Botswana: Ker & Downey Botswana completes refurbishment of Okuti Camp

Okuti Refurbishment Launch

Ker & Downey Botswana completes refurbishment of Okuti Camp

Ker & Downey Botswana has completed the full refurbishment of Okuti accentuating its unique architecture of curved arches and doorways which pay homage to aspects of Botswana's parliament building, where the arches represent unity, strength and harmony.

Okuti Camp YouTube video:

Okuti enjoys a prime location overlooking the enormous Xakanaxa lagoon boasting uninterrupted views of the Maunachira channel. A wide variety of Okavango wildlife wander along the riverbanks in front of the camp with the Xakanaxa region remaining one of Moremi Game Reserve's best year-round wildlife hotspots.

Okuti's extensive structural renovations and innovative improvements have retained its understated luxury and rustic charm. With the interior design expertise of Maun based Lien Smith (Interior Designer) of Thakadu Treasures and Nardia Cronje (Interior Architect) of Nomvula Design, the reimagined full sorts and decor replacements assure comfort, enhance guest experience and elevate the camp to a new level of luxury.

Always forging new ways, Ker & Downey Botswana are proud that the majority of the new interiors were manufactured in Maun, thus supporting the local industry and its talented artisans.

The complete transformation of Okuti's look and feel is modern and the camp is truly a one-of-a-kind, with a design that seamlessly blends into the natural surroundings. The room's new layout and amenities have been rearranged to enhance the breathtaking views out over the lagoon and river, allowing guests to enjoy nature to the horizon from the comfort of their room. Other new room fixtures, such as the flooring and lighting, have transformed the rooms into a more stylish and brighter space.

The overall ambience exudes luxury and sophistication, ensuring that every guest enjoys a truly unforgettable experience at Okuti. We invite you to come and experience the newly refurbished camp for yourself. Whether you are a first-timer or a returning guest, we are confident that you will appreciate the improvements that have been made to this stunning camp.

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Botswana: New Stay 3 pay 2 special launched at Leroo La Tau

Desert & Delta Safaris

New Stay 3 pay 2 special launched at Leroo La Tau

"Stay 3, Pay 2" Special at Leroo La Tau

Leroo La Tau - Boteti River

We are thrilled to announce a new special offer for all bookings travelling from January to March 2024. This fantastic deal can also be combined with our Best of Desert & Delta Safaris (BODDS) packages.

Combine a 3-night stay at Leroo La Tau with our "Stay 8, Pay 7" BODDS package (From January to March 2024) and receive an incredible 2-NIGHTS COMPLIMENTARY.

Leroo La Tau Rates

° 3 nights at Leroo La Tau from $1,290.00 per person, excluding flights.

OR

° "Stay 8, Pay 6" from $4,466.00 per person, including all internal charter flights based on Maun to Maun (must include 3 nights at Leroo La Tau to apply. You can add Chobe Game Lodge to this special by using the applicable Maun – Kasane routing on our BODDS rates.

What’s on Offer at Leroo La Tau in the Green Season?

° Enjoy a complimentary day trip to Nxai Pans, teeming with life during the green season as thousands of zebras migrate across into the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans region.

° The opportunity to experience intimate sightings of the resident wildlife along the dry Boteti River Valley, as wildlife comes to the permanent waterholes you frequent on game drives.

° Delve into the best modern Botswana cultural experience in the Desert & Delta Safaris circuit. Embark on a guided visit to Khumaga village, meet local farmers, and learn about Setswana customs from the area. This fun and interactive experience provides valuable insights into Botswana's rural life.

° Revel in stunning birdwatching along the Boteti River Valley’s permanent waterholes, with the possibility of spotting species varying from wattled cranes, large flocks of comb-billed ducks, vultures to bee-eaters & kingfishers and a wide range of other colourful migratory species in the area.

° Thanks to the summer rains cooling the scorched Kalahari Desert, temperatures (though still warm) are much more pleasant than in the months of October and November. With the rains, the region bursts with bright green vegetation, flowers, and abundant colours.

° Photographers will adore this time of year as dust is minimal, and the rich colours and light are enhanced due to reduced haze.

