Tag: Botswana

Jack’s Camp — A Different Kind of Africa

Posted on by James

There’s a version of Africa that most safari-goers never see. Not because it’s hard to reach — it’s a straightforward charter flight from Maun — but because it looks nothing like what they came for. No lush delta, no big trees, no thick bush. Just white. A vast, shimmering, ancient white that stretches to the horizon in every direction and makes you feel simultaneously very small and very lucky to be standing in it.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are the remnants of one of the largest lakes ever to exist on earth. When it dried up — roughly ten thousand years ago — it left behind a salt crust the size of Switzerland and a silence that is genuinely difficult to describe to someone who hasn’t heard it. Jack’s Camp sits on its edge, and has done so, in one form or another, since 1993.

The camp itself is a deliberate act of personality. Nine green canvas tents furnished with Persian rugs, brass fittings, copper basins, and natural history cabinets curated by owner Ralph Bousfield — a man who has spent his life collecting interesting things from interesting places. The mess tent houses a 36-seater dining table that served as an officer’s mess in the 1820s. There’s an antique billiard table. A library. A cabinet of curiosities that rewards a slow afternoon of browsing. It looks and feels like the kind of place an eccentric explorer would have set up if he’d had excellent taste and an unlimited budget, which is essentially what happened.

The activities are where Jack’s really earns its reputation for being unlike anywhere else. The meerkats alone justify the trip — a habituated group that emerges each morning from their burrows and treats guests with complete indifference, using them as convenient elevated platforms from which to scan for predators. It is, objectively, one of the more charming wildlife interactions available on the continent.

Then there’s quad biking across the salt flats — not a gentle pootle, but a proper sunrise run across a landscape so flat and featureless that you lose all sense of speed and distance. Walking with the San Bushmen, who have lived in and around the Kalahari for tens of thousands of years, brings a human dimension to the experience that most safaris simply don’t offer. And sleeping out on the bare pans under a sky with zero light pollution — the Milky Way so dense it looks almost architectural — is the kind of night that makes everything else feel slightly ordinary by comparison.

The wildlife is different too. Forget the Big Five checklist. Jack’s is brown hyena, Kalahari lion, oryx, aardvark, bat-eared fox. During the green season, the zebra migration — Africa’s second largest — brings tens of thousands of animals onto the grasslands surrounding the pans, followed closely by the predators that track them.

A word of honest advice: if your idea of a perfect safari is maximum game density and a different species every ten minutes, Jack’s Camp is probably not your place. But if you want something that genuinely couldn’t exist anywhere else on earth, and that you’ll find yourself struggling to explain properly when you get home — this is it.

Duba Plains – Turn the Wild Up a Notch

Posted on by James

Some parts of the Okavango Delta feel calm, almost meditative. Channels drift quietly, birds skim the surface, and elephants move through water with an ease that feels timeless. And then there is Duba Plains Camp, where the same water seems to sharpen everything instead.

Set deep within a private concession in the northern Delta, Duba Plains sits in a landscape defined by seasonal flood. When the waters arrive, they spread wide across the plains, transforming dry ground into a shifting mosaic of channels, islands and open space. It is beautiful, unquestionably — but it is also functional. Because where the flood goes, the buffalo follow.

And where there are buffalo, lions are never far behind.

Duba has become quietly known for this relationship. Not in a way that feels staged or predictable, but in the sense that the ecosystem itself leans toward drama. Large herds move across open ground, bunching, spreading, testing the edges of safety. Lions watch, wait, and then commit with a level of intensity that feels very different to more casual encounters elsewhere in Africa.

Game drives here carry a particular kind of focus. You are not simply looking for sightings; you are stepping into a story that is already unfolding. Tracks matter. Direction matters. Behaviour matters. Everything feels connected, as if each movement is part of a wider narrative that began long before you arrived.

And yet, for all its intensity, Duba Plains is still very much a water-based safari.

 

Between moments of action, the landscape settles back into something softer. Elephants cross channels with slow, deliberate confidence. Lechwe move through flooded grasslands, their hooves adapted perfectly to terrain that would challenge almost anything else. Reflections stretch across the water, turning movement into something almost abstract.

The camp itself mirrors this balance. Elevated, elegant, and quietly luxurious, it offers comfort without separation. Wide decks open onto the floodplain, allowing you to watch the landscape shift throughout the day. Interiors are refined but never overbearing, keeping the focus where it belongs — outside.

There is a rhythm here that feels heightened. Stillness builds into movement. Calm gives way to intensity, then settles again. It is a place where contrast defines the experience as much as continuity.

Duba Plains is not a passive safari. It asks you to pay attention, to read the bush, to stay present in moments that can change quickly and without warning.

And when everything aligns — water, movement, predator and prey — you are reminded that the Delta is not just beautiful.

It is alive in a way that feels immediate, unpredictable, and entirely real.

Sable Alley – Where Water Shapes the Story

Posted on by James

There are safari camps where you head out each morning with intent, following roads, tracks, and instinct in the hope that the bush reveals something memorable. And then there are places like Sable Alley, where the experience begins long before the vehicle ever leaves camp, and often continues long after it returns.

Set beside a permanent lagoon in Botswana’s Khwai Concession, Sable Alley sits in one of the most consistently productive pockets of the Okavango Delta. Water is the defining force here, and with it comes a steady, almost predictable flow of life that gathers at its edge throughout the day.

