Classic Botswana

Overview

A neo-classical stately home complete with balustrades, immaculate lawns, gilded moldings and fountains, Fairlawns, which was originally built by the Oppenheimer family and is still lived in by the current owners John and Anna Thatcher, has successfully retained its relaxing park-like ambiance and palatial peacefulness.

Resembling more of a sprawling English countryside estate than a hotel in Johannesburg’s business district of Sandton, Fairlawns is a regal sanctuary in this busy city with a Balinese spa to boot.

There are 40 individually-designed suites range from a monochrome Manhattan bedroom to the Ryokan-themed Kyoto suite, the earthy colours of terracotta-wash and deep browns in ‘Marrakesh’, the flashy Miami suite, to the Louis XVI-style Viennese bedchamber. Further accommodation includes a two-bedroom studio and the private Villa Moji.

The restaurant features an award-winning wine list and high-tea on one of the many terraces is a fitting way to see the afternoon in.

A convenient 20 minutes-drive (or 25 kilometres) from the international airport, Fairlawns makes a stopover to a lengthy stay in Johannesburg feel very enjoyable and exclusive.

Overview

The Saxon is the most elegant mix of class, quiet gardens, history and luxury service.

Even though this hotel is known for being Nelson Mandela’s home whilst he penned his ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ autobiography after being released from prison, it has been made famous by its attentive staff, excellent Spa, chic African style and for being an intimately smart sanctuary in this busy city.

Located in the upmarket business district of Sandhurst, the Saxon’s 24 suites are contemporary with definitive African influences and impressions throughout. The overall effect is a deluxe boutique one which never fails to remind you of the vibrant character and culture around you.

Overview

Botswana’s mesmerizing Okavango Delta is now brighter than ever with the newly transformed (as of 2022) Vumbura Plains. Nestled in a large private concession of 60,000 hectares in the far north of the Delta, the camp is enveloped in some of the most incredible landscapes, home to some of the best wildlife encounters in the area.

Inside, the camp celebrates its sense of place and culture, with design elements that pay homage to its wonderful setting with patterns, textures and colours bringing nature inside. Rooms at the lodge are amongst the biggest in the delta, all open plan, with a sunken seating area, private shaded deck and swimming pool outside as well as indoor and outdoor showers. There is an amazing sense of space here, in keeping with the wide-open plains that the rooms face onto. The rooms are open on three sides (with netting) giving a feeling of being closer to the nature and wildlife whilst still remaining is absolute comfort.

The local connections continue throughout the camp experience.The menu celebrates seasonal produce sourced directly from local farmers, suppliers and artisans.

Activities here are a mixture of game drives and water activities which will vary according to the level of the water and the time of the year. You will find day and night drives, walks and mekoro (dugout canoes) activities, with hot-air ballooning – from April to September each year – as well as scenic helicopter flights, making Vumbura an exclusive destination for the discerning adventure-seeker.

Overview

Very intimately placed in the private Jao Concession area bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, Wilderness Jao Camp is a luxurious way to experience this beautiful part of the world.

With just nine tented rooms, you will be well looked after and be able to enjoy some incredible service tied in with excellent guiding. Each of the tented rooms are situated a short distance from the main area and are accessed via raised walkways which adds to the charm of the place. All of the tents have their own deck area with great views over the expanse of floodplains before them, you will be nice and comfortable in your luxurious canvas setting. Wilderness Jao Camp also has a great wine cellar where you can enjoy a private dinner and if you really wanted to treat yourself, they have a great spa where you can enjoy some superb treatments.

Within the camp itself, you have access to two plunge pools which you might want to dip into in the afternoon heat when you aren’t relaxing inside the beautifully decorated interior with a nice book from the library. Activities here are entirely dependent on the flood levels at the time of year you visit, however as a rule of thumb you can expect about 30% game drives and 70% water activities which give you a brilliant and new perspective of the animals that call this place their home. Mekoro trips are highly recommended! As the camp is within its own concession area, it also has the ability to provide night drives (weather permitting) to spot the elusive nocturnal creatures found here.

Overview

Organic and hand-woven, private and intimate, Sandibe is an architecturally unique hideaway deep in the mighty Delta. Dressed in shades of copper and wood, the lodge’s grand and high interiors open out to even grander views, with spacious decks offering a spectacular spot to drink in the resident wildlife.

Emerging among riverside trees in a private concession come the eight elegant suites, each exuding a sense of laid-back luxury. Filled with giant king-sized beds, outdoor showers and sparkling private plunge pools, they provide the perfect comfort after a day of spotting the Big Five on exhilarating game drives.

