African safari Archives - Under One Botswana Sky Blog

Why You Should Take a Bush Walk in Botswana

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 12:27:04 +0000

Step out of the safari vehicle and into the wilderness on a bush walk in Botswana.

Taking a game drive in a safari vehicle is perfect for sighting wildlife from a higher angle, particularly if the bird or animal is far off and a pair of binoculars is needed. In order to have a more intimate encounter with the local fauna and flora, however, you’ll want to put on your walking shoes and take to the stomping grounds of Botswana’s abundant wildlife.

If you’re not yet convinced about the bush walk experience, here are three reasons that may just help you make up your mind.

1. Journey off the beaten track

Explore Botswana on foot © Under One Botswana Sky

Leaving behind the paths well-ridden by many safari vehicles means you get to encounter the small details of the bush, which might otherwise pass you by when elevated during a game drive. The intricacy and inter-connectivity of the local ecosystem through which you walk is visible, for instance, in the architecture of a bird’s nest and the various symbiotic relationships that occur between birds and animals.

Enjoy bush walks at Chief’s Island when at Moremi Crossing © Under One Botswana Sky

Nestled into the palm-fringed Ntswi Island in the Okavango Delta and bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, Moremi Crossing is an ideal spot from which to visit Chief’s Island to view abundant game from the ground. Going into the bush on foot means being an active part of the wildlife experience rather than simply observing from a safari vehicle. An exciting part of a bush walk is taking paths that are completely inaccessible to vehicles; hike to caves, waterfalls and elevated rocky outcrops.

2. Learn something new

Get up close to Secretary Birds © Under One Botswana Sky

Do you fancy yourself something of a detective? Well, a bush walk is a great way to figure out the clues of nature. The highly experienced and knowledgeable ranger that guides you through the bush will teach you how to identify animal spoor and droppings, the calls of various species of birds, and the difference between medicinal and poisonous plants.

Adventure in the wilderness surrounding Rra Dinare © Under One Botswana Sky

In the south eastern section of the Okavango Delta, Rra Dinare offers stunning views of the Gomoti River, connecting floodplains, riverine forest and the wildlife that inhabit this area. Bush walks starting from either Rra Dinare or Mma Dinare are seasonal and dependant on the water levels. When they are possible, you can learn about the plants and insects that are characteristic to this particular delta biome.

3. Get in touch with nature

Find peace in the company of giants © Under One Botswana Sky

Few would doubt that surrounding yourself and connecting with the natural world is good for the soul. Another key benefit to trekking through the bush is that it should help to slim down your waistline, which might be necessary after indulging in the scrumptious snacks offered on game drives.

Immerse yourself in nature when at Gunns Camp © Under One Botswana Sky

However, don’t be alarmed about the level of fitness needed to embark on a bush walk. It’s not meant to be a strenuous day-long hike or a fast sprint to the end point. Rather, chat to the guide about what pace you would like to go at and what interests you have so that they assist you in getting the most out of the experience. Similarly placed as Moremi Crossing, Gunns Camp is also a good place from which to explore neighbouring Chief’s Island on foot.

If you’re interested in booking a safari, chat to us about how we can customise an itinerary for you that will include all modes of game-viewing transport.

The post Why You Should Take a Bush Walk in Botswana appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

3 Reasons Why We Think Botswana is the Best African Safari Destination

admin — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 08:40:50 +0000

Offering a diverse safari experience throughout the year, it’s no wonder Botswana is a top African safari destination.

Botswana is visited annually by people from around the world who are eager to float alongside the elephants and hippos of the Okavango Delta floodplains and, from the comfort of their safari vehicle, witness big cats prowling for antelopes in the Chobe National Park.

While there are many reasons why we think Botswana is the world’s most special safari destination, we’ve narrowed it down to our top three.

Impressive biodiversity

Botswana is home to all of the Big 5 @ Under One Botswana Sky

A trip to Botswana offers an extensive mix of plant and animal life as a result of different habitats occurring in the delta. There is a wide range of national parks and game reserves that cover these various environments, affording safari-goers a remarkable variety in game-viewing.

From the elevated viewpoints at the Chobe Bush Lodge, you’ll get to see hippos and crocodiles hunting in the Chobe River. Venture out in open safari vehicles from Nata Lodge to be entranced by flamingos dancing across the vast salt pans and herds of herbivores roaming the grasslands of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans.

If you want to see all of the Big 5 in one African safari, Botswana is definitely the best place to do so.

Distinctive mobility

Not only is the wildlife on offer in Botswana diverse, so too is the way you can see it. There are multiple distinct modes of transport to choose from when going on a safari in African bush.

Take to the footpaths, where your local guide will teach you the ins and outs of spoor tracking and take you to stunning bird-watching spots. Recently built in the South Eastern part of the Okavango, Rra Dinare and Mma Dinare offer guided nature walks when the season permits.

To have the truly authentic Botswana experience, hop into a mokoro – a locally-made canoe hollowed out from wood – from Gunns Camp and glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta. Your guide will pole you through the channels to view elephants, waterbuck and the rare Red Lechwe.

Botswana also boasts beautiful sunsets and you can have a front row seat to this spectacular sight on a sunset boat cruise. You do not want to miss out on this highly rated safari activity at Chobe Safari Lodge.

GDHP1 on Tripadvisor had this to say on their 2017 trip to Botswana: “Seeing animals from the sundowner boat cruise on the Chobe River provided a different and equally exciting experience: elephants swimming across the river and greeting each other as long-lost friends, huge herds of buffalo, crocodile, sunset on the river”.

Sustainable tourism

By doing tourism sustainably in Botswana, camps like Moremi Crossing support a healthy and protected environment by being built with a modern and eco-friendly focus. It helps to reduce its environmental impact by using solar and waste disposal technology.

In order for the Chobe National Park to maintain the highest concentration of African Elephants globally, and for the country as a whole to successfully rebuild its rhino population, such initiatives are critical contributions to local wildlife conservation.

Because of its unique and varied safari opportunities, Botswana is a much-loved destination by first-time and repeat travellers to Africa. If you haven’t already been, we think you’re missing out.

The post 3 Reasons Why We Think Botswana is the Best African Safari Destination appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.