IS one of the few places in Africa where game sanctuaries have remained completely unspoiled. It is a destination that unlocks the mystery of nature - an oasis in a wilderness which is an ideal escape for nature lovers. Very little of this fascinating country has seen human habitation - this is true Africa in all her remoteness and authenticity.
THE DELTA
The Delta bursts upon the drabness of northern Botswana in an exuberant flourish of green. It is one of Africa's most baffling mysteries and the Delta is the only inland water-way in the world: it's nature's contradiction and thus unique! The 27000 million plus litres of water that reach the desert every day disappear into it. The desert - scorched , dead-flat desolation in every direction - receives it and devours it. The river's changing web of channels flow one way this year, and another the next.
Air Botswana jet services from Johannesburg and Gaborone to Maun, on the very edge of the largest inland delta on earth, bring the magical Okavango to South Africa's doorstep.
From Maun, Air Botswana operates comfortable shuttles to Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park, one of the most prolific and dramatic wildlife areas in Africa; to the incomparable Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia; and to Windhoek in Namibia.
This unusual environment creates one of the most diverse habitats in the world - 36 species of larger mammals, 200 species of birds and over 80 species of fish. This wonderful water-world is the Kingdom of the beautiful fish Eagle, with crystal clear streams and rivers in which silver bream and tiger fish fish offer good sport. All this is complemented by the Delta's immerse and absorbing physical beauty.
MOREMI GAME RESERVE
Immediately adjacent to the Okavango is the Moremi Game Reserve. It is within reach of the Delta and provides a bridge between the Delta and the Mopane woodlands. Here the wildlife is superb and offers excellent game viewing. One can drive right up to herds of elephant: even the shy lechwe are unafraid! Wild dogs and cheetah are plentiful, too.
THE CHOBE DISTRICT
Chobe National Park is located in the north, about 80 km from Victoria Falls. Here you will find an abundance of wildlife concentrated in relatively small areas. Chobe is famous for its elephants. Like clockwork, the elephant move along their well-worn paths to drink at the Chobe River. Visitors can literally park amongst them and watch them drink, splash and enjoy mudfilled baths. Huge herds of zebra can also be seen at the river's edge, as well as hippo, kudu and roan.
The Chobe River is well known for its magnificent bird viewing. There are over 400 different species in the Chobe National Park ranging from eagles to kingfishers and from marabou storks to bee-eaters.
SAVUTI CHANNEL
The Savuti Channel is a unique part of the Chobe National Park. This reserve is truly unusual. For a hundred years the Savuti was dry but since 1959 it has become seasonally wet again. In the dry season, the game concentration can be so vast that one can see 3000 buffalo at one sighting, and wildebeest and zebra in their thousands.
MOMBO CAMP
Situated just off the north-western tip of Chief's Island is Mombo. Sometimes an island of its own, and sometimes linked to the Moremi Wildlife Reserve at Chief's Island, the region is constantly modified by the ebb and flow to the waters of the Delta. Mombo Camp is situated beneath huge trees on the edge of a broad floodplain. It consists of 7 large tented rooms and one reeded chalet and can accommodate 16 guests. Each unit has private en suite toilet and shower as well as solar powered lights. A separate dining area and lounge-bar overlook the floodplains.
JEDIBE ISLAND CAMP
Jedibe offers the ultimate Okavango water experience - quiet lagoons, fast flowing channels and a wide diversity of water-adapted animals. In addition to being poled along in a mokoro, you can boat to lagoons and enjoy superb fishing for tiger fish or bream. Jeribe is a permanent tented camp accommodating a maximum of 16 guests. The large walk-in twin-bedded tented rooms are comfortably furnished and located among palm trees for privacy bathroom facilities are en suite. Lighting is also solar powered here.
TCHAU CAMP
Situated within the Moremi Wild Reserve Tchau Camp offers guests the opportunity to experience the rivers, floodplains and tranquil lagoons of the Delta. Activities centre around mokoro excursions across the lagoons. This is the easiest way to reach the many islands in the area, where walks provide views of animals such as buffalo and cheetah.
Fishing is good, too. The camp has four twin-bedded tented rooms, with en suite facilities. There is a central bar and dining area where guest gather for meals.
CHOBE GAME LODGE - BOTSWANA
This beautiful riverside retreat is one of the most exclusive safari resorts in Botswana. It is situated in the remote and unspoiled northern extremity of the Chobe National Park, just 90 km west of the Victoria Falls.