An alfresco banquet of Pan-African cuisine is then cooked up by expert chefs, while the relaxed but attentive butlers ensure you enjoy an entirely seamless stay.

Overview

One of the most unforgettable safari experiences in Botswana, this is the area where Dereck and Beverly Joubert have spent years filming and photographing the amazing lions and buffalo that inhabit this part of the Delta. What makes the lions of this area so special, is their tendency to hunt during the daylight hours for the buffalo, meaning that you have a much greater chance of seeing the hunt (and the kill) in action that in other areas. This makes for dramatic, exciting game viewing when you are lucky enough to witness these amazing creatures in action.

This is a private 77,000 acre private reserve, helping to protect and conserve the amazing wildlife of the area. The lodge itself has just 6 comfortable tents with a maximum of 12 guests. The tents are comfortable and cosy, decorated with brass fittings and period pieces, harking back to the style from the 1920’s. Photos of the Joubert’s work adorn the walls of the lounge and bar area, where guests are encouraged to mingle and exchange stories of the day’s viewing.

Overview

Nature meets comfort at Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp to create a unique safari experience of both land and water game activities.

Set on the edge of the beautifully remote Okavango Delta, this rustic camp boasts just nine tents with a maximum of only eighteen guests staying here at one time. Each tent provides a large en-suite with shower and w/c facilities, while a private deck offers stunning floodplain views. The rest of the camp includes a dining room, sitting room, pool and safari shop.

With a wildlife wealthy location, watch out for the impressive animals that reside in this area including buffalo, elephants and hippos plus the big cats such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. The varying range of land and water based excursions on offer consist of bush walks, exciting mokoro and power boat trips plus day and night safaris in 4×4 vehicles.

Overview

On an island in the Okavango Delta, Wilderness Jacana Camp is the ideal river camp for travellers who want to explore this rich area of Botswana from the water.

Five tented en-suite rooms are perched on stilts above the water; there’s a refreshing plunge pool overlooking the river; and the dining area is located on a platform surrounded by wild date palms and two grand sycamore fig trees. After dinner, there’s an open-air lounge with a fire pit around which guests can sit and reflect on the sightings of the day.

From the camp, you can explore the floodplains and papyrus swamps by mokoro (dug-out canoe). You might spot all sorts of wildlife, from crocodiles to the rare spotted-neck otter. Birdlife is also prevalent, including waterfowl and Pel’s fishing owl. Without even having to leave the camp, you can often see elephant and hippo drinking and cooling off in the water.

Aside from river safaris, you can go on game drives in the dry season, or spend an afternoon – or even the night – in one of the camp’s raised ‘hides’, from which you can spot Okavango wildlife.

Overview

Caught on a riverine island in the Delta’s Moremi Game Reserve, Xigera is a truly excellent camp amidst the wetlands for its dynamic and varied activities, altered slightly according to the season so guests get the most out of the wildlife and terrain. It’s also the only camp in the area, giving you total privacy and where it doesn’t get much wilder.

Ten simple, standalone, and sublimely comfortable stilted tent rooms are shrouded in the riverine forest, and its main areas are typically and tastefully African: thatch roofs, wooden floors and furniture, warm lantern light, bonfire, a traditional boma and a plunge pool to cool off in.

Xigera’s (pronounced Keejera) position amidst permanent water all year round means you can embark on the area’s signature mokoro (canoe) safari, game drives and motorboat outings. The camp is also a good choice for keen birdwatchers, with Pel’s Fishing-Owl, African Skimmer, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane and a host of raptors, other waterbirds and colourful kingfishers to be seen.

Overview

Camp Okavango sits in the centre of the permanent Okavango Delta on Nxaragha Island giving guests a captivating and traditionally wild safari experience.

It accommodates just 24 guests, ensuring a peaceful and comfortable safari experience. There are 11 safari suites and one family suite consisting of two bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. The suites have been built on individual raised wooden platforms and are set beneath the cooling Okavango Delta vegetation. The en-suite bathrooms have double vanities, double shower and a separate loo. The sliding doors open onto a private open-air viewing deck offering beautiful views over the Okavango Delta.

The camp’s main area comprises a network of interconnected walkways that link the two lounge areas, dining room, library, self-service bar and curio shop. Sweeping ramps lead to the lower level deck with two open-air fire pits and comfortable seating areas. There is another deck with a rim flow swimming pool and thatched lounge deck for the warm summer days.

With its location in the delta, this charming camp offers a number of water-based game viewing excursions which are all led by expert professional guides. Activities include motorboat trips, mokoro tours, plus guided bush walks where guests can witness exciting land-based wildlife. After an eventful day, unwind at Camp Okavango’s main lodge. Here, guests can enjoy a drink at the cocktail bar, relax in the lounge, feast on tasty fare in the dining room, or read up on local wildlife at the reference library.

Overview

With uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon, and a fantastic vantage point from which to watch the areas mega-herds of elephants, Wilderness DumaTau and nearby Wilderness Little DumaTau are perfectly located for making the most of your stay in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.

Each spacious tented guest suite has been positioned to offer great views whether you’re relaxing on your deck, or cooling off in your plunge pool. You’ll also find the tents include spot-cooling, meaning you can find respite from the hot afternoons indoors. Spend time investigating the ‘curiosity boxes’ you’ll find mounted on the walls in your room and the drawers filled with fascinating artefacts and information. They’re a great way to learn more about the area’s wildlife and rich history. Look out for unique elephant and wild dog art in the rooms and library made from reclaimed snare wire.

Wilderness Safaris have constructed both camps to give maximum comfort and offer guests a large array of facilities. In addition to the in-tent cooling systems, you’ll discover that the central Osprey Retreat which sits between the two camps boasts a pool, drink and snack counter and a Safari Boutique area, offering you more space to mingle with your fellow guests if you choose to do so. Large decks, plunge pools and awnings are attached to each of Wilderness Duma Tau’s eight tented suites as well as at the four at Wilderness Little DumaTau.

The Wilderness DumaTau team continues to focus on the sustainability of wildlife corridors, as they have done since 1997. They believe that it is more vital than ever to protect large wildlife corridors of wilderness,  like those within the vast Linyanti Wildlife Reserve – especially for the African elephant and wild dog that cover extensive ground.

Staying at Wilderness DumaTau offers you easy access to the Linyanti floodplain as well as the Savuti Channel, in fact, it’s the only concession from which you can access both. The region has all the habitat diversity to make it a haven for wildlife, and is well-known for its elephant concentrations as they congregate along the waterways and lagoons during the dry winter months. General wildlife viewing is excellent year round including impala, wildebeest, red lechwe, Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, Cape buffalo, chacma baboon, vervet monkey, and warthog. Predator sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena are good. As well as day and night game drives, you can explore on nature walks or take to the water on motorboats or the river barge (depending on water levels).

Overview

This is one of the most luxurious camps in Botswana, with nine huge canvas ‘tents’ with thatched roofs set on raised wooden platforms. Each comes equipped with a private plunge pool, four poster bed, indoor and outdoor showers.

The camp sits overlooking the Linyanti River and the oxbow lake of Wilderness King’s Pool from which it derives its name. Communal areas include a lounge dining area, bar and a shared pool. These all sit on raised decking allowing for excellent armchair game viewing of the river and lake. This part of the Linyanti borders the Chobe National Park, meaning that great numbers of elephant frequent the area during the dry months as they visit the lagoon and river. Other game is abundant too during these months including giraffe, lechwe, zebra and impala, all helping to draw the large predators; lion, leopard, cheetah and wild-dog.

As well as game drives the camp offers seasonal barge cruises along the river (dependent on the river level) , basic fishing and walking safaris (on request in advance). The camp also has two wildlife hides, excellent for close up observation of game.

Overview

Zarafa Camp is set inside the 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve, created to conserve and protect the wildlife of the area alongside connecting Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the Linyanti waterways. This reserve is home to a diverse and rich abundance of species similar to those found in the Savuti and Chobe National Parks, but with the exclusivity of a private reserve.

Simply one of the most beautiful tented camps in Africa, Zarafa is a triumph of conservation and attention to detail. There are just 4 immense tented suites set on raised wooden platforms overlooking the floodplain of the Zibadianja Lagoon. The tents are decorated in a style befitting of the explorations of the early 20th Century, matched with modern comforts and technological surprises. Outdoor decking wraps around each guest suite and offers guests a private plunge pool, private outdoor shower, and outdoor seating.

Within the suite your lounge flows into a well-decorated bedroom and an open layout indoor bathroom that is adorned with a polished copper bath tub and fireplace. The main camp, made up of a generously-sized main lounge, library, dining area and bush boutique, is nestled under a canopy of  trees a slight distance from the suites. An outdoor gym and in-room massages are also available.

Environmentally, Zarafa has a number of initiatives in place to ensure they have as light an impact on their surrounding as possible, from solar power and water filtration systems, to vehicles that run mostly on vegetable oil. The camp also supports the notion that conservation can only be successful if communities living alongside wildlife and protected areas are given opportunities to learn, interact, and benefit from these conserved areas.

