Exploring Botswana's best for World Wildlife Day

He says that many guests come to Wilderness Chitabe expecting predator-prey encounters and this wildlife-rich section of the Okavango Delta does not disappoint. When reflecting on some of his most memorable sightings he recounts a moment when an old lioness had an encounter with a honey badger. “I did not expect the encounter to last long. The lioness tried to kill the badger, only to realise that the badger was more powerful than her. The whole fight went on for at least 45 minutes, with the badger winning the fight and the lioness going away with lots of wounds inflicted by the badger. This was a special sighting for me and my guests since it was something I myself have never experienced”.

In fact, if Odumetse could choose to be any animal for a day, it’s the honey badger that he’d choose. “For its size, the honey badger is always underestimated by large predators. It is a brave, strong and fearless animal”. 

Indeed, here at Wilderness Chitabe, in the heart of the Okavango Delta, guests can bear daily witness to fearless creatures engaged in mesmerising predator-prey dynamics. It’s all about the delicate balance of life in the wild and experiencing nature's untamed beauty at its best. 

But it’s not only the natural experience that makes a visit to Wilderness Kwetsani in Botswana’s Okavango Delta so special, it’s also the opportunity to travel with a real purpose. Here, together with the local people of Botswana, we are working to conserve this iconic wilderness areas. On your journey here you can get involved in joining us to uplift and assist the people of Jao village with contributions of food, clothing, and other support.

Leopard says we only have to look to the natural world to gain inspiration on how we can make a difference. “Look at the ant – while small, it completes more work than you may think upon your first impression. I also believe strongly in the value of teamwork and enjoy working on projects which contribute to the greater good for my community, which is the nature and goal for ants”.

Tapologo Gaothobogwe, a Wilderness Botswana guide for close on 10 years, who has spent a significant amount of time training at King’s Pool, says that interactions with elephants will also be some of his favourite safari encounters. He loves studying elephant behaviour and appreciates how Wilderness plays a part in ensuring that the ancient migratory paths for these animals continue to remain open. “I am a true believer in free movement of every animal and letting nature take its course”, he says. 

For Taps, as he’s fondly known to staff and guests, working at Wilderness and at a camp like King’s Pool, is an opportunity to nurture and grow his passion for conservation, while creating opportunities for everyone to experience these iconic wild places. “I believe every day is a learning opportunity in the wild, and nothing gives me greater joy than to discover nature through my guests’ eyes”, he says. 

At the end of the day, no one sums it up better than Ebineng Rabosigo, another guide at Wilderness Chitabe: