Luxury Safari Experts » Botswana

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp Reopens After Extensive Upgrades

Andrea M. Rotondo — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:11:06 +0000

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta reopened on April 21, 2010, after extensive upgrades. Returning guests will notice the extended deck in the lounge and dining area as well as a new furniture and thatched roof.

Views from the boma now feature the inspirational flood plain and the bar and gift shop have also been refurbished.

The flood waters of the Okavango Delta have already reached Sanctuary Chief’s Camp for the season and guests are enjoying the popular mokoro excursion.

If you’ve been dying to try this camp, now may be the time to do so as it’s are offering a “Stay 4 Nights, Pay for 3″ special. Travel dates are May 1–June 30, 2010.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Sanctuary Retreats.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats

Zambezi Queen to Ply the Chobe River in Botswana

Andrea M. Rotondo — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:02:06 +0000

Southern Africa is one of my favorite regions on Earth. The topography is diverse, animal viewing—including the “Big Five” of African elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and Cape Buffalo—is almost too easy, and the people are incredibly engaging. That’s why I was very intrigued to learn about the new Zambezi Queen riverboat—built in 2009—that is now offering safaris on the Chobe River in northeast Botswana.

The Zambezi Queen

If you’re addicted to HBO’s series No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency that’s set in Botswana, you know the country’s southern border is buffeted by South Africa, to the west and north is Namibia, to the east is Zimbabwe. (A very small portion of the northern border is also shared by Zambia.)

Visitors from all around the world are drawn to several regions of Botswana: the Kalahari Desert at the center of the country, the lush Okavango Delta in the central north, and Chobe National Park to the northeast. It’s at Chobe National Park that you’ll see the largest population of African elephants (numbering close to 120,000).

The steel hulled Zambezi Queen riverboat explores the Chobe between Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and Chobe National Park and ties up just miles from where four countries—Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—meet. (It’s an easy trip to the dramatic Victoria Falls from here.)

This brand new riverboat houses 14 cabins, all with private balconies. Four are master suites with air conditioning while the remaining 10 staterooms are cooled via ceiling fans.

You’ll enjoy the pool on the top deck (forward) as well as the dining room and lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows that are perfect for spying game all day long.

Onboard guides will take you on safaris via tenders (three aluminum high-speed boats) that allow for super up-close viewing of animals. Land-based game viewing from 4×4 vehicles is also an option in Botswana’s Chobe National Park. If you’d like to see what local village life is like, the Zambezi Queen can arrange for a tour. And, there are two fiberglass boats for those who wish to hook some tiger fish and bream.

Two- and three-night safaris are available and are priced in South African rand. Pair your voyage aboard the Zambezi Queen with one or two game lodge stays in Botswana; the Royal Livingstone in Zambia for Victoria Falls; or lodges in South Africa’s Timbavati or Sabi Sands Private Game Reserves.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Zambezi Queen at +27 (0) 21 438 0032.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Zambezi Queen

Learn the Art of Tracking with Orient-Express Safaris

Andrea M. Rotondo — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:00:01 +0000

Orient-Express Safaris operates three luxury camps in Northern Botswana: Eagle Island Camp in the Okavango Delta, Savute Elephant Camp in the Chobe Desert, and Khwai River Lodge adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve.

Now, in addition to offering traditional safari experiences, Orient-Express is also offering the chance to be guided by animal communicator Anna Breytenbach, who will unlock the secrets to tracking animals in the wild. You’ll soon be scouting like a local as you figure out how to tell which animal left the tracks, what direction it’s moving in, and when it was last in the area. Anna will also teach the art of animal communication so you’ll be in tune with animals you encounter in the wild and in your everyday life at home.

Vacations with Orient-Express Safaris may also include a boat trip through the Okavango in the heart of the Delta to visit a traditional Noxa village, or a Khwai River village. Travelers also meet with environmentalist Onx Manga, who explains what the lives of the Bushmen were like thousands of years ago while visiting ancient and rare Bushmen paintings and the forest of African Baobabs (giant “upside down” trees, which are thousands of years old).

These unusual experiences are just a hint of what awaits you in Botswana.

For more information, visit Orient-Express Safaris or call +27 21 483-1600.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Orient-Express Safaris

Two New Luxury Camps in Botswana: From Town & Country Travel

Andrea M. Rotondo — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:23:15 +0000

Town & Country Travel’s Adam H. Graham just returned from Botswana and writes about his experience for the magazine’s website. The story features two new luxury camps—Xaranna and Xudum—in Botswana from &Beyond.

Read “Beyond Botswana: Two New Luxury Safari Camps and a Name Change to Boot.”

Photo of Xudum Lodge courtesy of &Beyond