Category: Africa

The Okavango Delta is an amazing and impressive wildlife area in Botswana. This lush, tranquil and beautiful area is one of the most well known destinations in Botswana, and when the Okavango plains flood during May, the delta becomes a focal point for a huge range of wildlife, so if you are a fan of big game you will find this to be an incredible destination. This look at the top 5 Camps Okavango Delta visitors enjoy will help you to find the best places to stay – whether you enjoy luxurious camping or want something a little more ‘authentic’ but still with the main home comforts, you will find somewhere in the Okavango Delta that you will enjoy. The Okavango Delta is the ultimate destination on any luxury Botswana Safari.

1 – Jao Camp

The Jao camp is one oaf the most luxurious and hip camps in the region. It features 9 rooms, and is a wonderful hideaway that you can use as a home base while you explore the lagoons, floodplains and grasslands around the delta. These luxurious accommodations are very close to the Moremi game reserve, which is home to buffalo, elephants, a huge range of birds, and many other animals.

The nine rooms are all incredibly spacious and feature thatched roofs and beautiful decor. They are elevated from the ground for warmth and comfort, and offer panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Each room has a double vanity and an en-suite bath, as well as an outdoor shower. The furniture is luxurious and would not look out of place in a more traditional city hotel. If you want a luxury camping experience that includes everything from a massage therapist to a wine cellar, then this is the perfect camp for you.

2 – Mombo Camp

Mombo camp is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to really get up close and personal with the animals in Botswana. There are two safari game drives each day, and it is not unheard of for animals to actually wander right through the camp itself.

The landscape is beautiful, and the tent suites are constructed so that they stand six feet above the ground – so that you’re safe and protected from those wandering animals. You can expect to see buffalo, elephants, rhinos and dingoes and even giraffes in the nearby area.

Each of the nine suites is beautifully equipped and presented. The camp has a living area and a dining room in addition to the dedicated tends, as well as a plunge pool and a pub – so you can be confident that you’ll enjoy your favorite home comforts while you relax in the camp, and look out over the delta to enjoy an amazing view.

3 – The Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

This twelve room camp is named after Chief Moremi, who is the ‘king’ of the area, and who once used the lands as a hunting grounds. The camp is located on an island which is created by Okavango’s seasonal floodwaters, and that is known as Africa’s predator capital. It is home to several large herds of elephants and buffalos and there are several hundred species of bird that also pass through the area.

The camp features a well equipped lounge and dining area, a fire pit for atmospheric evening relaxation, and a beautiful view of the floodplains, so you can relax and keep on watching game in the evenings. There are 12 secluded pavilions, each of which is luxuriously furnished. The split-level main deck area boasts a nice viewing area as well as a swimming pool on the lower deck. Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing spa treatment in the special treatment room which offers amazing views, and there are many activity options – including helicopter tours of the delta and floodways, and game drives.

2021 Update: There are some amazing safari specials on at the moment in Africa, especially for Botswana and some incredible Kruger National Park Specials.

4 – Abu Camp

The Abu camp is a relatively small, classical camp that offers incredible luxury, being a home away from home in the Okavango Delta. Featuring just 6 suites, this high-end camp lets visitors enjoy a range of activities, including elephant tours of the delta.

Visitors can enjoy watching elephants while chilling out by the camp fire, sip a gin and tonic on the camp’s deck, and relax in a tent that has been decorated in Afro-Bedouin style. The tents feature en-suite showers and baths, and there’s a swimming pool too, as well as a well-stocked bar, so there’s no shortage of opportunities to indulge yourself while you sit and watch the passing wildlife.

After an evening of indulgence, you can head out on a guided walk, go on a mokoro safari, or head out for a night drive. The options are endless.

5 – Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Ending our Top 5 Camps Okavango Delta visitors enjoy is the Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, which is a little more affordably priced than some of the others, but still an extraordinary lodge. The camp has eight suites, and is a classic safari camp with a dose of luxury. It is well-equipped, tranquil, and the perfect place to enjoy the untamed beauty of the delta. Babboons and birds surround the area, ready to entertain people first thing in the morning. There are expert guides attached to the camp, so you can head out on a safari whenever you wish.

The thatched cottages stand in leafy clearings that are conveniently close to the waterways of the delta. The outer appearance of the camp is subtle, and animals often wander by, undisturbed by the nature of the ‘building’s nearby.