Elephants arrive in loose herds, easing themselves into the shallows with a sense of ownership that suggests they have done this countless times before. Red lechwe move differently, splashing and bounding through water that would slow almost anything else. And along the fringes, predators wait, watching the same patterns unfold, knowing that opportunity eventually follows movement.

Khwai itself is what gives Sable Alley its depth. It is not a single environment, but a convergence of several. Floodplains stretch outward into open light, woodland provides cover and contrast, and channels of water thread through it all, constantly reshaping how animals move and interact.

Game drives reflect this variety. One morning may be spent following a lion pride through damp earth, reading tracks and behaviour as a story in progress. Another may open onto wide plains filled with grazing herds, where scale and distance become part of the experience.

But it is often the stillness that defines the camp.

From the main deck and private rooms, the lagoon becomes a continuous source of quiet activity. Early light reveals silhouettes through mist, midday concentrates movement at the water’s edge, and late afternoon settles into long reflections and softer tones.

The design supports this without drawing attention to itself. Elevated walkways, open spaces, and clean lines ensure that nothing interrupts your connection to the landscape. Comfort is present, but it never competes with what lies beyond it.

Sable Alley is not about chasing sightings across distance. It is about proximity, patience, and the subtle shift that happens when the wild no longer feels separate from you.

And once that shift takes hold, the entire safari experience begins to feel more immediate, more immersive, and far more difficult to forget.

Perhaps that is what lingers most. Not a single sighting, but the accumulation of small, unscripted moments that build quietly over time. A glance, a sound, a shift in light. Together, they create something that feels less like a trip, and more like a lived experience.

Jao Camp: Let the Water Teach You to Slow Down

Posted on by James

Most safaris begin with a map: roads, tracks, loops and river crossings. Jao Camp begins with a different philosophy — let the water decide. The Okavango Delta is famously unpredictable, rising and receding at its own whim, turning woodlands into lagoons and plains into mirror-smooth channels. Jao doesn’t fight this; it reveres it. And guests very quickly learn to do the same.

From the moment you arrive, elevated walkways signal the shift in perspective. You move through palm islands at tree-crown level, brushing past birdlife that seems only mildly surprised by your presence. Suites are generous to the point of indulgence — private decks, plunge pools, gauzy interiors that glow softly in Delta light — but nothing feels showy. Everything serves one quiet purpose: to invite you to unwind.

The rhythm here is governed entirely by water. When the flood is high, mokoro excursions become poetry in motion — a silent glide past lilies, reed frogs, jacanas stepping delicately across floating leaves. Boat outings open up the wider channels, sometimes revealing elephants swimming in slow motion, or a fish eagle perched in just the right shaft of light. When the waters pull back, game drives explore floodplains now etched with fresh tracks: lions, leopards, wild dogs, and the occasional sable giving you a regal once-over.

One of Jao’s most underrated luxuries is its sense of spaciousness — not in size, but in tempo. There’s permission here to move slowly. To linger in the hide while storm clouds bruise the horizon. To surrender to an afternoon spa treatment because thunder murmuring across the water feels like the day’s natural metronome. To enjoy dinner on the deck by lantern-light, listening to lechwe splashing distantly in the shallows.

Some camps help you see wildlife. Jao helps you feel the Delta. And in doing so, it becomes less a safari destination and more a gentle recalibration — a reminder that life is richer when you let nature set the pace.

What Would It Take for a Safari Lodge to Earn a Michelin Key?

Posted on by James

Until now, Michelin has mostly told us where to eat, not where to sleep. But that’s changing. The famed guide has unfurled a new rating system for hotels and lodges — the Michelin Key — a sibling to the coveted Michelin Star, and a new yardstick for excellence in stays.

It’s an intriguing idea for the safari world, where barefoot luxury and wilderness don’t always fit neatly into the same tick-box criteria. How do you score a night filled with lion calls against a night filled with thread counts?

Michelin’s inspectors look for five things: architecture and design, consistency of service, personality, value for money, and connection to place. It’s that last one that feels most relevant to safari lodges. Connection to place is the heartbeat of the experience — the sense that the land, the wildlife, and the people aren’t just backdrops, but protagonists in the story.

By those standards, Africa already has its share of Michelin-worthy contenders. The design brilliance of Singita Sabora, the restraint and intimacy of Mara Nyika, the wild purity of Busanga Plains, and the playful luxury of Ulusaba all whisper the same thing: this is excellence defined by soul, not excess.

Of course, no one’s likely to find an inspector with a clipboard crouched beside a termite mound anytime soon. The Michelin Key isn’t just about imported standards — it’s about recognising that the best stays, like the best meals, create something intangible. A mood. A memory. A moment that lingers.

So, what would it take for a safari lodge to earn a Michelin Key? Probably the same things that make the bush unforgettable in the first place: an architecture that listens to its surroundings, service that anticipates without intruding, and a sense of belonging so strong it feels as though the land itself has checked you in.

If that’s the benchmark, Africa’s already set the table. Michelin just needs to find a way to reach it.

