What is it they say, "go big or go home"? I went big on my first night on safari. Mombo Camp is one of the most luxurious lodges in Botswana. Rates for high season in 2019 are running over $3,500 per person per night. And while the accommodations are perfectly appointed in every way and the hosts are beyond gracious, the wildlife is what it's known for. Mombo means "Place of Plenty" -- it's location on Chief's Island is paramount. Chief's Island is the largest island in the Okavango Delta and provides year-round habitat to too many species to mention.
Yes, that's a copper tub back there in the bathroom.
Mombo was my first introduction to safari and it made quite the first impression. Day 1 offered a pack of African Wild Dog on a kill -- a baby impala. I was too naive to even know how rare this was as we followed the animals through the brush while they stalked the impala.
Wild Dogs with Imapala Kill - Mombo (Kassi Magruder)
To add to the excitement, we got a call on the radio that there was a male white rhino nearby. In 1992, there were only 19 white rhino left in the wild in Botswana. There are considerably more now, due to successful conservation efforts. We said goodbye to our Wild Dog friends and headed out to see if we could find the rhino. About 20 minutes later, we rounded a corner and saw his massive form. I let out a low expletive, which the other guests echoed. The guide smiled.
White Rhino on the Mombo Concession (Kassi Magruder)
We spent about a half hour with the rhino before returning to camp for dinner. A beautiful ride across King's Island and back to Mombo.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