There’s plenty to do – safari drives, bush walks, suburb service, and cruises, for example. There’s a gin shop, laundry service, outdoor swimming pool and plenty of other amenities, so you’ll not feel too far from home, even as you get close to nature.

This concludes the list of Top 5 Camps Okavango Delta holidaymakers love. There are many other camps to choose from that only just missed out on the Top 5 Camps Okavango delta list, so if the place you’re considering isn’t included, don’t panic – read some impartial reviews and make your own mind up. There is no shortage of great camp accommodation in Botswana, so you can be confident that you’ll have a great time wherever you choose to stay.

Most of these lodges are easy to get to – with short flights from the Maun airport transporting you to the lodges and camps in question. The transfer from the airstrip to your camp may take a while, but the camp grounds will manage this for you and make sure that you are met at the airport and get to your camp safely. They’ll also help you with itineraries and with arrangements for entertainment, and for stocks for the campground during your stay. All you need to do is show up with your luggage, and be ready to have fun and explore the amazing world of Africa and the game that occupies

Each private reserve is open only to the residents and their guests, this is not some ‘public safari ground’ crowded with travellers – it’s somewhere that you can get truly close to nature; unspoilt, incredible, and exclusive. This is your chance to enjoy game in their own habitat, something that you will struggle to find in other parts of the world – and even in other areas of Africa, where tourism is (for better or worse) more open, and the endless streams of visitors have made the animals more nervous and camera-shy.

 

Traveling to Africa is a great way to see some of the different types of wildlife, but to see them in their natural habitat instead of being inside of a zoo. The problem for a lot of people is they are not sure which of the animals they are going to see when they are on a Serengeti Safari and this often makes it easier for people to know more about the joys they can have. Without this people may have some problems in getting to enjoy the beauty that is present in this region because they are not aware of what animals to watch out for.

Common Animals Seen

When you are traveling to this region, you will find that their are some very common animals that you can see. These are going to be listed below, with a quick little description of each animal to help you figure out which animal you are seeing.

The African elephant is one of the first animals that you are going to notice is common throughout the park. These animals are illegally hunted for their ivory tusks, but they are beautiful creatures that are often times the largest land animal, but the key feature is the long nose that is seen as a trunk.

Giraffes are another common animal in the Serengeti. With these animals, they are going to have a long neck that people can see above all else. However, people will find these animals do have a distinctive camouflage pattern that is going to make it easier for them to hide in the brush and other parts of the plains.

Hippos are an animal people may want to see, but they need to realize these are a very dangerous animal as well. These animals look almost like a large overgrown hog, but they are very beautiful and often are found in and around the water that is present. So these are a common animal that people can easily see when they are traveling in this region and know the animals are going to be beautiful.

Buffalo and Zebras are animals that are going to be found as well as being very common in the group. These animals are a herding type of animal so it is easy to see them in the different herds. However, what is nice is the fact these animals are great to see and just sit back and watch their majesty as they go about their daily business.

Hunting animals are also a common find in this region and a lot of times you will notice their are animals that are going to be interesting and easy for you to spot, if you have the proper guide.

Lions are a common animal that you will enjoy seeing. Unless you are out when the lions are on their hunt, which can be a dangerous time, you may only see them lying around, but you need to realize these are some of the best hunters in the world. So it is important to use the proper caution because you are not at the top of the food chain here.

Cheetahs are a quick cat that can strike without much notice. However, these animals generally will pursue their prey and are commonly seen. So it will be a lot easier for you to see these animals and know they are going to give you the great views and adventure you would want to have.

Rare Animals

Unfortunately because of hunting and in some cases loss of habitat people will find their are some animals that are very rarely seen on the Serengeti now. However, if people have the proper guide their is a chance they will be able to see these animals and enjoy their company.

Black rhinos are animals that are very hard to find, but this is because they are rare. These animals have a great horn in the middle of their head and often are seen as a majestic animal for people to look at.

The African Wild Dog is another animal that is rarely found in the region. However, what people need to realize is these are a beautiful animal and they should feel good about being able to see. These animals are looking like all the other dogs around, but they are often seen as a great hunter and survivor.

When people are looking at taking a Serengeti Safari, they may want to know about some of the animals they are going to see when they are taking the trip. By getting this information it will be easy for people to keep their eyes open, but also know if the animals are going to be easy for them to see, like the Elephant or nearly impossible like the Rhino.

