Traditional Camping Safari in Botswana: 

Botswana is renowned for consistently delivering THE best Safari and wildlife experiences in all of Africa.

Flying in for a 2 or 3-night luxury lodge stay; doesn’t even come close to the experiences and total immersion in “Wild Africa” that camping out “in the wild” in the National Parks delivers. it needs17-days to do it properly visiting:

• Maun the gateway, be thrilled by an optional “doors off” helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta
• Mokoro (canoe) access to the fabulous Okavango Delta famous for the birds and other wildlife
• Moremi and Khwai River abut the Okavango and teem with wildlife, including all of the predators
• Savuti with vast plains, large herds of a variety of wildlife, and prides of Elephant hunting lions
• Chobe which offers so much; herds of Elephants and Buffalo, all of the predators and so much more concentrated along the banks of the Chobe River
• And finally Victoria Falls; raft the mighty Zambesi River, visit the Falls & Mosi-au-Tunya (Smoke that Thunders) National Park, and finally luxuriate in your hotel room and the unlimited hot-water shower 

What is a “Traditional Camping Safari? What should I expect?

• This is non-participation camping; the erecting of tents, setting up the camp, the cooking and all of the camp chores are taken care of by the Chef*, and safari staff

• * Yes “Chef” a fully trained Chef to delight us with his culinary skills, whilst cooking over an open fire

• The tents have comfortable camp beds with mattresses and bedding

• They are ensuite tents have attached freshly-dug pit toilet with seat & hot suspended bucket showers

• We are the only ones allowed in each designated campsite at that time

• Maximum of 12-guests; That’s us including our Tour Leader & safari staff permitted at each campsite

• As well as the Chef and safari staff, we will be accompanied by two *Game Rangers”

• *Game Rangers have completed what amounts to a three to four year University Course. They know and can describe every mammal, reptile, bird, insect and plant, and how they all interact in nature, All of this font of knowledge they can express in two, and even three different languages

• We will be in two 4WD game drive vehicles, three rows of seats behind the driver / Game Ranger

• So, each of 6-persons has a window seat, except there are no windows, just a canvas sun roof, perfect for photography as each pair on their row of seats co-operate so as not to miss anything

• You will be unlikely to see any other people or game drive vehicles, until our last day or two at Chobe

• Every 2 or 3-days the whole campsite is packed up by the safari staff and relocated to the next site

In the Wild:

• The camp sites are all within National Parks and are NOT fenced, we are out in the wild

• Each campsite will have nylon fishing line strung in the trees around the perimeter on the first night; during the first night Elephants will explore this perimeter; the line is then removed the next day; and no Elephant will ever enter this campsite in the future; yes in the wild

• Sitting by the campfire; Guinea Fowl races by clucking, closely pursued by a Leopard; yes in the wild

• At the table having dinner; male Lion appears 20-metres away and roars, Chef and helper jump into 4WD, I ask Game Ranger; “What do we do Mike” who replies “It’s ok he’s just looking for his brother” moments later another nearby lion roars, and “our” lion trots off. Heart stops racing; yes in the wild

• Dozing off to sleep; you hear the huffing of a lion as it passes by, just outside your tent: yes in the wild

Day by day Safari routine:

• Each morning we awake early, hot water awaits in a canvas bucket on a stand, campfire breakfast

• The two game vehicles then set off on different paths, seeking wildlife and special encounters

• The game vehicles can connect by radio, to ensure everyone gets to enjoy these experiences

• We will return to camp, either the campsite we departed from, or the new one we are now moving to

• Hot showers then lunch, then our Game Rangers will give enthralling talks on wildlife & conservation

• Later in the afternoon, we set off for another game drive, returning to camp in the gathering dusk

• Dinner will be served at a long table with tablecloths & candles. Our wine and beer purchases dwindle

• Then repeat again the next days