5 of Botswana's Most Famous Places

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Arguably the most beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Africa, this game reserve lies in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Mopane tree canopies dominate the dry landscapes and the rest of the area is a combination of floodplain grasses, riverine woodland and permanent delta. The reserve supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and includes endangered wild dogs, herds of elephants and the ‘Big Five.’

Kubu Island

Kubu Island is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Botswana and was once described by Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson as the most astonishing place he’d ever been! It’s actually a dry granite rock island engulfed by a white sea of salt in the Makgadikgadi Pan. The island is now protected as a national monument, with visit proceeds going towards helping the local community.

Nxai Pan National park

Nearby this national park consists of Nxai Pan, which is one of the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats. Characterised by sand dunes, vast salt pans, the famous Baines baobab trees it’s a beautiful place which of course offers excellent opportunities to see bird and wildlife. Open all-year round, it’s located in northeastern Botswana so it’s easy to combine a visit with the nearby Okavango Delta and the Chobe.

Makgadikgadi Pan

Another place with an unearthly beauty is the Makgadikgadi pans, the largest salt pans in the world. Located in the middle of the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana, it’s the remains a huge lake which dried up thousands of years ago. The salt-encrusted pans are flat and arid and come complete with a skyline which appears to go on forever. Camping safaris to spot the resident zebra, wildebeest their predators are a good option for more adventurous travellers.

Okavango Delta

Arguably the most beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Africa, this game reserve lies in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Mopane tree canopies dominate the dry landscapes and the rest of the area is a combination of floodplain grasses, riverine woodland and permanent delta. The reserve supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and includes endangered wild dogs, herds of elephants and the ‘Big Five.’

The Ancient Fish River Canyon

Fish River Lodge in southern Namibia is the only lodge perched directly on the rim of the Fish River Canyon offering guests breathtaking views of the canyon from sunrise to sunset. Experience first hand the geological forces that unfolded 300 million years ago, when the Fish River began to etch its way through hard quartzite forming a Canyon 90 km long, making it the world's second largest Canyon. Set in a grove of ancient Quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma), the Lodge has been carefully designed to echo the terraced and rugged terrain as well as the colours and textures of the landscape thereby offering guests a pleasant change from the typical 'safari' type lodge found elsewhere in Africa. There is a blend of classical and contemporary furnishings and many of the accessories have been made by San and Nama communities whose ancestors once roamed the terrain; authenticity, comfort and simplicity are key to the Lodge's unique ambiance.

Rebuilt Wellness Facilities for Toka Leya Camp

Wilderness Safaris’ Toka Leya Camp, near Livingstone in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, has upgraded the wellness area and added a traditional Zambian massage to its spa menu. The new treatment can be enjoyed in the rebuilt spa or on guests’ private decks.

The wellness area has a separate spa treatment room with outdoor decking overlooking the Zambezi River, and a fitness room. The new spa treatment, Ukuchina, is an age-old massage technique that involves deep tissue massage using warm cloths on the body.

Toka Leya has 12 safari-style tents and an infinity pool.

The best lodges to see the wildebeest migration

The annual migration in East Africa is a memorable safari experience and a dream for many overseas visitors. Kim Emmanuel looks at some of the best places to stay when viewing the migration.

1.Sanctuary Serengeti Migration Camp
Robert Dixon, Senior Marketing & Digital Manager of Sanctuary Retreats, recommends the three of the group’s camps to best enjoy the wildebeest migration. “Rain is what motivates the migration and rules where the herds will be throughout the year,” said Dixon, adding that the best time to visit is July to October.
Sanctuary Serengeti Migration Camp in Tanzania is a seasonal camp that is located in the Western Serengeti from April – July, in the Northern Serengeti from August – November and in the Southern Serengeti from December – March each year.
This camp will move between three different locations, literally following the migration as it travels across the Serengeti, offering guests year round access to this incredible spectacle.
The camp offers 10 luxury safari tents each with their own en-suite bathrooms, indoor bucket shower and personal tent attendant.

2.Serengeti Serena safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena safari Lodge is located in the Serengeti National Park, 335 kilometres from Arusha, Tanzania where guests can enjoy a ringside seat of the annual migration of the wildebeest.
The lodge comprises 66 rooms of which one is a suite, two are handicap rooms, 26 twin rooms, 21 double rooms and 16 triple rooms (three pairs connecting rooms).
The lodge is accessible via a one hour flight from Arusha Airport to Seronera Air strip, followed by a transfer to the lodge 27 kilometres away.
Apart from witnessing the wildebeest migration, guests can enjoy game drives, hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, nature walks, the swimming pool, acrobatic shows, cultural dances, video shows, a local guitarist, and board games.

3.Governors’ Camp

Governors’ Camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara is one of the best places to experience the migration.
"The camp presents an unmatched migration experience, more especially due to its ideal location and perfectly executed game drives," says Dave Bennett, Chief Sales Officer at Wilderness Safaris.
The camp is ideally located just north of several crossing points and adjacent to the renowned Paradise Plains where the BBC has filmed much of their migration footage.
The Governors’ Camp Collection comprises of seven luxury safari camps and lodges. The group also operate two aircraft, which are used to fly clients to and between camps.