The Masai Mara is a National Reserve of primarily open grassland situated southwest of Kenya. It lies in the Great Rift valley, a fault line which stretches from the Red Sea in Ethiopia to Kenya for about 5,600km or 3,500 miles. The Reserve is a vast protected landscape with abundant wildlife, endless plains and breath-taking vistas covering some 1,510 square kilometres. It is the flagship conservation area of Kenya and shares fenceless borders with several neighbouring private conservancies, including the world famous Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

GAME VIEWING AND SAFARIS

Well known as Kenyaís jewel of wildlife viewing areas, the Masai Mara is one of the most sought after tourism destinations in Africa, particularly during July to November when the annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest takes place. Game viewing is excellent any time of the year, with the most wildlife tending to be concentrated on the western escarpment.

The Masai Mara National Reserve has recorded some 95 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians and more than 400 species of birds. With this abundant and diverse resident wildlife population, it is no wonder that visitors seldom miss seeing the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, rhino and leopard). Other popular animals include giraffe, zebra, eland, gazelle and hyena. The big cats in Masai Mara have often been shown in popular wildlife television series all over the world.

The Wildebeest Migration

One of the greatest spectacles of the world takes place each year from July to November when a staggering amount of wild animals arrive in the Masai Mara area, heralding the famous wildebeest migration. A dramatic and spectacular mass movement takes place when more than 2 million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra take part in an annual seasonal cycle, driven by the need for water. In a frenzy to reach fresh grazing to regain their strength, the wildebeest face dramatic river crossings infested with enormous hungry crocodiles and cover thousands of miles of open grassland where lions and leopards feast on any stray or lagging animal.

The last leg of the migration is triggered by the short summer rainfall in November when the wildebeest migrate south towards their calving grounds in the Serengeti. The calving season in the Masai Mara happens at the same time, during December to January. This is known as the ìgreen seasonî when there is an abundance of surface water and the wildebeest, antelope and zebra birth their calves, fawns and foals. This is also the time when predators give birth to their cubs and pups as there is plenty of prey around, presenting wonderful opportunities for wildlife photography.

THE MARA TRIANGLE

The Masai Mara consists of an ever-changing landscape of endless grasslands of oat grass which gradually changes from green to ripe golden waves, gently parted when herds of visiting wild animals move among it. A seamless union is formed by Kenyaís Greater Mara ecosystem, Tanzaniaís Serengeti National Park and the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem thanks to the lack of fences. The sheer distances means that visitors can wake up in the morning to a herd of over 500 elephant slowly making their way across the Ol Punyata swamp in the middle of the triangle, only to find that they have vanished the next day.

A rainfall of 1,55mm per year, a large swamp, several fresh water streams, the meandering Mara River and the salt lick means that there is enough water and food for the wildlife even during the driest months. Three African mammalian species in triangle face the threat of extinction: elephants, lions and black rhinoceros.

TOURISM

The Masai Mara offers a range of tourist accommodation from romantic to child-friendly. When the Reserve becomes too crowded during the high season, there is plenty of accommodation available in one of the neighboring private conservancies with easy access to the Mara. The Mara offers superb migration and game-viewing scenes as well as retreats to crowd-free settings in the conservancy where you can partake in game viewing by day or night, or guided nature walks.
Hot-air balloon flights come highly recommended as well as an opportunity to experience cultural interaction with authentic Maasai people in the area. Also popular is combining a Masai Mara safari with one of the other top destinations in Kenya such as the Amboseli National Park or an island break to the glorious, sun-drenched beaches of the Seychelles.

Access
Two all-weather airstrips service the Masai Mara Triangle:
The Mara Serena
The Kichwa Tembo.
Main road access to the Triangle is through two gates: the Narok and the Sekenani.
Accommodation
There are only two lodges situated in the Mara Triangle:
– Mara Serena (150 beds)
– Little Governors Camp (36 beds)
Situated on the periphery with access to the Triangle are:

– Kichwa Tembo,
– Mpata Club,
– Olonana,
– Mara Siria
– Kilima Camp

The best time to visit is peak season between July and November when the migration takes place. From November to February also offers excellent wildlife viewing.

Activities include game viewing, game drives, camping, nature walks, visits to cultural villages, bush dining and ballooning.