Booking Botswana campsites yourself VS travel/booking agent

[La Leona]

The bookings explicitly state that the fees are not included. Thanks for letting me know. So we will be doing this in cash.

In my experience all conservation/entry/vehicle fees are added at time of booking DWNP operated camp sites.

Operators of concession sites do not always include entrances fees when one books campsites directly with them.

Please clarify if a booking agent was involved or if you handled all reservations yourself either with DWNP or the different operators of concessions.

[SANZ]

So, it is three weeks to our trip. All reservations have been done for the camps.

Now we are trying to figure out the most effective way to get the park fees paid.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Which is gthe first park you are visiting?
Check where there are DWNP offices or pay at gates

[Donlux]

Thanks so much for all the advice. At BWP500 for an entire trip's bookings, I absolutely agree, more than worth it!

Is there a particular cobtact at Botswana Footprints who is recommended? Or do i just email the company?

Try Ultimate Routes - I have heard very good things about them. These are the people I will be using moving forward.

Regards,

[doodsangel]

NDM managed to sort us out for park fees ahead of time.

[SANZ]

To address the original question:
Self book or use an agent
We have just had a great trip through Botswana- 16 days from Maun to Kasane, caming at South Gate, Moremi, Xakanaxa, Mbudi, Tracker Dogs, Mogotho, Savuti, Ihaha, Kasane.
Previously did all the bookings ourselves but when I could not get consecutive nights in Moremi, I engaged Pat n Wolf from this forum, to do the bookings. He runs Pat Ran Safaris and is a registered guide. He was great help. Asa he is local and knows and visits the places he was able to secure the bookings we wanted in a logical order and also suggested Packer Dogs which I was not familiar with. Afteer a week in Moremi we enjoyed relaxing in Mbudi and Tracker Dogs camps with plenty of visiting wildlife in the river and around camp. Lots of elephant but saw kudu, waterbuck, buffalo, warthog, impala and lovely birds such as wattled crane without any driving.
Reasonable fee (similar to what BF charges) and very helpful and responsive and organised. Vouchers were emailed to us. When there was a suggestion that the camp had not been paid he sorted that out-it had been paid.
Highly recommended.
SANZ

[NDMBots]

Find Yourself a truat worthy agent and be stress free, yes booking all campaites and charging a small fee is worth it, NDM Travel Agency for instance, offices in Maun,

www.ndmtravelagencybw.com

+267 75062451

This days self boking can be a challenge , unlike around previus years.

Some camps even use an online system to book campsites and this can be nightmare tfor individuals who want to book campsites as they will need codes and so forth.

Travel Agency s work is to book on behalf of clients.

I think the above will be of help to someone


Than you

[NDMBots]

NDM managed to sort us out for park fees ahead of time.

For bookings the adress is

[email protected]

[SANZ]

The above 2 posts should be in Forum: Commercial Member Adverts