To complete your perfect experience at Leroo La Tau, we recommend adding a 60-minute helicopter adventure to visit the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Witness the pans transform into shimmering vast lakes and touch down in a remote location you've never experienced before. Sightings of migrating zebras are highly likely, offering a truly special opportunity.

Special Add-on: 60-minute Helicopter Trip from $935.00 per person (minimum 2 pax)

Makgadkgadi Adventure: 90 minute helicopter trip to Kubu Island & Flamingo colony from $1,650 per person (minimum 2 pax)

Our Top Choice "Stay 8, Pay 6" Itinerary Idea:

° 2 nights at Camp Okavango or Xugana Island Lodge (The ultimate in relaxation in the core delta, boasting unmatched walking, mokoro and boating activities at this time of year).

° 3 nights at Camp Moremi or Camp Xakanaxa (Enjoy the perfect combination Okavango Delta experience with prolific game viewing and guaranteed motorized boat excursions into the delta's permanent water areas).

° 3 nights at Leroo La Tau (Includes the Nxai Pans day trip, cultural experience, and beautiful photography opportunities along the Boteti River Valley).

If you haven’t visited Botswana during the green season yet, now is the best chance to do so. With this incredible rate, a trip to Botswana at this time of year will provide a completely unique perspective on the Kalahari. With fewer travellers in the region, you can enjoy solitude in what is already a remote wilderness area.

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Botswana: Desert & Delta enlarges its portfolio with Nxamaseri | Нксамасери Лодж Ботсвана

DESERT & DELTA SAFARIS INCREASES ITS PORTFOLIO WITH THE ACQUISITION OF NXAMASERI ISLAND LODGE

Desert & Delta Safaris is delighted to announce a new addition to its luxury lodge portfolio. The company which is based, owned and operated in Botswana, has purchased Nxamaseri Island Lodge, increasing its stunning range of lodges and camps to a total of nine. The addition of Nxamaseri Island Lodge truly complements the existing eight lodges and camps, which comprises of Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Savanna Lodge, Savute Safari Lodge, Camp Moremi, Camp Xakanaxa, Camp Okavango, Xugana Island Lodge and Leroo La Tau. Nxamaseri Island Lodge will enhance their offering and the inclusion of this stunning property strengthens its presence making Desert & Delta Safaris a company with the most comprehensive portfolio of regions in Botswana today.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge has eight stunning suites, all under the shade of huge Jackalberry trees and wild date palms. The size and atmosphere dovetail perfectly with Desert & Delta’s ethos and its CARES philosophy.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge on a secluded island in the Okavango Panhandle.

Located in the centre of two UNESCO world heritage sites: Tsodilo Hills and the Okavango Delta – it is one of the very few places in the entire world where two world heritage sites meet. Nxamaseri Island Lodge is the closest property to explore Tsodilo Hills – a remarkable cluster of huge rocky hills in the otherwise flat Kalahari Desert and home to one of Africa’s most impressive collections of ancient rock art, with over 4,500 paintings located around 400 different sites. The paintings are classified as Southern African Rock art and a combination of a favourable dry climate, and the unique caves and crevices have helped preserve the art which dates back as far back as 100,000 years.

San Paintings at Tsodilo Hills

The unique rock paintings visible at Tsodilo Hills

Nxamaseri is nestled along an ancient fossil river that once flowed from the Kavango River past the Tsodilo Hills. Today the channel connects Nxamaseri to the Panhandle of the Kavango River before it fans out to form the great Okavango Delta. Keen anglers will be attracted to the region as Botswana’s fishing hotspot for catch & release fishing for the fighting Tiger Fish.

“The addition of Nxamaseri Island Lodge is an exciting region for us to promote. Those with a good level of fitness can climb to the top of Botswana (1,400m/4,900ft asl) and travellers will feel enchanted by the presence of such impressive hills and the rich history they possess. The combination of the rocky hills amongst the harsh desert and the lush waterways with the forested islands of the Okavango panhandle makes Nxamaseri Island Lodge a prime destination. Our goal is to encourage international and regional travellers to explore the incredible cultural heritage we offer in Botswana in a manner that is environmentally and ecologically responsible and sustainable.” Enthuses, James Wilson, Marketing Director, Desert & Delta Safaris.

