Day 1
An excited Candice flew from Cape Town to Maun via Johannesburg. The Airlink flight from Jo’berg to Maun was delayed for 2 ½ hours and she whiled away the time watching how Airlink handled the situation and found it fascinating eavesdropping the reactions of the passengers especially as 90 % of the flight was American tourists, which happens to be our key market.
A note from Candice regarding immigration at the Maun border: “Expect an inordinate amount of paperwork and hand writing of forms and documents – nothing is electronic!”
She was met by a rep from Moremi Air and promptly air hopped into Pom Pom Camp. Besides the awe inspiring views of the Okavango Delta from the air, it was exciting when the pilot needed to buzz low over the runway to chase some animals away before landing – welcome to Botswana!
Candice loved Pom Pom Camp, especially the staff. From the ‘welcoming committee’ who sang for her on arrival, to the fun but professional managers (Andy and Dineo) to her great tracker and guide team, BT and Shaku.
Her first night was quite eventful when during a short rain storm, a yapping hyena decided to take shelter under her tent (raised on stilts). She was able to relax and laugh about it the next morning when her guides took her on a calming mokoro (dugout canoe) ride along the winding waterways of the Okavango Delta.
Some facts:
Pom Pom Camp has nine units with unit 3 being a family unit and unit 9 being the honeymoon suite with the amazing bath that we featured in our Best Baths Blog post. Safari activities include game drives and mokoro rides and the camp also features a pool.
Day 2
Her next stop was Gunn’s Camp, also in the Delta overlooking the Moremi Game Reserve, and only a 15 min airhop away. Compared to Pom Pom, Gunn’s Camp is more established and slightly smaller with only 6 units. A memorable feature is that the camp is on an elephant migration route which is a sight to behold. The walkway between the tents and the public area is about 200m long, and happens to be exactly where the elephants cross! Candice was hosted by Chocs and Dudu (the managers) and taken on a later afternoon river cruise.
She also site inspected the nearby Moremi Crossing Camp which is the largest of the three camps with 17 suites, and therefore more suited to groups. The tents are slightly smaller and the reception area is designed and crafted out of local products to resemble a turtle!
Some facts:
Safari activities at these two camps include river cruises, mokoros and walks in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Day 3
It was an hour’s flight from the Moremi region to Kasane in the Chobe region. Kasane is the entry/ exit hub for travellers going from the lodges and camps in Botswana’s Chobe National Park to Zambia – in particular to and from Victoria Falls.
Here Candice stayed at Chobe Safari Lodge, one of our favorites which always receives great feedback from our clients. Even though it is a large lodge, this Kasane accommodation is cleverly laid out and managed so that you don’t feel it. PLUS the game viewing is superb here.
Some facts:
The river cruise boat takes up to 40 people at a time and departs once a day in the afternoon.
Day 4
Her final stop on her whirlwind agent’s inspection trip was Nata Lodge. Located midway between Maun and Kasane and more popular with self-drivers, the lodge is set just a few minutes away from the Sua salt pans and is a paradise for birders. The accommodation is less luxurious than Pom Pom, Gunns and Chobe Safari Lodge, but she definitely got to experience the warm hospitality that Botswana famous for!
Some facts:
There are 22 thatched ‘rondavel’ units each fitted with air conditioning; 1 wheelchair friendly suit and 10 tented units. There is an oasis-styled swimming pool. You can do an excursion to the salt pans in the afternoon. It takes place within the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Various birds and antelope roam the pans. There are no big cats or predators here.
Originally published on Southern Destinations by Stef Black.
