AUTHENTIC BOTSWANA WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ELEPHANTS AND BUSHMEN

THE OKAVANGO DELTA – Lying in the middle of the largest expanse of sand on earth the Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most amazing, sensitive and complex environments. Unique as the largest of the world’s few inland deltas, the placid waters and lush indigenous forests offer a safe haven for innumerable bird and wildlife species. The renowned Duba Explorers Camp sits in the heart of classic Okavango Delta habitat. A matrix of palm-dotted islands, flood plains and woodland, the 77,000-hectare private concession typifies the region’s unique landscape. Many consider Duba Plains to be the Okavango’s Maasai Mara and Serengeti because of the sheer volume of wildlife.

Duba Plains prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences with reliable sightings of lion, buffalo, red lechwe, blue wildebeest, greater kudu and tsessebe. Elephant and hippo trudge through the swamps and leopard, and some nocturnal species, can be sighted as well. Birds abound, and the area is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Okavango ‘specials’ include the rare wattled crane, Pel’s Fishing owl, white-backed night heron and marsh owl. Inquisitive Africa is offering guests the ultimate opportunity for private wildlife sightings.

DUBA EXPLORERS CAMP 2 nights at Duba Explorers Camp in a luxury tent on a full board basis.

The intimate camp consists of six expedition-style tents of light airy canvas on slightly raised decking, each with views of the surrounding floodplain. Each tent has a small desk and private verandah plus en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double basins and indoor shower. Fans and careful open-air design maintain comfortable climate for rest and relaxation. The main area is under sweeping marquee canvas, on raised decking and consists of an open-concept dining and lounge area which opens to the outdoors on all sides. In the evenings, the fire pit is always a popular spot to enjoy an Amarula and recount the day’s events.

Duba Explorer’s Toyota Land Cruisers are aptly named ‘Swamp Vehicles’ due to their extra-high suspension and absolutely huge tyres uniquely designed to traverse the floodplains. Duba Explorers Camp is a combination activity-based camp, allowing guests to explore the Okavango Delta’s permanent channels by boat when water levels allow, as well as open game drive vehicle safaris. This is truly an invigorating, yet peaceful experience, allowing for wildlife and birding viewing from the boat. Guided game walks with licensed, armed guides are available, and these can be combined with boat cruise or game drive.

THE SELINDA RESERVE: The Selinda Reserve is a 320,00-acre private concession in northern Botswana at the crossroads of some of northern Botswana’s most prolific wildlife areas; upstream from Savute Channel and Chobe National Park and north of the expanding reaches of the greater Okavango Delta. This unique position gives it the advantages of both of these famous areas but with the tremendous advantage of exclusivity. It is a truly spectacular and varied landscape that boasts staggering wildlife populations in diverse habitats year-round.

Home to some of the classic species, such as leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, Red lechwe, zebra and giraffe, it is also a refuge for some of the more uncommon species such as African wild dog, cheetah, roan and sable antelopes.
Selinda Explorer Camp sits in prime predator habitat, in a location, which we handpicked based on exploring this area for years. Lion, leopard and cheetah and the recently discovered Explorers Pack of African wild dog hunt these parts regularly. Giraffe, buffalo, roan and sable are possible sightings. At the peak of the dry season in late September, the Selinda Reserve has been documented to hold up to 9,000 elephants. There is phenomenal bird life along the Spillway’s banks for those looking for some ‘lifers.

SELINDA EXPLORERS CAMP 2 nights at Selinda Explorers Camp in a luxury tent on a full board basis.

Selinda Explorers Camp is a classic camp that transports guests back to the time of authentic safaris, but with a modern twist and hospitality. The camp’s focal point is the Bedouin-style main area consisting of a lounge and separate dining room. The four guest tents provide comfort and style but with a magnificently raw spirit. Subtly placed under the shade of the riverine forest, the camp is designed in the style of the early explorers both in philosophy and practice. This authentic tented camp draws on traditions of the classic East African safari with beautifully detailed campaign style furniture made from recycled hard woods, and soft furnishings from Zanzibar and the East. The custom-designed tents consist of two rooms plus verandah, as well as a private open air ‘bustani bathroom’ with hot water showers and flush loo. All tents are at ground level, including the main lounge and dining area. This is an unassuming camp, light on its footprint but heavy on its experiential luxury.

