Luxury Botswana

Take game drives and night drives in custom built 4x4s to spot the unique desert wildlife that inhabit the pans, like the elusive brown hyena or Kalahari lion. Your experienced safari guide will help you discover a desert landscape, pulsating with life. Complete with bush picnics, morning coffees and chilled drinks.

Get up close and personal with our families of meerkats. Leaving camp as the sun begins to rise you will accompany these inquisitive members of the mongoose family as they set off in search of their breakfast. Walk amongst them (you're not allowed to touch or feed them) and if you take a seat you might be lucky enough to be mistaken for a termite mound, where you'll be used as a look out point for predators.

Discover the secrets of the pans with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a fascinating bush walk. See this ancient desert landscape through their eyes. These skilled hunter gatherers will show you how to survive, using their extraordinary tracking skills to uncover a smorgasbord of culinary delights... from bulbs, to scorpions, to berries. Spending time with them is a very rare privilege.

Saddle up to explore this wild, unspoilt area in the same way many of the earliest explorers, hunters

and missionaries did – on horseback! You’ll embark on an adventurous outride (for all level riders). This is an exhilarating way to spot wildlife, cantering along the crusty salt flats and following the animal

highways that bring life to the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

This is pure desert adventure! Take an exhilarating quad bike across the salt-crusted pans (all pan activity is weather permitting and dependent on the dryness of the pans). You’ll feel total freedom as you trek across this vast and ancient landscape, discovering so much about the remnants of this once super lake.

Seasonal: April - October

A visit to the Fallen Baobab - one of the three largest and oldest trees in Africa and reputedly the campsite of Livingstone and Selous.

Witness the second largest migration in Africa. A stonking spectacle of black and white stripes

as approximately 30,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate across the Makgadikgadi Pans, followed closely by stalking predators, waiting for the rich pickings of tired hooves. This is a wildlife explosion and an experience not to be missed!

This really is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the Makgadikgadi Pans, doors off (or on), to take in the vastness of this desert landscape. You’ll go in search of the zebra and flamingo migrations (if timed correctly), get dropped on an island of baobabs for lunch, do a bit of sunset sky surfing as you follow the palm tree linings and tell all your friends about it all when you get home.

Grab a fat bike and peddle around the Makgadikgadi Pans. This is a really fun activity for the whole family, and an ideal way to get some exercise. These bikes can easily cruise over the desert terrain, taking you along 4x4 tracks and around the crusty salt flats. Keep a look out for sightings of wildlife, while breathing in the beautiful scenery, alongside the desert silence.

If you are in need of some serious time out, then one of our spa treatments is your perfect escape. Our professional therapist will put you in seventh heaven. Book a back massage overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment from the privacy of your tent. Whichever you decide, you’ll walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are one of the most important breeding sites in southern Africa for

the lesser and greater flamingos. These flying flame birds, arrive in their millions during seasons of good rain, when millions of small shrimp and other crustaceans crack through the salty pan crust to spawn. The result, a pink extravaganza in the heat of the desert. You can also heli to Sua Pan to view the flamingos in Mar - Apr (scenic helicopter flight must be booked at an additional cost).

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Explore the wilderness on twice daily game drives, and encounter the rich wildlife of the Linyanti. The open 4x4 vehicles allow us to host four guests at a time, with each guest having a ‘window’ seat, thereby offering a more exclusive experience and dedicated time with your passionate guide. Highlights include witnessing fascinating predator interactions, and large elephant herds. Plains game, and the amazing birdlife diversity, offer fantastic sightings as well.

Experience the thrill of a night drive using spotlights to find some of the most amazing, elusive nocturnal animals. These often include lesser bushbabies, spring hares, aardwolf, servals, large spotted genets and, if you are extremely lucky, the elusive pangolin.

Walking in the wild with skilled, armed guides are a wonderful way of being closer to nature. Observe the smaller creatures that you may miss when travelling by vehicle.

* Seasonal and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide.

Explore the Linyanti River by barge, perfect for lunches, picnics, or sundowners. Glide past sleeping hippos, or find crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the lagoon. Water-based game viewing at its finest.

* Water levels permitting.

Boating is another idyllic form of water wildlife viewing in the remarkable Linyanti. Search for those elusive birds so prevalent in calm channel waters.

* Water levels permitting.

Fishing is on a catch and release basis, with camp providing a small stock of basic rods and reels, whereas all fly fishing equipment is to be supplied by guests if required.

