Okavango Delta and Kalahari - Botswana

We spend 2 nights each in the Delta and the Kalahari, followed by one night in Chobe and one night in Victoria Falls.

Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with wildlife and nature, in spectacular surroundings with great food and wine and comfortable accommodation that left nothing to be desired? Have you ever wanted to feel like you were in the film 'Out of Africa'?

Botswana is one of the destinations that can tick all the boxes. From the moment you fly into the Delta on a light aircraft that accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers, you feel in a different world. In a way, you are.

Botswana is not an inexpensive destination, distances are vast and especially in the Delta, camps are mainly accessible by light aircraft taking you to the private landing strip from where you are transferred to camp on a game viewer, your first game drive starts the moment you step off the plane. But it is so worth it, an amazing variety of wildlife and birdlife awaits. This has to be at the top of every nature-lover's bucket list.

First up, we spent two nights at Duke's East, an intimate hideaway in one of Africa's remote wildernesses on a channel in the northern Okavango Delta. The camp is decorated in vintage safari style with plush fabrics, Persian rugs and hand-carved four-poster beds. Meals are enjoyed under the shade of the giant ebony trees or in the communal dining tent. Grab a drink from the well-stocked drinks cabinet or have your favourite made by one of the staff and settle into the small lounge furnished with intricately carved tables and antique oriental rugs. In the tea tent (no shoes here) staff serve a lovely afternoon tea each day. Meals are a lavish affair of crystal glasses and antique silverware, with three-course dinners that celebrate the tradition of honouring guests with fine food and wine in the African bush. (Yes, it really feels like 'Out of Africa'). Due to its size, this camp is ideal for small groups or those looking for a more intimate safari affair. It is in one of the most beautiful concessions in the Delta and offers glorious views over a flood plain and seasonal lagoon. Wi-Fi is available in the main tent.

You’ll discover four spacious safari suites (1 double, 2 twins and 1 family unit with a private plunge pool) under canvas tents on raised wooden decks set beneath a canopy of ebony and leadwood trees, nicely spaced out so that even in the hot afternoon sun, there is enough air circulation that the heat is not stifling. Each tent has a spacious en-suite bathroom with brass fittings and bespoke amenities, an outdoor shower as well as a private viewing deck. You'll find mahogany sideboards filled with African memorabilia and a butler tray with a steaming pot of filter coffee, hot chocolate or a choice of tea is delivered to your suite in the morning. It’s a seamless blend of yesteryear charm and deep respect for the surrounding natural ecosystems.

There is a swimming pool pavilion and spa treatments are available at additional cost. A complimentary laundry service is available although please note that due to local custom undergarments cannot be laundered, for this washing powder is provided in each suite.

Children from 6 years of age are welcome at Duke's East.

Exceptional safari guides know this World Heritage site intimately and go out of their way to ensure guests have an amazing safari experience.

Game drives, mokoro excursions, fishing, and sunset boat trips are all available for the guest. Scenic helicopter flights and rock art visits can also be booked at additional cost.

Duke’s East is open year-round, with each season offering its own unique character and opportunities for adventure in the Okavango Delta.

The next two nights were spent at Deception Valley in the Kalahari, another amazing property with plenty of wildlife viewing from the deck.

This magical place in the vast Kalahari has to be experienced. The main lodge holds the lounge, bar and dining areas, all decorated in the warm Kalahari colours. The sundeck offers plenty of opportunity to view game and birdlife that come to the nearby waterhole for a drink. A swimming pool close to the main area offers an opportunity for a refreshing dip when the afternoon sun gets too hot. There is also a curio shop. Set back from the main lodge, all accommodation units are spaced out for privacy, connected by a boardwalk, which leads back to the main lodge. The boardwalk is a perfect way to ensure that guests are easily able to get to their accommodation, whether they have mobility issues or not. The same boardwalk concept is a feature at the main lodge where the game viewers leave for game drives, there are two bays surrounded by boardwalks to facilitate easy access to the vehicles.

6 chalets and 2 family units with interconnecting rooms can accommodate a maximum of 16 guests at a time, so the camp is never crowded. Luxury twin-bedded rooms with Victorian-style en-suite bathrooms, an outside shower and a private viewing deck offer restful accommodation. The family units have a private plunge pool as well.

You wake up to birdsong in the morning and might even catch a peek of the local wildlife whilst you are still getting ready for the day.

Our amazing guide Knowledge is well-named, he was extremely knowledgeable on all things wildlife and Kalahari, and nothing was too much trouble to ensure the guests had a great safari experience.

Both the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari -although very different from each other- are well worth a visit and can easily be combined to an unforgettable experience in one of the unspoilt regions of Southern Africa.

If you are thinking of taking a trip into the wilds of Botswana, do not hesitate to get in touch.