Booking Botswana campsites yourself VS travel/booking agent

[Savuti_RTT]

Good evening,

We have done two overlanding trips (May 2022 and April 2023) through Namibia and some parts of Botswana, and I have always booked accommodation myself, usually getting preferential rates due to being an SA citizen and parents being Namibian born.

We are planning an extensive trip through Botswana next year and timelines are going to be tight. Looking at 9 different campsites in Chobe, Moremi and Makgadikadi, over a period of 21 days. We are well kitted out with 4x4, rooftop tent, gear etc, and have GPS, Tracks4Africa, Basecamp so really just need bookings for camp sites (i.e Ihaha, Savuti 3rd Bridge etc), no extras.

How much more expensive is it to have all of these bookings done through travel/booking agents, than just calling and booking ourselves? Is it worth it or can it be done personally for a fraction of the cost ?

Many thanks in advance for any advice and info.

[River Rat]

Most charge a booking fee of R500 to R800, but there might be an advantage if the payment can be done via credit card as the Forex charges can be a lot higher on direct payments.

[Barend]

We have used Botswana Footprints over the last 10 odd years of travelling to Botswana and the 500 pula they charge is a bargain for us.

[GeckoCampers]

Agreed with the previous comment regarding Botswana Footprints. One point of contact is just so much easier.

[doodsangel]

We have used Botswana Footprints over the last 10 odd years of travelling to Botswana and the 500 pula they charge is a bargain for us.

In this regard, is it BWP500 per site they book, or is it for making all the bookings (especially a multi-camp trip)?

[Savuti_RTT]

In this regard, is it BWP500 per site they book, or is it for making all the bookings (especially a multi-camp trip)?

I was just about to ask this as well?

Is that BWP500 for the entire trip booking, in our case 9 campsites? Then its a no-brainer! If it is a fee per campsite, with 9 different campsites x BWP500, the costs add up quite quickly.

[lekhubu943]

It is 500 Pula for the entire booking.

I have done the planning and bookings for many trips where multiple sites are visited. It takes a massive amount of time which I don't have anymore. When I was not working, I had the time on my hands. Now I will do the trip planning, tie possible dates to campsites and just give that itenary to a booking agent. I will not let them do my planning, only the booking.

The private camp operators (except Kwalate) are very good in responding quickly. The problem comes when you have a DWNP campsite inbetween somewhere.

[Stranger]

Long long ago, when woodsmen roamed the earth, I was dropped in the dwang with a planned trip due to leave the next day.

I had no bookings and Botswana footprints, for a single fee of P500 took me on a 14 day route Via Khama, Nxai pan, Kasane, Chobe , Savuti ........

At times getting bookings with a days notice. Turned into one of the best trips we ever had and the best P500 we ever spent.

[rvdm1]

We have used Botswana Footprints over the last 10 odd years of travelling to Botswana and the 500 pula they charge is a bargain for us.

We also used them and I fully agree. It makes the booking process almost effortless.

[Savuti_RTT]

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?

[Nambots]

We also used them and I fully agree. It makes the booking process almost effortless.

Can't agree more. Started to use them for my last trip in 2022. Used them again for my next trip in 2024 as I had over 30 nights to book + parkfees ect.

For 500BWP + 440 international courier can't complain at all.

Got availability feedback in one week for the next trip, not too bad for over 30 nights. Ok, I had a precise itinerary I submitted to BFP and I'm over a year in advance which made things much easier for them too.

[Mollys Human]

Can't agree more. Started to use them for my last trip in 2022. Used them again for my next trip in 2024 as I had over 30 nights to book + parkfees ect.

For 500BWP + 440 international courier can't complain at all.

Got availability feedback in one week for the next trip, not too bad for over 30 nights. Ok, I had a precise itinerary I submitted to BFP and I'm over a year in advance which made things much easier for them too.

Is it necessary to have physical copies couriered to you these days, seems an unnecessary addition if they can email and you print before you leave... Or are there campsites that require an original copy?!

[PAT n WOLF]

Is it necessary to have physical copies couriered to you these days, seems an unnecessary addition if they can email and you print before you leave... Or are there campsites that require an original copy?!

NOPE....Let the agent send you scanned documents and print them, and have them handy on arrival at park entrance. The thing is nowadays you have Campsite staff at entrances and they have list of all arriving guests...So, its not a must. What happens is, if the client will be spending two nights in Maun, they could prefer to passby office and collect the originals,and go and pay park fees at DWNP and have time to appreciate the assistance. Its NOT a must....

[Drtravels]

I used Botswana footprints late 2022. While it all worked out it always took multiple emails to get any answers. I’m attempting to use them again for February and 4 weeks into the request they are still checking on “availability”. It’s for Khutse and Mabua so not sure who is causing the slow response.

[NDMBots]

I used Botswana footprints late 2022. While it all worked out it always took multiple emails to get any answers. I’m attempting to use them again for February and 4 weeks into the request they are still checking on “availability”. It’s for Khutse and Mabua so not sure who is causing the slow response.

DWNP run camps get fully booked very fast,even if bookings are not confirmed, they will tel yu its fully booked, so beter to keep checking, maybe the booking company is hoping for cancellations.

At NDM Travel we check availabilty and confirm same day, if fully booked we can give alternatives and advise withing 24hour period

Hopes the above helps

[email protected]

[Drtravels]

DWNP run camps get fully booked very fast,even if bookings are not confirmed, they will tel yu its fully booked, so beter to keep checking, maybe the booking company is hoping for cancellations.

At NDM Travel we check availabilty and confirm same day, if fully booked we can give alternatives and advise withing 24hour period

Hopes the above helps

[email protected]

thanks for the information. I will send you an email. My experience is BF just gets around to it when they want. Last time the camps were empty (first 2 nights we were the only people in Khutse) and it still took an excessive amount of time.

[doodsangel]

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.

[River Rat]

I would be surprised if the park fees are not included in your booking so check that first. If not draw cash at the ATM and pay at the entrance gate.

[doodsangel]

I would be surprised if the park fees are not included in your booking so check that first. If not draw cash at the ATM and pay at the entrance gate.

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

[River Rat]

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

That's quite peculiar if the booking was done by Footprints or NDM. Just remember to budget for park fees on either side of the overnight stay i.e if the overnight stay is say on the 15th you need park fees for 15th and 16th or if the overnight stay is for the 15th and 16th you need park fees for 15, 16 and 17th.