Exciting New Safari Lodge Openings & Upgrades for 2025!
In 2025, your clients can look forward to an exciting range of new lodges and camps opening across Botswana as well as updates on rebuilds and renovations of longtime favourites. From exclusive lodges to sophisticated riverside retreats, we’ve got the latest details on the all the new properties. Whether your clients are seasoned safari-goers or embarking on their first adventure, these upcoming openings offer an ideal blend of comfort, adventure, and the stunning beauty that Botswana is known for.
Maxa Camp – Ker & Downey | Opened March 2025
Maxa Camp, which opened in March 2025, is an intimate safari escape designed to host up to 12 guests in four stylish tents, each offering an en-suite indoor and outdoor bathroom. A spacious family tent features two bedrooms, a shared en-suite, and an outdoor bathing area. Guests can indulge themselves in the pristine wilderness through guided walking safaris, game drives, and traditional mokoro excursions.
Xugana Island Lodge – Desert & Delta Safaris | Re-opening April 2025
After an extensive rebuild, the iconic Xugana Island Lodge will reopen on 16 April 2025 with a fresh, contemporary look. The redesigned lodge boasts stunning overwater decks, a repositioned pool with panoramic views, and an overwater fire-deck. Rooms combine modern comfort with natural charm, featuring lagoon-inspired interiors and expansive views. With new accommodation options, including a private family suite, Xugana Island Lodge offers an unmatched balance of exclusivity and immersion in nature.
Mbamba Camp – Natural Selection Travel | Opening April 2025
Tucked away in the northern Okavango Delta, Mbamba Camp is set to offer a blend of elegance and an authentic bush experience. The camp will feature 12 beautifully designed tents, including family-friendly options, each equipped with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. A pool provides a tranquil retreat between thrilling game drives and serene mokoro or boat safaris, making it a perfect base for exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Delta.
Monachira Camp – Machaba Safaris | Opening May 2025
Nestled near the Moremi Game Reserve, Monachira Camp will deliver a front-row seat to the breathtaking floodplains of the Okavango Delta. Designed for water-based safari enthusiasts, this camp will offer guided walks, mokoro trips, boat safaris, and short game drives that bring guests closer to the region’s rich wildlife. Expect a truly immersive experience in one of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes.
Sediba Sa Rona – Desert & Delta | Opens in April 2026
Located in the Khwai Concession, Sediba Sa Rona is overlooking the breathtaking Khwai River, the lodge offers 15 luxury river-facing tents, each featuring en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor decks with stunning views. Amenities, include a fire deck, swimming pool, and spa. For activities, Sediba Sa Rona provides game drives, night safaris, mokoro excursions, and scenic helicopter flights.
Safari Lodge Upgrades for 2025
Several iconic camps and lodges are getting upgrades in early 2025, bringing fresh improvements and refined experiences for guests. Here’s an update on what’s changing and when these lodges and camps will be ready to welcome guests again.
Chobe Elephant Camp | Bush Ways Safaris
While the final touches are still in progress, the transformation is already taking shape beautifully. The extended main area, updated furniture, and a contemporary design with bold red accents are adding a fresh energy to the camp.
Sango Safari Camp | Bush Ways Safaris
Between 16 January and 6 February 2025, Sango Safari Camp underwent maintenance to refresh guest areas while maintaining its classic safari charm. Visitors can expect a more refined and comfortable atmosphere with a larger main area as well as a bigger pool.
Ghoha Hills Savuti Lodge
A significant refurbishment took place from 15 January to 14 March 2025, enhancing this lodge’s position as a premier destination in the Savuti region. The upgrades include refreshed interiors and improved guest spaces while preserving the lodge’s elevated views and natural surroundings.
Kanana | Ker & Downey Botswana
The legendary Kanana Camp has been rebuilt from January to March and is shining brighter than ever. The new design features expansive views of the floodplains and Zepa Lagoon, with interiors that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding landscape. The green color scheme beautifully reflects the environment, with rich earth tones complemented by softer hues, creating a serene atmosphere. Being located in one of the best wildlife areas in the Okavango Delta Kanana offers land and water experiences with amazing game-viewing.
Planet Baobab | Natural Selection Travel
Following a fire in November 2024, Planet Baobab is undergoing a full rebuild. In the meantime, self-drive visitors still have access to power facilities at the campsites. The pool has been restored, and major renovations to the reception, bar, and kitchen are underway to bring back the camp’s distinctive charm.
Baines Camp | A & K Sanctuary Retreats
Baines Camp has been temporarily closed since 29 October 2024, with a reopening set for 7 July 2025. The redesign retains the camp’s exclusivity while incorporating modern comforts that blend seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness.
Chitabe Camp | Wilderness Destinations
This well-loved camp is undergoing a refresh from 5 January to 25 April 2025, with a reopening planned for end of April. Guests can look forward to updated interiors and upgraded guest spaces that enhance the camp’s classic safari experience.
