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5 Of Botswana Best Campgrounds You Really Have To See

Botswana is a nation that is huge and diverse, and it is full of gorgeous animals and breathtaking scenery. It is not hard to see why it is considered to be one of the top places to go on safari in Africa. This landlocked nation has a lot to offer, from the streams that seem like veins in the Okavango Delta to the arid and barren Kalahari Desert. This country has a lot to offer despite its lack of coastline.

While the wildlife in the delta is what garners the most attention, there are other regions that, when combined with private reserves like the Linyanti, are capable of delivering great safari experiences on par with those in the delta. National parks such as Chobe are perfect for day visits and those who are seeking for a fast in-and-out family safari; nevertheless, these parks do not provide the same level of seclusion and intimacy as the camps that are situated in the more remote parts of the reserves.

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Mashatu

Incredible amounts of flora and fauna can be found in this region, which is home to the Mashatu Game Reserve and is on the outskirts of the Tuli Safari Area, which extends into the neighboring countries of Zimbabwe and South Africa. A game drive in the “Land of Giants” is certain to never be dull since the area is home to hundreds of different kinds of birds, mammals, and plants.

During the course of a year, the lush and green grasses that are located on the eastern border of the Kalahari desert vanish. The New Year marks the beginning of this process. Because there are fewer water sources available, animals are attracted to them during the dry season, which makes it an excellent time to go wildlife watching.

Whether you choose to stay in the main camp, the tented camp, or the most recent addition of villas, your time spent at Mashatu will be filled with the wonderful hospitality of the staff as well as fantastic opportunities to watch wildlife. It is quite simple to combine with a trip to South Africa or Botswana since there are daily flights and it is straightforward to get to the camps.

The area offers activities like as walking safaris, bike safaris, and equestrian riding safaris. The photographic hide at Mashatu, on the other hand, is what makes the lodge such a valuable addition to any itinerary.

Spending some time in the hide, which has a view of a permanent waterhole and provides fantastic picture opportunity at eye level with any animals that come to the waterhole to drink, is highly recommended. It is imperative that one seizes the chance to take a snapshot from this unusual perspective, whether the subject of the shot is an impala, a lion, or an elephant.

Jao

Beginning in May, floodwaters traveling from the Angolan Highlands make their way into the Delta. Following its descent some months earlier, the water eventually makes its way into Botswana, where it creates the biggest inland delta in the world. As the floodwater seeps through the land, a dry and beige landscape is changed into a green and lively ecosystem where puku swim around the shallow ponds and hippos hoot in delight. The area was dry and beige before the floodwater seeped through the ground.

Jao Jao epitomises an Okavango Delta safari. The camp is located in the middle of the flooding and is spread out among a number of islands that are surrounded by riverine woods and papyrus plants. It is one of the newest projects that Wilderness Safaris has undertaken. Rebuilt in 2019, the camp is considered to be one of the most opulent safari camps in Botswana. However, being sustainable and environmentally friendly was a primary focus throughout the renovation.

Even though you may go on game drives while you’re staying at Jao, the main reason to come here is for the water activities. There is nothing that quite compares to the experience of floating gently through the watery canals in a mokoro or experiencing a boat safari that is little quicker.

Following the paths through the reeds that have been created by elephants and hippos is definitely the best way to explore the Delta, and for those who enjoy birding, the mokoro is without a doubt the best way to find and view birds. Following the pathways through the reeds that have been created by elephants and hippos is definitely the best way to explore the Delta. From the wading yellow-billed stork to the exceedingly elusive Pel’s fishing owl, the mokoro provides the ideal chance to gently glide close to these birds and study their behavior without the disruption of a motor. This applies to both of these species.

Mombo

Mombo Camp, which is located in the middle of the Okavango Delta, is said to be the most well-known camp in all of Africa. After undergoing renovation in 2019, the camp was upgraded to include accommodations that are more spacious and luxurious new surroundings. The fact that both black and white rhinos have been successfully reintroduced is, however, the more significant development for tourists who go on safari. This is an inspiring tale of conservation achievement that, with any luck, will be of assistance to a population that is rapidly declining.

Even in the height of the floods, Mombo is a fully dry camp, which may appear strange to those who are familiar with the area. Because of its position, it is stranded on Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, and as a result, it can only provide activities that take place on land, such as game drives and walking safaris. The game watching, on the other hand, is among the very finest in all of Africa. Mombo is renowned throughout the whole year as an excellent location to see a diverse array of animals, ranging from packs of wild dogs resting in their burrows to placid leopards.

Even though there is no such thing as a budget safari in the Okavango Delta, Mombo is one of the most expensive camps in the Wilderness Safaris collection. This is due to the fact that Mombo takes great pleasure in being the company’s flagship site. The greatest levels of hospitality and service are provided, so you can be certain that your investment will not be squandered.

Tau Pan

The Kalahari is a dry and, at first glance, barren region, which stands in stark contrast to the expansive aquatic labyrinth that is the Okavango and the often verdant and lively Linyanti. Nevertheless, no matter how long you stay, you won’t be able to shake the feeling that there is so much more out there.

The herds go south from Northern Botswana all the way into the Kalahari Desert during the months of January and March in the hopes of finding the lush and nutrient-dense grass that has grown as a result of any rain that may have fallen during that time. This is the greatest time of year to visit the Serengeti National Park in order to see the freshly discovered wildebeest migration, which is only surpassed in magnitude by the movement of the zebras.

From June forward, as the dry season continues to take its toll, there are still isolated pockets of game, but the seldom seen species are the ones who steal the show. The elusive and uncommon aardwolf, the charismatic brown hyena, and the families of markets can all be seen here, which makes for some fantastic wildlife encounters.
Kwando Safaris is the company that manages the Tau Pan camp, which is located in an area with great views of the surrounding countryside.

The camp runs on solar energy and has a cutting-edge water waste system, which enables it to recycle its wastewater and return it to the Kalahari desert soil where it originated.

Duma Tau

While most people in the tourism industry are familiar with the Delta, Botswana is home to a number of lesser-known destinations that are as breathtaking in terms of the natural environment and the animals that live there, as well as the accommodations that are available there. The Linyanti Game Reserve is home to both the Duma Tau and Little Duma Tau camps, both of which have the same name. West of the well-known Savute marsh region in Chobe National Park is where you’ll find the Linyanti. There are not as many people living there as there are in Chobe, despite the fact that the terrain and fauna are same.

Because the Linyanti is a private reserve, the only persons who are permitted to enter are those who are living at the campgrounds. Linyanti National Park provides a more private and personal safari experience that also includes night drives, in contrast to Chobe National Park, which is a national park with stringent laws and can become quite crowded with numerous camps and day tourists.

The greatest time to watch the wildlife in this region is between the months of April and October. This is when vast herds of buffalo and elephants are driven to the area by the waters of the Savuti Channel and the Linyanti River, making it the ideal period for game viewing. Additionally, the camp was raised to the status of a premium camp after undergoing renovations the previous year. This indicates that if you choose to stay here, you will be treated to a premium experience and will have a wonderful time overall.

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