The atmosphere of the lodge is one of bush elegance with relaxed bohemian style, complemented by attentive staff, private professional service and fabulous food. With a maximum of only 8 guests Selinda Explorers Camp focuses primarily on the traditional safaris of walking and canoeing when the Selinda Spillway is flooding. All guides are firearm trained and will be armed on walks and canoes.

Game drives are offered, both day and night, but are a supplement to other activities as opposed to the emphasis. If the cool shade of the canvas and trees simply isn’t enough to quell the midday heat, then grab the guide and go for a swim in the refreshing waters of the Spillway.

MAKGADIKGADI PANS NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA: The Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve, a salt pan– with an area of 3 900 sq. kms is situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The pan is all that remains of the formerly enormous Lake Makgadikgadi.

Lying southeast of the Okavango Delta and surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi is technically not a single pan but many pans with sandy desert in between, the largest being the Sua (Sowa), Nwetwe and Nxai Pans. The largest individual pan is about 1,900 sq mi (4,921.0 km2).

The pans themselves are salty desert whose only plant life is a thin layer of blue-green algae and Very little wildlife can exist here during the harsh dry season of strong hot winds and only salt water, but following a rain the pan becomes an important habitat for migrating animals including wildebeest and one of Africa’s biggest zebra populations, and the large predators that prey on them.

The wet season also brings migratory birds such as ducks, geese and Great White Pelicans. The pan is home of one of only two breeding populations of Greater Flamingos in southern Africa, and only on the Soa pan, which is part of the Makgadikgadi pans.

JACK’S CAMP 2 nights at Jack’s Camp in a room on a full board basis.

This much loved, camp in the Kalahari has earned itself a reputation as one of Africa’s most stylish and genuine offerings.

Situated amidst the moonscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans, Jack’s Camp is named after legendary explorer Jack Bousfield who found and fell in love with the spot in the sixties. Jack’s Camp is a tribute to Jack from his son Ralph, and what a tribute it is. The inimitable style of the camp has put it front and center of many a magazine spread and fashion shoot. Indeed, with the distinctive forties style, Bousfield family memorabilia, open sided pool pavilion, and even its very own museum, this is movie star magic.

As tempting as the interiors might make it to stay squarely in camp, the plethora of activities on
offer become from dawn when meerkats begin their exploits, through to dusk when the sea of stars illuminate the Kalahari and the life within it. Between such a unique opening to a day at Jack’s, and extraordinary end, there’s quad biking (only in the dry season), horse riding, game drives, walking with the San bushmen and plenty more to entrance and delight.

Then there are the animals of course. Not your run of the mill safari checklist, but Kalahari specials that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere, including brown hyenas, aardwolves and aardvarks. Jack’s Camp is a true African icon, and all who stay become an integral part of its fascinating story.

THE RATES INCLUDE

DUBA EXPLORERS CAMP AND SELINDA EXPLORERS CAMP: Fully inclusive of accommodation, conservation levy, scheduled wildlife activities, meals, laundry (except at Selinda Explorers Camp), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding champagne), return airstrip road transfers, flights between the camps within Botswana based on the itinerary starting and ending in Maun.

JACK’S CAMP: Accommodation, all meals, & beverages (excluding premium brand drinks), guest laundry, daily activities, expert guiding, park entry fees & VAT. Included in the price is a conservation contribution, which is collected by Natural Selection Safaris on behalf of a Not for Profit entity for conservation related projects. Scheduled flights for Maun to Jack’s Camp return.

EXTENDING YOUR STAY WITH US: Inquisitive Africa has a variety of authentic experiences in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, Kenya and Dian or Mombasa, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. We would be happy to facilitate and plan any extended stay you might require in East and Southern Africa.