Jacana | Wilderness Destinations
Jacana is a small and welcoming camp set on a palm-dotted island in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Retouched now, it has a fresh, updated feel while keeping its relaxed, laid-back character. Activities here are centred around the Delta’s waterways, with mokoro trips, boating, game-driving, and birdwatching giving guests a chance to enjoy a quieter, more water-based safari experience.
We’re keeping a close eye on the progress of these remarkable properties and will be sharing exclusive updates as they approach their grand openings. Be sure to follow our social media pages and stay tuned for the latest developments.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
NEW LODGES & CAMPS – YOUR EYES AND EARS…
Our team has been up and down on numerous educationals exploring and welcoming ‘new kids on the block’ and checking out all-time favourites. It’s been a very exciting adventure for us to tour around & see a great range of accommodations from luxury lodges and tented camps to comfortable and great value for money accommodation. Many lodges and camps are situated in private concessions, ensuring exclusive and intimate safari experiences. Our team of experts brought back great feedback which we love sharing with you.
African Bush Camps – Khwai Lediba
Our TT and Ona recently visited Khwai Lediba located on the far western side of the Khwai Community area next to the Moremi Game Reserve. The two came back with some really good feedback. In their words they reported that this camp offers guests a front-row seat to the wildlife action of the oldest protected section of the Okavango Delta. They explored the area on game drive, enjoyed a mokoro excursion and even tracked lions on a walking safari. They actually saw 4 of the big 5 during their first afternoon drive. The game viewing during their stay was phenomenal, the Khwai Community area was basically showing off says TT.
Ker & Downey Botswana – Shinde Footsteps
Carina came back from Ker and Downey’s newly rebuilt Shinde Footsteps Camp (formerly knows as Footsteps Camp), a gem in the private Shinde concession and she says that the camp is just simply gorgeous! Shinde Footsteps is a small and intimate explorers’ style camp offering game drives, guided bush walks, mokoros, motor boating, and night drives. Carina loved every second of her stay there and enjoyed exceptional sightings of a pack of 27 wild dogs with puppies, hyenas bathing in the sun, a herd of sable antelope and a cheetah trying to hunt lechwe.
Kwando Safaris – 4 Rivers
4 Rivers is the new Kwando Safaris camp located in the famous Kwara Private Reserve. In true SD style as your experts on the ground we made sure that we checked it out right after its opening. Our colleagues Sarah and Jane were excited to be the first ones that visited this gorgeous new camp, located in a wild and isolated wilderness area with a stunning biodiversity of flora, fauna and felines. Carina was also lucky enough to spend a short night in August in this new camp and was very impressed by the hardware (the tents are built in a similar style to the Dinare camps, but larger and of course brand-new), the food, the service and the guiding. The camp is located a short 15-minute drive from its own soon to be opened private airstrip. A wide variety of activities including game drives (the two ladies had exceptional sightings of leopard, lions, wild dogs, plains game, and lots of birds were spotted), night drives, walking and seasonal mokoros are on offer.
Great Plains Conservation – Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Andrea and Karen were the lucky fish to go checkout Sitatunga Private Island Camp. Set on the edge of a stunning lagoon in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Camp in Andrea’s words…is a magical place, with its contemporary feel and all the light, Okavango River inspired colours make the place very unique and beautiful. The ladies embarked on a boat cruise and did a walk and they could not be more impressed with the guiding. They raved about the food and complimented the chef who was the absolute best and most outstanding feature at camp!
The Newly Refurbished Leroo La Tau Camp
A couple of our team members (TT, Carina, Karen & Beate) have been to Leroo La Tau since the refurbishment. Some for sight inspections and some on overnights. They were all very lucky to have different but amazing experiences. TT got the opportunity to embark on the cultural village visit that offers guests the opportunity to learn about our country’s rich culture and gain insights into the daily lives of Batswana. The Khumaga Village visit is a great way to meet the locals and learn about our heritage. This is the perfect addition to Leroo La Tau’s activity offering. Carina and team witnessed the jaw dropping largest Zebra Migration in all of Southern Africa!
Machaba Safaris – Kiri Camp
An opportunity presented itself for Scarlet, Anouk and Carina to visit Kiri Camp. The warm smiles and friendly faces of the team awaiting to serve them a luxurious experience could not be missed. The ladies reported that the food was great with a surprise bush dinner, exceptional wildlife sightings with 12 lions feasting on a fresh zebra kill, a busy waterhole which three hippos share with a lonely crocodile. The waterhole also got visited throughout the day by herds of elephants, zebra, impalas, wildebeest… and just to put a cherry on top beautiful sunsets enjoyed with our favourite Okavango Gin in hand. By the way this delicious Botswana-made gin is now available at Maun, Kasane and Victoria Falls airports’ duty free shops.
