Duba Plains Camp sits in the heart of the Okavango Delta among a matrix of palm-dotted islands, flood plains and woodland on a 33,000 hectare private reserve. It is also the place that Great Plains Conservation co-founders, National Geographic filmmakers, conservationists and explorers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, chose for their home base.

Duba Plains Camp offers 5 bespoke tents designed to blend into the landscape and evoke the classic African safari style of the 1920’s. All the rooms are raised on recycled railway-sleeper decking and with stunning views of the surrounding floodplain and the steady stream of wildlife parading past.

Each tent has a lounge area and beautifully appointed en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double vanities and indoor and outdoor showers and a luxurious bath. Ceiling fans, environmentally friendly air-conditioning system over the bed, and careful design maintain a comfortable climate.

Enjoy your private verandah complete with plunge pool and shaded sala. The camp’s main area consists of a large raised dining room, comfortable lounge, interactive kitchen, wine cellar and library. The camp’s centre point, the gathering place of all bush experiences, an extended deck under the giant ebony trees.

Duba Plains prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences and intimate exposure to the best of the best wildlife, from lions and leopards to elephants, lechwe, buffalo and everything in between.

Duba Plains is also known for interesting Kalahari species like aardwolf and pangolins. A recent guest captured it perfectly when he said, “I am not a religious person but I now understand that the Garden of Eden can now in fact be found at Duba Plains.”

Rooms: 5

Price: from 3.520 EUR per night

Source: www.greatplainsconservation.com

Set in one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on our planet, the brand new Selinda Camp rests on the Selinda Spillway banks as it enters the Linyanti River.

The private 130,000 hectare Selinda Reserve boasts elephants by the thousands, regular sightings of the Selinda pack of African wild dogs, and the famous Selinda Lion Pride recently feature in the National Geographic film “Birth of a Pride” by Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

The area has a sense of remoteness, a true spirit of Africa, and an excellent example of Botswana bush embodying various species and rare animals.

The new Selinda Camp represents the meeting place of three cultures, European, Mokololo, and Bayei. It is themed to resemble that of the thatched village of Sangwali, one that used to house 3,000 warriors and sufficient enough to loan David Livingstone 200 men during his travels.

Spears, shields, and an African version of Robinson Crusoe is the enduring theme through the camp. Its architectural design elements centre around Water, Air, Earth, and Fire, all of which ground the design.

Selinda Camp’s design pays homage first and foremost to water, with splashes of blue and crystal-clear swimming pools offering views over the equally immaculate Selinda Spillway to ease your arrival, usually by boat.

The billowing silks, which adorn the lounge area’s ceilings, are a tribute to Air and the afternoon breezes that ripple the endless sea of nearby grasses.

Earth is represented in the cornucopia of home-grown meals lovingly prepared in our kitchens, fresh from the earth. Our evening Fire’s bright flames complete the ethos of being in harmony with nature’s natural elements.

The camp has three expansive guest suites, each covered under thatch and large en-suite bathrooms and a large open private veranda with a seating area private swimming pool. Each guest suite is unique, designed with its own colour palette and theme.

In some cultures, a fifth element, ‘metal’, is also incorporated into the design. Every space enhances what Livingstone would have had, what he would have travelled with and found. But beyond that, we go back to the Robinson Crusoe feel, including textures of rope, suites under thatch, hammocks, lots of space, nautical elements, and salvaged wood.

In addition to the three guest’s suites, the 2-bedroomed Selinda Suite (like its fellow Zarafa Dhow Suite and the Duba Plains Suite) operates exclusively, as guests enjoy their own private vehicle, safari guide, chef, manager/butler, and entrance to their residence.

The safari drives, walks, boating, tracking, birding and other bespoke viewing activities are designed to place you in front of the best wildlife the area has to offer. The unique one-on-one life-changing experiences include sightings from leopards to elephants and hippos and aim to ensure you tick off as many of the 200 or more bird species in the area as possible.

LUXURY SAFARI
For some it means stunning accommodation in a remote, private concession with as many wildlife-drives as you can fit into a day. For others it is being out on foot or in a canoe, active all day and totally disconnected from the world back home.

For some it is capturing the perfect photograph of one of Africa’s iconic species, for others it means spotting every bird on our 111 Club or introducing their children to the bush for the first time with our Young Explorers Programme.

Whatever your interests or travel style there is a Great Plains Conservation experience perfect for you. Use the pages below to help guide and inspire you as you plan the trip of a life time.

Toward that end, we own and operate some of the most luxurious, sustainable and lauded properties anywhere in Africa. Zarafa was awarded the first ever accreditation by Relais & Chateaux in Botswana and has since been joined by Duba Plains.

Ol Donyo Lodge and Mara Plains hold the same distinction as the only Relais & Chateaux properties in Kenya. These properties are also National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, handpicked for their exceptional guest experience and commitment to sustainable practices.

At our luxury camps guests can expect 1000 square foot tents, plunge pools, wine cellars, in-room massages and spa treatments and even a Canon camera and lenses and Swarovski binoculars in each tent.

Also available are two-bedroom villas complete with their own private vehicle, guide, chef and staff; perfect for families or groups of friends wanting privacy and exclusivity. Alongside these luxury touches Great Plains’ sustainable ethos includes camps constructed from natural and recycled materials and run almost entirely off solar power.

We make use of UV reverse osmosis for drinking water and eco-friendly greywater recycling systems. Zarafa has a cutting edge biogas system which converts vegetable scraps into methane-based cooking gas and we are committed to reducing waste and eliminating single-use plastic in all of our camps.

At Great Plains guests are able to experience a blend of 100% conservation with 100% luxury, compromising neither while maximizing both.

WILD STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI
Our camps are perfect for any level of photographer from professional to committed hobbyist to novice. From the Selinda Reserve’s herds of elephants, to sunrises over the Zambezi River at Sapi Explorers Camp to ol Donyo’s Lodge two photographic hides, perfectly placed in front of a water hole that draws some of the regions last “big tusker” elephants, our camps are a photographers dream!

Our vehicles are open 4x4s with a maximum of 6 guests (private vehicles available), many of which come with stabilizing bean bags and camera mounts. Duba Plains is even home to a specialist photographic boat for exploring the Okavango Delta.

At Duba Plains, Zarafa, Mara Plains and ol Donyo Lodge each tent has a Canon camera and lenses for guests to use with their images downloaded on departure. At Mpala Jena in Victoria Falls and at our camps in Botswana guests can book a scenic helicopter flight to capture stunning aerial shots.

For those looking to improve their photography skills at any level we have developed our Wild Studio Photography program which offers photographic tuition for all abilities taught by a professional photographer in both small groups and on a private basis.

ANYONE CAN LEARN
Great Plains Wild Studio is an opportunity for all levels of photographic abilities to become published wildlife photographers.

NON-PHOTOGRAPHERS
We have designed the courses to accommodate non-photographers also, ideal for couples and families looking for different experiences.

PRIVATE TUITION OR IN GROUPS
We provide both workshop and tailored private tuition in all our camps. The workshops can be as short as three days making them extremely accessible to all travellers visiting different areas of the country.

SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHERS
Professional photographers, who live in either Botswana or Kenya, will guide our photography guests through the technical aspects of photography, and then take them even further by developing meaningful portfolios that we will assist in publishing for them.

UNIQUE WAY TO LEARN
Quite simply we work backwards! On day one we will design the contents page of the portfolio for a book, social media album, printed photos for your dining room wall or for a published calendar to give to your friends.

All we have is a one-page contents page as your destination, which will be the flexible guide for the rest of the workshop. The chapters could be birds in flight, soul of the elephant, zebras in action, the predators of the savannah. We let our creativity go wild.

OBJECTIVE FOCUSED PHOTOGRAPHY
The concept draws on the strategy used by professional and National Geographic photographers. Having a brief allows us to really hone our skills in a focused way rather than scouting the reserves randomly. It will help us produce better images.

THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Once we know what we would like to create we learn the skills needed to create the vision. We don’t let the camera drive us but learn how it can be used to create our vision.

Your ‘image-capturing device’ can be a smartphone, GoPro, compact right up to the professional cameras. It does not matter as they can all capture an exposure of your subject to tell a story. The most recent Wildlife Photographer of the Year image was taken on a GoPro.

FLYING SAFARI
Not only are the majority of our properties from Zimbabwe to Kenya to Botswana accessed by air, via “hopper” flights between the camps, booking an additional aerial experience is always a thrilling addition to a stay with us.

At Mpala Jena Camp in Zambezi National Park or at any of our camps in Botswana guests can book a scenic helicopter flight to capture stunning aerial shots of Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta or the wildlife-rich banks of the Selinda Spillway.

In Botswana you can even combine your scenic helicopter flight with our Life with Elephants tour, a cultural tour of the village of Eresha developed in partnership with the local community.

In the Maasai Mara enjoy a hot air balloon ride as the sunrises over the iconic East African plains or book a helicopter from ol Donyo Lodge to fully appreciate the size and scale of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Those who want an even more extensive flying experience might consider our Cape to Nairobi itinerary, taking advantage of the fully pressurized and air-conditioned Great Plains Pilatus PC-12 available for private charter or our Ultimate Flying Safari, a two-week private, fully-guided flying adventure, exploring Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe by private plane.

WALKING SAFARI
For those wanting a walking safari experience, Great Plains Conservation’s Sapi Springs and Sapi Explorers Camps in Zimbabwe are perfect.

The 120,000 hectare Sapi Reserve, home Sapi Springs and Sapi Explorers Camps, forms part of a 1.6 million acre Unesco World Heritage site and is Africa’s dream walking safari destination. Selinda Explorers Camp and ol Donyo Lodge are great options as well.

From Selinda Explorers Camp you can bushwalk and canoe daily (water levels permitting) while from ol Donyo Lodge you can hike through Hemingway’s ‘green hills of Africa’ or explore the plains at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro on a walk, by bike or from the back of a horse.

For those wanting to get out on foot for a morning or an afternoon, shorter bushwalks are available from most of our properties (walking activities may have a higher age limit).

BUSH WEDDING
We invite you to confirm your love for each other in some of Africa’s most idyllic and romantic hideaways. Africa is the birthplace of humankind and let this be the birth of where your romance begins.

Swear your love in front of an imposing gathering of Maasai men women and warriors all dressed in their finest beadwork and carrying spears or celebrate your nuptials with a simple ceremony set out in the middle of an African plain or set against our finest Relais and Chateaux camps.

Instead of having your guests pile up gold wrapped gift boxes with toasters and wine decanters, tell your friends you want to buy a rhino’s freedom or solar lanterns for a local community.