4.Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Mara Serena Safari Lodge is located in the centre of the famous ‘Mara Triangle' of Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
The lodge provides views over the savannah and down to the hippo-filled Mara River, where guests can view the annual migration.
The lodge comprises 74 rooms (including five family rooms and one suite, all of which are non-smoking), a central dining room, internal and external bar, swimming pool and sundeck, Maisha Safari Spa and Gym, and gift shop and business centre. Other facilities include satellite television, WiFi, 24-hour medical services, a conference centre and events facilities.
Transfers to the lodge by road from Nairobi are approximately five hours in duration, while Mara Serena Airstrip is two kilometres from the Masai Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

5.Sanctuary Kusini

Sanctuary Kusini is the only permanent camp in the remote southern part of the Serengeti, Tanzania, and is ideal for seeing cheetah and wildebeest that congregate on the grassy plains in the calving season from mid-December to March.
Sanctuary Kusini comprises 12 tents each with its own personal attendant, mosquito netting, hairdryers and in-room safe.
The camp's communal areas include a dining area, lounge and library, as well as a campfire.

6.Sanctuary Olonana

Sanctuary Olonana is a tented safari camp on a private stretch of the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara.
During the annual wildebeest migration, the action happens on the camp's doorstep.
The camp comprises 14 tents with en-suite bathrooms and offers game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, balloon flights and scenic flights.
In Nairobi, scheduled flights depart from Wilson Airport (approximately 45 minutes) to the Mara.

7.Porini Lion Camp

Porini Lion Camp in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya, is the ideal base for the main Serengeti-Mara migration. The camp has some of the biggest big cat densities in Africa and this provides a lot of big cat action when the thousands of wildebeest are around.
Night game drives during migration time is when the lions, leopards, and hyenas are most active and offers opportunities to watch a hunt or a pride noisily feasting on a wildebeest. The camp is also situated in easy reach of some of the key Mara River crossing points for those that may be interested in seeing them.

8.&Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp

Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is a luxury lodge located in the Western Serengeti, Tanzania, in the path of the Great Migration and its river crossings.
The lodge comprises 10 tented safari suites with overhead fans, outdoor showers, swimming pool, and Safari Shop. It can accommodate 20 guests.
Apart from the wildebeest migration, guests can also witness the topi, a species of antelope, migration from the lodge.

9.Porini Mara Camp.

Porini Mara Camp in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy, the first conservancy in the Mara, Kenya, set up as an exclusive area for wildlife and with a room density not exceeding 1 tent to 700 acres, is the ideal place for the calving of the Loita migration. This occurs at the same time as the calving in Ndutu, Serengeti and offers great photography opportunities and memories of new life and at times death by the over 30 lions found in Ol Kinyei.

10.Sayari Camp.

Sayari Camp is located in the far north of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
It comprises 15 tents that are split between two wings, with six tents in the smaller camp, to the north of the swimming pool, and nine in the bigger camp on the south side. Each wing has its own lounge and dining area, and a central swimming pool linking the two.

Each tent has its own en-suite bathrooms, with spacious showers and egg-shaped baths large enough for two, and offers views of the Serengeti plains.

Thamalakane River Lodge

If you are on your way to the Okavango Delta, include the Thamalakane River Lodge in your itinerary. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, 19km from Maun, on the way to the Moremi Game Reserve.

Eighteen chalets with views across the river offer a choice of accommodation, while a large restaurant and bar is a great attraction even for the locals.

Stone steps and sandy paths lead through landscaped gardens around the chalets and main area and a swimming facility is situated in a shady area. The chalets, public areas and the swimming facility take advantage of a 180 degree view of the riverbanks, lined with reeds and often visited by water fowl and birds.

 

Close to the lodge there is also a camping area with powered sites, two permanent furnished tents and shared ablution facilities.

Thamalakane River Lodge’s acclaimed restaurant is something not to be missed. The splendour of the surroundings is matched only by the superb food. In addition to the famous signature dishes of the lodge, diners can also expect to find local seasonal treats on the regularly changing menu. The bar overlooks the pool area and the river, so enjoy a sundowner while watching the waterbirds come home at sunset.

 

 

For more information please contact us via email at

 info@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Abundant Life At The Heart of a Desert

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a facinating and unique wildlife location. It is the worlds largest inland delta and situated in an extremely arid region attracts great concentrations of diverse animals and birds. The climate is at odds with the lush environment and plays an important role in making the Okavango Delta a fantastic safari destination.

 

Major species to be seen:
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile,  rhino 

 

Activities at the Okavango Delta:
Game viewing
Birding and boating
Scenic flight

Safaris:
Okavango Delta hosts a number of safari operators. These operators range from well known international brands to local operators and offer the full range of holiday services.

 

For more information please contact us at
info@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Southern Africa - Must See Destinations

If you are looking for a unique and exotic vacation, something different from the ordinary, then you should consider Southern Africa.