San Camp: Kalahari Skies

Posted on by James

Billowing white tents on the edge of the endless Makgadikgadi Pans. Desert palms cast their shade here, and you are surrounded by a thousand acres of shimmering, nothingness.
San Camp, a quintessentially romantic, seven-bedroom camp on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi, is something straight out of Arabian Nights. The allure lies in the minimalism here, both within the camp itself and in the broader desert horizons.

Meerkats emerge from their desert burrows, if you’re lucky an Aardvark might emerge at sunset, and you’ll see red hartebeest, springbok and gemsbok scurrying between them. But San Camp isn’t just about wildlife-watching – it’s about the atmosphere and the ethereal surroundings. Disappear into a remote world, a million miles from glowing screens and fruit-themed devices, where the 360-degree panoramas are so vast, you can see the curvature of the earth.

The enormous salt pans are like something off the moon. They are the home of a host of unique desert animals which are for the most part completely different to those encountered to the north-west in the Okavango.Combining the two areas into a single itinerary is highly recommended.
Species to tick include the famed black-maned Kalahari lion as well as cheetah, plains game like wildebeest and zebra, elephant and brown hyaena almost exclusive to this region. The bird list here is extensive and highly localised within the habitat, and of course your trip would not be complete without an immersive interaction with one of the habituated troops meerkats that have delighted guests for years.

The safari experience here is truly remarkable. The stark setting is complemented by the minimalist camp design, and the ever-present Kalahari silence creates an ambience of peace.
The main canvas covered central area is open and wonderfully unencumbered by clutter, inviting you into a stylish dining room where delicious food makes sure you are never hungry.
Dark mahogany furniture and Persian carpets complement each other well and the bedouin feel simply adds to the elegance and romanticism…

The name of the game here is adventure.
Walk with the San Bushmen or go horse-riding across the plains. Take quad bikes out onto the salt flats or charter a helicopter down to see the ethereal and ancient Kubu Island, one of the most remarkable places on earth…
Wildlife aside, this is a safari experience like no other.

If you want to find out more about this incredible destination, and how best to include it into an itinerary, get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start a safari conversation…

Chitabe Reimagined

Posted on by James

For almost thirty years, Wilderness Chitabe has earned a reputation as one of the Okavango Delta’s most incredible safari destinations. Set on a wildlife-rich peninsula in the eastern sector of this tranquil eden, its diverse landscapes and patchwork of habitats draw an unparalleled abundance of game year-round. But beyond the remarkable sightings, Chitabe is a place where guests feel at home – a camp shaped by a team whose deep-rooted connection creates a rare and timeless magic.
And now, with a fresh, sustainable design, rebuilt Chitabe remains true to its roots while embracing the future.

Chitabe’s impressive mix of micro-ecosystems makes it one of Botswana’s most rewarding wildlife destinations. The convergence of the Gomoti and Santantadibe channels create almost an island, which supports a rich, year-round game viewing paradise. Here, prides of lions, packs of wild dogs, and the Okavango’s most consistent and viewable cheetah population hunt the plains. There have also been no fewer than 50 leopards recorded at Chitabe.

The Chitabe guest suites offer a blend of comfort and design, perfectly suited to the temperature swings of the Delta (summer can get very hot, winter nights can see the temperature drop to sub-zero).
Crafted to enhance the experience, the suites feature insulated canvas walls and roofs, creating an environment that maintains a light, airy feel. Spacious high ceilings, large insect-proof mesh openings, and private shaded decks open to horizon-wide views of the Delta.

The eight spacious luxury safari-style tents at are built on elevated wooden decks amongst the stunning trees of the Okavango.
Each tent has en-suite facilities that include an indoor and outdoor shower, mosquito nets, standing fans and double sliding doors opening to the shady deck with comfortable seating – a perfect breakfast nook from which to soak up the bush.
Elevated walkways connect the tents to the central camp facilities made up of a thatched raised dining and lounge area leading onto open decking with views across the waterways and floodplains. There is an evening campfire, a small curio shop and a plunge pool providing a cool sanctuary for those warm hours. Or nestle yourself in the library with a view and read a little more about the wildlife and natural history of the area; although the staff, rangers and trackers of Chitabe Camp would be more than happy to tell you all about as well.

Supreme opulence and some of the most consistent wild dog viewing in the Okavango (the local pack dens on the concession almost every year) have ensured a high level of repeat business at Chitabe. Guests fall in love and don’t want to go anywhere else.

If this sounds like the place for you, get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your Okavango itinerary…

Daunara Safari Special

Posted on by James

Pay for 3 nights, stay for 4.

That’s a good deal no matter where you’re talking about, but in the Okavango Delta, it sounds almost too good to be true.

Daunara Safari Camp, one of the newest offerings in the Delta, is running this incredible special for 2025, but with enquiries already starting to flood in, we would advise not to wait if a trip to Botswana’s own version of Eden is something you’d be interested in.

This lovely camp is in the south-east of the Delta, a short scenic helicopter flight from Maun, which is a pioneering safari town in the north of Botswana on the edge of the Thamalakane River.
The Camp is perched on the edge of a permanent water body, perfectly situated for days full of adventure and activity or for you to take time to escape from the world and reconnect with life as it ought to be lived.