Imagine making your marriage a symbol of the way you live your lives together, unselfishly, about experiences rather than things, about giving rather than taking and about making the world better…

We arrange weddings in all of our Kenya and Botswana camps and many a celebrity couple have elected to sneak off with a dozen or so close friends for a private and authentic African wedding.

While many couples opt to do a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony with us while obtaining a marriage license in their home country, those wanting to ensure a legal marriage while on safari should review the Marriage Requirements at the links below.

YOUNG EXPLORERS
Safaris with kids are much the same – a time to stimulate all the senses. Safaris open up a whole new world to us all, but for kids it is magical.

While new animals are a huge part of the excitement of safari, stepping away from everyday life in favor of spotting animal tracks and practicing your newly learnt traditional bush survival skills is an experience that kids and parents alike will cherish.

The Great Plains Young Explorers Program blends fun with conservation learning. On arrival each child receives a Young Explorers pack full of all that is needed for them to become a Conservation Ambassador.

The pack includes an activity book full of interesting information including animal tracks, seTswana or Kiswahili vocabulary, facts on flora, fauna and stars, word games and a safari journal. Great Plains guides and staff seamlessly modify the level of activities according to age.

Like any vacation, a family safari is a time to connect with one another, but there is something extra special about sharing the first sighting of a favorite animal together and reliving it around the fire together each night. The freedom and purity of Africa is the ideal way to escape the everyday and bond with the land and with each other.

Rooms: 3

Price: from 2.581 EUR per night

Source: www.greatplainconservation.com

After several decades of setting the standard in the Kalahari, we are delighted to announce that Jack’s Camp has undergone a full rebuild and refurbishment and will reopen in January 2021.

The brand-new Jack’s Camp pays homage to the property’s enduring and much-loved 1940s campaign style. The guest tents, seven twins and two doubles, are much larger and each is a whopping 270 square metres in size: 135 sq m inside, and 135 sq m outside.

The iconic interiors remain but with the addition of intricate textiles from all over the world, Natural History Museum cabinets, and an overhead bed cooling system. Ensuite bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor shower and outside, each veranda has a private plunge pool.

The new, larger mess tent is resplendent with the renowned Natural History Museum, library, antique pool table and a well-stocked drinks chest. The iconic nomadic Persian tea tent has been made larger and the shop has been renovated and restocked with new treasures.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE JACK’S CAMP:

• Jack’s is one of Africa’s most iconic camps and it will reopen in January 2021, refreshed and reinvigorated, yet still retaining the classic style we all know and love.
• Enjoy the ultimate in space and exclusivity; the camp is one of just three in a one million-acre private wildlife reserve.
• There’s a blockbuster of activities to be enjoyed including quad biking, bushman walks, classic desert game drives, meerkat visits and horse rides.
• The camp has one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient artefacts in Botswana, collected and curated by the Bousfield family over decades.
• Indulge in a lazy afternoon in your private plunge pool watching the world go by, G&T in hand.
• Keep your eyes peeled for the year-round desert wildlife: brown hyena, oryx, Kalahari lion and, after dark, aardvark, porcupine, honey badger and bat eared fox.

ACCOMMODATIONS
When Jack’s reopens in January 2021, it will continue to pay homage to the much-loved 1940s style of the existing camp.

The nine guest rooms are almost double the size of the existing tents and whilst the iconic green canvas and muslin-draped walls remain, each feature new textiles from around the world, Natural History Museum cabinets curated by Ralph Bousfield himself and an overhead bed cooling system to ward off the desert heat.

Outside, each veranda has a private plunge pool as well as several velvet-clad chairs overlooking the glittering landscape. The new mess tent still houses the renowned Natural History Museum, library, and antique pool table and the iconic, nomadic Persian tea tent remains, both just a little larger in size.

Framed Peter Beard pictures sit alongside original posters from French taxidermist Deyrolle, both complemented by Bousfield family photos. The swimming pool pavilion is still the only one of its kind in Africa.

• 9 tents: 7 twins, 2 doubles.
• Rooms are an enormous 270 sq metres: 135 sq metres indoors and 135 sq metres outdoors.
• Ensuite bathrooms with indoor & outdoor showers.
• Private plunge pools.
• Bed cooling systems.
• Swimming pool tent.
• Tea tent.
• Wifi available: No.
• Hairdryers: No.
• There is 24-hour electricity in the tents (100% solar-powered).
• Complimentary laundry service.

WHEN TO VISIT JACK’S CAMP
Jack’s Camp is a year-round destination, yet the two seasons couldn’t be more different. The dry season, from April to October, is the desert as you know it: a shimmering whiteness envelops the scorched landscape, like a mirage floating over the crusted salt, and you’ll spot nomadic herds in the distance, as if an illusion.

This is the time of year for whizzing across the pans on the back of a quad bike, sleeping under the stars, and enjoying the pans in their most iconic state. When the rains start to fall in November, the Makgadikgadi Pans are transformed. It’s a time of plenty (even in the desert), and the salt flats are turned into watery grasslands, almost unrecognisable from the previous months.

A layer of emerald-green grass stretches out in every direction, pink clouds of flamingo and flocks of migratory birds arrive to nest, and Africa’s second largest mammal migration of wildebeest and our black and white striped friends floods the plains.

The green season in the desert is one of Africa’s, great unpredictable spectacles, and a magical time to visit. Rain transforms everything, turning the pans into lush grasslands from November onwards. Animals are on the move and the desert becomes a green oasis teeming with life, notably thousands of zebra and blue wildebeest that feast on the sweet summer grasses.

The safari activities are similar in these months although you usually won’t travel as far; on many days you can see the wildlife direct from your veranda. This green season continues until mid-April and corresponds with the off season for tourism in Botswana, making it a slightly cheaper time to travel.

Seasonality

• Green season: 10th January to 31st March
• Shoulder season: 1st April to 31st May; 1st November – 19th December
• High season: 1st June to 30th June; 1st September to 31st October; 20th December – 9th January
• Peak season: 1st July – 31st August

ACTIVITIES

Year Round:

• Get up close and personal with our habituated meerkats.
• Discover the secrets of the pans with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a fascinating bush walk.
• Take game drives and night drives in custom built 4x4s and spot the unique desert wildlife that inhabits the pans.
• Embark on an adventurous horseback safari (for all levels of riders; additional charge applies, but one two-hour safari is included if staying for three nights or longer). Multi-day riding safaris are also available for experienced riders – please contact us for more information.

Dry Season (16th April – 31st October)

• Take a radical sabbatical and quad bike across the salt-crusted pans.
• Lie out on the pans as the sun sets and watch the planetarium of stars unfold above you.

Green Season (1st November –15th April)

• Witness the second largest migration of zebra and wildebeest in Africa (and it’s also the last remaining one in Southern Africa).

LANDSCAPE
Jack’s Camp is located in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the remnants of an enormous super-lake that used to cover most of Southern Africa. Jack Bousfield himself described the area as the “savage beauty of a forgotten Africa”, and truly, the Makgadikgadi is like nowhere on earth.

It’s a landscape of space and remoteness, and the spectacular, otherworldly vistas, unique desert wildlife, and old-world glamour of Jack’s Camp all come together to create an experience that is unlike any other on the continent.

WILDLIFE
The desert is never a place of abundance. But we’ve spent many years here (not quite as many as Jack, but a good number!) and it still surprises us.

The Makgadikgadi is full of elusive species and desert-adapted animals and the perfect complement to Botswana’s traditionally game-rich areas, like the Khwai Private Reserve and the Okavango Delta. The brown hyena is a symbol of what’s to come in the Makgadikgadi. There are only 8000 of these special hunters left in the world, and there aren’t many other places you’ll encounter one.

Other carnivores that know how to eke out their survival here include aardwolves and bat-eared foxes, honey badgers and black-maned Kalahari lion. Then there’s aardvark, gemsbok, springbok and black-backed jackals to look out for on game drives, and perhaps even an elephant or two.

And last, but definitely not least, the meerkats. We’ve been busy pioneering a meerkat habituation project with some of the world’s pre-eminent researchers. The cheeky creatures are still very wild, but they do enjoy coming to say hello.

JACK’S CAMP STORY
In the 1960s, crocodile catcher and legendary hunter Jack Bousfield set out on a trapping expedition in the desolate Makgadikgadi Pans. He soon stumbled upon a site that so captured his imagination that he set up a camp in that very spot, with the unshakeable expectation that others would feel the same…

That was the first incarnation of Jack’s Camp, a simple, no frills affair in the heart of the desert, visited by guests as much to see Jack as the otherworldly area. Fast-forward a few years to Jack’s untimely death in 1992, and Ralph, Jack’s son, along with his partner Catherine, established the Uncharted Africa Safari Company in homage to his father’s vision.

Jack’s Camp was refurbished in the nostalgic 1940s style we know today, but kept as authentic and genuine as possible: no electricity, steaming water in gleaming copper jugs, and showers under the stars.

The portfolio expanded to include San Camp and Camp Kalahari, each one as quirky and eccentric as the next, and each guaranteeing every guest ‘Real Adventure in Unreal Style.’ Jack would be proud.

Rooms: 9

Price: from 851 EUR per night

Source: www.naturalselection.travel

Leroo La Tau is situated on the western bank of the Boteti River, which forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

The Boteti River provides a lifeline for the wildlife which inhabit the arid national park and is a critical link in the annual zebra migration. Leroo La Tau is the perfect base from which to explore this truly unique piece of Botswana paradise.

A UNIQUE HISTORY
The Boteti River is the main outflow of the Okavango Delta, collecting the water that flows past Maun and stretching about 250 kilometres southeast to Lake Xau on the extreme south-western edge of the great Makgadikgadi salt pans.

In the mid-1980s the flood waters of the Okavango Delta started to decline as the region entered a cycle of low rainfall, and consequently the Boteti River began to recede. The river stopped short of Leroo La Tau in 1988, and by the mid-1990s had dried up completely.

Leroo La Tau was left with a few waterholes in the riverbed which continued to offer refuge to a small pod of landlocked Hippo, together with Crocodiles which became completely terrestrial, making dens in riverbank ‘caves’ downriver from the lodge.

Large numbers of Zebra and Wildebeest continued to graze the rich grass plains, migrating to the Boteti River at the end of winter to access the remaining waterholes.

In 2009, two decades after the Boteti River stopped flowing, record rainfall resulted in the highest Okavango flood levels for 25 years, and the river once again flows past Leroo La Tau.

Leroo La Tau is built on cliffs over 10 metres above this changing riparian environment, offering a vantage point that ensures unsurpassed views of the river and the Makgadikgadi Pans to the east.

