The intimate camp consists of five expedition-style tents of light airy canvas on slightly raised decking,

each with views of the surrounding floodplain. Each tent has a small desk and private verandah plus

en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double basins and indoor shower. Fans and careful open-air

design maintain comfortable climate for rest and relaxation. The main area is under sweeping marquee

canvas, on raised decking and consists of an open-concept dining and lounge area which opens to

the outdoors on all sides. In the evenings, the fire pit is always a popular spot to enjoy an Amarula and

recount the day’s events.

Duba Explorer’s Toyota Land Cruisers are aptly named ‘Swamp Vehicles’ due to their extra-high

suspension and absolutely huge tyres uniquely designed to traverse the floodplains. Duba Explorers

Camp is a combination activity-based camp, allowing guests to explore the Okavango Delta’s

permanent channels by boat when water levels allow, as well as open game drive vehicle safaris.

This is truly an invigorating, yet peaceful experience, allowing for wildlife and birding viewing from the

boat.

During a stay at Duba Explorers Camp guests step into the shoes of the early adventurers. Guided

game walks, which is the specialist wildlife viewing activity of Duba Explorers Camp, are available

with licensed, armed guides. There is simply no better way to experience the magic of this unique

destination and these walks are ideally combined with the wildlife viewing activities such as heading out

on mekoro or boat. Explore the islands, wetlands and plains, following the tracks and interpreting the

signs of the wild. Guests might even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of a rare sitatunga or an elusive

leopard.

The Selinda Reserve is a 130,000-hectare private concession in northern Botswana at the crossroads

of some of northern Botswana’s most prolific wildlife areas; upstream from Savute Channel and Chobe

National Park and north of the expanding reaches of the greater Okavango Delta. This unique position

gives it the advantages of both of these famous areas but with the tremendous advantage of exclusivity.

It is a truly spectacular and varied landscape that boasts staggering wildlife populations in diverse

habitats year-round. Home to some of the classic species, such as leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, Red

lechwe, zebra and giraffe, it is also a refuge for some of the more uncommon species such as African

wild dog, cheetah, roan and sable antelopes.

Selinda Explorer Camp sits in prime predator habitat, in a location, which we handpicked based on

exploring this area for years. Lion, leopard and cheetah and the recently discovered Explorers Pack

of African wild dog hunt these parts regularly. Giraffe, buffalo, roan and sable are possible sightings.

At the peak of the dry season in late September, the Selinda Reserve has been documented to hold

up to 9,000 elephants. There is phenomenal bird life along the Spillway’s banks for those looking for

some ‘lifers’.

Exploring the bush on foot is the perfect way to discover all the things, big and small, that make this

remote, pristine wilderness area so special. Selinda Explorers Camp focuses primarily on the traditional

safaris of walking and canoeing when the spillway is flooding. All guides are firearm trained and will be

armed. Getting out on foot is rewarding, safe in the hands of your guide, you’ll learn about the wonders

of the bush. It’s also a time to smell the wild sage, feel the texture of leaves, and listen for the alarm

calls of baboons and birds, telling you (or at least your guide) what’s going on around you.

SELINDA EXPLORERS CAMP

2 nights at Selinda Explorers Camp in a luxury tent on a full board basis.

Selinda Explorers Camp is a classic camp that transports guests back to the time of authentic safaris,

but with a modern twist and hospitality. The camp’s focal point is the Bedouin-style main area

consisting of a lounge and separate dining room. The four guest tents provide comfort and style

but with a magnificently raw spirit. Subtly placed under the shade of the riverine forest, the camp is

designed in the style of the early explorers both in philosophy and practice. This authentic tented camp

draws on traditions of the classic East African safari with beautifully detailed campaign style furniture

made from recycled hard woods, and soft furnishings from Zanzibar and the East. The customdesigned tents consist of two rooms plus verandah, as well as a private open air ‘bustani bathroom’

with hot water showers and flush loo. All tents are at ground level, including the main lounge and

dining area. This is an unassuming camp, light on its footprint but heavy on its experiential luxury.

The atmosphere of the lodge is one of bush elegance with relaxed bohemian style, complemented by

attentive staff, private professional service and fabulous food.

Game drives are offered, both day and night, but are a supplement to other activities as opposed to the

emphasis. If the cool shade of the canvas and trees simply isn’t enough to quell the midday heat, then

grab the guide and go for a swim in the refreshing waters of the Spillway.

The Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve, a salt pan– with an area of 3 900 sq. kms is situated in the

middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world.

The pan is all that remains of the formerly enormous Lake Makgadikgadi.

Lying southeast of the Okavango Delta and surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi is

technically not a single pan but many pans with sandy desert in between, the largest being the Sua

(Sowa), Nwetwe and Nxai Pans. The largest individual pan is about 1,900 sq mi (4,921.0 km2

).

The pans themselves are salty desert whose only plant life is a thin layer of blue-green algae and Very

little wildlife can exist here during the harsh dry season of strong hot winds and only salt water, but

following a rain the pan becomes an important habitat for migrating animals including wildebeest and

one of Africa’s biggest zebra populations, and the large predators that prey on them. The wet season

also brings migratory birds such as ducks, geese and Great White Pelicans. The pan is home of one of

only two breeding populations of Greater Flamingos in southern Africa, and only on the Soa pan, which

is part of the Makgadikgadi pans.

JACK’S CAMP

2 nights at Jack’s Camp in a room on a full board basis.

This much loved, camp in the Kalahari has earned itself a reputation as one of Africa’s most stylish and

genuine offerings.

Situated amidst the moonscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans, Jack’s Camp is named after legendary

explorer Jack Bousfield who found and fell in love with the spot in the sixties. Jack’s Camp is a tribute

to Jack from his son Ralph, and what a tribute it is. The inimitable style of the camp has put it front and

centre of many a magazine spread and fashion shoot. Indeed, with the distinctive forties style, Bousfield

family memorabilia, open sided pool pavilion, and even its very own museum, this is movie star magic.

As tempting as the interiors might make it to stay squarely in camp, the plethora of activities on

offer become from dawn when meerkats begin their exploits, through to dusk when the sea of stars

illuminate the Kalahari and the life within it. Between such a unique opening to a day at Jack’s, and

extraordinary end, there’s quad biking (only in the dry season), horse riding, game drives, walking with

the San bushmen and plenty more to entrance and delight.

The essence of the Bushmen – Explore the Kalahari alongside authentic Zu/’hoasi Bushmen and

discover these ancient people who braved the desert plains for centuries, expertly navigating the

harsh and arid lands. Jack’s Camp has pioneered the conservation of this fast vanishing culture and

proudly hosts four generations of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen in the Makgadikgadi. The tour touches on the life

of Bushmen in an authentic Bushmen settlement, as well as the unique skills they have employed to

survive, to heal and to prosper in the arid desert.

Then there are the animals of course. Not your run of the mill safari checklist, but Kalahari specials that

you’ll struggle to find elsewhere, including brown hyenas, aardwolves and aardvarks. Jack’s Camp is a

true African icon, and all who stay become an integral part of its fascinating story.