Most images below are downsized, uncropped frame grabs from our 6K and 4K film stock footage.

(Please note: Active words are linked to more information and trip adviser/other reviews.)

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We recently returned from another magical trip to Botswana, arranged through the fantastic Swampland Safari team, after having to reschedule our original 2019 bookings due to Covid 19 and wish to thank Louis and Laetitia Milne for all their hard work and arrangements that made our trip another brilliant Swampland Safari Adventure.

run lap tops etc. off solar and batteries, to continually checking Border Crossing openings, Game park openings, Covid restrictions, Covid PCR approved testing facilities, flight and accommodation availability, Swampland took care of it all.

If you are looking at visiting Botswana, we can highly recommend Swampland Safari and quite honestly, it is such a pleasure knowing that you are with a team that is so professional, well connected and organised. A Satellite phone is always on standby and they calmly handle all situations that come their way.

We prefer wilderness style bush adventures as there are no fences, the animals move freely through the camp site and it is the best way to experience being in the BUSH. We have been eating breakfast around the fire, when a pack of Wild Dogs came charging through between our tents, chasing an Impala. You will find fresh Lion, Leopard, Hyaena or other spoor in the camp area each morning, almost without fail. Swampland supply everything, set up camp and fires and provided all our delicious fresh food for us at each location.

The friendly, very capable staff went out of their way to ensure that we had a great trip too. From smiling happy faces, to warm showers, clean linen and rooms and delicious food. We are vegetarians and boy oh boy, do I need to get some cooking lessons from the Swampland team...Yummy Food! They also bake fresh bread and tea time cookies on the fire. Even showing us the Leopard, Jackals and Hyaenas passing through our camp, they really took great care of us.

We decided not to drive into Botswana for this trip, but rather to fly into Maun with SA Airlink. Booking, checking in and purchasing excess baggage on line was a breeze and we were really impressed with the efficient staff of SA Airlink and look forward to flying with them again. They have, as of the 1st of May 2021, reintroduced their direct flights from Cape town to Maun. What a pleasure, no need to fly via Johannesburg any more, for us Capetonians.

Leaving South Africa with a valid, 72 hr before international departure, Covid PCR test from Pathcare, we arrived at Maun International Airport and all passengers were subjected to a free rapid Covid test before entering Maun. For our last stretch we flew with MacAir to the Xakanaxa air strip, in the Okovango Dalta. What a wonderful scenic flight this was and a very special treat!

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This trip was split up into three different sections, two in the Okovango Delta area and one in the Kalahari.

1. Xakanaxa Boga Camp

Our ranger, “Mad Max”, from Swampland Safari, picked us up from the Xakanaxa airfield in Moremi and drove us to our camp that was beautifully set up, with solar fairy lights inside our dining tent, huge tents with en suite chemical toilet and bush bucket shower, crisp clean linen and warm duvets and blankets and solar movement detecting lights.

The area had only recently been opened due to heavy rain and flooding. Many sand roads and areas were not accessible. Driving through flowing rivers and paths that had not been used for over a year (before Covid hit) we were very happy to be in the capable hands of our ranger “Mad Max” who knows the area so well.

The long grass made it difficult to spot and film animals, but “Mad Max” was on top form as usual and we did get some special footage of a Hyaena and her inquisitive 1 year old pup on the airstrip, a Black Mamba, a troop of baboons, including pink day old babes, close up Lions, Stunning scenery of wooded trees, sunsets and sunrises, angry Hippos, loads of birds ect ect.

There were very few other operators in the area and we seldom encountered other vehicles or people. How lucky were we! We managed to get some wonderful audio recordings of birds chirping, Leopards growling, Hyaenas crying, Hippoes laughing and Baboons interacting. We heard Leopards next to our tent and one night, saw one 5 m away from our camp but unfortunately did not see any leopards during the day to be able to film them. We will have to return.

At the end of our first part of our adventure, we packed up and were driven back to Maun and stayed overnight at Audi camp, before headding on to Chiefs Island, by boat.

2. Chiefs Island

The following day we started our soul rejuvenating boat trip up to Chiefs Island, with Dave and Louis keeping us well entertained with all their incredible knowledge and quick wit. What wonderful company, thanks guys! The stunning beautiful scenery was breathtaking. Fields of water lilies, meandering water ways, calm huge ponds and exquisite sunsets. Lots of animals, including Elephants pulling up grass, swishing it clean in the water and feasting all day long, Zebra, Hyaena, Crocs, water monitors, lots of African Fish Eagle, birds, Buffalo, “agro” Hippos, herds of Lechwe, etc. etc.

We were land based, on a Boga Campsite and once again we have Swampland Safari to thank for arranging this incredible experience. Most nights we had Hyaenas in our camp and the night calls from Hyaena, Lions, baboons and Buffalo were awesome.

All too soon, it was time to move onto our next adventure. We once again spent a night in Audi camp and went for a wonderful dinner to Tandurei Indian Restaurant. If you are in Maun you have to go eat here! Then on our way to Mabuasahube we slept overnight at Nkisi Guest House in Kang.

3. Mabuasahube MBA02 camp site

Arriving at Mabua, we were super excited to see fresh, large Lion Spoor on the sand road at our camp site. We heard leopard at night but unfortunately, never saw them or the Lion. But, Lion bite teeth marks on the communal camp site toilet seat, were a clear reminder that they are around.

We saw large flocks of doves and Sandgrouse. Thanks to Swampland Safari for taking care of all our needs here too, for Louis warm, wonderful company and endlessly searching for the majestic Lions. Nothing is guaranteed in the WILD! This is the way it is meant to be!

It was finally time to be driven to Gaborone, do our 3rd Covid PCR test of the trip so that we could reenter South Africa by air and stayed in Gaborone at The Capital Guesthouse.

We had our Covid PCR tests preformed by Diagnofirm. They were extremely well organised and we received our results with in 12 hours of being taken.

If you have any free time in Gaborone, you must visit the Botswana craft curio shop in town. Besides the wide range of merchandise, music, clothing etc. that they have, there is also a super cool restaurant.

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So a final BIG thanks to Swampland Safari, may your business return to a new normal after these testing Covid Times. To Botswana, may you continue to protect the majestic wild life herritage and to all the wonderful people we have met, we wish you only the very best. It was so sad seeing the empty resorts and camp sites. We do hope that Covid will soon be a thing of the past.

A special thank you to Carol, Terry and all who endured our “FILMING, please be still, SOUND RECORDING, please stay quiet, CUT”. Thanks for your patience and and being willing to put up with our Filming demands.

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Tips for Botswana:

Use a reputable operator. We highly recommend Swampland Safari for all your needs. Swampland are able to get accommodation etc at discount rates, so doing all your booking with them is highly recommended.
Covid has put some stress's on travelling but if you stick to the protocols, everything will run smoothly. Make sure that you know the latest Covid restrictions/requirements before travelling. Only use approved Covid PCR test labs. Make sure that you have a printed, stamped copy of your Negative PCR test with you, that has your correct passport number.
Ensure that you have Insect replant.
Take Malaria Prophylaxis if needed.
Take warm clothes. Jackets, beanies, scarves and gloves. The mornings and evenings are really cold, depending on the time of year.
Please, DO NOT FEED ANY ANIMALS.
There is no Cell phone connectivity in many parts of the Bush. Ensure that there is a Satelite Phone available during your trip. Swampland Safari always do and they even hire them out.
Drink only bottled water.

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