THE LODGE & ACCOMMODATION
The lodge features twelve luxurious thatched and glass-fronted suites with en-suite bathrooms, each unit raised on a wooden platform overlooking the Boteti River Valley below.

With the lodges unique location poised on the edge of the Boteti River enjoying the zebra migration and abundant wildlife that access the river is possible from various vantage points including the guest rooms.

The main lounge and dining area, with its inviting wooden and thatch finish, allows you to relax at the bar while listening to the wide variety of night sounds so characteristic of the African bush.

Alternatively you can lounge around the swimming pool or enjoy the panoramic river vista from the game-viewing hide built into the bank of the river.

ACTIVITIES & WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
The lodge offers guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park focusing on the exceptional wildlife sightings along the Boteti River. Depending on the water level, boat activities are also provided.

Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to Khumaga Village as well as day trips to Nxai pan and Baines Baobabs (three-night stay only). For those looking for a truly unique experience, enjoy a sleep out under the stars on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (three-night stay).

Leroo La Tau translates as ‘lion’s paw’ but, although the surrounding area features abundant Lion, Zebra and Wildebeest, it also boasts Chobe Bushbuck, Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Impala, Kudu, Jackal, Porcupine, Genet and Caracal, to name but a few.

Please note: Owing to their remote location within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the Makgadikgadi Pans themselves are not visited on daily scheduled activities from Leroo La Tau.

WINTER (APRIL TO SEPTEMBER)
The days are dry, sunny, clear and cool to seductively warm, while in the evening temperatures drop sharply. Daytime temperatures generally reach 25 °C, and may fall as low as 2 °C (and plummet below freezing in some areas) at night. Virtually no rain falls during the winter months.

SUMMER (OCTOBER TO MARCH)
The summer or rainy season begins in October and ends in March. In October the weeks preceding the coming of the rains tend to be the hottest, with temperatures soaring up to 40 °C or more.

Cloud cover and the arrival of the first rains towards the end of November or in early December cool things down considerably, although usually only for a short period.

BIRD ENTHUSIASTS
The arrival of summer sees the influx of a large variety of migrant birds from the northern hemisphere which use Botswana – and more specifically the Okavango Delta – as preferred areas for breeding and feeding.

The first migrants arrive during September. They will all have arrived by December, which increases Botswana’s bird population by 20% compared to the winter months. The period from December to March is very active and the colours, especially with the birds in breeding plumage displaying, are spectacular.

The Okavango Delta is a birders’ paradise, which entertains both the experienced ornithologist and the eager amateur. One of the highlights of the birding calendar takes place during September–October, when the Carmine Bee-eaters arrive from Central Africa and are often seen in their hundreds on the Savuti Marsh.

Interestingly, they make use of the large Kori Bustards, by riding on their backs as they move through the grass of the marsh and kick up fleeing insects, which are then caught by the bee-eaters.

Another highlight is the heronry at Gadikwe Lagoon, which provides nesting sites for hundreds of birds. (The Gadikwe Lagoon is situated between Camp Moremi and Camp Okavango and/or Xugana Island Lodge, and is a highlight for guests taking the boat transfer between the lodges.)

Owing to the heronry being shared by a variety of species it is active from July to March and is busiest from September to December, when breeding colonies of herons are joined in the shallows and among the low trees and swamp-fig thickets by Marabou, Yellow-billed and Saddle-billed Storks, Sacred Ibis and several species of egret.

Flapping, noisy and colourful breeding displays can be enjoyed at close quarters (although we maintain a 50 metre exclusion zone).

LANDSCAPE & WILDLIFE
After the first rains, the landscape in Botswana transforms into a subtle green blanket. Grasses shoot and leaves appear on what seem to be dead plants and it is a wonderful time of the year to experience the magnificent springing of life in Botswana.

The vegetation is lush and green and most of the plants are in bloom. February is peak flowering time for water lilies and the landscape is decorated with wild flowers.

Savuti, in particular, and the area between the river and the wooded dunes in Chobe, break out in bright yellows, whites and purples among the green blanket that covers the ground. The sweet smell of fresh grass and Wild Sage at Savuti fills the air and adds to the powerful effect on the other senses.

When the summer rains begin towards the end of November the barren-looking earth of Savute comes alive. Its rich new grasses are a magnet for herds of Burchell’s Zebra and Wildebeest, which can be found on the Savute marsh where they foal before making for the lush grazing grounds of the Mababe Depression further south, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Large herds of Buffalo gather from the Okavango and move through toward the mainland of Moremi, where there are now sufficient pools of water to sustain them.

As the rains cease towards the end of February and the pans evaporate as the dry season looms the herds gather once again. Closely followed by predators, they make their annual journey from Savute to the Linyanti to arrive around April.

During the winter months the banks of the Chobe River and the Xakanaxa area of Moremi become the livelihood of the wildlife, as there is no surface water in the surrounding bush.

Elephant and buffalo are also migratory, making seasonal movements of up to 200 km from the Chobe River, where they concentrate in the dry season, to the pans in the Mopane woodlands in the south near Savuti, where the grass is very nutritious.

November to March are great months, as the air clarity is unparalleled, trees begin to burst into life, the new grass is green and lush, skies are dramatic as big clusters of clouds precede the rains and animals are giving birth. It’s a wonderful time for the photographer, as there is plenty of action, colour and visibility.

April to October bring cooler morning air along with warmer water, which can lead to wonderful early-morning misty magic, especially over the Okavango. The Buffalo begin to gather into large herds and visit the rivers more often as the seasonal pans begin to dry up.

Along the Chobe River, breeding herds of Elephant increase in density daily as they visit those rivers and pans containing permanent water. African Wild Dogs den in June and it is possible to witness exciting hunts in the Savuti and Moremi areas.

Herbivores begin to concentrate at the permanent water sources, as do their predators. Soft early-morning and evening light combined with dust provides many dramatic photo opportunities. In July the bush is bare and the dust pervasive, but there is plenty of action and with patience and perseverance the rewards are great.

At first small family groups of Zebra move closer to the Boteti River, but they are soon there in their thousands as winter turns into spring and the first rains fall. These are generally followed by exciting predator activity and spectacular raptor sightings in the Leroo La Tau area.

TEN NIGHTS / ELEVEN DAYS – KASANE TO MAUN
The 10-night Desert & Delta Safaris Honeymoon package is the perfect Botswana itinerary for honeymooners, couples sharing a special celebration or guests looking for the ultimate romantic safari through Botswana’s best safari regions.

Designed for the romantics at heart, the ten night package includes a host of unique couple focused experiences to remember.

CHOBE GAME LODGE, CHOBE RIVER FRONT (3 NIGHTS)
On arrival at the Kasane Airport you will be warmly welcomed by one of the Chobe Game Lodge guides and transferred by open game drive vehicle to Chobe Game Lodge.

Spend three nights at Chobe Game Lodge in our luxurious honeymoon suite complete with private patio and plunge pool facing the Chobe River. With daily game drives and exciting river safaris on offer, Chobe Game Lodge is the perfect start to your Botswana adventure.

The lodge offers a variety of luxuries allowing you to take the necessary time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The honeymoon package includes a sunrise breakfast cruise on the Chobe River for a chance to take in the tranquillity of the Chobe River in the early morning.

CAMP MOREMI, MOREMI GAME RESERVE (3 NIGHTS)
After your final morning activity at Chobe Game Lodge, you head back to Kasane Airport for your light aircraft transfer to Camp Moremi in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Your light aircraft flight will offer you an introduction to the Okavango Delta as you witness the vastness of the world heritage site from the air. Landing at the Moremi airstrip, your guide will meet you and transfer you by road to Camp Moremi where you can settle into your luxurious tent.

You will spend the next three nights at Camp Moremi enjoying game drives and boating excursions as you search for the prolific wildlife that inhabits the Moremi Game Reserve.

Your honeymoon package includes a private dinner setup in a remote location of the lodge where you can take in the lodge’s romantic bushveld setting.

THE OKAVANGO DELTA WITH CAMP OKAVANGO (2 NIGHTS)
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve before your light aircraft transfer to Camp Okavango, a remote lodge on a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Originally built in 1982, Camp Okavango is one of the original safari camps on the Okavango Delta.

Now rebuilt as an all new luxury safari lodge, Camp Okavango is the perfect base from which to experience the Okavango Delta. Here you will spend the next two nights exploring the intricacies of the Okavango Delta from a variety of activities including mokoro excursions, boating safaris and guided bush walks.

Your honeymoon package includes a 60-minute helicopter scenic flight including a private romantic champagne sundowner on a remote island in the Okavango Delta.

THE BOTETI RIVER WITH LEROO LA TAU (2 NIGHTS)
Your final stop for of your honeymoon package is Leroo La Tau. You will catch a light aircraft from Camp Okavango to Leroo La Tau before transferring by road the lodge, set on the banks of the Boteti River, overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

You will spend the next two nights at Leroo La Tau enjoying daily game drives along the Boteti River to witness the prolific wildlife that frequent the region. Option excursions to the nearby Khumaga village are also available for a chance to experience Botswana’s unique culture.

As a final farewell gift, you will enjoy a traditional Setswana blessing with the staff at Leroo La Tau and members of the khumaga community. After your two-night stay at Leroo la Tau you will be transferred by light aircraft to Maun for your onward journey.

Rooms: 12

Price: from 1.200 EUR per night

Source: www.desertdelta.com

Rooms: 12

Price: from 982 EUR per night

Source: www.chobe.com

A maze of meandering water channels, papyrus-fringed banks and floating islands teeming with wildlife: known as the river that never finds the sea, Botswana’s Okavango Delta is the jewel of the Kalahari.

In the heart of the Delta, on the edge of a waterway, you’ll find Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. Situated on a diverse, wildlife-rich, private concession, Sandibe has exclusive traversing rights over a vast 22,500 hectares (55,600 acres) of wildlife land bordering the Moremi Game Reserve.

The inspired organic design of the lodge melts into the surrounding forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees. Trees will shade you as you approach the lodge; an intriguing curl and sweep of shingled wood comes into view, resembling a giant scaled pangolin at rest.

Stairs open onto the high ceilings of the copper-toned and glassless guest area overlooking the Delta. From this central dining area, the wooden deck stretches beyond the roof, while the upstairs bar and lounge extend along an elevated walkway to a viewing platform.

A series of decks descend to the forest floor culminating in a log boma, with a small gym and private massage sala close by. Interior finishes throughout showcase the craftsmanship of Botswana’s artisans, and feature intricate basketware, sculpted wooden tables and unique feature pieces.

While the main guest area is set within the forest, the twelve guest suites peep out from beneath its canopy. Raised above the papyrus-lined banks like golden weaver nests, each is a cocoon of privacy, with breathtaking views, a private plunge pool and cosy fireplace.

