Destination Spotlight – Botswana

Botswana is the untamed Africa of a bygone era, unblemished by development. Its expansive game parks and preserves remain intact. The country has intentionally avoided mass tourism and chosen to offer a higher quality experience to a lesser number of people. By operating under this this policy of low volume and controlled tourism, Botswana offers a higher quality safari experience to fewer people, making it even more special. National Geographic tapped Botswana as Africa’s last wildlife refuge. This country has recently gained recognition, joining Kenya and Tanzania, as one of the world’s hottest wildlife areas.

Accommodations: Most camps and lodges are tented, restricted in size (usually not more than 24 clients at a time); some Chobe properties are larger. (Read More…)

Abu Camp offers a rare African experience that showcases the magnificent wildlife and landscape of the Okavango Delta; a safari that will transform your perceptions of elephants, wilderness, and life itself.

As a guest of Abu Camp, you are invited to walk with and ride elephants, to get a glimpse of their world and learn about their lives. Becoming part of an African elephant herd is an extraordinary privilege that we seek to share with those who visit us.

Pioneered in the early 1990s, and named after a much-mourned bull elephant, Abu Camp has been running for 20 years, and as such is the original elephant safari experience in Africa.

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Floating past hippo and elephant, encountering wildlife on foot, and bedding down on the banks of the river – this must rank as one of the greatest adventures on the planet. Experience all the aspects of the African wilderness as you traverse either Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley or Botswana’s Selinda Spillway by canoe. Three nights are spent on the banks of the river in your fully serviced mobile tented camp.

Zambezi River canoe safaris are an ideal combination of unspoiled wilderness and some of the finest game and birdlife in sub-Saharan Africa. (Read More…)

A native of Great Britain, Jennifer is a Travel Industry veteran with many years in both retail and wholesale. She is quite familiar with South Africa – having lived there for nearly 10 years. She has also visited Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Lower Zambezi in Zambia.

Jennifer’s favorite destination in Botswana is the Okavango Delta as it gives one the opportunity to witness beautiful bird life. “Depending on the water levels,” she says, “there is a chance to take mokoro rides (a dug out canoe) or power boat rides through the dense swamp lands. The combination of land and water gives for wonderful photography opportunities with lighting and reflections.” Jennifer’s favorite property in Botswana is Abu Camp. (Read More…)

Resident Elephants at Abu Camp, Okavango Delta in Botswana

My short stay at Abu Camp was filled with activity, including riding and walking with the elephants. The herd is currently comprised of 7 elephants: Cathy, Shireni, Kitimetse, Abu, Lorato, Paseka and Warona. They are kept in a boma area (enclosure), not far from the main camp. Their schedule is the following: up at 6 am for feeding time, then the mahouts (guides) prepare them for the ride. After an hour or so, riding through waterways and the bush, we return to camp. The herd is then led out into the wild to mingle with their bush friends.

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