© The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

Even the journey to the Okavango Delta is breathtaking: from the safari town of Maun, small propeller planes take you to the camps - and you also have to fly between the accommodations, which are located in the middle of the jungle. Only from above, you can realize the immense size of this almost deserted region, where the colors glow intensely and countless water channels make their winding way through a wildly sprawling landscape.

© provided

If you want to experience nature and animals away from mass tourism, the politically stable Botswana is the right place to go. The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world, a fertile wetland surrounded by the Kalahari Desert. Dry savannah alternates with vast swamps and water channels; the delta's flow is fed by the rains of Angola, which begin in October and end in April. The Delta, unlike many other safari regions, can be traveled year-round, and there are only a few but luxurious lodges that blend well with nature and emphasize ecological compatibility. Some of these spacious accommodations are located directly on lagoons and water channels, and sometimes elephants or hippos cross those wooden paths that are actually intended for guests. For this reason, vacationers aren't allowed to travel alone after dark; they are guided to the lodge with flashlights.

Unique animal encounters

© Copyright Mark Williams. All rights reserved

Botswana consistently relies on high-priced, environmentally friendly tourism and conservation projects to protect its biodiversity. The country is sparsely populated, with national parks and game reserves accounting for around 20 percent. Chobe National Park, for example, is known for its large herds of elephants.
Among experts, Botswana is considered one of the best places to study wild dogs, which are extremely rare to see. At first glance, they could be mistaken for hyenas: Their fur is patterned with many spots, their ears are strikingly large. The young, playful dogs jump and run around curiously, they seem almost like tame puppies. Yet wild dogs are the most efficient hunters in Africa: while lions only succeed in every tenth attempt, wild dogs succeed in every second hunt.

© Natural Selection Safaris / Silverless Ltd.

Boredom never arises in Botswana, even for solo travelers: You leave at dawn, at four o'clock you start again for animal observation, and in the evening you exchange information about what you have seen. 

Where to Stay

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge

© Copyright Mark Williams. All rights reserved

Timelessly elegant and in the usual Belmond comfort, here guests experience the Chobe National Park from its wild side: directly on the Savute Channel with a view of a waterhole, it's possible to get snapshots of elephants, hyenas or even wild dogs.

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Tel: +27 21 483 1600
Web: belmond.com
Price: Tented Room from $ 4530,- per night

Xigera Safari Lodge

© The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

This is a luxurious camp with only twelve spacious tented suites in the Okavango Delta. A highlight is the Baobab Treehouse, where you spend the night under the stars. 

Xigera Safari Lodge
Moremi Game Reserve, NG28, Masarwa, Botswana
Web: xigera.com
Price: All-inclusive suite from $ 5906,- per night

Vumbura Plains Camp

© Teagan Cunniffe

This is the ideal camp in the Okavango Delta for safaris on land and water. The lodges have private pools and spacious terraces. The ultimate Botswana bucket list is organized on request, with stops at three different camps. 

Vumbura Plains Camp
Vumbura Plains, Lechomos, Botswana
Web: wildernessdestinations.com
Price: price upon request

Chief's Camp

© Sanctuary Retreats

Located in the Moremi Game Reserve, exciting safari excursions and exceptionally large suites await you at Chief's Camp. 

Chief's Camp
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Web: sanctuaryretreats.com
Price: price upon request

Jack's Camp

© provided

An icon of 1940s-style safari camps, early-morning safaris, bushman walks, private pool and one of the largest collections of Botswana artifacts await you at the recently renovated luxury camp. 

Jack's Camp
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana
Tel: +27 21 001 1574
Web: naturalselection.travel
Price: All-inclusive-Tented-Room from $ 4030,- per night