Drumbeat Winter 18

Qorokwe Camp – Set within easy reach of a diverse world of Delta habitats, it’s a top safari destination with a vast local lion pride and plenty of elephant. Nine elegant suites including a family unit overlook the lagoon colloquially known as ‘the place where buffalo broke through the bush into the water.’ Pangolin Khwai – Planned specifically with photographers in mind, and featuring a dedicated editing and post production area along with screens for presentations and workshops. Accommodating 12 guests and hosted by a resident photographic guide it will be a great place to hone skills while enjoying off-road sightings, night drives and mokoro excursions. There’s been a lot going on in Botswana over the last couple of years. Yes, the geography is as dramatic as ever, the wildlife as plentiful, and the number of tourists as low. On the camp-front however, there’s been change-a-plenty with some of our old favourites emerging after fabulous revamps and some new openings set to become much loved additions. New look Botswana www . aardvarksafaris.co.uk l P5 The New: The Renewed: Chief’s Camp – Absolute luxury set in the former hunting reserve of Chief Moremi in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Wildlife and wilderness are as abundant as the camp is elegant and luxurious. The recent extensive refurbishment will ensure it continues to feature as one of the top rated safari camps in Botswana. Duba Plains – Brand new camp, but in its original prime position amid stunning elephant herds, kudu and warthogs everywhere, bat eared fox, aardwolf, side striped jackal, hyena, crocodiles, hippo, and movie-star lions and buffalo from the films, The Last Lions and Relentless Enemies, by Dereck and Beverly Joubert. It’s a birding hotspot year-round too, reaching its peak between November and February with seasonal migrant visitors. Exceptional. Mombo – Wilderness Safaris’ flagship camps Mombo and Little Mombo re-open in February after a top to toe revamp. Set on Chief’s Island – aka the ‘place of plenty’ – home to an enormous number and variety of animals among which are large prides of lion, leopard and plains game galore, these two provide authentic bush-camp luxury amid some of Botswana’s finest wildlife viewing. Sable Alley – 12 tents and a classic Okavango view complete with its own hippo pod. Set in the Khwai Private Reserve it is a perfect spot for lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, buffalo and of course the majestic sable antelope. In short, proper Okavango and uniquely Botswana. Gomoti Plains – 10 tents on raised wooden decks overlooking the Gomoti River. Travel the pristine waterways by motor boat or mokoro and marvel at the dense wildlife concentrations of this relatively unexplored patch of wilderness. Walking, night drives and classic comfort in a region once the local haunt of many of the older Okavango guides.