To travel has never been as appealing as it is right now – at least for those of us who have been experiencing ‘cabin fever’ – and a desire to once again reconnect to nature and the great outdoors.
It’s for this reason that we have put together this summation of the countries where we operate our camps and the highlights of visiting each – places that offer wide open spaces, pristine natural beauty, fresh air and the chance to immerse yourself in Africa’s finest wilderness and wildlife areas.
Namibia
A country of wide open spaces. Of abundance and untouched beauty. A living desert.
The Namib, stretching 2000 kilometres along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia and South Africa, is believed to be the oldest desert in the world – estimated at 55 080 million years old
The endless landscapes of Namibia, untouched and seemingly infinite, offer a place in which to inhale deeply and reflect on our place in the world.
Each of our camps is located in areas that offer our guests the very best of Namibia’s natural beauty. From the iconic dune fields of Sossusvlei to the rugged, lunar-like landscapes of Damaraland and even further north, Serra Cafema , where the great Kunene River runs…
Also in the north, you’ll find Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp – renowned for sightings of desert-adapted wildlife, including lions, giraffes, elephants, brown hyaenas… and a wild coastline – noisy seal colonies, shipwrecks and an ice-blue, raging sea! Namibia is celebrated for its sweeping vistas, its infinite supply of blue skies and sun-drenched weather and the beauty of its night sky – indeed you’ll find few places on Earth where you’ll see stars as brightly.
Botswana
The home of Wilderness Safaris, it was in Botswana that our founders Colin Bell and Chris McIntyre first fell in love with the great adventures of wilderness explorations – and it was here that our company was founded some 37 years ago.
Botswana’s diverse habitat types offer many reasons to explore more one than one area and more than one camp – from the pristine, crystal clear Okavango waters that flow in each year from the central Angolan highlands to the ancient waterways of the Savute Channel that bring life-giving water to the Linyanti…
Our camps – from the Delta to the Linyanti and the Central Kalahari – offer the best places to unwind in nature, whether in a small group, with family or alone…
Think wide open spaces, remote camps, abundant wildlife, pristine natural beauty, star-studded skies and comforting campfires. Our guides and camp staff cannot wait to welcome you to Botswana, the jewel of Africa!
Our Botswana camps: DumaTau , Little DumaTau , Savuti , King’s Pool , Linyanti Tented Camp , Mombo , Little Mombo , Jao , Abu , Tubu Tree , Little Tubu , Pelo , Jacana , Qorokwe , Seba , Kwetsani , Chitabe , Chitabe Lediba , Vumbura Plains and Little Vumbura.
Zimbabwe
It is in Zimbabwe’s unspoilt and peaceful northern parks that we concentrate our safari operations.
Zimbabwe, as their tourism slogan says, offers, ‘A World of Wonders’– from the world-famous Victoria Falls, ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – to the legendary game parks that attract visitors from around the world. You’ll need to set up enough time to explore as much as you can, as you won’t want this experience to end…
Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe and home to three of our Wilderness Safaris camps: Linkwasha, Little Makalolo and Davison’s. A Hwange safari differs greatly between summer and winter – from summer’s lush green vegetation and breathtaking thunderstorms to the dry winter months that invite drama, dust and density as large herds of game congregate around the camp waterholes.
The wildlife found here, as well as the natural beauty of Zimbabwe’s great wilderness areas, make this an unforgettable adventure.
Mana Pools National Park offers a very different experience to that of Hwange, and when travelling to Zimbabwe, it’s recommended that you visit both Hwange and Mana Pools to enjoy the diversity that each area brings.
Our camps in Mana Pools – Ruckomechi, Little Ruckomechi and Chikwenya, which lie in the heart of the Lower Zambezi Valley – invite exploration of the mighty Zambezi River that forms the border with Zambia here.
Marvel at the abundance of life here – from all manner of wildlife to majestic scenery
Our Zimbabwe camps bring the thrill of adventure and a true wilderness immersion – a place to forget all your worries and to reconnect to the wild in you, and the wild out there!
Our Zimbabwean camps: Linkwasha , Little Makalolo , Davison’s , Chikwenya , Ruckomechi and Little Ruckomechi.
Rwanda
Anyone who has seen a mountain gorilla – up close in its natural environment – will tell you the same thing: this is a truly transformative experience.
A Rwandan journey at Bisate Lodge offers you the best way to experience a gorilla or golden monkey trek in nearby Volcanoes National Park .
Rwanda – The Land of a Thousand Hills – offers a rich and diverse experience that goes far beyond its mountain gorillas
Bisate is rich in adventure – from trekking and nature walks to cultural visits and delicious cuisine that celebrates the natural flavours and foods of Rwanda. Most impressive of all is Bisate’s reforestation programme that has, to date, seen over 30 000 indigenous trees planted – bringing back natural vegetation to the area, which had up until recently been heavily cultivated for farmland.
To the east of the country – another richly rewarding experience awaits at Magashi Camp, our newest, award-wining camp, which is situated in the north-eastern corner of Akagera National Park . When one thinks of Rwanda, one doesn’t often imagine productive wetlands, and grasslands filled with predators and plentiful game … Magashi is the ideal complement to Bisate – from forests and great apes to a bird- and wildlife-rich savannah.
Zambia
There is a place of wild beauty, remote but filled with life, a land dominated by wildlife and wilderness – where waters thunder and thousands of antelope graze. This is Zambia – one of southern Africa’s least travelled but most rewarding wildlife destinations. And at 2.5 million hectares, Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s oldest national Parks – remote, wild, pristine.
It is here within Kafue National Park that you’ll find the vast Busanga Plains – teeming with life – from hippo pods in muddy channels to floodplains filled with puku and red lechwe – a striking sight, especially in the early mornings as a blanket of mist rises above. The area is well known for its predators too – from leopards that lie sleepily in overhead trees to the legendary lion prides renowned for their hunting prowess.
The Okavango Delta has experienced an exceptional inundation this year – transforming the land into a water-filled paradise
To the south of the Okavango Delta, and dominating central Botswana, is the vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve – bringing yet another diverse element to Botswana’s safari circuit. The Central Kalahari is one of the largest protected areas in Africa – home to the famous black-maned lions, oryx, springbok, bat-eared fox, cheetah and many more intriguing species that have adapted to living in this harsh environment.
A visit to Zambia is only complete after seeing the world-renowned Victoria Falls while staying at Toka Leya, our serene Wilderness Safaris camp based on the edge of the Zambezi River. The camp is loved by all for its beautiful views and water activities – a place to unwind in pristine wilderness, in close proximity to the mighty falls.
Let’s plan your next journey
Ready?
When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.