The jewel of the Kalahari
Our team has recently returned from Botswana, where the legendary Okavango Delta formed the perfect backdrop to a series of incredible wildlife encounters, and some of the finest luxury lodges in southern Africa.
A new star is born
Daunara Lodge in the southern Okavango Delta has raised the bar for safari vacation accommodation, so naturally, we were keen to experience it for ourselves – and report back to you. We had heard a lot about Daunara before our trip, but it turns out that the stories couldn’t come close to the reality of a lodge that is the equal of anywhere in Botswana.
Co-owner Matt Copham is a renowned safari guide, and he has put all his experience and passion into the design and facilities of the lodge. Daunara is reached by a 15-minute scenic helicopter flight from the town of Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The lodge overlooks a lagoon, with water drawn from a borehole during drier times of the year.
During our stay at Daunara, it was hard to know where to look. The design and comfort of the lodge is out of this world, while the almost constant procession of wild animals passing by the lodge means it’s not necessary to go anywhere to see elephants and other iconic creatures. The lodge is designed for exclusive-use bookings, making Daunara the ideal safari home from home.
Where luxury meets conservation
Great Plains Conservation is a well-known ecotourism operator in Botswana, and has a superb conservation track record in addition to offering stunning Reserve and Classic lodges and tented camps. We began this part of our itinerary with a stay at Zarafa, where we had the opportunity to enjoy the authentic Moroccan look and feel of the lodge and we could cool off in our splash pools (each of the four luxury rooms features a sparkling pool).
Our scenic flight to Zarafa gave us a chance to look down on the waters of the annual Okavango Delta inundation as they began to push into the Delta. During our stay, we also enjoyed a personalized whisky pairing journey, and we signed up for the famous Great Plains birding competition.
Despite the best efforts of our superb guides, we fell just short of the 111 different species required to win a prize. Luckily, we were able to console ourselves by making our own lunch at the pizza station. This would be a wonderful treat for kids if you’re travelling as a family, and having a more casual meal provided an enjoyable contrast with the outstanding cuisine we enjoyed throughout our trip.
Thrills on the Spillway
Located on the seasonal channel known as the Selinda Spillway, Selinda is one of Great Plains’ Classic camps. It has a reputation for amazing game viewing, and once again, it delivered – including an unforgettable nocturnal sighting of an aardvark. It’s possible to include the transfer from Zarafa to Selinda in your morning game drive, or opt for a quick flip in a helicopter.
Selinda gave us our first taste of water activities, whereas our next destination – Sitatunga Private Island – let us immerse ourselves in the watery aspects of the Okavango Delta ecosystem. Boating activities in search of aquatic wildlife and birds were a perfect fit with the chilled, beach-style vibe of the camp.
The camp’s speedboat provided a change of pace, and the river guides were adept at judging what sort of pace we were comfortable with. Their skills meant that we could reach remote islands and enjoy guided walking safaris in places where ours might have been the first-ever human footprints. Walking is all about appreciating the smaller details – and working up an appetite for a floating bush breakfast or sunset drinks on the double-decker viewing boat.
Sharing the love
Before we arrived at each new lodge, the staff used their radio network to pass on information that made our welcome even warmer, and meant that we only had to discuss dietary requirements and other needs once. After that, everybody knew all they needed to know to make us even more comfortable.
The beach vibes continued at our final stop: Okavango Explorers Camp, another Great Plains Classic property. The summer temperatures climbed still higher during our stay there, but fortunately the cool, clear waters of the Okavango Delta provided the perfect respite. We won’t give everything away, but watching wild dogs from the water was a moment we’ll never forget. It also gave us plenty to talk about as we relaxed in the unique Great Plains lounge close to Maun airport, before we very reluctantly said goodbye to the Okavango Delta.
To explore the best of Botswana for yourself, contact Journey Beyond today.