As part of Great Plains Conservation, Zarafa is involved with the Great Plains Foundation’s launch of the Great Plains Academy, which provides enrichment opportunities for a community in the upper reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The academy will supply vocational training, supplemental education, and scholarships with a conservation and tourism focus. All programmes seek to invest in the skill and capacity of the individual whilst displaying respect for natural heritage and a solid conservation ethic.

Overview

Open, relaxed and resting on the banks of the eastern Selinda Spillway in the heart of the 320 000 acre Selinda Reserve, this safari camp has a prime location within a territory rich with wildlife.

Having been recently rebuilt, the camp provides a blend of old colonial elegance, updated with contemporary amenities. This is an old-world luxury experience for the modern-day traveler.

Tucked away under its sweeping thatched roof, the camp remains cool in the midday heat, and commands excellent views out over the floodplains and savanna of the Selinda Reserve. The extensive raised decks surrounding both the main lodge and guest tents facilitate wildlife viewing directly from the camp, meaning you can sit back and enjoy a delicious meal and never keep your eye off the local animals.

When you want to get more up close and personal, the camp offers both day and night game drives, on which you will be highly likely to see antelope, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elephant and buffalo. Whether you choose to travel by foot, boat or 4×4, you’ll have a unique experience of the African wilderness.

Overview

Perched above the Zibadianja Lagoon, Zarafa Dhow Suites is an understatedly opulent retreat, exclusive for your family or group of friends. Oozing old-world elegance, this award-winning private tented villa echoes the 1920’s style of Zarafa’s main camp – but on a more personal scale.

A lavish lounge and dining room, filled with deep leather sofas and beautiful campaign furniture, sits at the centre of the property and is bookended by two sumptuous suites. Inspired by the unique flavour of Eastern Africa, the rooms are dressed with ancient Zanzibari doors, fireplaces and grand cropper baths overlooking the lagoon and untouched wilderness.

Drink in these elevated bushland views, spotting the resident wild dogs, big cats and elephants, with your suite’s professional Canon camera and Swarovski binoculars. Then, get up close to the incredible wildlife on game drives and bush walks with your expert guide, bush picnics, afternoon tea and canapés. Dining here is first-class, at Relais & Chateaux standard, and most magical when enjoyed under the vast expanse of African stars.

Overview

Set away in a pristine location on the Selinda Spillway’s banks, this camp offers a chance for a different type of safari experience. Getting out of the vehicle, and onto ground and water with guided walks and canoeing, connects you with Africa, the motherland. This is by no means at the expense of wildlife, which remains prolific and regularly spotted. Couple Selinda Explorers with more traditional safari camps, and it’s a stellar combination for all types of travellers.

The camp is in the Selinda Reserve whose position in the Selinda Spillway, which flows from east to west through the concession and linking the far reaches of the Okavango Delta in the south with the Linyanti systems in the east, means that you have access to both places and their wildlife with the exclusivity of the reserve to boot.

It’s easy to miss the inconspicuous Selinda Explorers Camp. This is not an ostentatious place, but rather somewhere to get back to the nitty-gritty and focus on small details. The camp’s atmosphere of authenticity coupled with a bohemian flair makes it a relaxed place to unwind and stay a while. The canvas main area is simple, but shaded and cool, providing a place to rendezvous, contemplate and have a jolly good laugh. Dinner is served under the stars or in the dining area but always wholesome, tasty and cooked over open fire. It is this same fire that then becomes our nightcap spot – an aperitif, Amarula on ice or a nice herbal tea.

Selinda Explorers is an authentic tented camp drawing 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. Consisting of only four luxury guest tents, each with their own adjoining en-suite, private open air ‘bustani bathroom’ with explorer themed hot water bucket showers and flush porcelain toilets. Each tent overlooks the Selinda Spillway with a private verandah.

There will be limited power available. The tents will have individual solar panels to power lights. Charging of batteries can be done in the main area and through an inverter system. Power is supplied to the main area through the main solar power supply.

Overview

Wilderness Linyanti Tented Camp overlooks the Linyanti marsh and floodplain, and with easy access to a range of habitats including open savannah and woodland, this is a great place for game viewing.

The camp operates on an exclusive-use basis and consists of four large en-suite tents, designed to evoke the spirit of the early explorers. The main area of the camp is built on a slightly raised desk and offers impressive views of the landscape and its inhabitants.

After a day in the wilderness, come back to camp to relax around the crackling fire or in the traditional boma. As well as game drives, guests can head out on a nature walk, visit the log pile hide and head out after dark to see a variety of animals that stay hidden during the day.