At Daunara, your days are tailor-made, from the staff’s heartfelt hospitality to the camp’s thoughtful design, your stay is a constant adventure in nature with walking, fishing, game drives, community visits, mekoro (plural of mokoro – the traditional dugout canoe of the Okavango) and so much more. All in your own time at your own pace, with guides who immerse you in the heart of the Delta experience.

They want you to experience a welcome so warm in a home so comfortable that you don’t want to leave. And it works!

The camp comprises five spacious tented suites, each offering panoramic views of the wild. The layout, dictated by the positioning of prominent trees, allows for both privacy and shared communal experiences, with three standalone suites and two interconnected family suites.

A raised wooden walkway, mirroring the winding Delta waterways, connects the tents, ensuring guests remain immersed in the natural environment as they move about the camp. The central camp area includes a family-friendly house kitchen, an intimate sitting room, a fully stocked bar, and a stand-alone wine cellar, alongside outdoor spaces like shaded verandas, a sunken firepit, and a  lap pool.

Other noteworthy features include a state-of-the-art gym and a massage tent overlooking a second waterhole often frequented by huge zebra herds.

The boma, a modern reinterpretation of a traditional African outdoor gathering space, is a standout feature consisting of three interconnected separate circular forms for dining, lounging, and outdoor cooking, all centered around an enormous fire bowl. This playful yet functional design offers a unique guest experience.

For those looking to attach something out of the ordinary and extra special to their trip, a visit to Elephant Havens, a nearby elephant orphanage, is a must.
The orphanage has a herd of young calves that have been rescued from the wild, and in the fully immersive experience, guests get to help the caretakers feed the little ones as well as give them milk during their twice-daily walks out in the bush.

It’s a unique and magical way to get up close to these magical creatures!

Owner-run, Danaura provides the attention to detail that Iconic Africa looks for in the high-end camps we like to send our guests to, and with this current special running, there’s not better time for a visit.

Get hold of one of our agents through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your trip…

Mbamba Lodge – Okavango Reimagined

Posted on by James

Mbamba is set to be the latest addition to the Natural Selection portfolio, a charming explorer-style camp found in the north-western Okavango’s NG12 concession. With a mix of open grasslands, floodplains, forested islands and lagoons, Mbamba will offer a variety of diverse landscapes with ecosystem variations to support an incredible range of the Okavango’s wildlife.

Set to open in April 2025, Mbamba will be the new sister camp to Natural Selections Duke’s, Duke’s East and North Island, also located in the same NG12 concession, which borders that of Vumbura Plains and Duba Plains to the south.

The camp features twelve canvas tented rooms including two family units each with an ensuite bathroom, indoor shower, standing fan, overbed cooling system and private veranda. A simple, tasteful main area equipped with two lounges, a small library, pool and fire-pit completes the camp, providing a comfortable authentic safari feel at good value.

The camp lies in a beautifully open area where the Okavango River begins to spread out, creating the world’s largest inland delta. An impressive range of mammals, birds, and reptiles, can be spotted. Both lion and wild dog are in the area, and the seldom-sighted sable antelope is common. The endangered wattled crane and the highly sought Pel’s fishing owl are Okavango bird specialties that are often found here, along with a full diversity of birdlife.

Activities at Mbamba are designed to explore this wonderfully varied and beautiful area – game drives during the day and night as well as boating and mokoro safaris when water levels allow.

In line with Natural Selection’s focus on beautiful, characterful camps and safari experiences, Mbamba is set to  become a popular camp, offering a rich Okavango experience at very good value.

Designed in the iconic Kalahari safari style like the famous Jack’s and San Camps – also well known Natural Selection offerings, Mbamba sits on slightly raised wooden decks and revel in the much-loved safari aesthetic of plush fabrics, mahogany sideboards, Persian rugs and romantic four-poster beds, all infused with a yesteryear charm. 

The camp is in a superb setting where you’ll instantly be immersed into the Okavango Delta’s true wonder.  With some of the best safari guides in the business, and a variety of land and water-based activities,  you can look forward to a rewarding wildlife experience in this game-rich private concession. In-between action filled game viewing activities, relax around the camp pool or take a siesta in the comfort of your air-conditioned tent. This is an ideal camp for those seeking a deeper understanding of the natural world in a very relaxed environment.

The main mess area at Mbamba is a delight with its draped fabric and collections of ancient artefacts. Relax in the two lounges where you can spend your time perusing the cabinets or grabbing a drink from the well-stocked drinks cabinet, read a book from the small library or relaxing around the camp swimming pool. Meals are served family-style at the long table. Dine under the stars or under canvas, followed by stargazing around the firepit before saying goodnight.

With Duke’s and North Island already running on full occupancies, we predict Mbamba to do something similar, so don’t wait to enquire.
Get hold of us through info@iconicafrica.com if you’d like to be among the first to explore this relatively untouched part of the Okavango.

Adventure awaits…

Xigera – Best of the West

Posted on by James

“West” is probably pushing it a little bit, as Xigera is in fact dead centre in the Okavango – truly in the heart of it, one might say.

One of the most luxurious lodges in the Okavango Delta, the camp is set in a beautiful location on a private concession within the Moremi Game Reserve. Having reopened under new ownership (Red Carnation Hotel Group) in December 2020, Xigera reset the bar when it comes to luxurious safaris in Botswana – offering the ultimate flexibility for guests to shape the experience exactly as they desire, the philosophy at this stylish lodge says it all “anything, any time”.

