Travel Adviser : Okavango Delta: purple footprints in the early morning dew

Gametrackers Botswana was bought by Orient-Express Hotels (the company which owns Mount Nelson Hotel) in 1993. An extensive refurbishing and upgrading programme was initiated after the purchase and money was invested into appointing and training new staff.

As far as the individual camps are concerned, the improvements at Khwai are more or less complete; a new plunge pool and communal area is planned for Xaxaba and, ultimately, new chalets which look onto the lagoon; Santawani will be rebuilt on an adjacent site where the chalets will have en suite bathrooms; and Savuti South will be equipped with luxury tents with en suite bathrooms subject to pending wildlife-management plans from the government (a second camp at Savuti, Allan’s Camp, could also be upgraded subject to wildlife-management plans).

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Air Botswana flies from Johannesburg to Maun and back daily. The flights on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays are direct, while a stop is made at Gaborone on the other four days. The cost of the return flight (if not included in your package) is R1 380, based on a four-14-day excursion fare. Groups can arrange a charter from Johannesburg. From Maun you can take a charter into any of the camps, but it is best to arrange this with Gametrackers beforehand.

Gametrackers offers three packages which include accommodation, intercamp flights (Maun to Maun), all meals, laundry, game-viewing activities, park entrance fees and emergency insurance. The prices are per person sharing:

Okavango Adventure: Five days and four nights at two camps. US$1 400 (R5 110).
Okavango Breakaway: Seven days and six nights at three camps. US$1 960 (R7 145).
Okavango Discoverer: Nine days and eight nights at four camps. USS2 500 (R9 124).

Single supplements for the above trips vary between US$160 (R584) and US$175 (R639) per day. Tailor-made itineraries can also be arranged and it should be noted that your travel agent may be able to negotiate better prices on your behalf.

For more information contact Gametrackers Botswana Central Reservations at PO Box 786432, Sandton 2146. Tel (011) 884-2504, fax (011) 884-3159.

The address for Air Botswana is Block 1, Fedlife Building, 257 Oxford Road, Illovo 2196. Tel (011) 447-6078, fax (011) 447-4163.

WEATHER

Summers are hot and humid with most of the rain in the form of thundershowers falling between October and April. Winter days are dry and warm, while the nights are very cold. Game viewing is good all year round, but the drier months from May to November are usually the best. For bird-watching, however, the warmer summer months (when migrants visit the area) are best.

WHAT TO TAKE

Although mosquito nets are provided, malaria precautions must be your first consideration. A small first-aid kit could be useful and your toilet bag should contain, in addition to your usual requirements, suntan lotion, lip salve, skin moisturiser and insect repellent.

Dress is informal and shirts or blouses and shorts or skirts are the usual attire during the day. Avoid white or bright colours – khaki and other neutral colours are best for bird-watching and game viewing and are also the easiest to keep clean. Jeans and a swimming costume are useful.

Be prepared for cold nights and game drives in winter and pack a jersey and anorak or tracksuit, as well as gloves and even a balaclava. A good pair of walking shoes is recommended and sandals or Strops are useful in the camp and in the boats. Don’t forget to take a sunhat.

Your kit should also include sunglasses, binoculars and a reliable and powerful torch (although these are provided in camp).

As you will be flying in light aircraft, your gear should be packed in a soft luggage bag and should not exceed 12kg,
excluding photographic equipment within reason.

Your camera case should be well padded and include a flash and cleaning equipment as well as plastic bags to protect your equipment from dust. Take a small bean bag instead of a tripod, and plenty of film. If travelling in summer take a small cool bag to keep your film cool. Video enthusiasts should take sufficient video tape and at least two batteries and a charger.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens are required to produce their passports on entering and leaving Botswana, but do not need visas.

CURRENCY

The local currency of Botswana is the pula and the exchange rate in the camps is about BWP1 =R1,48. Rands (notes only) and credit cards are accepted. Remember to take sufficient money for tips (there are no hard and fast rules on tipping).

ESSENTIAL READING

Ken Newman’s Birds of Botswana (Southern Book Publishers, Johannesburg) will ease identification and enhance your appreciation of the birds you see. The Shell Field Guide to the Common Trees of the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, by Veronica Roodt, (publisher’s address not given) will do the same for the trees. For information on the Savuti read Clive Walker’s Savuti: The Vanishing River, also from Southern.