Setari Camp – Treehouse
Treehouse is the latest addition to the Setari Camps portfolio and offers guests rustic luxury. Built high in the trees and overlooking the vast floodplains of the Okavango Delta. We are sure that soon our colleagues will visit the camp and we will be more than happy to share first hand experiences on our social media channels.
MORE ‘NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK’ – ZIMBABWE
Malachite Suites & Zambezi Sands River Camp
Well of course in our many educational escapades we did not forget another one of our favourite safari destinations – Zimbabwe
Our Karen visited the newly opened Zambezi Sands River Camp deep in the Zambezi National Park and Victoria Falls River Lodge’s new Malachite Suites.
The new Zambezi Sands impressed Karen, she loved the attention to the detail in the design and says it can easily be combined with the luxurious premier camps in Botswana.
Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Carina also visited Stanley and Livingstone which was stunning, it was a site inspection but the attentive service, and excellent food made her short visit worth her experience. She also had the opportunity to have a look at the suites which are nicely positioned in lush gardens overlooking the busy waterhole.
And there is plenty of availability in Botswana and Zimbabwe for the last months of 2023! Our team of consultants looks forward to hearing from you.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
Safari Destinations: A great place for learning and growth
Our reservations administrators, consultants and team leaders come from all walks of life with varying degrees of readiness for a career in reservations but ultimately share one common goal: a passion for creating the holiday of a lifetime in Botswana. Our business is built on our relationships with our agents and our suppliers. This is no different in the relationship between team leader and her teams (yes, all our Reservations Managers are women) and the consultant and his/her administrator/s where the nurturing of potential into expertise is taken very seriously.
And so it should be, as the administrator of today, fresh out of university, is our consultant of tomorrow. This is not only about growing tourism in Botswana, but about our success and sustainability as a business. Developing destination, supplier and consulting expertise is done through a tried and tested model of formal training, one on one on the job training and rigorous feedback processes.
Formal training includes induction for the newbies (as we call them) on our processes and technology as well as ongoing destination and supplier training for the more experienced staff. This may include visiting local establishments on what we call educationals, designed to introduce our staff to the various properties they are selling, how these properties compare with each other, what properties suit which kind of clients as well as how to combine properties into an exciting itinerary. Our suppliers regularly pop in to keep staff up to date on developments. Most recently this included Bushways erecting tents in the office garden to give our newer staff a feel of the tents and amenities. Our consultants (as well as consultants in training) also participate in itinerary training where they are required to put an itinerary together to a specific scenario. Individual itineraries are critiqued by the group, exposing staff to different ways to think about an itinerary, seeing different combinations of properties, encouraging them to not only sell their tried and tested. All of this aims to achieve our vision of creating inspiring travel experiences for our agents and their clients. Our newest development has been the updating of our meet and greet training for our newbies. This training is designed to help staff develop the knowledge and skills to offer the critical ground handling services we extend to our travellers.
Beyond formal training, one on one job training together with ongoing feedback through regular desk checks and bi annual performance reviews ensure our staff get the necessary affirmation on where they are doing well and advice on where they can improve. This helps our staff prepare for promotion up the reservations ladder. All of our team leaders, who are home grown having been consultants at SD, have also received management training. Just over half of our consultants are Batswana who have been trained, developed and promoted via these learning and development strategies. Our newest crop of consultants, promoted in October 2022, are Lisa, DK and Kea S (the S is very important as we have three Kealebogas on the team). These Associate Consultants as we call them, are currently working closely with their team leaders in developing their consulting and destination expertise. In the last month, they have all started working with an administrator and are now engaging in supervisory training to support the new skill set required. This will prepare them for promotion to the next level of consultant namely, Intermediate Consultant. From there is upwards to Senior Consultant.
Structures and criteria for advancement are clearly articulated and transparent to staff allowing them to see the potential for growth and their career they have at Safari Destinations. Our HR Manager, Sarah likes to say “We don’t hire people for jobs at SD. We hire for careers’’.
Our support staff’s training and development is equally important as that of our res staff and skills training specific to their disciplines as well as supervisory and management training is also vital for this collective. Similar performance processes are followed.
Development is one of the core values of Safari Destinations and is a value that we believe needs to be in evidence, every day. Our vision is “Proudly local, dynamic and passionate, together we create inspiring travel experiences, enriching lives for all.’’ We believe our learning and development strategies at SD are a key contributor to achieving this vision.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
Maybe, be a Bush Pilot: All it takes is a great Botswana travel experience
A great safari is punctuated by many unique and life-altering experiences. As your experts on the ground, we are uncompromising in providing a unique tailor-made experience that allows for a complete immersion into the bush experience. A remarkable safari experience always includes being surrounded by untouched and pristine wilderness, the most exclusive and beautiful lodges, and being in proximity to abundant wildlife.