Xigera (pronounced “kee-jera”, meaning pied kingfisher) has been on the Okavango safari scene for many years but the rebuild  really transformed the lodge. The new design was unrecognisable from the old, apart from the beautiful location. The style at Xigera is bold, yet wonderfully in keeping with the feel of Okavango Wilderness. You can expect a slick safari experience here. A lodge for those looking for the ultimate luxury set amidst stunning landscapes and top class game viewing.

Xigera Safari Lodge guests will not be restricted by the standard safari timetable. Instead, total flexibility is the order of the day, and a completely bespoke approach to activities with no set times dominates. Morning, afternoon and evening game drives are offered, as are private walking safaris, photographic workshops, private yoga, mokoro and glass-bottomed mokoro excursions and motorboat trips as well as fishing in season. Note that water activities are seasonal, usually from May/June to September. Dining al fresco is another highlight, with bush picnics, lunches or breakfasts also available.

During the flood season, from around May to September, Xigera is transformed into a stunning wetland landscape, which makes it the perfect water and land safari camp.

The lodge sits on stilts under a canopy of large trees and enjoys superb views of the floodplains. Elevated walkways connect the different areas of camp, offering a treehouse feel and wonderful elevated views. Xigera Safari Lodge has been constructed with undulating rooflines and scorched timber cladding. The suites have views onto the lily-covered lagoons: the lily is the camp’s emblem and a lily-inspired pavilion will provide shade overlooking the water’s edge. The sunken lounge has a huge copper lily-design centrally suspended fireplace.

The lodge’s interiors are spectacular. Every piece in the lodge’s collection of furniture, sculpture and ceramics is a work of art in itself and has been specially commissioned and made for the lodge over a period of 18 months. The pieces include works by more than 30 leading African artists and craftspeople.

Xigera Safari Lodge has twelve suites, and one family suite suitable for two couples or a family. The suites all have air-conditioning and feature separate lounge, bedroom and dressing room and private deck, daybed with gazebo and each can accommodate indoor and outdoor private dining for up to four people. The large bathrooms also feature outdoor showers. The suites are extraordinarily spacious for a wilderness lodge.

Red Carnation properties, who own Xigera Safari Lodge, are known for their attention to detail and personal touches and service. With an impressive ratio of four staff to every guest you can expect incredibly attentive and personalised service . The African inspired menus are served by an interactive kitchen and the cellar serves wine from the award-winning vineyard, Bouchard Finlayson, as well as other top wines. After dinner, the boma has a totemic firepit sculpture around which to sit, enjoy a digestif and stargaze.

To work up an appetite for all the fabulous meals there is a state of the art gym as well as a stunning pool. This swimming pool’s dark water is rest for the eyes by comparison with the usual stark brilliant blue; the views from the pool over the river give the sense that you are immersed in the Delta’s natural waterways.

For something more cerebral the library, an air conditioned haven of peace, features occasional talks from specialists.
Wellness is a real feature of the camp; two spa rooms will provide a wide range of treatments and treatments can also be given in the suites. Guest practitioners will create a programme based on wellness, mindfulness and holistic healing with the perfect backdrop of the pristine natural Delta environment.

Predator sightings are particularly impressive at Xigera – there is a large presence of lion, leopard, hyena on the islands. Buffalo are found in good numbers too.  General game sightings include red lechwe, lion, spotted hyena and leopard, and the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope found in the Delta. Birding in Xigera is very good, with opportunities to see the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Skimmer, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana and plenty of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers.

The environmental credentials are impressive and central to the philosophy of the lodge which ultimately aim to be diesel free and entirely solar powered and will use a 400kW Tesla plant incorporating lithium iron batteries and Tesla invertors. The solar farm will end up as the largest in the Delta.

Xigera can be reached by a 25 minute light aircraft connection from Maun airport to the Xigera airstrip, or around an hour and 20 minutes from Kasane airport. A 10-minute drive in a game drive vehicle will then bring you to Xigera itself.

Children aged twelve and over are welcome and charged at a full adult rate.

Get hold of us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about Xigera and the wold-class safari experience that it offers…

 

The Joy and Nostalgia of Africa

Posted on by Terri

How can I explain my excitement as I board Delta Flight 200? A 16-hour journey, routine and mundane as a regular work trip?
But excitement surges through me because I’m heading “home.” I’m wrapped in a sense of joy as I “insert the metal tip into the buckle until it clicks, then pull on the strap to tighten.”
I’m buckled in and ready to ride!

A unique twist fuels my excitement for this trip, too: I am traveling with one of my closest friends – a new empty-nester – to introduce her to the wonders of Botswana. I can already imagine her excitement seeing one of the planet’s most incredible wilderness areas; from the jaw-dropping Kalahari Desert to the dazzling water worlds of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River. I anticipate her awe, her appreciation for the natural beauty, and her giddy reaction to her close interaction with nature.

Our South African journey begins at the Saxon in Johannesburg – a delightful two-night stay in the very place where the legendary Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The Saxon’s rich history traces back to an insurance magnate who hosted Mandela during his work. With exceptional service and a stunning spa, the Saxon is a beautiful urban retreat set amidst lush gardens in the heart of Johannesburg. We reconnected with family and friends in a setting filled with contemporary African art, broad bay windows, six acres of gardens, a koi pond, and a heated pool. Our rooms, classic but modern with pleasing neutral but warm aesthetics, provide a perfect retreat.