CUSTOMISABLE SAFARI VEHICLES
Enjoy the best game viewing in the Delta: safari vehicle enhancements include bucket seats, customisable seat configurations, padded roll bars, charging points for cameras and equipment, strip lights in the bin of the vehicles, camera bean bags on clamps, and a cooling canvas covered roof.

GUIDED WALKING SAFARI
If you’re looking for a thrilling view-from-the-ground, this is your chance to discover a multitude of natural wonders in the company of your experienced safari guide. Tread in the tracks of the Delta wildlife, breathe in the scent of crushed wild grasses, and feel your senses come alive.

HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
Take to the air: scenic helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta’s mosaic of islands, plains, channels and lagoons perfectly illustrate its ever-changing beauty. The Delta is one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena, featuring a series of both permanent and seasonal waterways and floodplains.

INTERACTIVE KITCHEN
Join our chefs in Sandibe’s interactive kitchen and play with fresh ingredients: create delicious meals and learn about local cuisine and flavours. Food and fun combine as you create your own pizza and watch it cook to perfection in the traditional pizza oven, or make-your-own gourmet burgers.

SUITE
Each suite at &BEYOND Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge looks over the Santantadibe Channel and golden reed beds. Large wooden and mesh sliding doors open onto a private multi-level deck, with a seating area, daybed, outdoor shower and rim-flow plunge pool. Enjoy a king size or twin beds, serving hatch, well-stocked personal bar, walk-in wardrobe, open-plan lounge area and ensuite bathroom.

FAMILY SUITE
The spacious family suite at &BEYOND Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge comprises of two suites with a covered interleading walkway. Enjoy a king size or twin beds, ensuite bathroom, serving hatch, personal bar, walk-in wardrobe and open-plan lounge area. Large wooden sliding doors open onto a private multi-level deck, with a seating area, daybed, outdoor shower and rim-flow plunge pool.

SAFARI GAME DRIVE
Game drives in the Okavango Delta are remote and secluded, with very few safari vehicles sharing the private concession. &BEYOND’s professionally trained guides tailor drives to your preferences, promising up-close views of unique wildlife and flourishing vegetation.

In this untamed landscape, sensitive off-road driving practices allow you to get up close the area’s exceptional wildlife. Each game drive is an adventure, balancing along narrow wooden bridges and splashing through shallow crossings in a rugged open safari vehicle.

Set out in search of the Delta rich wildlife, including its semi-aquatic antelopes, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Search from the area’s predators, from lion prides to cheetah, leopard and African wild dog.

Explore the open woodlands in search of roan and sable antelope or keep an eye out for graceful giraffes and frisky zebras on the floodplains. On the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, marvel at breeding herds of that elephant splash gently through shallow channels.

Afternoon drives continue into the night, allowing for nocturnal wildlife encounters. Look out for the rarely spotted serval and pangolin or watch the moon reflect off the backs of a family of hippo coming out of the water to graze, turning them into slabs of shining silver.

GUIDED WALKING SAFARI
For those looking for a fresh and thrilling view-from-the-ground, discover a multitude of natural wonders in the company of your experienced walking safari guide. Tread in the tracks of the Delta wildlife, breathe in the scent of crushed wild grasses, and feel your senses come alive.

Discover the complexities of tracking, how every bent blade of grass and imprint in the soil has a meaning; observe how your guide interprets the signs and sounds of the bush; smell and taste wild herbs, as your guide explains their traditional uses; explore the small miracles of the bush, from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle.

Listen for the alarm call of the grey go-away bird; watch for the iridescent flight-sparkle of the lilac breasted roller, or use your Swarovski Optik binoculars to zoom in on the dark shape of a brown snake eagle perched regally on the high branches of a dead tree.

Look out for the bright red bill of a grey-headed kingfisher, as it perches silently on a branch watching the ground for insects or small lizards. This is a dynamic experience guaranteed to captivate and engage all your senses.

SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHTS 
Scenic helicopter flights over the Delta’s patchwork landscape of islands, plains and lagoons perfectly illustrate its raw and spectacular beauty.

The Delta is one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena, featuring a series of both permanent and fleeting waterways and floodplains created when the waters of the Okavango River sink in to the sands of the Kalahari Desert.

With many of the Delta’s most remote areas not reachable in any other way, an aerial perspective is the ideal way to gaze onto the vast Delta and its meandering labyrinth of crystal-clear channels. Keen photographers can choose to have the doors removed from the helicopter, allowing for unrestricted views and photographs of the spectacular panorama stretching below.

The incredible diversity and amount of wildlife encountered in the Delta becomes clear from above. Soar above pods of hippo sleeping the day away in the depths of a lagoon, watch a herd of elephants slowly amble along open grasslands or marvel at the fleet moves of red lechwe antelope as they leap through a fringe of papyrus reeds in the shallows.

Rooms: 12

Price: from 2.670 EUR per night

Source: www.andbeyond.com

With its vintage-style safari tents, four poster beds graced percale sheets, bucket showers, flush w.c.’s and paraffin lamps, San Camp provides a complete desert experience on the edge of the legendary Makgadikgadi Pans.

Six white canvas tents, set in a dramatic location, create an oasis of civilisation in the starkly beautiful environment. Viewed through the tent flaps, the serene salt pans run endlessly into the horizon.

The concession adjoins the Makgadikgadi National Park, with its endless vistas of golden, rolling grasslands, quad bike excursions that venture far into the heart of the wilderness and exploring remote archaeological sites.

Morning walks and game drives accompanied by experienced guides and local Bushmen provide a glimpse of the unique fauna and flora. Once the day’s adventures are over, mouth-watering meals are served in a central dining pavilion or beneath a star studded sky that casts an enchanted atmosphere over the camp.

Imagine a smattering of billowing white tents, shaded by desert palms and surrounded by a thousand acres of shimmering, sparkling nothingness. You’ve just dreamt up San Camp, our impossibly romantic, seven-bedroom camp on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi.

San isn’t a place for frills and fluffiness. The magic is in the minimalism, both at the camp and in the mysterious desert landscape. You can forget the tourist crowds and over-stuffed 4x4s too; it’s just you, the wildlife, and a handful of local San Bushmen, waiting to share their secrets with you.

Of all the Makgadikgadi pans, we think Nwetwe is the most iconic. Meerkats pop up from the desert dust, brown hyaena hide in the grass, and you’ll see red hartebeest, springbok and gemsbok scurrying between them.

But San Camp isn’t just about wildlife-watching – it’s about the atmosphere and the ethereal surroundings. Disappear into a remote world, a million miles from glowing screens and fruit-themed devices, where the 360-degree panoramas are so vast, you can see the curvature of the earth.

BUSHMEN NATURE WALK IN MAKGADIKGADI 
Explore the Kalahari alongside authentic Zu/’hoasi Bushmen and discover an ancient people who braved the desert plains for centuries, expertly navigating the harsh and arid lands.

Unchartered Africa has pioneered the conservation of this fast vanishing culture and proudly hosts four generations of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen at Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi. The tour touches on the life of Bushmen in an authentic Bushmen settlement, as well as the unique skills they have employed to survive, to heal and to prosper in the arid desert.

HORSEBACK SAFARI 
Embark on a three-night horse riding safari and traverse the stark, unspoiled and arid desert-like Laurence of Arabia. Guests are pampered with 1940’s inspired and mahogany furnished luxury canvas tents, featuring en-suite bathrooms and indoor and outdoor showers.

Excursions stretch across the desert and include interactions with meerkats, thrilling trips to the middle of an ancient lakebed, sightings of the illusive ostrich and other wildlife and a trip to Chapman’s Baobab. End a busy day of riding with a romantic night gazing into the vast, glimmering skies.

MEERKAT INTERACTION 
The Kalahari’s ongoing Habituation Programme at Jack’s Camp and San Camp in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert presents travelers with the unique opportunity to interact with the animated meerkat, made famous by the Lion King’s Timon.

The charming meerkats inquisitively look out onto the plains of the desert, noses firmly in the air, eager to touch base with willing visitors. The habitual meerkats are not tame, but will gladly snuggle up to travelers on chilly mornings or climb atop heads that are promptly used as viewing posts to aid in later foraging excursions.

QUAD BIKE EXCURSION
Enjoy an afternoon tea session before mounting a roaring quad bike to discover the vast and endless plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans. During the dry season travellers can race across 1 600 square kilometres (200 square miles) of untouched land, with the only sound the smooth purring of your quad’s engine.

Lounge under a gold-streaked sky as the sun disappears beneath the horizon, beckoning on the slate-dark night, illuminated by stars that dominate the wide expanse like shining diamonds. Revel in the wide open spaces around you as you fall asleep in the embrace of ancient baobab trees.

SAFARI GAME DRIVE IN MAKGADIKGADI
Game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans are unparalleled, featuring wild open plains that are stark and hypnotic, the closest thing on the earth to the rugged surface of the moon. Encounter especially adapted wildlife as they expertly navigate through the arid desert in search of food and moisture in this seemingly hostile environment.

Day trips pass herds of springbok, gemsbok, and red hartebeest, while night drives brush by packs of the edgy brown hyena, bat eared foxes and the elusive black-maned Kalahari lion. Open 4×4 drives perfectly illustrate the mesmerising appeal and pull of the desert.

Rooms: 7

Price: from 3.150 EUR per night

Source: www.andbeyond.com

Machaba Camp is a traditional style camp nestling in the game-rich Khwai area. The Khwai Concession is a 35 000 hectare reserve located in the northeastern section of the world-famous Okavango Delta and it shares its westerly border with the Moremi Game Reserve.

Machaba Camp is an iconic 1950s style safari camp replete with luxury tented rooms containing luxury en-suite bedroom with modern bathroom, patio deck and relaxation area, and romantic outdoor showers.

The tents are positioned alongside the picturesque Khwai River to optimise privacy and views of the animals coming to the river’s edge to drink, and are linked by a pathway that meanders between large riverine trees.

Nestled in a riverine tree line, the camp offers privacy, spectacular river views and excellent food ­– enveloped in a layer of warm hospitality. Should you wander away from the comfort of camp you can spot a wealth of land and water-based wildlife.

Machaba Safaris combines the authenticity of the past, the comforts of today and a future-thinking eco-awareness. Our camps feature iconic canvas tents, cooling plunge pools and communal bars and dining areas and reading nooks. We consciously forgo certain conveniences like hairdryers and air-con, and rely on alternative energy to lighten our load on the planet.