At Safari Destinations we have an exceptional travel experiences team that is on hand to meet guests at Maun airport and assist them with arrival or departure processes, gets feedback from guests on their travel experience, help with lost luggage and anything else the guests need assistance with. Meet-and-greets are incredible since they provide us and in turn our agents with a brilliant opportunity to receive honest feedback from our guests, who remain our trusted authorities in what makes an authentic and beautiful safari experience. Here is a small selection of some of our most recent feedback shared with our Travel Experiences Manager Angela Masisi-Makula.
Here we share a small selection of clients’ feedbacks:
A change in perspective:
“After being flown all over the Delta, she thinks it is time to change careers and be a Bush Pilot.” Our Travel Experiences Manager Angela Masisi–Makula recounts one of our guests’ feedback at a meet-and-greet arriving with Moremi Air from Splash Camp to Maun. Splash Camp, nestled in the heart of the Okavango, served as their best lodge experience and they enjoyed abundant game viewing, including lions, a leopard, and cheetah on one of their game drives.
Already planning a return trip to Botswana:
Our clients, a family of six, were happy to be met and to share their lion tracking experience. They mentioned that after two days of tracking and looking for lions, this morning, they were impressed to see a pride of five, they spent 45 minutes at this sighting taking incredible photos. The accommodation surpassed their expectations and Machaba Camp was their highlight. They raved about the food, which was in their own words of Michelin standards. They are already planning a return trip to Botswana
Share this experience with my new love:
“Can you believe I have been dating my woman (pointing at his partner) for only two months and I decided to bring her to Botswana?” Our guest described his incredible safari experience to Angela. He revealed that he was in Maun and the Okavango Delta three years ago and had the time of his life and, therefore, wanted to share this experience with his new partner. He truly believes that Botswana is a “Little Heaven on Earth”.
Difficult to pick a single highlight from the amazing experience:
When inquiring about their safari experience, our guests concurred that they have had an amazing time and loved every bit of their safari. It was hard for them to pick a highlight, as all the places they visited were unique and offered something special. Kwando Tau Pan, however, seemed to have been a favorite, as on one of their game drives they saw six lion cubs with two lionesses, and this was such a breathtaking sight. The couple loved and appreciated Pom Pom for its remoteness. The service all round was excellent, there was nothing they could fault about this holiday.
A scene from National Geographic:
It was at Gomoti Plains where they had their most significant sighting, a female cheetah and five of her cubs. The cheetah was teaching its cubs to hunt, and they witnessed a kill (the cheetah on an impala) and it seemed like a scene from National Geographic. Once the impala had succumbed to its fate, they dragged it to the cubs, who did not waste time feasting. They took so many photos of the cubs with their bloody mouths. At Linyanti Bush Camp on their game drive heading towards camp, the guide paused the vehicle and told them he could “smell” a leopard. Amid their amazement and curiosity, five meters away from their game viewer, indeed was a leopard and they could not believe it.
Amazing Experience for the kids at Young Explorers:
The children said that they have had an incredible time and saw a lot at the Young Explorers Camp. Their highlight was two African Wild Dogs chasing a leopard that went up a tree. During their sightings, they also saw four cheetahs, elephants, and impalas to name a few. The only big cat they did not see was a lion and they made a comment that they will have to come back on a “lion Safari” next time.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
FROM THRILLING GAME VIEWING IN THE DELTA TO TRANQUILITY IN THE PANHANDLE
Recently, a colleague and I had a truly well-rounded Okavango Delta experience. We enjoyed the thrilling game sightings of Shinde, the water ways and game drives at Splash Camp before ending up at the lushness of Setari Camp in the Panhandle. Technically, the Panhandle is the Okavango Delta, but it offers an entirely different experience.
We were captivated from the word go. Heading off to SHINDE CAMP, we were picked up from the airstrip and told that it’s a 40 minutes game drive to camp. Being 10am, we expected a relaxing drive with little game, perhaps the odd impala, zebra or elephant. To our amazement, we saw a cheetah mother and her two cubs relaxing on an ant hill. Then after speaking on his radio, our guide asked if we wanted to see something awesome which turned out to be a pride of lions with baby cubs. All this within 40 minutes of arriving in the Delta! Complimenting the game experience was Shinde Camp itself. This camp is for everyone: families, groups, honeymooners. Shinde Enclave even has its own chef and private guide. Two nights is just not enough time to enjoy the splendour of this camp.
Our next stop was SPLASH CAMP. After the amazing sighthings before, we jokingly told our guide that Shinde had set the bar very high and Splash was unlikley to match what we had already seen. And what did the tracker pull out of the hat? A honey badger, quite a rare sighting! We were beyond excited. That was followed up during our stay with a large pride of lions numbering 17 with at least 5 males and numerous lionesses and cubs. We even got to see a hyena taking a mud bath in the middle of the day to cool off, while checking out a nearby impala. The impala was clearly not getting the memo that it could be lunch! There is boating at this camp and water permitting, mokoro rides are also on offer. Set in a private concession, this is a real escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Both Shinde and Splash camps are in game rich areas and there was constant action during our stay!
