AAC Journey Specialist Nell just returned from a journey through Botswana and joins us on the blog to share more about her trip. Welcome, Nell!
I am just back from Botswana and what I loved most about traveling through the country is how every lodge, guide and landscape feels connected by a shared sense of respect for the wildlife, the land and the experience itself. Botswana has built its reputation on quality over quantity, favoring low-impact tourism that keeps the wilderness truly wild. It’s a model that works. The result is an experience that feels exclusive, intentional and deeply personal.
I began my journey in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, with a night at the lovely Grays Eden, a new boutique luxury property just fifteen minutes from the airport. Its quiet, relaxed vibes made it the perfect base after a long-haul flight. Susan at the front desk greeted me like an old friend, making me feel instantly welcome. With comfortable cottages surrounded by gardens and a warm, homey feel, it’s an ideal pre- or post-safari stop.
From Maun, I transferred to the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans where I was able to able to combine my passion for running and travel by taking part in the Salt Pans Ultra Marathon 50k race, an experience as surreal as the landscape itself. To my surprise and delight, I finished first place in the women’s category and second overall. Running across the vast, white expanse of the pans was humbling. It was a meditation on solitude, endurance and the raw power of Botswana’s desert heart. Check back soon for more about my race experience.
After the race, I returned to Grays Eden for a night of rest and relaxation. The following morning, I flew north to Nxamaseri Island Lodge, tucked along the Okavango Panhandle. The boat journey from the airstrip through papyrus-lined channels immediately slowed the pace and opened my eyes to the Delta’s serene beauty. Nxamaseri is ideal for travelers who appreciate calm, intimacy and a connection to nature and culture.
A standout experience at Nxamaseri was the Tsodilo Hills Sleepout, offered to guests staying at least three nights. The Tsodilo Hills are sacred to the local people, with ancient rock art whispering stories from centuries past. Sleeping beneath the stars at such a spiritual site was grounding and awe-inspiring. I especially loved the cultural song and dance around the fire at sunset with the Tsodilo Hills as the backdrop.
Next, I visited Xugana Island Lodge, perched beside one of the Delta’s most beautiful lagoons. Recently rebuilt, the lodge strikes a balance between luxury and a sociable, relaxed atmosphere in pristine surroundings. The birding here was exceptional. I had never seen so many unique species in one place! My guide, Kaiser, brought the Delta to life with humor and insight, ensuring we experienced every corner of the area fully on both walking and boat safaris.
From sunrise walks to sunset mokoro rides, every moment at Xugana was alive with bird song and the quiet pulse of the Delta.
The journey ended in Savute, where Botswana’s wild side takes center stage. Savute Safari Lodge pairs understated comfort with true wilderness. This is predator country that is raw, unpredictable and unforgettable. Guided by Isaac, whose knowledge and photographic eye were exceptional, I experienced some of the trip’s most thrilling wildlife encounters here. A leopard walked by our vehicle before tucking in for a rest near a fallen tree. We spotted adult male lions with their enormous manes and watched as a whole pride came to the watering hole for a drink. And, we viewed myriad plains game such as giraffe and kudu go about their days on the savanna. By day I enjoyed armchair safari moments watching elephants from the pool. And, in the evening around the fire, I enjoyed hundreds of elephants at the lodge’s very own watering hole. It was a fitting and beautiful close to a journey defined by connection and awe.
Across every stop on my journey in Botswana, I found a shared philosophy of authentic hospitality, sustainability in action and expert guiding that comes from the heart. Each lodge revealed a different facet of Botswana’s character. For travelers seeking wild beauty with meaning and comfort, Botswana offers it in abundance!
Pula pula! — cheers and good fortune in Setswana.
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Photos courtesy AAC Journey Specialist Nell Pollak