Fishing in the Okavango Delta with Nxamaseri Island Lodge

Desert & Delta Safaris will be including flight charter rates directly to the Nxamaseri airstrip through their sister company, Safari Air and have created several packages that combine key regions of the country to make it easier for international travellers to access this richly diverse region.

For booking information, please contact info@traveltonamibia.com

ABOUT DESERT & DELTA SAFARIS

One of the original safari operators in Botswana, founded in 1982, Desert & Delta Safaris’ nine camps are set in prime locations in northern Botswana’s famous game reserves and national parks with one just across the Chobe River in Namibia’s Eastern Zambezi Region. Together these luxurious lodges offer an outstandingly diverse safari experience whilst providing the personalised service and attention to detail for which Desert & Delta Safaris is known. Guests are immersed in a safari experience which develops an understanding of the animals, people, and geography of this magnificent country.

At the heart of the company is developing the human potential of tourism in Botswana. The CARES philosophy is the foundation on which Desert & Delta Safaris is built, highlighting their core values in developing human potential and building a sustainable tourism model. They employ approximately 337 staff members within the eight safari lodges and all the guides are recruited from nearby villages. The company places a strong focus on training through a highly successful skills development program as well as focusing on healthcare, environmental responsibility, and equality.

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Botswana: Nxamaseri Island Lodge joins Desert & Delta Safaris | Нксамасери Лодж Ботсвана

Nxamaseri Island Lodge Joins the Desert & Delta Safaris

To celebrate nearly 40-years of operation in our home, Botswana, we are delighted to announce the acquisition of Nxamaseri Island Lodge. This takes the Desert & Delta Safaris portfolio to a total of nine camps & lodges,  making the group one of the most comprehensive safari circuits in Botswana.

Perfectly situated between the Tsodilo Hills and the Okavango Delta, it is one of very few places in the entire world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet.

Our aim is to make this incredible destination more accessible to international travellers through our flight network with Safari Air and our exciting new Botswana package itineraries that will feature Nxamaseri.

What has Nxamaseri Island Lodge got to offer? 

Culture

Located in the stunning Okavango Delta panhandle region, Nxamaseri is the closest lodge from which to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Tsodilo Hills – a remarkable cluster of huge rocky hills and home to one of Africa’s most impressive collections of ancient rock art.

There are over 4,500 paintings located around 400 different sites around the hills. Travellers can also hike to the top of Botswana while taking in the impressive history of the area.

Tsodilo Hills is a hugely significant cultural attraction and a wonderful addition to any Botswana itinerary.

Fishing

Nxamaseri and the Okavango Panhandle is Botswana’s tiger fishing mecca. Throughout the year (January – February season closed), the Okavango Delta panhandle is home to epic Tiger and Bream fishing.

Around September – November every year the “Barble Run” attracts predatory fish in their thousands and the chance to land several Tiger Fish is exceptionally high. A beautiful yet ferocious fighting fish found in the northern part of the Okavango Delta and Chobe/Zambezi river systems.

The Nxamaseri guides are expert fisherman from the local region with decades of experience who will help you get into exactly the right place to land that dream fish!

Water & Walking Activities

Mokoro and boating activities are offered all year round. This is owing to the vast amounts of water around the panhandle area. The Nxamaseri Channel is a stunning ecosystem of floodplains and unique vegetation and the combination of the large “panhandle channel” with its big papyrus thickets makes for an Okavango boating paradise.

Guides will invite guests to stop on many of the stunning secluded islands for guided walks exploring the area.

Birdwatching & Other Activities

Nxamaseri is a birdwatcher’s heaven. Around two-thirds of all Botswana’s bird species can be found around this region with frequent sightings of the rare Pels Fishing Owl and opportunities to see White-backed Night Heron and the graceful African Skimmer.

During the nesting season from August – November, a trip to the Carmine Bee-eater colony is a sight to behold. Thousands of these striking birds make their way in and out of the nest holes forming a seemingly pink mirage along red-cliffs in the southern area near Nxamaseri.