It was then that Keneilwe and I were off to SETARI CAMP located in the Panhandle. This was a different experience all together. Huge Papyrus, big reeds line the water ways and the very tall Palm trees give this area a lush “jungle” feel. With water as far as the eye can see, boating and mokoro rides are available all year round. As you navigate the waterways, your guide will delight you with stories of life in the Panhandle and even show you how to make hats and necklaces from reeds and water lily pads. The bird life is truly spectacular. Walking through the village is a must do with beautiful original Setswana mud huts and dancing children. Take advantage of helicopter flights to see this part of the Delta by air. But most of all, put your feet up with something to drink in your and enjoy the tranquillity of the Panhandle
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
MEMORIES AND MAGICAL MOMENTS ON SAFARI
Every single day, we at Safari Destinations, have the privilege of interacting with our clients in Maun, hearing about their wonderful safaris. Excited by their experiences in the bush, our guests are more than eager to share their feedback with us. Our clients are so thrilled to be travelling again, agreeing that travel is still much needed and that there is no better time to go on safari than now!
Elicited by our Meet and Greet team, here is some of the feedback received in the last couple of weeks (we struggled with the selection since we had so many wonderful stories to choose from).
A FAMILY’S DREAM COMES TRUE AT SHINDE CAMP
“Shinde was by far the highlight of their trip. In enquiring why this was so, we were told that they had the best Guide ever in the history of their safari holidays. Our guests commented that they have been to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana with Botswana having been the best just because of their guide, Kenny, at Shinde Camp. The whole family commented that Kenny was an absolute gem. He was very knowledgeable (he even knew the scientific and latin names of plants and animals), was fun (extremely entertaining), and catered for the young ones and keeping them very interested each and every game drive. They mentioned that a Guide can make or break a trip or experience and fortunately for them, Kenny truly enhanced their experience. Their game drives were nothing short of spectacular. They saw everything that they wanted to see and even got to witness a Lion kill, just like you see on National Geographic. This family really were happy and could not stop expressing their satisfaction with their whole entire trip.”
NOGATSAA PANS LODGE: A GEM & THE CHERRY ON TOP!
Although the focus of a safari is the wildlife sightings, the landscapes and the sheer bliss of being out under the African sky, the staff in camp contribute hugely to the overall experience. A warm welcome, a beautiful smile and the kindness of the people in camp who are more than ready to make sure that all your needs are met during your stay, adds to the pleasure of your stay. Nogatsaa delivered in this aspect!
“Nogatsaa Pans Camp: Clients raved that the Manageress Ketsile, had phenomenal people skills and was just incredibly friendly. Allan, who was their Guide for their entire stay was also an asset and made their sightings just extra special. He was very knowledgeable and very flexible. They can’t compare the welcome and hospitality that they received anything they had experienced on other trips.
SELF-DRIVING IN BOTSWANA! WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
It is great to go on a self-drive trip. Our guests are enjoying the open and flat landscapes while driving through the Makgadikgadi pans, to road side sightings of elephants aplenty in the famous Chobe area to the rustic and pristine Savute and then Khwai with its exceptional game viewing. The bonus to self-drives is that you get to spend dedicated time with family or close friends.
“ The clients absolutely loved the Makgadikgadi and her beautiful sunsets and sunrises as well as the vast nothingness of the landscape. Kubu Lodge was also a great place to stay as Chobe was buzzing with hundreds of elephants. They had never seen anything like this before.
Savuti was “ Lion land”. They saw a total of 15 Lions at one sighting, with cubs. This for them was very special. The experience of being in the wilderness (unguided) with mother nature delivering in such a spectacular manner, was simply remarkable. The landscape here was also breath-taking. Khwai also was just awesome. On one drive, clients saw a dead impala up a tree and they both guessed that they were about to see a Leopard. And there it was! They were so excited and told me about the many video clips they took of their “special” sighting and moment. This was their first time visiting Southern Africa and they could not believe their luck.”
These are just some of the feedbacks from the many guests we have hosted over the past months. We love to hear of the magical moments experienced by our guests and to share in the memories they will take back home to tell to their families and friends! This is one of the best parts of our job, being allowed to share such amazing experiences.
As Carina always says: “Every day not spent on safari is lost day”. I am sure our guests, after a safari of a lifetime, will agree. The African travel bug is the one that bites the hardest.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
‘FUNKY TOWN MAUN’ – a MUST Visit!
Maun is becoming more and more of a popular hot spot in Botswana! This cosmopolitan village, home to many people from all over Botswana and the world, showcases its diversity in what is on offer to the traveller. Restaurants cater traditional Setswana & international cuisine. Cultural tours and art exhibitions give you a glimpse of life in Botswana, a perspective often hidden to the average traveller. Breweries creating local beer and gin tantalise the taste buds. Stay for more than just a few hours in Maun! Overnight and check out these amazing cool things to do in Maun, activities that we have chosen especially for you and your family.
