BOTSWANA: MOBILE (& WALKING) SAFARI

Certainly one of the last truly wild regions of the world!

KD1 and KD2 is a vast, unfenced wilderness adjoining the northern border of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the oldest transboundary protected area in Africa. It contains picturesque acacia savanna landscapes and spectacular salt pans. It is an important wet season calving ground for herds of springbok and wildebeest, in addition to the largest free-ranging eland population remaining on the African continent! It is currently the largest unfenced private wildlife concession in Southern Africa, consisting of 1,9 million hectares of spectacular Kalahari wilderness. The area has a 250km long boundary with the KTP itself, providing free movement of wildlife between the national park and the wildlife management areas.

KD2 forms part of a wildlife corridor that stretches from KTP in the south as far north as Kafue in Zambia.KD 1 and KD2 are themselves made up of large open Acacia grasslands and sand veld plains, interspersed by large natural salt pans and rolling red sand dunes. The Kgalagadi directly translates to the 'land of thirst' which is a deceiving name for a land so abounding in wildlife. Wildlife here have adapted to the arid environment, particularly the predators, some of which hold their densest populations in this region! Herbivores species such as eland, gemsbok and springbok are prolific in this area, although their movement is determined by the seasons and resources within this ecosystem. With over 60 mammal species having been recorded in this region, there is no shortage of incredible wildlife to see and enjoy.

Its remoteness is what we love about this location! Nevermind seeing another human or even an indication that a human has been there, the chances of seeing or hearing any air traffic is incredibly unlikely. The animals too are not used to humans, which makes game viewing slightly more difficult than the regularly visited areas, but we feel that this adds to the authenticity of this location. 

Our first night in KD2 will be spent at the Zutshwa Stop Over. Due to the distance of this location, it will in general take the entire day to travel to Zutshwa. After a night in Zutshwa we will depart for the wilderness sites that we use for a base while we explore the region. We believe that it is imperative the community benefits from wildlife-based tourism within their region, supporting them to protect their unique wilderness region as a corridor between the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

While the general Big 5 will not be on your list in this region, the birdlife, scenery and general game will most certainly keep you busy. The rolling red dunes and dry river bed, open acacia grasslands and brilliant white pans provide the most incredible scenery which can only be described as awe-inspiring. We can guarantee that the sights and sounds of this wilderness will stay in your soul forever.

Staff in camp will be made up of people from the villages situated in the wildlife management area. Not only does this boost the economy of the villages that we work with but indirectly assists with reducing the poaching in the region. During some safaris there may be training taking place as part of this including upskilling the people that we employ. This will not impact your experience; however, it is always good for our clients to understand the reasoning behind this.

Highlights:

• Beautiful mature acacia woodlands with sweeping grasslands below
• Diverse desert species
• Largest remaining eland populations in Africa
• Meerkats
• Extremely remote
• Predator tracking

A mobile safari is exactly what it sounds like – a journey through a variety of different wildlife habitats, staying for a few nights in each area. When you move location, the camp moves with you. Each campsite is simply a designated, secluded area of bush with neither facilities nor fences. Before your arrival and after your departure, there is no trace that anyone has stayed there, and the wildlife is free to wander through camp at any time!

It is amazing to watch the camp disintegrate during breakfast, only to re-appear in time for sun downers in a completely different location.

In the evening, watch amber flames lick hungrily at the charred logs of the campfire as the lilting chimes of minuscule reed-frogs and vociferous crickets float through the cool night air.If you listen closely, you might hear a zebra braying in the distance, an elephant’s trumpet of displeasure or even a rasping, saw-like cough resonating from the inky darkness – the unforgettable call of a leopard patrolling its territory!

A mobile safari is exactly what it sounds like – a journey through a variety of different wildlife habitats, staying for a few nights in each area. When you move location, the camp moves with you. Each campsite is simply a designated, secluded area of bush with neither facilities nor fences. Before your arrival and after your departure, there is no trace that anyone has stayed there, and the wildlife is free to wander through camp at any time!

It is amazing to watch the camp disintegrate during breakfast, only to re-appear in time for sun downers in a completely different location.