ACCOMMODATION
Staying in a safari tent immerses you into the wilds without compromising on the comfort and safety of a luxury room. Your ears will tune into the light rustlings of leaves or the distant roar of the mighty king of the veld.

The wind gently catches and snaps the canvas and the air is alive with scented bushveld air. Being this close to nature evokes feelings of oneness and belonging. Africa is the birthplace of humankind, and a visit to Machaba Safaris feels like coming home.

The en suite luxury bathrooms have hot and cold running water and western-style flush toilets, enabling you to refresh, relax and reflect on another exciting day in nature. A double vanity basin adds to the feeling of home comfort, even though you are thousands of miles away in the heart of nature.

Each room is fitted with electrical lights, lamps and fans. The 220V International plug points can power charging stations, batteries and sleep apnoea machines but are not suitable for hairdryers and electric shavers.

Superior quality mattresses are dressed in natural fabrics and the finest of coverings. Sleeping in the wilds has never been so indulgent. It is not often that one can shower under the twinkle of the stars (or the bright sun) in complete and total privacy.

Taking a shower after a day of adventure in the wilds reminds one of the simple pleasures in life. We supply locally produced bath products made from organic herbs and absorbent comforting towels.

We design each room to maximise privacy and optimise views of the land and we take our decor inspiration from a traditional African safari in terms of the fabrics, texture and hues that we use.

We pair this feeling of opulence with consideration for the environment, which is why we don’t have any permanent structural fixtures and rely on solar energy, forgoing energy-heavy appliances such as shavers, air-conditioning and hairdryers.

DINING
The oversized tented deck area forms the social hub of our camps. You can swap stories at the bar, relax in the lounge or gather around the large fire pits to swap stories, fuelling the feeling of being on an authentic African safari in the bush.

THE PLUNGE POOL
Africa is a sun-drenched country where summer temperatures often reach the high thirties and low forty-degrees Celsius. After a morning safari, counting the passing clouds while floating in a pool or resting on a sun bed is nothing short of sublime.

THE SPA
Melt into the sounds and heat of the bush as a qualified therapist conducts a relaxing facial or a massage in the comfort of your guest room.

CURIO SHOP
Take a piece of Africa home to your friends, colleagues and others close to your heart. We have a collection of handcrafted mementoes that pay tribute to this one of a kind place.

WI-FI ZONE
A holiday in Africa is the perfect place in which to disconnect from the ‘net and connect with friends and nature. We deliberately don’t have Wi-Fi access throughout the camp, but we do have designated Wi-Fi areas if you do need access to the web.

SOLAR ENERGY
We harvest the sun’s energy via solar panels, that store electricity in a battery bank. Our hot water supply is generated by a state of the art Thermodynamic Solar Energy system, which ensures that the camps have hot water, no matter the weather.

ECO FRIENDLY KITCHEN 
To keep our eco-footprint light, we use energy-efficient fridges in our kitchens, which we turn off at night. We also use coal cold rooms and cellars to store heat-sensitive items.

AIRSTRIP ACCESS
The camp is only a short game drive away from the nearest airstrip, providing game viewing opportunities en route to and from the camp.

THE LIBRARY
The regions in which we operate are alive with history and local knowledge. In our library, you will find books about popular myths, legends and facts about the local land, the people, plants, animals, insects and more (plus the odd holiday read).

OKAVANGO DELTA
A tapestry of seasonal waterways, the Okavango Delta is home to more than 2 000 plant, 530 bird, 65 fish species, and a large variety of mammal species. Explore this pristine wilderness area in an open-air game vehicle, a mokoro canoe or by foot on a walking safari.

A rare inland delta in the heart of a desert, the Okavango organically shrinks and grows as the water floods in from the Angolan Highlands. But wet or dry season, there is always something to see in this untamed perfect land.

JANUARY – MARCH
The Celsius ranges from 18-31 degrees and daily afternoon thundershowers mean the landscape is rich in greens and blues. The wildlife is spread out in good numbers and all migrant bird species are present.

APRIL – JUNE
The air is drier and the temperatures dip ever so slightly. The wildlife is starting to concentrate on water systems. There is very good all-round viewing however most of the migrant bird species have now gone north.

JULY – SEPTEMBER
The temperatures drop to zero degrees at night but are a warm 25 during the day. There are large wildlife concentrations around water sources and the vegetation is thinning, which makes for excellent visibility

OCTOBER – DECEMBER
The hot parched land lies in anticipation of spring’s first rains. Animals are drawn closer to permanent remaining water sources and the first migrant birds return. The first rains make for good wildlife viewing.

GAME DRIVES
The word “safari” conjures up images of open-air vehicles, vast open plains and herds of great animals. A game drive is an iconic way in which to take a safari and get in touch with the wilds. The beauty of a game drive is that you can cover vast areas of ground to find the animals you want to see from the safety and comfort of a customised open-sided vehicle.

Our rangers agree – no two drives are ever the same. Each outing is ripe with potential. Sometimes it will be a pack of African wild dogs trotting on the hunt and at others, it may be a lioness drinking at a waterhole with her cubs. It’s nature’s version of the lotto.

There is no better place to learn about the delicate relationship between biomes, plants and animals than in the bush – where the animals greatly outnumber the humans.

Game viewing is at its best around dawn and dusk. On a typical day, the first game vehicle leaves camp before the sun is up and the second drive heads out into the wilds in the late afternoon.

Use the downtime in between drives to relax in the pool, or have a nap before heading out again. The blazing orange and red beauty of an African sunrise or sunset is something one never forgets.

Safety is always a priority when out on a game drive. At times your guide may ask you to remain quiet, calm, stay seated and keep your limbs inside the vehicle. It is also important to resist the urge to reach out and touch a curious creature that has approached the party for a closer look.

It’s surprising how fresh air and adrenalin can really work up an appetite. All of our morning game drives include a tea/coffee break with nibbles and evening drives break for sundowners and snacks. If however, your ranger is on the trail of a something exciting, he may encourage you to skip the break to track down a rare game-viewing experience instead.

A typical game drive is 3 hours or longer, so we recommend that you use the bathroom before you leave. If you do need to answer nature’s call when out on a drive, your guide will show you to the lava – tree (lavatory).

NIGHT GAME DRIVES
Night drives are markedly different from daytime game drives. As the heavy sun dips below the African horizon, the world takes on a different scent, sound and shape.

Armed only with red filter night light – the game is on to spot predators hunting or eating, or the rare porcupine or aardvark. After dark predators roam and the night vibrates with rustlings and calls. There is nothing more exhilarating than searching for the Big Five from an open vehicle at night.

In the space of a night, one’s senses become heightened and more focussed. Before long you will learn how to spot unusual shapes, sounds or a strange movement. It could be something small and shy or it could be a large cat on the prowl.

Roaming a remote part of Earth under the southern stars is an unforgettable experience. It’s a game of patience. Of listening and learning to scan the trees and shrubs for the glint of an eye or the low growl in a throat. The reward is in the waiting.

Night drive vehicles are equipped with spotlights to scan the bush and illuminate the animals. Given that you can only see as far as your flashlight, it’s easy to start feeling like the prey. You may see a lion kill, but typically night safaris are about smaller species that are rarely seen during the day like bush babies, genets and small felines.

It is important to remember that you are in the wilds in an open vehicle at night. Your highly-trained guide will do everything he can to keep you safe and at times may ask you to remain calm, seated and silent.

You will be surprised at how close animals often are – even walking alongside the vehicle – without your knowing it. So if you need to leave the vehicle always ask your ranger’s permission first.

There is indescribable contentment that fills the soul when witnessing a sunset in the bush. The vast open space, the palette of colours and the scent of the cooling air is perfectly paired with sundowners and snacks. Revitalising the body and mind ready for an exciting drive in the dark back to camp to enjoy a scrumptious dinner.

Anticipation is a large part of a night drive. Sometimes you may see a big cat within minutes of leaving camp and at other times you may only experience the wind in your hair and the beauty of the stars. But we can promise you this: there is nothing quite the like the explosive kill of a predator catching its prey at night.

WALKING SAFARIS
Nothing heightens the senses like hiking through an area alive with threatening predators. Every sound is amplified, every movement is magnified and the sheer size of large animals is put into perspective when seen up close and on foot. A walking safari is a rich opportunity in which to experience the details of life in the bush – both big and small.

Set out in the morning light on a walking safari equipped with your survival instincts and the company of a professional armed guide. Being on foot grants you access to places that game vehicles can’t reach and affords you the viewing advantages of silence and stealth.

Rekindle your human instincts of how to track and read the signs of the bush. With your guide’s help, you will see your surroundings in a completely different and unforgettable light. Every scent, marking or sound is a clue.

Pit your instincts against the animals of the wild as you travel on foot through some of the most remote regions of the bush. You will learn how to tune into telling details and smaller creatures that would otherwise be missed.

Before setting off, your guide will give you a briefing so that you are familiar with the rules and safety instructions. He will outline typical animal behaviour and how to handle any dangerous encounters should they arise.

Although your guide will be armed for your safety, it’s important to remember that you in a wild environment and following your guide’s instructions is key.

A walking safari is a perfect way to immerse yourself in a fascinating world of plants, seeds, insects, reptiles and small animals. You can see spoor prints and droppings or feel the polished surface of a ‘rubbing-post’ where animals have come after a mud bath. These facets of a walking safari piece together a holistic picture of the ecology in a specific area.

Dress in khakis or olive greens to blend in with the environment. The African sun is ruthless and a natural fabric like cotton offers breathability, comfort, absorbs moisture well, is not prone to odours and is strong enough to withstand the odd thorn. A brimmed hat is essential as is a daypack containing a high SPF sunscreen, camera, binoculars and water bottle.

Our expert guides will show you how a pile of old bones or a seed pod can provide insight into the evolutionary adaptation of animals, insects and plants. They will also teach you how to read animal tracks, identify a species by its scent and piece together clues to work out what occurred in an area in the preceding hours or even days.

BIRD WATCHING
Bird lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to birdwatching in southern Africa. The region’s wealth of varied habitats – including watering holes, forests, flood plains, mud pans and wetlands – attract a vast range resident and migratory species.

The summer months see the African skies heavy with flocks of returning migratory birds. The waters and open floodplains of the Okavango Delta make it Botswana’s prime birding destination with over 500 recorded species, while Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe boasts good infrastructure and boasts 420 species on file.

From the waders of the Okavango Delta to the raptors in Hwange National Park, bird lovers can see hundreds of different species thanks to stringent protection laws. New to the hobby or a seasoned twitcher, specialist Machaba Safaris guides are on hand to conduct private tours.