THE MAUN IMMERSIVE CULTURAL TOUR
The locals agree that this is what has been missing in Maun. This tour offers an opportunity to visit all the cool and interesting parts of Maun, to get up close and personal with the locals instead of just ‘a hello’ and ‘goodbye’ at the airport! This Immersive Cultural Experience is about getting to know the ways of life of the Batswana, learning about our customs and traditions, while having your host share first hand anecdotes about living in Botswana.
To learn more about our culture, explore Maun with one of our local hosts on your next Botswana Safari. www.yourbotswanaexperience.com
AKACIA CAFÉ
Meet Ednah Rosen, a local Motswana restauranteur and author, who is passionate about sharing Setswana culture through cuisine and entertainment. Treat yourself to Edna’s local delicacies including a deliciously refreshing ginger drink made the Setswana way, Tswi (waterlilies grown in the Delta waters) or Seswaa (pounded meat) when available. If you are lucky, you may be in Maun on a night where the Café is lit up and vibing with either local poets or musicians doing their thing. Akacia Café is located next to Nhabe Museum which is currently being resuscitated and revitalised. The Museum also exhibits Botswana artists.
OKAVANGO CRAFT BREWERY
“A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but its better to be thoroughly sure!” This Czech proverb couldn’t be more right especially when faced with a Botswana thirst! Visit the Okavango Craft Brewery, Northern Botswana’s first ever licensed microbrewery, based here in Maun. The Brewery offers a variety of unique millet craft beers, with most ingredients straight from the Okavango Delta. Here’s your chance to literally taste the Delta.
In addition of making very tasty local beer; through their partnership with local NGO Ecoexist, local farmers residing in the area now have the opportunity to be linked to and benefit from a new market, offering some reward for their efforts to coexist with elephants, and creating sustainable, inclusive growth for the local economy of the Okavango region. Their products give consumers the choice to support both farmers and wildlife, while enjoying quality products. For more details go onto the Okavango Craft Brewery website and read more about their amazing community work in partnership with Ecoexist. https://okavangocraftbrewery.com
THE DUCK CAFÉ BAR
Just outside Maun International Airport, you will find the Duck Café Bar. Named after one of Maun’s most historic bars from the pioneering days of this dusty hamlet, experience this fresh, funky version. A quick walk from the airport, our guests are over the moon about this new restaurant and raving about it, especially the coffee. This restaurant provides the yummy fresh juices & tasty food with produce procured locally. Pop in and see what the fuss is all about.
KURU ART EXHIBITION
Currently in Maun at the Duck Café Bar, the Kuru Art Exhibition offers a unique experience of viewing San Bushmen art. Using a range of techniques such as oils, linocuts, lithographs, dry point engravings as well as traditional techniques to create ostrich jewellery and prints, experience the variety of art produced by 15 artists and over 50 craft products involved in the Kuru Art Project located in D’Kar, in the Ghanzi district.
A special gift for friends and family will support a community where 70% of the population is unemployed. If, however you miss this exhibition the online shop is stocked and ready for you to do some shopping. https://craftedbotswana.com/products/
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
Crunch Crunch below the Milky Way
Imagine a place of peace, solitude and intense silence only broken by the moaning sound of the wind. Where it could just be you for miles and miles with no other living soul.
Imagine standing in the middle of an ancient lake that dried up thousands and thousands of years ago. A place that has a wealth of archaeological sites, yielding both fossil remains and tools from the Stone Age and Early Iron Age. A place that looks the same as it did thousands of years ago
Yes, it does exist!
Located in the north-east of Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve and south-east of the Okavango Delta lies a complex of huge, flat salt pans, collectively known as the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The word Makgadikgadi derives from the word “kgala” which means thirst or dried up.
These pans capture the heart and imagination with its startling, moonlike landscape that cover an area of 12,000 km², they represent the ultimate escape back in time maybe, the only place where you can be transported to 1000 years ago. The landscape is entirely flat, creating a delusional feeling of eternity.
If you have spent an evening in nature you will know that magical feeling of looking up and seeing the night sky flood with stars. You are reminded that we share the universe is with all sorts of fascinating objects, each one more perplexing than the next.
Just before sunset, a dark red band lays about the western horizon while to your east the sky is filled with ribbons of pink, lilac and blue-grey. Jupiter and Saturn come out first thing at nightfall and start their journey across the sky setting below the southwest horizon. As the night gets deeper a bright object rises in the east sky, she is Venus, you get a good glimpse of her before sunrise. As you keep looking at the east sky just after midnight you see the yellow-orange shine from the Red Planet (Mars). The sky is truly there to put on a show for you. Its dry climate and remote location make its night skies among the clearest and darkest in the world. On a moonless night the Milky Way arcs over you like a giant swathe of smoke.