How to get to Nxamaseri Island Lodge

Charter flight

Nxamaseri Airstrip is accessible with Safari Air as well as other charter companies. Safari Air will provide access to Nxamaseri Airstrip from all airstrips around Botswana (provided they are permitted to land there).

Self-Drive Access

Self-drive access is a big portion of the Nxamaseri client base. Guests may park at a secure plot near the main road and will be transferred to Nxamaseri by the lodge (distance varies depending on time of year/water-level. 30 – 60 minutes)

From Mohembo Border (access to the Zambezi Region/Caprivi in Namibia) to Nxamaseri turn off: 45-minutes

From Maun to Nxamaseri turn off: 4 – 5 hours

Self-drive access information is available on the Desert & Delta Safaris Quick Links document.

Booking Nxamaseri Island Lodge 

Nightly Rates

Standalone rates are broken into 1-2 night rates or 3+ night rates.

Green Season rates have been held and start at $350 pp per night sharing for 1-2nights stays and $330 pp per night for 3-nights or more.

All guests on 2+ night stays will be invited to do the Tsodilo Hills cultural tour.

Packages

To make the region more accessible we have created a range of packages to combine with Desert & Delta Safaris camps and lodges.

One of the itineraries on the Cultural Exploration Packages connects Chobe Game Lodge with Nxamaseri Island Lodge, Camp Xakanaxa/Camp Moremi and Leroo La Tau on an 8-night itinerary (starting at $4,608pp including charter flights from Kasane to Maun or vice versa).

Travellers wanting a complete experience of the key ecosystems within the Okavango Delta should book the Traversing the Delta Package. A 6-night or 9-night itinerary with a chance to “follow the flood” including Nxamaseri Island Lodge (northern tip of the Okavango panhandle), Camp Okavango/Xugana Island Lodge (the core/central Okavango) and a 3-4 hour boat expedition transfer to the Moremi Game Reserve (wildlife rich eastern region of the Okavango).

The package starts at $3,881 including charter flights from Maun returning to Maun with the boat expedition transfer.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NXAMASERI ISLAND LODGE: info@traveltonamibia.com

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Botswana: update Desert & Delta Safaris

From Desert & Delta Safaris

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Dear Industry Partner,

In this newsletter we are sharing with you very important news and updates.
We know your inbox has been flooded with updates and letters, so we decided to sit tight to deal with this challenge and provide one comprehensive update for you and your teams.

We’ll be sharing important information about our 2021 rates and exciting new packages, a few insights into camp changes/news and our most recent terms for new and existing bookings.

Our last few weeks, like so many others in tourism, have been extremely trying. Never have we been so busy as we spent days trying to keep abreast of a constantly changing situation, getting guests back to their countries swiftly and safely, deferring bookings to future dates and planning our own operations contingency plans as the extent of the impact of the pandemic unfolded.

We would simply like to say a HUGE thank you to all our partners for their patience during this time and well done for everyone’s collective effort in keeping our industry together. When things are better, we will look back on this crisis with lessons we've learned and we’ll be more united and stronger than ever before!

PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE - PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

With reduced income and trying times ahead we have had to make significant changes to our operations in the coming months. True to our CARES Philosophy we are ensuring all full-time staff members retain their jobs for the foreseeable future and will be remunerated generously during these times. It has taken us years of collective dedication and hard work to have so many local citizens in senior roles in our company, we want to protect that!

It is also fundamental to remember that each of our staff members have families to support and as a Responsible Tourism company we are committed to standing by our people.

Each camp remains operational despite the lack of guests. It is imperative we show a presence in these areas to keep the camps meticulously maintained, and protect the local ecosystem.

UPDATED TERMS

Important outtakes from the latest terms:
° We are offering deferment of travel for up to 12-months
° If your guests are unsure of exact new travel dates yet, we will hold dates 1-year out from the original dates for the time being. Amendments to these dates can be made up until 30 June 2020.
° New bookings made and confirmed between 28 February – 30 April 2020; You can cancel these bookings up to 14-days prior to travel should there be COVID-19 travel restrictions in place.
° Extended payment deadlines and lower cancellation fees extended to existing bookings to allow travellers peace of mind to ‘wait it out’.

