2009, 19:04

Bushwack

I do visit Botswana at least 4-6 times in a year guiding tours all over and most of the operators in this country has excellent 4x4 eco tours, hunting and photograpic packages to offer.

25 June 2009, 22:44

Carolina Counsel

Larry,
A few thoughts. One, I don't know why someone would go to Botswana and hunt at a ranch when there is such wonderful wife open, unfenced areas to view wildlife, take photos, or hunt. Two, I would advise not to try to split such a short trip into seeing the Kalahari and the Delta. I would go with the Delta alone.
Three, Botswana has so much to offer, I don't know why you would leave there to go to RSA.

Take a look at Greg Butler Safaris. I had a great trip with them.

25 June 2009, 23:29

GeoffM24

I was just at Clive's ranch last month if you want to check out my hunting report http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4111052011. The photo safari camp is on the same property as the hunting area so it would work perfectly.

I highly recommend Tholo safaris and Clive's operation

26 June 2009, 01:37

Gail Selby

quote:
Originally posted by Carolina Counsel:
Larry,
A few thoughts. One, I don't know why someone would go to Botswana and hunt at a ranch when there is such wonderful wife open, unfenced areas to view wildlife, take photos, or hunt. Two, I would advise not to try to split such a short trip into seeing the Kalahari and the Delta. I would go with the Delta alone.
Three, Botswana has so much to offer, I don't know why you would leave there to go to RSA.

Take a look at Greg Butler Safaris. I had a great trip with them.

I totally agree on leaving out the RSA bit!