The granite basement, flanked by the Karoo rocks, within the Kalahari Sand give a crunch, shattering the salt-crusted surface underfoot. A combination of arid climate and soaring temperature on the vast Ntwetwe and Sowa Pans make it quite inhospitable for most of the year; with no bird insight (apart from the odd crow, of late) not an insect, tree or shrub that disrupts the horizon.
In contrast, during the wet/summer season Sowa Pans becomes flooded and turns into a sea of endless water. The myriad of powder blue lakes and verdant landscapes form to become a hub of wildlife activity. The pans attract huge flocks of Lesser and Greater Flamingos making the sky bright pink creating a picturesque view against the blue and whites.
During the dry season, November/December the rains in the Makgadikgadi area triggers the Zebra migration, the second largest migration in Africa, where the herds will travel for a few weeks from the Okavango Delta/ Moremi area to feed on the nutritious grass of the Makgadikgadi. They settle in for around three months, with March being when Zebras are massing for the return trip north or east to their dry feeding grounds.
Our visits to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans have always left our heart full of feeling completely immersed in nature. It’s desolate and beautiful.
Desert and Delta’s Leroo La Tau and Natural Selection’s Meno A Kwena offer a complimentary Makgadikadi Pans sleep-out experience for guests staying 3-nights or more. The experience may be requested and booked between July and October.
TIP: Include a scenic helicopter flight as a transfer (30mins) for a truly remarkable experience
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
Dare to explore Botswana’s fascinating world heritage sites!
It is often, that whenever reality and change merge we discover new places. The year 2020 has taught us that. As we start to look forward to what lies ahead. I would like to take pride in our land and honour the legacy and the heritage that our ancestors have left behind for us… Hidden gems that are unscathed and are still sacred and unknown by most. Heritage sites are said to have the power to heal the body, enlighten the mind, and inspire the heart. For your unique and extraordinary experience we put together a list of places in Botswana that we hold dear to our hearts for your next travels.
GCWIHABA CAVES – OKAVANGO DELTA
Photo credit to Andre Mais
Gcwihaba is a fascinating underground labyrinth of caverns and pits, linked passages, fantastical stalagmite and stalactite formations, and beautifully coloured flowstones that appear like waterfalls of rock. Gcwihaba has been part of the Kalahari ecosystem for almost three million years. It was formed during an age when the area was much wetter. There have been dramatic climatic variations alternating very wet with very dry periods.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited by foraging peoples thousands of years ago. Late Stone Age tools, burnt ostrich eggshells, animal bones, even a fossilised primate skull, have been unearthed in the region. Indeed the caves hold important clues to the way prehistoric peoples related to their environments.
Gcwihaba is a designated National Monument and a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get there: Located in one of the most remote parts of Botswana, The Gcwihaba Caves can only be reached via a long and arduous 4×4 Nokaneng route, using a well equipped 4×4 vehicle. The road goes 122 kilometers west of Nokaneng to Xangwa village. From Xangwa, drive south to Xai-xai Village. The cave is a further 36km south east of Xai-xai village.
TSODILO HILLS
Xonte, a San “Bushman” guide at the Van der Post panel of rock art, Tsodilo Hills
The Tsodilo Hills are one of the most historically significant rock art sites in the world, consisting of rock paintings, rock shelters, depressions, and small caves. Nobody knows the exact age of the paintings although some are thought to be more than 20 000 years old, whilst others are merely a century old.
For the people who live at the Hills – the San, the original inhabitants, and the Hambukushu who have periodically occupied the hills for the past 200 years – Tsodilo is a sacred, mystical place where ancestral spirits dwell. In earlier times, their ancestors performed religious rituals to ask for assistance, and for rain. They also put paintings on the rock face; and their meaning and symbolism remain a mystery even to today.
Exploring the three main Hills – Male, Female, and child – is a journey into antiquity. Archaeological research – ongoing for the past 30 years – estimates that Tsodilo has been inhabited for the past 100 000 years, making this one of the world’s oldest historical sites. Pottery, iron, glass beads, shell beads, carved bone and stone tools date back 90 000 years.
Because their tremendous historical and cultural importance, Tsodilo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
How to get there: From Maun, take the main tar road to Shakawe, 370km. The hills are 40km from Shakawe on a dirt road. The track to Tsodilo hills can only be negotiated with four-wheel-drive vehicles. If you want to make this a half day trip you can always fly in with a helicopter from Maun or the Delta.
TSWAPONG HILLS – MOREMI GORGE
Moremi Gorge is situated deep within the hills, which can only be reached by a rather taxing climb, Moremi Gorge is the source of three permanent waterfalls. The first two are smaller, but fan out into large waterholes, whilst the uppermost falls is a full ten-meters high, giving rise to spectacular scenes of clear water cascading over rocky outcrops, then collecting in a deeply hidden, lushly vegetated, fern-fringed lagoon.