From great flocks of flamingos, Southern Crowned Cranes and giant raptors, to ground hornbills and Mocking Cliff Chats, and elusive African Crakes and Pel’s Fishing Owls – Machaba Safaris has camps and lodges in some of the region’s prime birding hotspots.

Although our guides are expert bird twitchers who can help you with your must-see list, you can improve your chances of a successful outing by investing in a good pair of binoculars and researching which species to look for. Silence is also a birder’s best friend and we recommend taking a guided bird walk or exploring the watery regions in a mokoro canoe.

When it comes to birding, southern Africa sports its Big 6 to spot, namely: the Lappet-faced Vulture, Saddle-billed Stork, Ground Hornbill, Martial Eagle, Kori Bustard and the most difficult of all – the nocturnal Pel’s Fishing Owl.

The good climate and varied terrain mean that any season is a good time to visit southern Africa. In dry months, large flocks of birds gather around permanent water sources to feast on trapped fish and crustaceans. While summer months (November to March) see migrant species return. In prime birding areas, birders have recorded over 300 species in three to four days.

The Okavango Delta, in particular, provides shelter to many threatened and endangered species. It also has the largest population of Wattled Cranes and the Slaty Egrets in Africa (if not the world).

Other notable avian species include the White-Backed Night Heron, Pel’s Fishing-Owl and the African Skimmer. Botswana also has the most renowned Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo breeding sites in southern Africa.

MOKORO SAFARIS
As the Okavango Delta floods with the seasons our safaris take to the waters. Inspired by the people of the past who used traditional wooden mokoros as a form of transport, a modern version of this dugout canoe is a relaxing way to explore the reed-lined waterways and discover smaller creatures you wouldn’t typically see from a vehicle or on foot.

The silence of travelling in a mokoro means that birds and animals are less likely to take fright, allowing you the opportunity to capture that perfect photo and see that lesser-spotted bird. Very little beats the tranquillity of gliding through narrow water channels in the company of smaller amphibians like reed frogs and dragonflies that you would usually miss out on.

Your experienced Machaba Safaris guide will navigate the channels while you relax and soak up the sights and sounds. From wallowing elephants to small winged water creatures, life on the water is an aquatic world of its own.

Thousands of years ago, the Bushmen used dug-out canoes to effortlessly move around the Okavango Delta. Today, eco-friendly fibreglass versions are used for game viewing safaris and the mokoro has become the iconic symbol of the Delta. Gliding over mirror-like bodies of water in one of the most idyllic spots in the world is an experience that is quite unrivalled.

A little like the gondolas of Venice, your boat poler will propel your vessel around the channels and waterways of the Delta, giving you the freedom to absorb the diversity of its wildlife species from the comfort of your seat. From plants to birds, to insects and large animals, the mokoro is the perfect place from which to view it all.

It’s easy to forget about sunburn when on the water, however sunshine reflecting off a glossy surface means that you will burn from above and below your hat. Wear sunglasses, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and regularly apply a high (50+) SPF sunscreen. Slip-proof rubber-soled shoes are recommended and don’t forget the binoculars and camera.

The world seems a little bit bigger when viewed from the water. You will be able to appreciate the size and scale of elephants drinking and hippos and crocodiles basking – all from the safety of your boat and the protection of a highly knowledgeable Machaba Safaris guide.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE
The purpose of going on a safari was not limited to seeing animals. It was a journey of discovery; of new lands, new plants, new tribes, foods, languages and traditions. Machaba Safaris embraces this authentic experience by weaving in rich opportunities for cultural engagement with Africa’s local people.

As a Machaba Safaris’ traveller, you have an open invitation to meet the local villagers and witness what life in a remote part of Africa is like. The wealth of generosity and hospitality that every guest receives on arrival is heartwarming.

Machaba Safaris are actively involved in meaningful initiatives that offer support to villagers living in the remote areas in which we operate. And while we are the ones doing the helping, we end up receiving so much more than we could ever have imagined.

Language is no barrier when it comes to connecting with the people of Africa. Take tea in a local village, watch a display of traditional dancing or even give a talk to a class filled with young and eager minds.

As with any city, the villages in Africa have their ways and traditions. At Verney’s in Zimbabwe, we offer a day trip to the local village and primary school at Hwange Main, which forms part of our Social Responsibility programme. In Botswana, you can join us on an excursion to Dithsipi and visit Gonnye Sethlare primary school.

Machaba Safaris works alongside local communities to build schools, provide educational supplies and provide teacher’s wages. Depending on the region you’re visiting, you have an open invitation to visit these schools, have tea with the teachers, meet the pupils and even give the class a lesson.

The people of sub-Saharan Africa are friendly and always up for a laugh. They may seem demure at first. This is a sign of respect and it is up to you to break the ice, share a smile and establish a common bond. This moment of connection can be overwhelming and is a reminder we are fundamentally the same.

The people of Africa don’t need pity, but they do need access to basic health services and education. Simply by travelling with us – and indirectly contributing to our social responsibility initiatives – you’ve already shown your support. But why not join us on a visit to one of our projects. Giving of yourself is the greatest gift you can give to yourself.

Rooms: 10

Price: from 1.150 EUR per night

Source: www.machabasafaris.com

In the heart of the Okavango, on a remote island, Jao invites you to discover one of the richest experiences of the Delta. Where Earth meets river meets wetland, lies Jao. Surrounded by riverine forests and vast floodplains, Jao is the archetypal Okavango Delta camp, and a lush haven for wildlife.

Boat in when the waters rise or travel by game drive vehicle when summer warms the land. At Jao, the endlessly dynamic waters provide a continuous element of surprise and all manner of experiences to explore this Botswana paradise.

Botswana’s Jao is a sculptural marvel of natural and recycled materials, of steel, wood, and glass, of towering, spacious interiors that embrace the light, the bush. Feel your senses come alive at this quintessentially Delta safari camp.

At Jao we invite you into a world where nature and architecture collide. Built into the tall trees, the unique bird’s nest-styled pool gazebo on the edge of the water provides the perfect place to rest. The extravagant wine cellar calls for a pre-dinner drink, while the award-winning spa with gym alongside, beckons you to experience the highest standards of safari luxury.

Keep your ears open for a hundred different bird calls. Spy a tiny painted reed frog, or elephants padding silently past camp. Follow lions across the floodplains. You’ll soon discover why we work tirelessly to protect the unique ecosystem of the Okavango Delta. Jao is a place dedicated to the conservation of the waters and the dry land, and the plants, birds, and wildlife that call Botswana home.

The 60,000-hectare Jao Reserve in the heart of the Okavango is bordered by the renowned Moremi Game Reserve to the east, and allows for year-round access to Hunda Island. Look out over the magnificent floodplains from almost everywhere. There is no better place to discover the Delta.

ACCOMMODATION
Striking design elements impress at every turn. Marvel at the gallery and museum, relax in the library, or simply just be in Jao’s elaborate main area, surrounded by the trees and bird song of the Delta.

Choose between five expansive safari suites or two sublime villas with private plunge pools and their own private butlers, chefs, guides, and vehicles. The perfect Okavango hideaway.

DINING
The food experience at Jao is a journey in itself. To reduce our foodprint, strengthen our ties with the community, and create a healthier, more harmonious environment for all of us, we use locally grown ingredients in traditional recipes. Feel indulged as you discover Botswana at its best through touch, smell, and taste.

GAME DRIVES
Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives. Gear up for thrilling game drives on a safari with Wilderness. A wildlife sighting is always unpredictable and that’s what makes a game drive so exciting.

Look out for tracks. Listening for alarm calls and be on the alert for nearby predators. There’s so much to see, and being the first to spot something brings a whole new level of satisfaction to your day.

Enter the habitats and homes of magnificent wild animals. Staying respectful of their space and keeping you safe is our top priority. Game drives allow you to enjoy nature while still being comfortable and camera-ready.

The curious among us will discover endless opportunities to learn about nature in its purest form, with our expert guides on hand to share their knowledge and passion with you.

NIGHT GAME DRIVES
A jackal’s cry. A lion’s roar. The gentle rumble of elephants. The bush comes alive at night, awakening all senses. Bundle up warm to venture out after dark for a night drive with our expert safari guides.

Wildlife-friendly infrared spotlights seek out nocturnal animals not seen during the day. Bushbabies, spring hares, servals, and genets are all regularly seen and, if you are extremely lucky, the elusive pangolin, aardwolf, or even a leopard, may make an appearance.

Under cover of darkness the bush takes on a primal feel. The tension is palpable. Predators and prey are on high alert. And so too you’ll be. Keep your eyes and ears trained for the smells, sounds, and sights that could mean an animal lurking nearby. Get up close to elusive nighttime creatures, see owls and nightjars, witness battles for survival, and learn more about the awe-inspiring night sky.

BOAT SAFARI
View wildlife from the water on a thrilling boat safari, past hippos, sunbathing crocodiles and a dazzling array of birds. The flap of an elephant’s ear. The snort of a hippo. A startled crocodile sliding into the water with barely a splash.

Watch and listen for these special moments on a boating safari, in search of aquatic wonders in the wild. Spy rare birds in the reeds, antelope and predators slaking their thirst, herds of elephant crossing a channel. Up close, in the wilderness, on an unforgettable boating safari.

Binoculars ready, round a bend in a Delta channel, and spy a pair of rare wattled cranes. Camera ready, watch a herd of elephants wade across the Linyanti River. Delight in a cruise down the Kunene River or a glowing sunset on the Zambezi. A boat safari with Wilderness brings you closer to encountering iconic African wildlife. On their level, on their terms, in their habitat.

PRIVATE SAFARI
Create treasured memories with family and friends on an exclusive private safari across Africa’s most iconic destinations. In today’s connected world, privacy has become a rare luxury. One which we respect and protect as you journey with us.

Immerse yourself in the wild, and disconnect as you explore iconic wildlife as you wish: on a private game drive, tracking animals with your personal guide, drifting over the Okavango Delta solo. Or book exclusive camps and experiences for your family or friends to share.

Want to visit a selection of handpicked camps? Enjoy exclusive game drives, personal guides and unforgettable experiences with your family. Or surprise a loved one with a romantic sundowner floating on a lagoon in the Okavango.

We can tailor-make your private African safari dream. From thrilling adventures to intimate wildlife encounters that will stay with you long after you’re home.

GUIDED WALKING SAFARIS
Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides. Swap your safari drive for a guided walking safari and marvel at the smaller things you may miss when seated on a game vehicle.

Walk along ancient wildlife paths, focus on the intricacies of the bush and learn more about the insects, birds, trees and bees with one of our knowledgeable guides. When you do encounter a towering giraffe or a curious zebra on foot, it’s bound to be an experience you’ll remember forever.