The Garden Route
The Garden Route of South Africa lies on the southern coast just east of Cape Town and extends from Mossel Bay to the Storms River mouth. The Garden Route is bordered by the Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma, and Langekloof Mountain ranges to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. Here you will find Tsitsikamma National Park, the Knysna and Wilderness wetlands, relaxing beaches, hiking trails, and activities such as whale watching, sailing, and golf. This scenic coastal route is interspersed with a series of quaint and charming towns along the way. The climate is mild and the views are spectacular. The Cango Caves, one of South Africa's top ten most visited places, are located just north of the Garden Route. The Cango Caves are located close to Oudtshoorn, which is also the center of the South Africa ostrich farming industry. Many of the farms are open to visitors where you can tour the facilities, meet the birds up close, and even ride one! The Garden Route is a serene and beautiful part of South Africa, filled with astounding sights and plenty to do for both young and old.

Etosha National Park
Etosha National Parks is located in Namibia, one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Etosha is the third largest game reserve in Africa and has been recognized as one of the finer game viewing areas on the continent. Its main attraction is the so-called "Etosha Pan," an 80-mile saltpan that represents the remains of a large lake that used to fill the area. Here there are scattered waterholes that attract congregations of wildlife, particularly in the dry season from May to September. It is here that elephants, rare Black Rhinoceroses, prides of lions, cheetahs, and much more all roam in search of water. For one of Africa's most enthralling safari opportunities, you must visit Etosha.

Okavango Delta
For the more adventurous at heart the Okavango Delta, located in northern Botswana, is a veritable oasis of wildlife and natural wonder. This area is the world's largest inland delta, formed by the Okavango River, which begins in Angola and flows the Kalahari Desert, where it attracts wildlife from all over Africa. Described as "the river that never finds the sea," the Okavango disappears into a 6,000 square mile maze of channels and islands. With numerous lodges in this region, there is plenty to do. While in the Okavango a mokoro boat trip is a must. A mokoro is the local version of

a flat-bottomed canoe and is operated by a "poler" who uses a pole to push the boat forward and steer it accordingly. On a mokoro trip experienced guides lead you through the Delta as you silently glide down the channels and backwaters to places that are totally unreachable by any other mode of transport. Coming face to face with elephants crossing the waterways or herds of buffalos drinking from the Delta is nothing unusual. For those who enjoy bird life, the Delta has an incredible diversity of bird species. If you would prefer not to brave the water, there are a number of different safari options, either on foot or in four-wheel drive vehicles. With the game being so plentiful visitors to the area are often surprised at how close you can actually get to the animals. The Okavango Delta is a magnificent wonder of nature, perhaps one of our planet's greatest, and is still largely unspoiled making it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Kruger National Park
Located in the northeast region of South Africa, Kruger National Park has some of the most spectacular game viewing in the world. With safari lodges scattered in and around the park, one thing is for sure, this is a once in a lifetime experience. Finding yourself face to face with a pride of lions (from a safe vantage point, of course) or seeing a herd of elephants cooling down at the local watering hole is something everyone should experience. In Kruger the animals are in their natural habitats and are free to roam the nearly five million acres that makes up the park. Kruger has one of the greatest varieties of wildlife species on the continent and is a world leader in enviromental management techniques and policies. it is a well managed park with incredible animals viewing and wonderful accommodations.

Victoria Falls
A visit to Africa would not be complete if you did not see Victoria Falls. Known to the locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya (which means "the smoke that thunders"), Victoria Falls is classified as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Located between Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River, the Falls are a breathtaking and spectacular sight that have been known to leave viewers with a bit of moisture in their eyes - whether from the mist of the Falls or tears welling up is yet to be determined.

When David Livingstone first discovered the Falls he stated "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight." The number of possible activities here are endless, ranging from short safaris on elephant back to lazy evening sundowners aboard a boat on the Zambezi to bungee jumping in the gorge to helicopter flights over the falls. Victoria Falls is surely one of Africa's must-see wonders.

These are just a few of the many exciting and amazing places to visit in Southern Africa. 

For holiday ideas and more information, be sure to check out our websites:
www.southern-africa-travel.com

www.zimbabwe-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com 

www.zambia-reservations.com
www.namibiareservations.com
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Hoanib Skeleton Coast

Opening on 1 August 2014, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is scenically located in a broad valley at the confluence of two tributaries of the Hoanib River in the northern part of the private Palmwag Concession. Its location thus straddles the Palmwag area and the iconic Skeleton Coast National Park, in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoveld.

Exclusivity is taken a step further as camp is only accessible by light aircraft and the camp itself consists of only seven twin-bedded tents and one family unit, each comprising stylish en-suite bedrooms with shaded outdoors decks. Flanked to the east and west by rugged hills, the camp looks out over stunning, starkly beautiful scenery and offers guests all the luxuries and amenities for an unforgettable stay.

  

 

 Book an unforgettable stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast today!

For more information please contact

  Namibia Reservations at: info@namibiareservations.com