We depart from our oasis to a chic yet unpretentious safari camp, Mokete, found east of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Nestled in a previously uncharted area – at last uncharted to the traditional safari industry – the Mokete area consists of a wild assortment of seasonal floodplains, arid grasslands, and towering mopane woodlands. Here is a glimpse of wild Botswana at its finest, boasting incredibly high populations of lions, elephants, and buffalo competing for resources. And, the best part? Mokete’s 193-square-mile concession is exclusive to its guests, ensuring intimate, breathtaking wildlife encounters.

After landing in Maun from Johannesburg, we took a thrilling helicopter ride that provided an eagle-eye view of the Okavango Delta as we soared for 45 minutes north-east to Mokete. The camp was simply teeming with wildlife, leaving me in awe of the sheer vastness and abundance we experienced in just a couple of days. We witnessed herds of over 4,000 buffalo thundering through clouds of dust, lions hunting them daily, and a variety of other majestic animals roaming the landscape. It was an unforgettable experience that left me speechless. Elephants were drinking out of my pool and hyenas were whooping the night away form close to my room. Scops owls called all evening, filling the still air with their soft trilling.

Our next stop? North Island, Okavango; one of the newest and most exclusive luxury safari camps in the Okavango Delta.
This stunning camp is situated on a private island in a beautiful and wildlife-rich part of the Delta, nestled amidst a network of shimmering lagoons and water channels. This lavish base provides a wide range of safari experiences. There, I witnessed an incredible array of wildlife—from basking hippos and wading elephants to swooping fish eagles. I was particularly excited to spot rare species like the Pel’s fishing owl and wild dogs, not to mention the iconic lions and leopards that the region is famous for.
North Island truly offers unforgettable encounters! We spent two exhilarating days exploring the reef-lined waterways by mokoro (traditional canoe) and speedboat and joined game drives to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.

The African continent is not just my home; it houses extraordinary destinations that offer a rich tapestry of culture and abundant wildlife where connection flourishes: the vast plains convey a sense of freedom, space, and tranquility while the spirit of the people infuses life into the land. Their vibrant energy wraps you in warmth and joy. What a wonderful environment in which to share a holiday with loved ones and close friends, laughing and bonding around crackling African bushfires, relishing blood-red sunsets, and gazing into a brilliantly sparkling night sky.

As the stunning sunset casts its glow on our last night of safari, I sit aside my friend and reflect on the many changes that have recently occurred—my son starting to drive and the kids heading off to college.

“Time really can fly, can’t it?” she whispers to me.

One moment feels overflowing with possibilities, and before we know it, we are left pondering where it all went and how fast.

I’ve been contemplating this a lot lately, realizing that it serves as a poignant reminder of how fleeting yet significant those moments can be. Here, we are anchored in what truly matters and shaping the narratives we leave behind.

Africa has a unique way of solidifying memories, memories that linger and resonate far deeper than just a simple moment or image. Like my friend, join me on a journey where the magical experiences encourage indelible memories and connections that will thrive long past the 16-hour return flight.

 

King’s Pool: A River Runs Through It

Posted on by James

Named after Swedish King Carl Gustav XVI, who honeymooned in the Linyanti in the 1970s, King’s Pool sits on a stunning Oxbow lagoon off the Linyanti River in northern Botswana. The area is pristine and remote and particularly known for its impressive elephant and predator numbers. King’s Pool Camp was treated to a major renovation in the first half of 2019 and offers both water and land activities (water-level dependent).

The camp has always had a traditional and elegant style. The level of luxury has increased with every refurbishment but the camp has still retained is the classic safari design and feel.

 
 

The traditional thatching allows the camp to blend seamlessly with the beauty of its surroundings. Huge Jackalberry trees overhang the rooms and lagoon, providing a haven for birds to feed in the branches, and providing shade for antelope and – particularly in the dry season – small herds of elephants that come down to the water to quench their thirst.
The décor takes inspiration from the patterns and restful colours of the local craft of basket-weaving and the dining area’s walls are covered in striking screens with a basketry-influenced black and white graphic. Teal blue and copper tones provide accents of colour and the rebuild has re-employed materials from the old camp, in wooden flooring and reclaimed doors.

The rooms are a blend of stretch canvas walls, set on raised wooden decking. Inside, large four poster beds make for a comfortable night’s sleep after the day’s safari activities, en suite bathrooms with double basins, indoor and outdoor showers make sure you always feel clean and fresh. A ‘mini gym’ of weights and yoga mat is provided.

The main area at King’s Pool Camp is a large open-sided structure that flows out onto viewing decks. The location brings frequent sighting of elephants crossing the Linyanti River, whilst hippos lounge in the shallows and impala and the shy bushbuck feed on shoots and leaves down near the water. The communal areas are extremely well presented with the same earthy colour palette and leather and metal furnishings. There is an infinity pool, library and bar which enjoy beautiful views over the lagoon.