Get up close to the wilderness on a walking safari in the company of an armed guide. This is an opportunity to stretch your legs and fully appreciate the finer details of the bush, from the hard-working dung beetle to majestic trees. Look out for the spoor and tracks of animals, stop to smell the plants, and take your time to admire the smaller and often unnoticed animals.

RHINO TRACKING
Experience the heart-thumping thrill of rhino tracking on safari. Rare. Remarkable. Walk in the footsteps of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino in Namibia, and Zambia’s only white rhino, in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Feel your heart catch in your throat as a rhino gets wind of you, nostrils flaring. Revel in the privilege of observing them on foot. In the wild. Just as nature intended.

Both black and white rhino populations across the continent are in danger. Cherish the chance to encounter them on foot, led by seasoned Save the Rhino Trust rangers and Zambian National Parks & Wildlife scouts. Follow these majestic creatures as they lumber about their natural habitat, protected by your visit.

GORILLA TREKKING 
Spend a precious hour with wild mountain gorillas on a trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. An unrivalled wildlife encounter. Hike Rwanda’s lush Volcanoes National Park for some of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking in Central-East Africa.

For one precious hour, enter the lives of these remarkable creatures. Infants playing, just as you’d expect a toddler to, adults foraging, completely unconcerned. If you’re lucky, an encounter with a mighty silverback, heart-racing and never-to-be-forgotten.

Nothing will prepare you for the profound impact spending time with mountain gorillas will have on you. Watch mothers cradle their young, toddlers tumble about in the forest, family members pick leaves lovingly from one another’s coats. Revel in the privilege of witnessing these familial interactions, so similar to our own ways.

HELICOPTER SAFARI
Soar above the lush and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Okavango Delta on a breath-taking helicopter safari. Perspective is everything. And as you take off and climb you can truly appreciate the enormity of the landscape below.

And the pristine, filter-free beauty that still exists on Earth. It will inspire the storyteller in you, as you share a bird’s-eye view and become a natural witness to the perfect give-and-take balance of nature below.

Be part of our conservation team as you take to the skies on a helicopter ride along the tail of Africa’s Rift Valley, spotting and recording the rich diversity of wildlife below. Travel along the curves of the legendary Savuti Channel and marvel at the huge amount of wildlife. Massive pods of hippos, and crocodiles and elephants, and a huge density of antelopes.

STAR BEDS
Sleep out under the African night sky with our Star Bed experience. Nothing is quite as thrilling or as romantic on safari. Ditch the conventional four walls and choose to sleep out under the stars, whether on the rooftop of your suite in Namibia or at one of our Star Beds in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the night, a jackal’s cry in the distance, or the gentle rumbling of elephants. See if you can count how many thousands of stars you can see in the clear night sky.

Fall asleep on a raised platform enveloped by the magnificent African night sky. The sky is the darkest you’ve ever seen, and yet, it’s also the brightest. Who knew there were so many stars.

The only sounds are those calls of the creatures of the night. Listen carefully for the whooping of a hyena or the roar of a far-off lion. Wake up to watch the sunrise and look out for other early risers.

NATURE WALKS
Have your camera ready and lace up your walking shoes – once your feet touch African soil, you’ll understand the magic. Meander along a dry riverbed close to camp, or venture off on a forested walkway at your own pace, exploring the area on a self-led walking safari.

Stop to photograph the plants, identify birds, or simply sit and appreciate the scenery and views that seem to stretch out to infinity. These walking trails focus on total immersion in our remote, wild areas.

Get out into Africa on foot and learn more about the geological wonders of our wild spaces, as well as the unique plants, birds, and reptiles that surround you. Set out on a spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Rwanda, or in Namibia take a guided walk along the Tsauchab River Trail at night to look for dancing white lady spiders and numerous scorpions.

DESERT E-BIKING
Is there any better way to explore the vast Sand Sea of the Namib Desert, than on an electric bike? There is no better way to explore the vast sea of sand of the Namib Desert, than on an electric e-bike.

Biking through the legendary dunes of the Namib Desert is an exhilarating, scenic and eco-friendly experience that’s perfect for the whole family. Get ready for fresh air on your face as you spot fascinating desert-adapted wildlife like ostrich, springbok, oryx, and the endemic dune lark, across this photogenic corner of the oldest desert in the world.

GUIDED QUAD BIKING 
Feel the wind against your face and experience the adrenaline kick on a Namib Desert quad bike adventure across the vast dunefields of the Kunene region.

Feel your heart race as you drive across a dune at Serra Cafema in the Kaokoveld. The Namib Desert is your playground, a four-wheeler your choice of toy. Heart-thumping, eye-streaming, white knuckle adventure awaits you here, and at Little Kulala in Namibia’s iconic Sossusvlei.

Low impact. High adrenaline. The rugged terrain of Namibia begs to be explored by quad bike. Take to the undulating amber dunes of Sossusvlei or the lunar landscape of the Kaokoveld on four wheels. The routes are specially allocated for minimal disturbance of the environment, and maximum fun.

BARGE
Explore Botswana by barge, the best way to bird-watch and enjoy a picnic on the magnificent Linyanti River. Catch a flutter of wings in the grass, a plaintive call from the reeds, a calculated dash into the water.

A barge trip and birdwatching go hand in hand, as do sundowners. Binoculars at the ready and something cold to sip on, delight in a floating picnic or a sundowner cruise on a barge trip along Botswana’s wildlife-rich Linyanti River.

Watch a herd of elephants crash through the water, trunks up as snorkels. From the vantage point of the barge’s deck, see fish eagles soaring above, their iconic call resounding through the Linyanti.

Meet a hippo’s glare as you respectfully explore his territory. As you head down the river, enjoy a picnic lunch while your guide navigates the waterway and fills you in on all its wild wonders.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Capture thrilling wildlife moments in action on a safari with Wilderness. A lioness stalking her prey patiently, and the dramatic chase that unfolds. Come eye-to-eye with a matriarch from the safety of our underground hides.

Snap away at flashes of brilliant turquoise and orange as a malachite sunbird swoops across the channel. And marvel at the impossibly dark nights in the Namibian desert lit by a chandelier of stars.

Looking for the ultimate shot? So are we. Which is why you’ll find state-of-the-art OM System cameras available for use on some of our game drives and in our hides. Our Wilderness guides are also equipped with cameras and have excellent photographic experience. Not only do they have a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife, but can also recommend the perfect shot.

LOCAL CULTURE
Learn. Share. Enrich. Wilderness offers unforgettable cultural experiences across eight African countries. The Rwandan chef’s recipe passed down for generations that you scribbled down on the back of a coaster. The perfumed scent of smoke and red ochre in the air as you observed the fascinating Himba people of Namibia.

Being taught how to play ‘Nsolo’, a traditional Zambian board game by local school children, and teaching them how to win at UNO. Each experience, a reminder of our interconnectedness.

What’s an African safari adventure without great stories? Listen spellbound to African folktale around a camp fire under a full moon. Spend a thrilling morning with an ancient tribe in the desert learning their secrets. Feast on delicious traditional cuisine and join in the evening’s festivities. Every encounter – another chapter in your adventure book.

CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES
Rewild. Protect. Conserve. Wilderness combines unforgettable wildlife encounters with positive impact experiences. Be part of our conservation initiatives as you take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter ride, spotting and recording the rich diversity of wildlife below.

Track Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino on foot led by a seasoned guide in Namibia. Help our team monitor leopards and lions in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Every experience an opportunity to learn, and make an impact on the wilderness.

You’ll feel it when you marvel at the miles of open space and teeming wildlife. And understand why at Wilderness, we’re hell-bent on protecting it. Every guest plays a vital role in our conservation efforts and has the opportunity to get involved. From planting trees in Rwanda to tracking rhinos at Desert Rhino Camp in Namibia, to assisting local communities with anti-poaching initiatives.

Rooms: 5

Price: from 2.815 EUR per night

Source: www.wildernessdestinations.com

Wilderness Vumbura Plains epitomises the ultimate Okavango Delta luxury safari, offering both land and water experiences. Vumbura Plains is as lavish and lush as its beautiful surroundings. Dreamy Delta waterways, green island woodlands and golden grasses, teeming with an ongoing wildlife parade – ever-changing with the seasons and always awe-inspiring.

Move seamlessly between land and water experiences, navigating floodplains studded with ilala palms and small islands. Watch lions in pursuit of prey or African wild dogs, or a leopard, on the hunt. Catch glimpses of stately sable or, thrillingly, a shy sitatunga – almost invisible in its aquatic habitat among the papyrus.

Vumbura Plains seems to float, an artful balance of wood, glass, and canvas. The design moves seamlessly from the outside in, reflecting the Delta’s rich hues, local landscape and culture.

The most spacious of our Delta camps, Vumbura Plains is a model of impactful tourism, celebrating our proud partnership with the Okavango Community Trust and its residents from five local villages.

As custodians of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations we are passionate about conservation. Through the Okavango Community Trust, we work with local communities to share skills, educate and uplift local villages. Improving lives and livelihoods. Inspiring the next generation to protect and guard these precious wildlife sanctuaries.

Vumbura Plains lies in the far north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest inland delta on Earth. Set on raised decks in the midst of annually inundated grassland, the camp is a marvel of engineering design. Nestled under tree canopies, the indoor and outdoor spaces weave in and out of nature, allowing for intimate wildlife encounters.

ACCOMMODATION
Wilderness Vumbura Plains blends easily into its natural surroundings. Elegantly appointed suites, elevated on wooden decking, are set along the water’s edge, each with a private viewing deck, plunge pool, sun loungers and a covered sala for siestas and private dining. Follow the walkway to the open lounge and dining room to enjoy the delectable ciusine a major highlight of your stay.

CUISINE
In line with our light footprint philosophy, our menu at Vumbura Plains celebrates delicious local and seasonal ingredients, the region’s traditions, and our partnership with local farmers and suppliers. Signature dishes use the traditional powdered root of the Okavango waterlily, ‘tswii’. Local ‘phapata’ bread cooked over the morning camp fire is an early morning safari staple.

EXPERIENCES
Open up a whole new realm of adventure with Wilderness. Watch a flurry of avian activity unfold as you take to Africa’s waterways by boat. Go in search of creatures, big and small, on a game drive or walking safari. Track rhinos, or desert-adapted lions in a sea of sand. Learn about other cultures and ancient lifestyles. Gaze in awe at historic sites and some of the world’s greatest wonders.

Safari vehicles are being refuelled. Delicious bush brunches are being baked. Star-Beds are being prepared. The people of Wilderness are ready to welcome you. Travelling is not only about the places you visit or the things you’ll see, it’s about making memories and experiencing something you’ve never done before. Whatever that is, we’re ready for you.