It offer guests every comfort, and is the only permanently situated lodge in the 11700 square kilometer National Park, which is home to Africa's largest single elephant population.
Chobe Game Lodge is built in Moorish style with soaring arches and cool tile floors. It comprises 45 luxury twin rooms with en suite facilities, all air-cooled by punkah-punkah fans. There are 4 suites, each with its own private swimming pool and outside garden patio. All rooms offer spectacular views of the perennial Chobe River and adjacent Caprivi floodpain.
The cuisine is superb, with a touch of African flavour and variety. Venison especialities and outside barbecues are very much a part of the Chobe experience.
The Lodge has a swimming pool, well-stocked curio shop, bar and restaurant which serves a full English breakfast, buffet lunch and table d'hote menu for dinner.
There are conference facilities for 100 people with every conference aid, including 16mm and slide projectors, flip charts, podium, telex and telephone facilities. Car hire is available for Victoria Falls and Savuti excursions.
Chobe is famous for its diversity of landscape and wildlife species. Elephant, sable antelope, buffalo and zebra concentrate in massive herds during the dry season (April to October). In summer months, the major predators - lion, leopard and cheetah - are regularly seen. Ant the migratory birdlife at this time is unequaled in Southern Africa.
At Chobe, game viewing is conducted in open four-wheel drive vehicles as well ad in small river boats. The Sundowner Cruise in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya has become an integral part of the very special Chobe experience. Evening wildlife video shows and slide lectures are held on request.
The warm waters of the Chobe River are a natural sanctuary for the tiger fish. For the enthusiastic freshwater angler. Chobe fishing is a must. Boats, fishing tackle and resident expertise are available nearby.
CRESTA MOWANA SAFARI LODGE - BOTSWANA
Set on the tree-lined banks of the magnificent Chobe River, this luxury safari lodge offers every facility for a magnificent wilderness holiday. The lodge has an atmosphere of rustic elegance with its rich yellow thatch buildings. "Mowana" means "Great Baobab" in Setswana - and this is what inspired the design of this beautiful lodge. The entire reception is built around the massive trunk of an ancient Baobab tree.
All the luxurious rooms and suites have en suite facilities and balconies with breathtaking views over the river. Coir matting on the floors; woven basket matting on every bedroom wall; individually had-painted basins; russet brown Mukwa timbers throughout create all the luxury you could ask for complemented by the ambiance and privacy of an African bush lodge.
The Lodge has a landscaped swimming pool where guests can cool down after an exhilarating day of game viewing, and a restaurant which serves gourmet lunches and dinners, and hearty breakfasts.
Mowana is only 8km from the famous Chobe National Park. Game drives into this spectacular area are organised daily. This is Big Game Country - and guests are likely to see huge herds of elephant, buffalo as well as hippo basking in the river.
Aside from regular game viewing drives, the Lodge offers game viewing by boat, interesting and extensive nature walks, relaxing sundowner cruises and even by helicopter, Cresta Mowana is also enticingly close to the Okavango Delta and the Savuti Marsh, and guests are given the opportunity to explore these area as well.
Once game viewing is over, it is time to relax in the Savuti Bar overlooking the river, or to enjoy fine wines and cuisine served at the beautiful Serondella Restaurant. After dinner, guests sit around an open fire with an orchestra of crickets as background music, sampling the unique sound of Africa and sharing tales over a welcome nightcap.
Cresta Mowana also offers fully equipped conference facilities for up to 100 people. It is only a 10-minute drive from Kasane International Airport, the northern gateway to Botswana. A courtesy coach transfers guests to and from the airport.
Cresta Mowana Lodge is a mere 80 km from the Zimbabwe border, so the breathtaking Victoria Falls are so easily accessible.
Mowana prides itself on its personalised service and variety of luxury facilities. It offers its guests an opportunity to experience the very best in nature with the very best in hospitality.
GAMETRACKERS-BOTSWANA
The Gametrackers Orient-Express Hotels' Africa Collection has pledged to maintain and preserve the wilderness of Botswana and to promote "old Africa", one of the world's last great wilderness. A place of untamed beauty, Savannah and teeming game.
MOREMI RESERVE
The Moremi Reserve was once a part of the traditional hunting ground of the Botswana tribe. In 1963 the tribe agreed to turn the land in the Okavango Delta into a wildlife sanctuary. Today, its flood plains offers a rich variety of game.