 

The wildlife experience in the Linyanti concession is fantastic; particularly during the dry season from June to October when water resources are limited and everything flocks to the river to drink. This is a mainly land-focused camp although barge trips are available on a fantastic double storey barge when water levels permit (mainly April to August). Buffalo herds can number into the thousands and at its peak the Linyanti Reserve offers some of the best plains game viewing in existence. Leopards slink through the riparian vegetation and the alarm chatter of monkeys is a common indicator of where the spotted cats are moving.
The area falls right in the middle of KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) which boasts the largest elephant population in Africa, so you are guaranteed to enjoy many sightings of these magnificent pachyderms.

The underground hide at a small pan only a few minutes drive from camp is an absolute must! During the height of the dry season you can enjoy an almost constant stream of wildlife coming to drink during the heat of the day, including rarer antelope species like Roan and Sable. Seeing an elephant’s trunk and legs within touching distance is an experience of a lifetime and this chance to get up close is particularly exciting from a photography perspective

The Linyanti Concession as a whole (which King’s Pool enjoys full access to) is not just limited to the river front. Guests also have the opportunity to venture down towards the famous Savuti Channel, well-known for its lion population. Exploring this waterway offers a whole new perspective on life out here on the fringes of the Kalahari.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about King’s Pool and the Linyanti region, and let’s start planning your northern Botswana circuit…

Wilderness Qorokwe: Delta Action

Posted on by James

Qorokwe camp is in the south-east of the Okavango Delta and has only been open for 7 years. The exclusive concession it’s on was previously unused for more than four years, but now reveals a world of diverse Delta habitats, from scattered acacia woodlands with herds of giraffe, zebra and abundant plains game to pristine floodplains, home to numerous red lechwe and mud-bespattered buffalo bulls. Throw in lions, relaxed leopards and a wild dog pack that currently numbers in the 30s, and you have a recipe for amazing game-viewing.

Qorokwe means ‘The place where the buffalo broke through the bush into the water’. A suitable name for a lodge located between two permanent rivers which are visited by buffalo; they love the shallow river channels. And where there are buffalo there are inevitably lion, buffalo being their favourite meal!

Qorokwe Camp consists of eight tented suites and one spacious family tented suite with its own splash pool and large deck. En suite facilities feature a shower with a glass door which slides back to transform it from an indoor to an outdoor shower, double basins and a free standing bath.

The stunning main area at Qorokwe Camp overlooks a productive lagoon which fluctuates in level depending on the season,  and the dining area, lounge, library and bar are built on raised wooden platforms connected by walkways. The camp marries minimalist clean lines and a stylish look aesthetic with its openness really making one feel a connection with the natural world. The rooms and main areas are stylishly modern: flat roofed with wood panels, wrought iron and geometric shapes and large sliding doors that welcome in and frame the magnificent wilderness of the Delta. The scurry of tree squirrels in the branches overhead and the scratching of spurfowl beneath your deck are an ever-present reminder that you are in the wilderness. Peaceful rectangular water features edge the lounge area and frame the view onto the lagoon. The generously sized infinity pool just off the main deck is set slightly lower and adjacent to the firepit.

Qorokwe is in the southern reaches of the Okavango and the landscape really is diverse: game drives will take in Kalahari apple-leaf and acacia woodlands, islands with palm trees, floodplains and seasonal water. The variety of the landscape and the proximity to the Moremi Game Reserve means that the wildlife is excellent and the area is particularly rich in predator sightings. The Qorokwe concession is a private concession shared only with Stanley’s camp, Baines camp and Gomoti Plains camp. However the huge area on which game drives are operating means that the vehicle density is low and it’s very unlikely that you will see a game viewer from any other camp.

Guests will enjoy game drives on open 4×4s to view the wealth of wildlife by day. Night drives produce exciting nocturnal sightings of civet, genet, bat-eared foxes and bushbabies, and owls are regularly seen in the spotlight. Following a leopard as it gets hunting into the evening can be particularly rewarding. Explore the waters by boat or mokoro (water-level dependent) – your guide will reveal the secrets of living in the Delta while you look out for tiny frogs and malachite kingfishers.

Being a relatively new camp and with slightly higher profile options being available in the Wilderness Portfolio, Qorokwe has avoided the limelight until now. But with an incredibly consistent amount of glowing feedback emanating from guests of the camp – particularly relating to the wildlife, Qorokwe is rapidly making a name for itself as a premier game viewing destination.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out rates and availability…

San Camp: Uncovering the Desert

Posted on by James

An almost mirage-like appearance of white tents, rising as an oasis of shade and tranquility on the edge of an endless horizon… This is the reality that is San Camp, an unbelievably romantic, seven-bedroom camp on the edge of the Ntwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi.

This camp isn’t a place for frills and excess. The minimalistic approach is what creates the magic, both at the camp and in the lunar desert landscape. You can forget the crowds and packed overland vehicles; it’s just you, the wildlife and the empty spaces….

Meerkats abound here, popping their heads up from the desert dust, brown hyaenas secret themselves in the golden grass, and you’ll encounter oryx, red hartebeest and springbok all moving endlessly between them. But San Camp is about far more than the desert wildlife – it’s about the atmosphere and the ethereal surroundings. Here you can truly merge yourself with a forgotten world, a million miles from screens and car alarms, where vistas are so vast you can literally see the curvature of the earth…

The salt pans are home to a host of unique desert animals which make a fascinating contrast to an Okavango safari. For those with the time, visiting this area as part of an Okavango itinerary is highly recommended. Wildlife in the region includes the famous black maned lion and cheetah, and small roaming herds of wildebeest and zebra, elephant and brown hyaena almost exclusive to this area. Kori bustards and northern black korhaan can be ticked off your bird list and your trip would not be complete without an up-close-and-personal interaction with the habituated and well- loved meerkats that have delighted guests from all over the world.