GAME DRIVES
Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives. Gear up for thrilling game drives on a safari with Wilderness. A wildlife sighting is always unpredictable and that’s what makes a game drive so exciting.

Look out for tracks. Listening for alarm calls and be on the alert for nearby predators. There’s so much to see, and being the first to spot something brings a whole new level of satisfaction to your day.

Enter the habitats and homes of magnificent wild animals. Staying respectful of their space and keeping you safe is our top priority. Game drives allow you to enjoy nature while still being comfortable and camera-ready.

The curious among us will discover endless opportunities to learn about nature in its purest form, with our expert guides on hand to share their knowledge and passion with you.

NIGHT GAME DRIVES
A jackal’s cry. A lion’s roar. The gentle rumble of elephants. The bush comes alive at night, awakening all senses. Bundle up warm to venture out after dark for a night drive with our expert safari guides.

Wildlife-friendly infrared spotlights seek out nocturnal animals not seen during the day. Bushbabies, spring hares, servals, and genets are all regularly seen and, if you are extremely lucky, the elusive pangolin, aardwolf, or even a leopard, may make an appearance.

Under cover of darkness the bush takes on a primal feel. The tension is palpable. Predators and prey are on high alert. And so too you’ll be. Keep your eyes and ears trained for the smells, sounds, and sights that could mean an animal lurking nearby. Get up close to elusive nighttime creatures, see owls and nightjars, witness battles for survival, and learn more about the awe-inspiring night sky.

BOAT SAFARI
View wildlife from the water on a thrilling boat safari, past hippos, sunbathing crocodiles and a dazzling array of birds. The flap of an elephant’s ear. The snort of a hippo. A startled crocodile sliding into the water with barely a splash.

Watch and listen for these special moments on a boating safari, in search of aquatic wonders in the wild. Spy rare birds in the reeds, antelope and predators slaking their thirst, herds of elephant crossing a channel. Up close, in the wilderness, on an unforgettable boating safari.

Binoculars ready, round a bend in a Delta channel, and spy a pair of rare wattled cranes. Camera ready, watch a herd of elephants wade across the Linyanti River. Delight in a cruise down the Kunene River or a glowing sunset on the Zambezi. A boat safari with Wilderness brings you closer to encountering iconic African wildlife. On their level, on their terms, in their habitat.

PRIVATE SAFARI
Create treasured memories with family and friends on an exclusive private safari across Africa’s most iconic destinations. In today’s connected world, privacy has become a rare luxury. One which we respect and protect as you journey with us.

Immerse yourself in the wild, and disconnect as you explore iconic wildlife as you wish: on a private game drive, tracking animals with your personal guide, drifting over the Okavango Delta solo. Or book exclusive camps and experiences for your family or friends to share.

Want to visit a selection of handpicked camps? Enjoy exclusive game drives, personal guides and unforgettable experiences with your family. Or surprise a loved one with a romantic sundowner floating on a lagoon in the Okavango.

We can tailor-make your private African safari dream. From thrilling adventures to intimate wildlife encounters that will stay with you long after you’re home.

GUIDED WALKING SAFARIS
Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides. Swap your safari drive for a guided walking safari and marvel at the smaller things you may miss when seated on a game vehicle.

Walk along ancient wildlife paths, focus on the intricacies of the bush and learn more about the insects, birds, trees and bees with one of our knowledgeable guides. When you do encounter a towering giraffe or a curious zebra on foot, it’s bound to be an experience you’ll remember forever.

Get up close to the wilderness on a walking safari in the company of an armed guide. This is an opportunity to stretch your legs and fully appreciate the finer details of the bush, from the hard-working dung beetle to majestic trees. Look out for the spoor and tracks of animals, stop to smell the plants, and take your time to admire the smaller and often unnoticed animals.

RHINO TRACKING
Experience the heart-thumping thrill of rhino tracking on safari. Rare. Remarkable. Walk in the footsteps of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino in Namibia, and Zambia’s only white rhino, in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Feel your heart catch in your throat as a rhino gets wind of you, nostrils flaring. Revel in the privilege of observing them on foot. In the wild. Just as nature intended.

Both black and white rhino populations across the continent are in danger. Cherish the chance to encounter them on foot, led by seasoned Save the Rhino Trust rangers and Zambian National Parks & Wildlife scouts. Follow these majestic creatures as they lumber about their natural habitat, protected by your visit.

HELICOPTER SAFARI
Soar above the lush and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Okavango Delta on a breath-taking helicopter safari. Perspective is everything. And as you take off and climb you can truly appreciate the enormity of the landscape below.

And the pristine, filter-free beauty that still exists on Earth. It will inspire the storyteller in you, as you share a bird’s-eye view and become a natural witness to the perfect give-and-take balance of nature below.

Be part of our conservation team as you take to the skies on a helicopter ride along the tail of Africa’s Rift Valley, spotting and recording the rich diversity of wildlife below. Travel along the curves of the legendary Savuti Channel and marvel at the huge amount of wildlife. Massive pods of hippos, and crocodiles and elephants, and a huge density of antelopes.

STAR BEDS
Sleep out under the African night sky with our Star Bed experience. Nothing is quite as thrilling or as romantic on safari. Ditch the conventional four walls and choose to sleep out under the stars, whether on the rooftop of your suite in Namibia or at one of our Star Beds in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the night, a jackal’s cry in the distance, or the gentle rumbling of elephants. See if you can count how many thousands of stars you can see in the clear night sky.

Fall asleep on a raised platform enveloped by the magnificent African night sky. The sky is the darkest you’ve ever seen, and yet, it’s also the brightest. Who knew there were so many stars.

The only sounds are those calls of the creatures of the night. Listen carefully for the whooping of a hyena or the roar of a far-off lion. Wake up to watch the sunrise and look out for other early risers.

NATURE WALKS
Have your camera ready and lace up your walking shoes – once your feet touch African soil, you’ll understand the magic. Meander along a dry riverbed close to camp, or venture off on a forested walkway at your own pace, exploring the area on a self-led walking safari.

Stop to photograph the plants, identify birds, or simply sit and appreciate the scenery and views that seem to stretch out to infinity. These walking trails focus on total immersion in our remote, wild areas.

Get out into Africa on foot and learn more about the geological wonders of our wild spaces, as well as the unique plants, birds, and reptiles that surround you. Set out on a spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Rwanda, or in Namibia take a guided walk along the Tsauchab River Trail at night to look for dancing white lady spiders and numerous scorpions.

DESERT E-BIKING
Is there any better way to explore the vast Sand Sea of the Namib Desert, than on an electric bike? There is no better way to explore the vast sea of sand of the Namib Desert, than on an electric e-bike.

Biking through the legendary dunes of the Namib Desert is an exhilarating, scenic and eco-friendly experience that’s perfect for the whole family. Get ready for fresh air on your face as you spot fascinating desert-adapted wildlife like ostrich, springbok, oryx, and the endemic dune lark, across this photogenic corner of the oldest desert in the world.

GUIDED QUAD BIKING 
Feel the wind against your face and experience the adrenaline kick on a Namib Desert quad bike adventure across the vast dunefields of the Kunene region.

Feel your heart race as you drive across a dune at Serra Cafema in the Kaokoveld. The Namib Desert is your playground, a four-wheeler your choice of toy. Heart-thumping, eye-streaming, white knuckle adventure awaits you here, and at Little Kulala in Namibia’s iconic Sossusvlei.

Low impact. High adrenaline. The rugged terrain of Namibia begs to be explored by quad bike. Take to the undulating amber dunes of Sossusvlei or the lunar landscape of the Kaokoveld on four wheels. The routes are specially allocated for minimal disturbance of the environment, and maximum fun.

BARGE
Explore Botswana by barge, the best way to bird-watch and enjoy a picnic on the magnificent Linyanti River. Catch a flutter of wings in the grass, a plaintive call from the reeds, a calculated dash into the water.

A barge trip and birdwatching go hand in hand, as do sundowners. Binoculars at the ready and something cold to sip on, delight in a floating picnic or a sundowner cruise on a barge trip along Botswana’s wildlife-rich Linyanti River.

Watch a herd of elephants crash through the water, trunks up as snorkels. From the vantage point of the barge’s deck, see fish eagles soaring above, their iconic call resounding through the Linyanti.

Meet a hippo’s glare as you respectfully explore his territory. As you head down the river, enjoy a picnic lunch while your guide navigates the waterway and fills you in on all its wild wonders.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Capture thrilling wildlife moments in action on a safari with Wilderness. A lioness stalking her prey patiently, and the dramatic chase that unfolds. Come eye-to-eye with a matriarch from the safety of our underground hides.

Snap away at flashes of brilliant turquoise and orange as a malachite sunbird swoops across the channel. And marvel at the impossibly dark nights in the Namibian desert lit by a chandelier of stars.

Looking for the ultimate shot? So are we. Which is why you’ll find state-of-the-art OM System cameras available for use on some of our game drives and in our hides. Our Wilderness guides are also equipped with cameras and have excellent photographic experience. Not only do they have a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife, but can also recommend the perfect shot.

LOCAL CULTURE
Learn. Share. Enrich. Wilderness offers unforgettable cultural experiences across eight African countries. The Rwandan chef’s recipe passed down for generations that you scribbled down on the back of a coaster. The perfumed scent of smoke and red ochre in the air as you observed the fascinating Himba people of Namibia.

Being taught how to play ‘Nsolo’, a traditional Zambian board game by local school children, and teaching them how to win at UNO. Each experience, a reminder of our interconnectedness.

What’s an African safari adventure without great stories? Listen spellbound to African folktale around a camp fire under a full moon. Spend a thrilling morning with an ancient tribe in the desert learning their secrets. Feast on delicious traditional cuisine and join in the evening’s festivities. Every encounter – another chapter in your adventure book.

CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES
Rewild. Protect. Conserve. Wilderness combines unforgettable wildlife encounters with positive impact experiences. Be part of our conservation initiatives as you take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter ride, spotting and recording the rich diversity of wildlife below.

Track Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino on foot led by a seasoned guide in Namibia. Help our team monitor leopards and lions in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Every experience an opportunity to learn, and make an impact on the wilderness.

You’ll feel it when you marvel at the miles of open space and teeming wildlife. And understand why at Wilderness, we’re hell-bent on protecting it. Every guest plays a vital role in our conservation efforts and has the opportunity to get involved. From planting trees in Rwanda to tracking rhinos at Desert Rhino Camp in Namibia, to assisting local communities with anti-poaching initiatives.

Rooms: 14

Price: from 2.999 EUR per night

Source: www.wildernessdestinations.com