2024 Botswana 13-Day Fly-In Safari (Gold)

Come and have high-tea with our herd of 20 resident giraffe! A real highlight when staying at Thamo Telele. Take a afternoon drive (or walk) to the local waterhole, perch yourself peacefully under the trees enjoying a sundowner and snacks, and wait for our unique ungulates to come and say hello. This is an ideal opportunity to closely observe giraffe displaying their natural behaviours. And whilst the giraffe are feeding, a whole host of other plains game and birdlife will join in on the action too. This unique experience, led by our naturalists on hand, is one not to be missed. You’ll learn all about giraffe conservation throughout Africa and the education programmes at Thamo Telele, as well as how to identify each giraffe by their unique patterning. Each of them has a Setswana name, and if in doubt there is an identification book for referencing to get it right.

Grab your comfiest walking shoes, your bino’s and ask at reception about the various self-guided nature walks you can do around the 250-hectare reserve. The well-marked trails are an ideal way to safely explore this private reserve while stretching your legs after or before a long flight while taking in the wonder of our wooded forest and diverse grasslands. The reserve is free of predators but abundant

in bird life and plains game. You’ll come across so many magical sightings, from the smallest critters, to beautiful big trees. And if you happen to stumble upon our resident giraffe, enjoy quietly observing them on foot.

Saddle up to explore this exquisite private reserve on horseback! You’ll embark on a professionally guided outride (forall level riders). This is an exhilarating way to get up close and personal with our resident giraffe, zebra and all the plains game that reside on the reserve.

Calling all bird lovers! Grab your binos, your bird book and your Natural Selection birding checklist to enjoy your very own birding safari at Thamo Telele. Being on this private reserve with over 300 species of birds, this is a hot-spot for bird lovers and a peaceful way to spend your time bird watching along the banks of the Thamalakane river.

Choose an early morning or afternoon bike ride on our nature trails. We offer off-road safari bikes and biking helmets for individuals, couples, or families with children. Choose guided or self-guided rides. You can also book a day’s biking safari where a professional guide will take you from camp, along the

Thamalakane river and off towards the buffalo fence looking for animals. But please note that bike excursions must be booked in advance.

Heli from camp to enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. This is an incredible opportunity to appreciate the vastness of the Delta when seeing it from above. From your seat, door off (or on) you’ll be able to spot game, take exceptional photos and follow the waterways and animal

pathways that shape this ancient wilderness.

Experience Botswana beyond wildlife and go on a cultural tour of the safari town of Maun. Learn about local customs and traditions from your host, intermingled with their own personal experiences. Feast your senses on the sights, smells and sounds when walking through the vibrant market place. Taste some traditional dishes at a local Café. Meet some of our resident talents and admire their crafts. Look

out for the BaHerero women dressed in their big, elaborate and colourful dresses. Try your hand at the ancient practice of basket weaving and hear the stories behind the beautiful patterns. This is an authentic glimpse of life in Botswana and an experience not to be missed.

Situated alongside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the focus of activities at Dinaka is exploring the Kalahari experience with wildlife ranging from giraffe to the antelope, small mammals like the honey badger, bat eared fox and porcupine to predators including the Kalahari lion, cheetah, leopard and brown hyena. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives conducted by a professional guide in specially-designed open safari vehicles allowing unhindered game viewing and photography.

When out on game drives our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle and individual use of a camera mount.

Birding is particularly spectacular as Dinaka hosts over 200 different bird species including the Kori Bustard and Crimson Breasted Shrike and a high concentration of Pale Chanting Goshawks.

Educational walks are conducted by San Bushman guides offering you an insight into this ancient culture, their survival techniques and historical way of life.

Year-round water holes result in spectacular photographic opportunities from the underground photographic bunker.

Activities include night drives heading out into the darkness with hopes of witnessing the nocturnal wildlife happenings.

Immerse yourself in a walking focused safari experience with our specialist guide.

Families can enjoy their guided walks accompanied by a young explorers Specialist Family guide.

The Sleep Out Deck offers guests a panoramic view and the opportunity to spend the night under the magnificent African night sky.

Enjoy sundowners on an elevated view.

Game drives are conducted with a professional guide in specially-designed vehicles this allows unhindered game viewing and photography.

Explore the Okavango Deltaʼs crystal clear waterways by motorboat, and enjoy the magnificent variety of bird, plant and reptile species found in the area.

Visit the Kanana Private Heronry, one of the largest breeding sights in Southern Africa.

Mokoro activities provide the chance to experience the incredible aquatic wildlife of the Okavango Delta, such as sitatunga, fish eagles, painted reed frogs and malachite kingfishers. Climb aboard a Mokoro with your ʻpolerʼ and enjoy exploring the Okavango Deltaʼs tranquil waterways.

Take a guided bush walk to gain a detailed understanding of this diverse environment, which features gems such as red lechwe bounding through marshy areas, a kaleidoscope of birdlife, plus predators and big game. Walks can also be taken on small islands where the extraordinary Pelʼs Fishing Owl is known to nest.

Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy motorboat trips to some of the Okavango Deltaʼs best fishing spots, for a chance to experience the beautiful surroundings before landing a variety of species such as tilapia and tiger fish, African pike and sharp tooth catfish.

Game drives often continuing into the evening offering the opportunity of seeing nocturnal inhabitants of the area.

Families can enjoy their guided walks accompanied by a young explorers Specialist Family guide.

Immerse yourself in a walking focused safari experience with our specialist guide.

The Sleep Out Deck offers guests a panoramic view and the opportunity to spend the night under the magnificent African night sky.

Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, guests can experience unhindered views in specially-designed safari vehicles. Our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle when out on game drives. The Moremi Game Reserve is rich in wildlife, and its consistent year-round game viewing makes it ideal for repeat and first-time visitors to Botswana. Guests can also explore the Okavango Delta waterways by motorboat, and the areas open lagoons and winding channels make it a birder's paradise, complete with herons and storks in the breeding season.

Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, guests can experience unhindered views in specially-designed safari vehicles. Our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle when out on game drives. The Moremi Game Reserve is rich in wildlife, and its consistent year-round game viewing makes it ideal for repeat and first-time visitors to Botswana.

Guests can also explore the Okavango Delta waterways by motorboat, and the areas open lagoons and winding channels make it a birder's paradise, complete with herons and storks in the breeding season.

Activities are centered around game drives throughout the Savute area in open 4x4 safari vehicles
Many trips will incorporate a visit to the famous Savute Marsh for your chance to see the historic presence of the Savute Channel at the marsh against a teeming backdrop of wildlife.

Guests will also enjoy a visit to the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, a small hilly outcrop which forms a remarkable landmark in the otherwise flat landscape.

Savute lays claim to a spectacularly large summer zebra migration, which is determined by the rains but usually occurs between November and December and again between February and April when the zebras move from the rivers in the north in search of the lush grasslands and full waterholes in the southeast of the park. They are always accompanied by a myriad of predators.

Game viewing on the Chobe River is most exceptional from March to November, when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile in search of food and water. Winter offers particularly dramatic sightings, while the spring and autumn shoulder seasons provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. During the summer rains, the landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of life, creating unique wildlife and birdwatching experiences.

Each day, guests venture out by tender boat to observe large herds of elephants, buffalo, lions, crocodiles, zebras, and more, all drawn to the river. The guides maintain a respectful distance, monitoring animal behaviour and adjusting the boat as needed to ensure minimal disruption. Guests will also encounter an impressive array of birdlife and plant species along the way.

No trip to the Chobe is complete without experiencing the thrill of fishing. On the Chobe River, it's not just about the catch – it’s about the adventure. Hooking a Tiger fish, one of Africa’s most sought-after species, is an experience anglers dream of. Known for their strength and speed, Tiger fish offer an exciting challenge that leaves guests with unforgettable memories.

Fishing safaris are conducted on a catch-and-release basis, ensuring the sustainability of the fish populations. The knowledgeable guides are dedicated to safely returning the fish to the water, allowing them to thrive for years to come.

Rates include all conventional fishing gear, such as rods, lures, lines, and reels. For those interested in fly fishing, it’s recommended to bring personal gear, as preferences can vary. This ensures each guest enjoys a fishing experience tailored to their needs.

With over 450 species, diverse terrains, and a stunning African backdrop, the Chobe River provides the ideal setting for a highly rewarding bird-watching safari. Birding season begins in September, with the arrival of migratory birds boosting the population by up to 20% compared to the winter months.

The prime time for birdwatching is early morning before breakfast, as various species leave their roosts and venture into the National Park. Guests aboard any of the three Chobe Princesses enjoy access to knowledgeable guides and tender boats, ensuring a truly rewarding birding experience.

Uninterrupted access to wild animals, absolute silence, and golden light make the Chobe River an unforgettable photographic safari destination, and one of Africa's top spots for wildlife photographers. To help capture that perfect moment, a custom-designed photographic safari boat is available on request, accommodating up to four clients in individual photographic seats.

The boat features custom-designed swivel chairs, offering greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter. Each seat is equipped with a mount for resting SLR cameras, and an experienced safari guide will assist in finding the perfect shot.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own photographic equipment, as it is not provided onboard. The recommended lens is an 80-400mm zoom for optimal results.

Travel by tender boat to a local Namibian village on the floodplains of the East Caprivi and meet the elders and locals of the Subiya tribe. Gain a deeper understanding of life in this 100-year-old village as you learn about their daily challenges, farming practices, and traditions.

The tour concludes with a vibrant display of traditional dancing and singing, where guests are welcome to join in the fun.

As a memento of your visit, consider purchasing a woven basket, beaded jewellery, or a carved wooden animal. The sale of these crafts helps empower the village by providing a valuable source of income. If you wish to bring gifts for the village children, items such as school stationery, books, or clothing are always highly appreciated.