In the evening, watch amber flames lick hungrily at the charred logs of the campfire as the lilting chimes of minuscule reed-frogs and vociferous crickets float through the cool night air.If you listen closely, you might hear a zebra braying in the distance, an elephant’s trumpet of displeasure or even a rasping, saw-like cough resonating from the inky darkness – the unforgettable call of a leopard patrolling its territory!

At the place where the life-giving waters of the Okavango Delta meet the vast plains of the Kalahari Desert, Mother Nature has created a sanctuary of Mopane forests, open grasslands, seasonal floodplains and riverine habitats, resulting in one of the most magnificent and welcoming animal environments in all of Africa! Encompassing the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve includes permanent water as well as drier areas, creating beautiful and unexpected contrasts.

amed after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe. Prominent geographical features in the Moremi are Chiefs Island and the Moremi Tongue. Moremi Game Reserve is a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary, situated in the Okavango Delta. The reserve is unfenced, and its boundaries are defined by natural water systems. The vegetation is varied, with dry land complemented by permanent and seasonal swamplands, resulting in an excellent diversity of both wildlife and birdlife.

The Moremi Game Reserve, although not one of the largest parks, presents insights and views even for the most experienced of travelers. Home to nearly 500 species of bird (from water birds to forest dwellers), and a vast array of other species of wildlife, including buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena, jackal, impala, and red lechwe. African Wild dog, Lycaon pictus, is resident and has been the subject of a project run in the area since 1989; thus this species is often seen wearing collars emplaced by researchers. The sitatunga and lechwe live in the papyrus banks of the waterways with lions, cheetahs and packs of wild dogs hunting in the open grassland. The Moremi Game Reserve is home to over 400 of the Okavango’s species of birds, including the African Fish Eagle, Crested Crane and Sacred Ibis. This vast array of mammal, bird, insect, plant, fish and reptile species have adapted to the Okavango Delta’s swamp conditions.

The northeast tip of Moremi, Khwai is an area where evergreen trees line wide floodplains. It boasts excellent density and diversity of both predator and prey species with leopard sightings consistently good. From an ontological perspective, Saddle-billed storks, wattled cranes and many species of kingfishers and bee-eaters are common. In the heart of Moremi, at the tip of the Mopane Tongue, lies the renowned Xakanaxa Lagoon comprising mopane forests and a patchwork of deep waterways and shallow flooded areas, creating a beautiful area packed with game. Leopard and cheetah are regularly seen and the density of antelope is notable. The area’s birdlife is exceptional.

ACTIVITIES
Twice daily game drives, Water based boat safaris & more! 

A mobile safari is exactly what it sounds like – a journey through a variety of different wildlife habitats, staying for a few nights in each area. When you move location, the camp moves with you. Each campsite is simply a designated, secluded area of bush with neither facilities nor fences. Before your arrival and after your departure, there is no trace that anyone has stayed there, and the wildlife is free to wander through camp at any time!

It is amazing to watch the camp disintegrate during breakfast, only to re-appear in time for sun downers in a completely different location.

In the evening, watch amber flames lick hungrily at the charred logs of the campfire as the lilting chimes of minuscule reed-frogs and vociferous crickets float through the cool night air.If you listen closely, you might hear a zebra braying in the distance, an elephant’s trumpet of displeasure or even a rasping, saw-like cough resonating from the inky darkness – the unforgettable call of a leopard patrolling its territory!

A mobile safari is exactly what it sounds like – a journey through a variety of different wildlife habitats, staying for a few nights in each area. When you move location, the camp moves with you. Each campsite is simply a designated, secluded area of bush with neither facilities nor fences. Before your arrival and after your departure, there is no trace that anyone has stayed there, and the wildlife is free to wander through camp at any time!

It is amazing to watch the camp disintegrate during breakfast, only to re-appear in time for sun downers in a completely different location.

In the evening, watch amber flames lick hungrily at the charred logs of the campfire as the lilting chimes of minuscule reed-frogs and vociferous crickets float through the cool night air.If you listen closely, you might hear a zebra braying in the distance, an elephant’s trumpet of displeasure or even a rasping, saw-like cough resonating from the inky darkness – the unforgettable call of a leopard patrolling its territory!