An elegant, solar powered, seven-bedroom camp on the rim of the Ntwetwe Pan, the seasonal San Camp offers a truly remarkable safari experience. White canvas tents complement the stark setting and create an ambience of calm, perfect for a few precious hours of meditation at the specially designed yoga retreat. Think elegant décor and mouth-watering cuisine to delight travellers of all ages.

The main canvas covered central area is light and airy, inviting you into a stylish dining room where delectable meals live up to their excellent reputation. The lounge floor area is accentuated by Eastern Style rugs and dark Mahogany furniture adds to the atmosphere of the camp. Interesting sources of anthropology and archaeology of this specialized desert region are just waiting to be discovered within the cabinets housing historical artefacts and old fossils. Romantic lantern-lit evenings in camp add to memorable moments on your African safari.

The strategically placed luxury tents with views over the pan are slightly reminiscent of times gone by and feature relaxing outdoor day beds. Indoors, the bed linen is crisp and fresh – irresistible at the end of the day’s activities and en- suite bathrooms include all the necessary facilities to make your stay comfortable and relaxed.

The menu of desert activities offered by San Camp is exhilarating and include game drives within theMakgadikgadi Pans National Park and night drives led by spotlight while seeking out specially adapted desert wildlife. Adventurous expeditions to Kubu Island by quadbike can be enjoyed during the dry season and horse-riding safaris add to the magic of exploring this vast wilderness.

From San Camp you are encouraged to venture out and experience the desert through the eyes of the nomadic bushmen. To learn first- hand the culture of the Zu’/Hoasi Bushmen who call this arid landscape home is a truly remarkable experience. The experience here is sensitively done and not contrived, it is one of the best such experiences in Botswana. Informative bush walks with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen satisfy the most curious of minds as you learn to identify medicinal plants, source food to eat and learn the habits of smaller animals so easily overlooked on game drives.

Stargazing takes on a new meaning as one studies the heavens above from the salt pans.

San Camp and its sister camp Jack’s – only a few kilometres away – are truly in a league of their own when it comes to opening your eyes to the wonders of this arid corner of Africa. Don’t stay too long though, as the magic of the desert gets under your skin, and it will be almost heartbreaking to leave…

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out rates and availability, and the best way to incorporate San Camp into your itinerary…

Daunara Safari Camp: Experiential Okavango

Posted on by James

Exclusive-use is becoming more and more the thing to do in bush circles. Your very own camp in which you determine the activities, the timetable, the meal times, and everything you would do if you owned a home in the bush.

Daunara Safari Camp, one of the newest lodges in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, epitomises everything that is good about the exclusive-use option, and so much more.

Conceptualised by legendary safari guide Matt Copham, and designed and built over a two-year period, Daunara has finally opened its doors, and is redefining what “experiential” means in the broader safari context.

Set on a palm-fringed island adjoining a hippo pool in the South-east of the Delta, Daunara enjoys easy helicopter access from Maun, which is the transfer method most guests opt for. FOr the more adventurous there is a two hour road transfer available as well.

The design of the camp is elegant, contemporary, and sophisticated – distinctly African in its roots. With hand-crafted finishes in timber and canvas, it’s a home, designed with care, boasting a team who deliver sincere and charming service, deeply proud of their Botswana heritage.

Five stand-alone classic, spacious and beautifully appointed tented suites all overlook the delta, two of which are interconnected with a shared sitting room. Elepphants are pretty much daily visitors to the pool in front of the camp, and lechwe, zebras, impalas and cavorting wildebeest abound in the floodplains.
The whole camp is connected via raised wooden walkways, allowing safe movement through the day. All the tented suites are fully air-conditioned in both the bedroom and the bathroom.

Food is clean and uncomplicated with distinct flavours that celebrate the fresh produce we can get from our community garden, itself an amazing initiative based at nearby Daunara Village (from which the camp gets its name). The days and menus are unscripted, for you to enjoy meals at your own pace. Meals are paired with the finest South African wines we have personally selected.

In between game drives and exciting adventure activities, you can find time for a quick workout at the gym or a relaxing massage in our dedicated massage pavilion.

The family suite features two luxury tented suites connected by shared sitting and dining areas. Ideal for parents with younger children or close family who need to be closer together. The second room converts easily into a twin or a king-size bed.

 

Envisioned by a man with over 30 years in the safari business, Daunara is truly one of the most flexible and innovative camps we’ve encountered. Visits to the local elephant orphanage, tracking lions, helicopter flights to go tiger fishing or to nip across to the San cultural heritage site of the Tsodilo hills… all this and more is possible out of Daunara; it simply goes way beyond your standard safari offering.

With all the buzz being generated around it, availability is being snapped up at a rapid rate, so if your own home-away-from-home in in the Okavango Delta appeals to you, get in touch, and let’s start planning your tailor-made safari…