Top 10 highlights - Botswana mobile safari
To finish this trip report I wanted to gather our top 10 highlights of our Botswana safari.
1. Bush luxury
We learned in Tanzania that we liked smaller accommodations and being as close to nature as possible, and then camping is perfect. However we did not want to compromise on certain amenities such as private toilet and shower which is not always the case if you choose a more basic tent accommodation.
The set up for this trip was perfect, we lived in lovely tents with a comfortable bed, private shower and a toilet with water flushing. But the most luxurious thing was that we had nature and wildlife right outside the canvas. Tent sites were inside the national parks, and without fences that means that you at any time you can get a visit from animals. More luxurious than this i don't think it will ever be.
2. Fantastic guide
Our guide Katembo was with us from first day to last and wow what person. He was so incredibly knowledgeable in all areas of plants, nature, history and, above all, animal behavior. I like when guides spontaneously tells you about the animals we meet, what their behavior means as well as reading what may happen. He was very respectful to the animals and always gave them space. It was so exciting to hear how he interpreted trails in nature to be in the right place at the right time, very impressed!
When you are on a group trip, it is also important to read the group and it can not be easy to make everyone "happy". We were probably a fairly easy group who were very respectful to each other. But it takes a really good judge of people to get together a good group dynamic and that was no problem for Katembo.
Something I also appreciated was that he took some command and had a plan, it was our second safari and the other guests first so we needed it, we do not know best. Otherwise, it would probably become a bit hesitant and confusing instead of a amazing experiences.
But it you sat aside all the knowledge and experience, he is just a really good person, and it peaks everything, right? :)
3. Magical Animals
I rarely experience events that arouses such enormous happiness to the next feels "religious". This feeling appeared when we for a long time sat next to a watering hole with elephants. I had my binoculars up almost all the time to see the details of how they moved, drank and interacted with each other. When I think about it afterwards, I get touched because it was so beautiful! But that though clouds when i think of hat it can soon be over for these animals on earth - did you know that 100 elephants are killed every day! That would mean that all of the elephants we saw that day, would be dead, terrible thought! I am so grateful for the experience and it gives me the energy to fight for their survival!
I'm also a real sucker for cats and to experience several hours with the leopards we met in the delta was absolutely magical for me. I am convinced that this was a "once in a lifetime" and I am so glad that we didn't rush and enjoy their presence. We got to see them when they were resting, playing, chasing, eating and just being leopards. My favorite moment is when the cub dragged the dead warthog to her mother, the pig was almost bigger than herself but what determination she showed!
A third highlight was when we got the greetings of the elephant outside our tent. I have understood that it can be quite common in some places, but for me it was a first and WOW, it was crazy awesome. This really sowed the seed that we have to do a real walking safari!
I could list multiple events, but these three have left the greatest impression. In total, we probably saw more different species in Tanzania but here in Botswana, we had more quality time, we were not so busy, and we enjoyed every meeting whether there was impala, kudu, elephant, lion or mongoose. I feel so lucky about everything we experienced, and imagine that we actually saw Wild dogs (if only for a minute :)) The animals also looked healthy and strong, (can of course depend on the season and that there was both a lot of water and food) but no matter what it was lovely to see!
4. Variation of ecosystems
Botswana really showed us a wide range of different ecosystems, ranging from rivers, savannahs, forests and, of course the Okavango delta. Botswana has such varied and beautiful scenery, but that also results in different species of animals. Had we wanted to check all the boxes we would also proceed to Kalahari (Theresa and Pirimin did) but our budget put an end to it. I would say that Botswana is perfect if you like to mix and also have the possibility of different activities.
5. Accommodation and Camp sites
We've touched on this before but I want to embroider a little more about the accommodation. I really LOVED the way we stayed at this safari. It was just our group at each location which meant that we got to know the staff in each camp a lot better, I think that is very nice. It felt so exclusive and luxurious that it was just our group staying here :)
The tents were in my eyes super luxurious, the bed was fluffy and soft. The outdoor shower was amazing, and the small separate room with the toilet worked perfectly. We also got some products at the sink, shampoo, soap, fragrance spray and laundry detergent. Outside the tent there were two chairs and a small table, here I sat every day after the morning game drive and read my book "The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals". What more do you need?
The campsites were very nice and often we had great views, but above all they were located so we were completely undisturbed. At night nothing else was heard but the sounds of nature.
6. Best staff
Never have I been so welcome on any trip like this one. It felt that every team was very close to each other and their friendship rubbed of on all of us. It was a very joyful and easy going atmosphere and we like that! Rather laughs and a good atmosphere than a private butler.
I hope MJ continues his studies to become safari guide, that Equator pass his final test of plants and that Noah one day succeeds as an actor :) I'm also confident that you will succeed in whatever you decide to do!
Thank you for taking so good care of us and showing us a great time!
7. The Okavango Delta
The Okavango delta must definitely be on the list, such a unique ecosystem and so incredibly beautiful! As we flew over the delta, we didn't believe our eyes, it felt like it was not possible to land, because of all the water and greenery.
We lived in an andBeyond's private concession, formerly a land for trophy hunting, but for many years now owned by andBeyond who runs regular safaris. Since it is not a national park, it is allowed to go off road, which I think is a big plus! This works well in private concessions as there are only andBeyond´s guests staying in the area, if it had been open to everyone, the park probably had been destroyed because of the numer of off road driving. I'm a bit uncertain but I do not think self-drive is allowed in areas where you can drive off road.
The delta offered one magical sunrise and sunset after another and the scenery was absolutely magical. Here you can find palms, papyrus, baobab trees, marula trees, kigelia, ebony, mopane trees and not to mention all the water lilies that adorn the delta. I can certainly understand that this is a favorite place for many of the animals in Botswana, there is plenty of food, water and shelter for all.
If you are thinking about going to Botswana do not even think of skipping the Okavango, you will regret it for the rest of your life;) #dramaqueen
8. travel companions
I will maybe regret this later if we make one more group travel in the future, but this time it was really lovely. It´s so nice and special to share the events of the day with others. It is also lovely to meet like-minded people, I mean if you do not love animals, nature and safari you would not have chosen this trip, right?
Thank you Rob, Mandy, Pirimin and Theresa for being such great travel companions.
9. Food
Christian wanted to add the food on the list and I agree! I'm a vegetarian and if I'm to be honest it was okay, not amazing but they really made an effort for me. Christian, however, who eats everything was completely lyrical about the food! It was on several occasions that everyone exclaimed, this is the best XXX I have eaten :)
I was totally impressed with how they could bake so good bread and pastries without a real oven. But it may say more about my skills than others :)
The day when they surprised us with a lunch out in the bush, was the highlight, they had brought the grill, table, chairs, tablecloths, drinks - yes everything out in the middle of nowhere, how nice was that?
10. Moroko ride
This is also Christian addition to the list and it was really beautiful and very welled timed to do it at sunset. The frogs started playing and the whole water was colored pink, it was so incredibly romantic and peaceful to just slide out completely silently. Do not miss this if you go here!
To add something extra here is a video of the mokoro ride on the delta, enjoy!
This will sum up our highlights of our Botswana Mobile Safari. I could easily expand the list even more, but sometimes you just have to be done with it :)
As we speak we have been on our third safari which this time took place in Uganda, where we got to see the legendary mountain gorillas, so I think it´s time to start writing about the experience!
Have a great night!