KWAI RIVER LODGE-MOREMI
The Lodge is cradled on the gentle curves of the Khwai River and is located outside the northern gate of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. It has a tranquil setting and is a favourite place for elephants using the river as refuge from the midday heat. The camp accommodates a maximum of 24 guests - there are 12 twin-bedded thatched brick bungalows with en-suite facilities. The Lodge offers game viewing drives in safari vehicles twice daily. Walks can also be enjoyed or one can relax and cool off in the Lodge's swimming pool.
SAN-TA-WANI-MOREMI
Located at Moremi's south gate, the camp nestles on the periphery of the Okavango Delta. The San-Ta-Wani Camp consists of a cluster of cool thatched African huts in a garden of ancient trees and countless birds. Each of the 8 twin-bedded huts has a toilet and washbasin en suite. A delightful feature here is dinner in the candle-lit boma. The camp has a fully stocked bar. During their stay, guests can enjoy walks, game viewing and bird watching.
THE OKAVANGO DELTA
The Delta is a unique paradise supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife including numerous plants and trees, 80 fish species, over 300 different birds, as well as variety of mammals.
XAXABA-OKAVANGO DELTA
Xaxaba, which means the Islands of Tall Trees, is located in the heart of the Okavango Delta near Chief's Island. It is the gateway to the incredible Okavango Delta. Accommodation is in spacious twin-bedded reed and thatch huts each with a shower, toilet and hand-basin. The beds are covered with mosquito nets. This delightful camp bar, and the famous Fish Eagle Bar located right at the water's edge - the perfect place to spot the fish eagle.
SAVUTI
This was once the home of the legendary Bushman whose paintings are till visible after many hundreds of years. It is an extension of the Kalahari Desert and is a contradiction of nature as it is still the home of birds and animals lured here through its uniqueness.
SAVUTI SOUTH CAMP-SAVUTI
Amongst the shade of the ancient Acacias, overlooking the Savuti Channel, is Savuti South Camp. This traditional safari-style tented camp accommodates 16 guests. Each luxury tent has separate brick ablution facilities. Twice daily game drives in open Landrovers are conducted by professional rangers. Birdwatching is excellent here. There is a fully stocked bar and a free laundry service.
DESERT CAMP: DELTA
Camp Moremi and Camp Okavango are two of the most exclusive safari lodges in Africa. At both lodges, guests come face to face with the great hinterland of Botswana and its treasure trove of big game and birdlife, while experiencing a special brand of bush elegance, gourmet meals by candlelight, exotic cocktails, even steaming showers under the stars!
CAMP MOREMI
This camp nestles under giant ebony trees, overlooking the tranquil Xakanaxa lagoon in the Okavango Delta's eastern extremity. This is the heart of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, renowned for its great beauty and diversity of wildlife which include elephant, buffalo, zebra, sable and roan antelope as well as lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog.
The CAMP Moremi Tree Lodge is constructed from exquisite timber and comprises a lounge, cocktail bar, curio shop, reference library, dining room and sundeck area. Leisure time can also be spent in the boma, in the plunge pool or at the game viewing hide on the water's edge.
Only 22 people are accommodated in luxuriously appointed East African style safari tents each with private hot showers and waterborne toilets. Game viewing takes place by open landrovers with the help of the resident naturalist. The birdwatching is excellent with a highlight being a visit by small river raft to the heronries on the lagoons.
CAMP OKAVANGO
Situated on the remote Nixaragha Island, deep within the Okavango Delta. This is the territory of the elusive Situating antelope and of Perl's Fishing Owl, just two of the rare species to be encountered within the crystal clear channels, serene lagoons and myriad of islands that make up this unique inland Delta.
Camp Okavango is often described as a 5 star hotel under canvas. Its main lodge building comprises a beautifully appointed main dining room, lodge, bar area, and plunge pool. Guests are accommodated in 11 luxurious East African style safari tents each with private facilities and decorated with designer linen, Rhodesian teak furniture and beautiful woven rugs.
Camp Okavango is essentially a water wilderness experience. Game viewing is undertaken by small river craft, canoes and on nature walks under the leadership of our resident naturalist. For the ornithologist bird watching is spectacular, particularly during the migratory season from November through to March. The Okavango is famous for its fishing, which includes the fighting tiger fish, pike and bream.
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