The Moremi Gorge is a designated National Monument and is managed by the Department of National Museum, Monuments and Art Gallery. For self drives this would definitely be worth a stopover.
How to get there: Goo‐Moremi Gorge in Palapye, is a 2 hour drive from the Martins Drift border. Ideal for overnight travellers to Maun and Moremi Game Reserve.
THE CHOBE LINYANTI SYSTEM
Chobe National Park is home to Africa’s largest elephant population and comprises more than 10,000km2 of rich ecosystems and diverse landscapes. Most parts of the area such as the Linyanti and Selinda reserve are still intact as they are the least visited, and have retained its pristine environment. Chobe National Park is the third largest park in the country, which in itself is divided into three different ecosystems.
The Serondela area: also known a the Chobe riverfront, is located in the northeast part of the park, characterized by lush green plains and dense forests. The riverfront attracts large herds of Elephants and Buffalo, offering fantastic photographic opportunities as they bathe and drink in the late afternoon sunlight.
In the furthest corner of Chobe National Park lies the Linyanti region. Secluded and remote, this short strip of marshy river frontage connects Chobe to the Okavango Delta. It has only a handful of safari camps and as such offers a highly intimate safari experience. There are large concentrations of lions, leopards, wild dogs, roan antelopes, sable antelopes, hippopotamuses above all enormous herds of elephants.
The Savuti Region: The Savuti area borders the Delta to the west, boasting of rich grasslands, savannah woodland and a large mixture of trees and vegetation, which makes wildlife particularly dynamic in this section of the park. Savuti is famous for its mysterious and fascinating channel that brings water from the Chobe to Mababe, creating a small marsh where it enters the Mababe Depression.
Magnificent Rock Art at Savuti!
Overlooking the Savuti channel is a group of rocky outcrops, which are referred to as the Gubatsa Hills. Though these hills house ancient San bushmen rock art of a similar style and outlined in red-ochre (similar to the nearest rock paintings found at Tsodilo Hills) they seem to have been done by different groups of people.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba
Where there are storms, there are clouds
Botswana is known for her incredible skies, huge impressive clouds often build up all day for a short, late afternoon thunderstorm. Not only does this welcome ‘pula’ (the Setswana word for rain in Botswana), the rain also washes the air clear of dust, making for crisp afternoon game-drive photos.
Sunrises and sunsets are especially beautiful as the sky turns gold, pink, red and every colour in between, lighting up the clouds dramatically and creating more spectacular photo opportunities.
Pula is so precious that our money is named after it (and we also use it as a good fortune toast during drinks with friends). It is so special to us, as it transforms the land into a lush environment, full leafed acacia trees cast deep cool shade and wild flowers start to bloom which makes everything seem more charming. The acres of green grass and verdant leaves, sustain hundreds of thousands of grazers, which sustain thousands of predators. A whole ecosystem depends on pula and, of course, lots of our favourite safari activities like canoeing, boating and mokoro.
Botswana’s Green Season (starts mid November and ends early April) is one of our favourite times of the year. As the rains arrive so do the migrant birds from Europe, Asia and other parts of Africa. The carmine bee-eaters hovering over game-drive vehicles, waiting to snatch up bugs from the air, are exciting to watch. Kingfishers, kites, rollers and cuckoos embellish the air with extravagant song and colour. They stand out against the brilliant emerald foliage (even LBJs – ‘little brown jobs’ – look prettier). The pans are totally transformed by the magical pula and become havens for aquatic birds like flamingos and pelicans. Everywhere is good for birding – The Okavango Delta, Chobe river, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari, and the Linyanti wetlands. Even your non-birders will appreciate the beauty of it all.
Travelling in the Green Season comes with lower rates than in other times of the year. Guests who have always dreamt of coming to Africa might suddenly find that travelling in the ‘secret season’ is super-affordable. If time is not of essence, you can stay for longer and immerse yourself in the experiences wherever you are, especially with the excellent discounts and specials available to you.
The other unique element of Green Season is that it’s the time year when many baby antelope are born en masse. Species like impala give birth all around the same time to ensure as many of their babies survive as possible – not only is there enough grazing around for all of them but giving predators thousands of options reduce the chances that your specific baby will be killed, if you’re an impala mom. The point is that you’ll get to see wobbly calves and tiny foals, which is very special to witness.
So, whether it’s bright green, dark green, light green or any green in between, the Green Season has plenty to offer. Yes, the longer grass makes animals slightly harder to find but it’s so rewarding when you do. Lower rates, fewer people, happy wildlife and pretty skies – what more do you want in Botswana!
TIP: Visit the Safari Destinations Agents Corner to get a glimpse of the Best In Travel package overviews curated for the green season.
Posted by
Caroline Mokaba