2021 RATES

We have made the decision to hold our 2020 rates into 2021, making the Desert & Delta Safaris circuits and lodges your go-to, easy to sell, preferred safari supplier!

Don’t forget to take advantage of our unbeatable value packages, especially the 8-night and higher BODDS packages which boasts one free night and the 10-night or more BODDS packages which includes a FREE 20-minute helicopter scenic flip when booking either Camp Okavango or Xugana Island Lodge.

NEW COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION PACKAGE

We are excited to share with you our new Community & Conservation (CC) Package which will replace the Rhino Package for 2021.

This set 6-night itinerary covers a diversity of destinations with two night stays at Leroo La Tau, Camp Moremi/Camp Xakanaxa, and Chobe Savanna Lodge. The package offers guests the chance to witness the incredible zebra migration on the Boteti River, the diversity and exceptional game viewing of the Moremi Game Reserve and the renowned Chobe River from a remote location. A $10.00 per bed night contribution from every CC Package booked will go toward one of our many Corporate Social Responsibility Packages.

NEWS FROM THE CAMPS

Xugana Island Lodge underwent a refurbishment in February. Here’s a sneak peak of some of the changes and experiences at the lodge. The official photos of the refurbishment are postponed for the time being.

Don’t forget, it has only been a year since we totally rebuilt the main area at Savute Safari Lodge. Make sure you are familiar with the amazing results of this rebuild by checking out the Savute Safari Lodge image library and our social media platforms.

Missing the bush during this global lockdown? Be sure to get your fix of the floods on the Chobe River and what wildlife is coming down to drink on the two live webcams on the Chobe Game Lodge website here.

A reminder that all Desert & Delta Safaris camps which operate game drives have received brand new vehicles - now only 9 months old. Camps included are Savute Safari Lodge, Xugana Island Lodge, Camp Moremi, Camp Xakanaxa and Leroo La Tau.
Take care of yourselves and loved ones and just remember that tourism in Africa plays such a huge role in empowering the people and protecting the land. When borders start to open again and things improve, we should urge our travellers to keep their dream alive and visit Botswana!

We wish you strength and health through this process and look forward to continuing our working relations, making dreams come true through Botswana’s most celebrated and comprehensive safari circuit.

Warm Regards,
The Desert & Delta Safaris team

Chobe Game Lodge | Chobe Savanna Lodge | Savute Safari Lodge | Xugana Island Lodge
Camp Okavango | Camp Moremi | Camp Xakanaxa | Leroo La Tau

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Botswana: water levels in Moremi

The water levels in Moremi

You would by  now you would all be aware of the unusually high levels of water in and around among other places Moremi Game Reserve.
We have been monitoring the water levels in the key areas for some time now and it has prompted me to offer the following  advice as it will result in come itinerary changes until the game drive roads dry out …if they dry out.
My hope was that the flooding is shallow and that evaporation would take care of the problem and dry out some of the main roads.
However we need to plan for the fact that even a medium flood in the delta which would arrive in May / June could compound the problem ….and the result could be that some of the roads may never dry up this season.
 
Makgadikgadi and CKGR Nxai Pan and CKGR and dry and easily drivable.
The Makgadikgadi area around  Njuca Hills is easily drivable but further south towards the pans it’s still very wet ( but shallow ) and I trust this will dry out in the next month or two.
Moremi
There is significant water on the road between South Gate and 3rd Bridge and Xakanaxa and 3rd Bridge. There is a risk that this water stays for the season.
South Gate to Xakanaxa is easily drivable.
South Gate to Khwai is easily drivable.
There is deep water crossings between Khwai Guest House and the white concrete bridge - hindering progress to Savuti HOWEVER there is a perfectly drivable route from Khwai North gate towards Sankuyo Village to the east and then north to Mababe Village and Savuti.
There is a deep water crossing on the main road just south of Mababe Village but there is a short detour around it.
North of Khwai Village the main gravel road is dry to Savuti.

The main purpose of this notice is to inform you that most places are accessible BUT the game drive areas are restricted.

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