* Note that fishing is seasonal as it is prohibited by Botswana law in January and February due to breeding purposes.

Birding is outstanding here, from Okavango specials to mopane woodland species. The Savuti Channel is famous for its high concentration of eagles and raptors. This paradise is internationally recognised as an IBA (Important Bird Area) so do keep your binoculars close at hand!

At the wellness centre, the fully qualified, in-house therapist team offer signature treatments using natural body care products, drawing on bespoke scents developed to capture the essence of soulful relaxation and restoration.

The range of treatments on offer complements the holistic health and wellness journey that is a Wilderness DumaTau safari – and ties guest activities back to the camp’s stated purpose. Time in the wilderness has always had the potential to revitalise the spirit, and at Wilderness DumaTau, this has been taken to the next level through meaningful layers of experiences.

This spa sanctuary is further enhanced by the reimagined menu, which draws on locally sourced ingredients to provide healthier meals that add to the wellness journey, and are in tune with both Botswana’s agricultural heritage, and the latest thinking on nutrition, authentic flavours and sustainable farming.

Nestled into the lush bush for privacy is The Osprey Retreat which includes a drinks and snack counter area, gym, and a Safari Boutique.

* All treatments at an additional cost.

The outdoor stargazing/floating fire deck will continue to be a highlight for guests as they are almost immersed in the wondrous Linyanti River. The perfect spot for a sundowner!

While at Selinda Camp there is no set routine, the wildlife knows the most forgiving times of day, and we take its lead. Early morning, late afternoon and evenings are the prime wildlife viewing times - it's when the colors are vibrant, the sun is low and spirits are up. Setting out at dawn, when predators are active, our guides are as keen as the guests to discover the riches of each day in Selinda Reserve. Usually, once the sun is high and strong, we retreat with the herds to our midday resting post, Selinda Camp. Then, as the sun begins to wane again, we head out for the late afternoon to evening, searching for nocturnal wildlife and the action that comes with sunset. Our Toyota Land Cruisers have been specially designed. The thoughtful engineering provides all-round visibility with removable canvas roofs and comfortable bucket seats. These rugged, 4X4 vehicles provide access to all of the Selinda Reserve's diverse ecosystems, and do so with ease. Please remember that the cars are open and it can be quite chilly in the early mornings and evenings, so take very warm clothing with you on your drives.

Another huge benefit of staying within the conservancies is that here guests are allowed to appreciate the stunning landscape on foot, peacefully, without the noise of engines. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Talk to the managers to arrange a good time and location for a walk. Usually early morning or evening is the best time, as the middle of the day is too hot to venture out of the shade. Wear good walking shoes, a hat, and neutral coloured clothing so as not to alarm the wildlife, and take binoculars. Your guide will have water for you.

Selinda is primarily a land-based camp; however, depending on seasonal water levels boating is possible on the Spillway in the camp powerboat. Zipping through the Okavango’s network of waterways is an invigorating way to get a sense of the scope of this huge wetland. You’ll undoubtedly have wonderful birding and maybe even some hippo, buffalo and elephant sightings.

This is a great activity during mid-day siesta or in place of a safari drive. During January and February there is a moratorium on fishing. All fishing is catch-and-release.

This is a full syllabus of bush craft skills for young explorers. This is a complimentary program that follows in the footsteps of National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, Dereck and Beverly Joubert. An extensive pack will be provided to eager children on arrival, so they can learn about animal calls, how to track wildlife, and other facts and figures about the wild. At the end of a child’s stay, he/she will become a Young Explorer and Conservation Ambassador - ready to go out and tell the world about what they have learned and what they too can do to help protect this beautiful environment.

Each of Selinda's guest suites comes with a pair of high-quality binoculars for guest use as well as a professional camera set, including a camera body and lenses. Photos will be downloaded to a memory stick on guest’s departure. Photographic tuition through the Great Plains Wild Studio can be arranged for guests (at an additional cost and booked in advance). Tuition can be either on company cameras or own guest’s personal cameras.

Camera set and binoculars for guests' use Credit: Selinda Camp guest suite

The Spa at Selinda is a relaxing and inviting space, located privately above the wine cellar. Spa treatments are at an additional cost.

The Selinda Spa Credit: Great Plains Conservation

Enjoy an aerial viewing experience with great scenery across the Linyanti/Savuti and Selinda Spillway. Add a 15-minute champagne stop on palm island en route. Must be booked in advance and is subject to extra cost and availability.

Helicopter scenic flights Credit: Great Plains Conservation

Game drives are undertaken in custom designed Toyota game viewing vehicles seating up to four guests at a time in 3 rows of 3 seats. Guests are guided by a two person team of professional guide and tracker - a special feature of the Kwando Safaris wildlife experience. The two person team enables the guide to communicate points of interest and the complex interrelations that exist throughout the natural world, while the tracker ensures no sightings or tracks are missed.

The evening/night drives are a Kwando Safaris speciality. The drive starts in the late afternoon as the sun’s rays are dipping to the west and the day’s heat is declining. After a leisurely pause for the traditional sundowner, and as the African day is transformed into a soft colourful evening canvas, the night drive begins. The mystery unfolds as the creatures of the night, especially the predators, are revealed by spotlight, often unexpectedly.

The traditional dug out canoe is surely the definitive Okavango Delta experience. The complete stillness of an early morning, disturbed only by the sound of the water dripping from the ‘ngashe’ (wooden pole used to move the canoe), and the eerie call of the fish eagle echoing across the water, is a sublime experience. The mokoro was designed to move across areas with low water levels by the indigenous peoples who inhabited the Delta and who explored the waterways and floodplains in search of food. Today, these same mokoro provide an opportunity to glide through this varied and unique habitat using the traditional skills handed down through the generations

The boat experience is a soothing tonic, a contrast to the vigorous efforts of searching for mammals from a vehicle or on foot. Sit back and while away the hours, stopping to gaze at a multitude of spectacular birds and bathing elephant and enjoy the vistas of the river systems. However, don’t be surprised should the peace be shattered by the snort of a territorial hippo warning the boat of his presence! Double-decker boats are used to provide a better vantage point and offer a wonderful position to enjoy the waterways and their varied inhabitants.

Species that are targeted by sports fisherman are several tilapia (bream) species (including the olive bream or nembwe, red breasted tilapia, purple faced largemouth and three spot tilapia), sharp tooth catfish, African pike and the mighty Tiger fish.

The Okavango is recognised as an excellent fishing destination for both fly fishing and traditional spin fishing. It is a seasonal activity as government regulations do not allow fishing during January and February.

Walking in Africa's wild areas is the only way to truly appreciate the natural environment. While game viewing from a vehicle allows one to see more animals as you traverse much greater distances and get much closer to animals safely, there is nothing as awe inspiring and humbling as observing wild animals on foot. Many smaller species of plants and insects, tracks and signs are all easily missed when in a vehicle. The slow pace of the walk and interpretative skills of your guide will open your eyes to a new and fascinating world.

Game walks are not hikes; they are slow comfortable strolls meant to provide you with a chance to experience the wilderness at a natural pace. Any walk can be combined with a game drive or mokoro and the length of walk can be adjusted to suit your personal desires or level of fitness.

Helicopter Horizons Scenic Flights are a totally personalised experience that is the quintessential
African safari, showcasing the very best of Kwando Safaris’ untamed wilderness in vibrant detail from a unique perspective that should be number one on every guest’s bucket list.

We use the helicopter to get guests deep into the Delta exposing permanent waterways, palm islands and lagoons, with sweeping views of floodplains and incredible game sightings. Doors are removed for unrestricted views which offers great photographic opportunities & guests are provided with headsets for constant communications with our very knowledgeable pilots, making sure that they have a guided and informed experience.

• All flights are private and guests are guaranteed a window seat
• Helicopter pads are moments away from camp
• Doors off for unrestricted views, perfect for photography
• Guests provided with headsets for a truly guided experience
• Safety and respect for wildlife is a priority – this will be highlighted in each briefing
• Any experience can be scheduled around camp activities or to suit guest preference

The Godikwe heronry begins to flourish from October / November months and becomes home to Yellow-billed storks, Marabou storks, Sacred ibises, Black-crowned night herons, African darters, Reed cormorants and egrets of all sizes who start their frantic phase of nest-building.

The sights, sounds and colours are remarkable! Water birds are a vital indicator of the health of a riverine ecosystem, and this heronry is a critical base for the laying, hatching and raising of thousands of birds in the Okavango Delta over the next few months.

Dining in the bush is the quintessential safari experience, an authentic and irresistible aspect of African bush culture. Enjoy the unique splendour of bush dining while staying at any of the Kwando camps.