Botswana Holidays

Introduction

Situated in the heart of Southern Africa, Botswana is undoubtedly one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations. The unforgettable wilderness, splendid waterways of the Okavango Delta, Kalahari sand dunes and abundance of wildlife roaming through the Chobe National Park make Botswana an extremely appealing destination.

Some of the very best safari experiences take place here, with alternative methods of transport including boats, mokoros and walking safaris. A multitude of animals and birds are present among the crystal clear streams and lagoons of the Delta meandering through the lush floodplains. There are several must visit areas, each offering a different environment.

This country has one of the lowest population densities in the world. Known for peace and tranquillity a large proportion of the country is either designated as a national park or has protected wildlife management. Interspersed throughout the country there is a rich collection of historical and cultural heritage.

Overview

Abu Camp, Okavango

Abu Camp is situated in a 400 000-acre private reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp has 6 luxurious tents that are located under a shady canopy in an ancient riverine forest. The tents have a unique and wonderful design with a private viewing deck overlooking the lagoon. Each tent at Abu Camp has beautiful en-suite facilities with a shower and a bath.

The dining / bar areas are on raised wooden decks that wind around African Ebony and Sycamore Fig trees. The lounge and dining tent has beautiful big sofas, with a breathtaking view over the lagoon and also features a well-stocked library and a study.

Guests at Abu Camp are invited to share with the resident elephant family what is, without doubt, the ultimate elephant education safari. The elephant experiences offer many magical moments including interacting with the resident herd of eight elephants by riding or walking with them, as well as with the herds of wildlife in the area. Abu Camp also offers game drives, night drives, walks and mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris - as well as the most intimate elephant learning experience in Africa.

For those looking for the ultimate in bush luxury and exclusivity, Abu Private Villa is situated across the lagoon - a short five-minute drive away. This villa can accommodate four guests or a family with children.

 

Jao Camp, Okavango

Jao Camp is situated in a private reserve on a remote large island, to the west of the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Across the waterway in front of the camp, guests have access to open floodplains and savannah for a wonderful Okavango experience.

Guests of Jao Camp are accommodated in nine large and spacious rooms. Each of the unique and beautiful twin-bedded canvas and thatched rooms has been individually handcrafted under the direction of renowned architects Sylvio Rech and Leslie Carstens. The rooms are built under a canopy of shady trees, with en-suite bathroom, hot and cold running water, a large bath and double vanity. There is an additional outside shower under the stars for those more adventurous guests who want to shower closer to nature. There is an outdoor "sala" for guests to enjoy midday siestas with a view and a breeze. The rooms are raised off the ground and offer wonderful views of the surrounding floodplains.

 

A raised walkway connects the rooms at Jao Camp to the dining room and lounge area. There is a plunge pool and an outdoor 'boma' for dining under the stars, as well as an excellent wine cellar. Jao Camp also offers a Salon with a full-time therapist, offering a wide range of massage treatments. The activities at Jao Camp include mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions, boats, fishing, day and night game drives and guided walks. During an unusually high flood season, game drives begin by boating out to a nearby island - Hunda Island - where the vehicles are waiting, and the drive begins from there.

The area is extremely seasonal and the annual flood transforms the habitat from dry green open plains in summer to shallow floodplains in the winter. Access to this area is only by aircraft.

 

Mombo Camp, Moremi

Mombo Camp is situated on Mombo Island, adjoining the northern tip of Chief's Island, within the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana. The island is surrounded by open floodplains and the camp itself is largely built in and around the shade of some large Mangosteen, Ebony and Fig trees - overlooking a wonderful floodplain teeming with game.

Mombo Camp has nine luxuriously furnished tents, raised off the ground. The guests' rooms and connecting walkways that connect are up to two metres off the ground, allowing game to wander freely through the camp while at the same time allowing for guest safety. One often finds that animals take refuge under the rooms. The canvas rooms are spacious and well appointed and have en-suite facilities with an additional outdoor shower for those who enjoy a shower under the stars.

The dining room, pub and living area overlook the open plain in front of the camp and there is a plunge pool for relaxing in the heat of the day. Activities at Mombo Camp include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles.

Mombo Camp offers abundant big game viewing, arguably the best in Botswana. The highlight is the concentration of plains game and all the predators - including the big cats. Lion sightings are particularly good. Guests can also see Leopard, large herds of Buffalo, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Elephant, Hyena, Giraffe, Wildebeest and Zebra. Black and White Rhino have been reintroduced with outstanding success to the area (albeit most are further away from camp), thanks to the Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Programme.

Access into this area is only by aircraft.

 

Kings Pool Camp, Linyanti

Kings Pool Camp is located in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, a private reserve in the Linyanti/Savuti Channel area in the northern part of Botswana, on the western boundary of Chobe National Park. The source of the Savuti Channel is within this private reserve. The camp overlooks the oxbow-shaped Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River to the north.

Kings Pool Lagoon was apparently named after a Scandinavian monarch who spent a number of nights camping out on the banks of the lagoon, long before the camp was built here. The Linyanti area has a large wildlife resource with a wide variety of species, but it is most noted for its very large Elephant population, which can reach enormous densities during our winter months.

There are good populations of Impala, Lechwe, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, Sable, Waterbuck, Buffalo and the smaller plains antelope. The major predators such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Hyaena are regularly sighted. The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for numerous and diverse species of birds and are a magnet for game in the dry winter months.

Accommodation at Kings Pool Camp is probably the most luxurious in all of Botswana. There are nine twin-bedded tented rooms under cool thatch, overlooking the hippo filled lagoon in front of the camp. Each of the new suites has its own large bedroom area, lounge, private plunge pool and a sala. Each en-suite bathroom has two showers, two hand basins and a separate flush toilet. There is an outdoor shower for those who prefer to shower under the stars. The main lounge, pub and dining room are under thatch, and there is a swimming pool built into the deck. The main area is linked to the bedrooms by a raised walkway to allow animals to wander freely around the camp.

Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives, and occasionally guided walks when the camp manager feels that it is safe to conduct walking safaris.

Highlights of the Kings Pool Camp include the amazing sounds of the wildlife all around, as well as two hides. One is located at the western end of the camp, where guests can spend a siesta watching game come down to drink. The other is an underground hide, with the water at eye-level - seeing elephant feet and trunks almost within touching distance while safely inside is an experience that transcends that of an ordinary safari.

Destination Information

Weather

The weather in Botswana is mainly temperate. Summer, between October and April, can be very hot, but daytime temperatures typically hover around 30ºC (86ºF). The rainy season lasts from January to March. Winter, from May to September, brings cooler weather with an average temperature of 25ºC (77ºF); early mornings and evenings may be cold and frosty, particularly in the Kalahari. The average annual rainfall decreases westwards and southwards.

Passports and Visas

British nationals do not require visas to enter Botswana and can stay a maximum of 90 days.  Overstaying can cause delays on departure.

Ensure your passport has no less than 30 days remaining validity after the end of your intended visit to Botswana. 

Health

You should seek medical advice from your GP before travelling to the Botswana and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

 

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.