AAC Senior Journey Specialist Diana recently returned from a safari across Botswana, where she explored many of the country’s natural wonders, both in national parks and private game reserves. She joins us on the blog today to take us through her adventures.
I was lucky enough to spend a full three weeks exploring multiple areas of Botswana – Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the Okavango Delta – specifically the Moremi Game Reserve and multiple private concessions, Chobe National Park and nearby private concessions and the Okavango panhandle. I was blown away after exploring all these corners of the country in one trip.
It’s so important to have a Journey Specialist that knows the destination to help you plan your dream trip. Africa Adventure Consultants has been designing trips to Botswana for nearly 25 years and we know the best camps to recommend for a relaxing water getaway full of fishing and boat excursions, or where you’ll have the highest probability to see predators, or big mammals, or even the smaller water critters. The landscapes change so much from shallow reed-lined waterways to deep rivers, to savanna, forests and more! Botswana’s landscape is unique, above and below ground.
For example, did you know that there are three main fault lines in the country – but because the country is mostly desert (sand), the earthquakes that happen almost daily go unnoticed by people? With that desert topography, the floodwaters that arrive from Angola annually disperse in differing ways each year because the country’s landscape is shifting slightly every day. This can impact activities offered at certain camps – your Journey Specialist will work with you to ensure you visit a variety of ecosystems for the best chance to do the activities on your wish list.
The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. I visited at the end of the dry season in October. Each day there were signs of the rain arriving, but it never did while I was there. It was hot and you could see the thirst in the wildlife making the waterhole interactions spectacular due to the drought.
In the Moremi Game Reserve I stayed at Camp Moremi. The wildlife sightings were exceptional – multiple prides of lion with mamas, babies and the big, handsome males. Other predators I saw were hyena and jackals, and while there were signs of leopard, we never found them during my short time there. The camp itself had a fun and social feel. They serve family-style meals with individual seating by groups. There was dancing and singing for the guests at each dinner and wine pairings served with the meals. The rooms were big with king size beds, outdoor decks with lounge chairs and large bathrooms with double vanities and showers.
In the Okavango Delta, I stayed at Duba Plains which was stunning and very private. I enjoyed watching a pride of lions for hours – all to myself. The vegetation was greener there as well, which helped the wildlife – you could see they were healthier in this reserve. I also spent a full afternoon watching and snapping pictures of a majestic male leopard.
The camp itself was out of this world with a massive “tent” spanning 1,000 square feet with a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers overlooking a beautiful floodplain, copper soaking tubs and air conditioning, which is welcome in the warmer months. The meals were elaborate, with multi-course breakfasts, lunches and dinners. All were served individually plated. The food experience was a dream, especially for a foodie like me. From the homemade yogurt parfaits for breakfast and the biltong (local jerky) made in-house and served during sundowners to the multi-course dinners, I didn’t want to leave!
Next I enjoyed a stay at Savute Safari Lodge in Chobe National Park. The area’s topography includes the Savute Channel, a fickle waterway which has an unpredictable history of flooding and drying up, independent of rains and water levels elsewhere. It is an area rich in wildlife, which was abundant during my visit.
I also stayed at Zarafa Camp, located nearby in the private Selinda Concession. This, along with Savute Safari Lodge, is where I saw the most wildlife on my safari. I recommend everyone visiting Botswana to not only include the Okavango Delta but also either the Savute or Linyanti regions. They are a big contrast to the green delta. It’s mostly arid country, but it is home to a lot of wildlife in large numbers during the dry season! During my time spent between the two areas I saw lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog among other species. It was amazing! The guides, the food, the views…everything was absolutely perfect during my stay at Zarafa. It would be my top choice for the area.
I truly enjoyed this trip to Africa and can’t wait to send my travelers to this magical destination!
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Photos courtesy AAC Senior Journey Specialist Diana Garcia-Hernandez and Duba Plains Camp