COVER PHOTOThuto Moutloutse

PHOTO CREDITSBrian Hancock, Thuto Mout-loutse, Thalitha Moutloutse

EDITED BYBrian Hancock

TEXTThalitha Moutloutse, Brian Hancock

COPYRIGHTGreat CirclePublishing CompanyMarch 2011

There is nothing quite life an African safari. Take a poll

among your friends and for certain most of them will

list a safari as a must-do before they die. And for good

reason. It can be a life changing experience. To walk in

the wild and connect on a visceral level with the people

that call the southern part of the African continent home

is something that you will never forget. It will touch your

very soul.

Better yet it’s generally agreed that Botswana is the best

place in Africa for a safari, and for many reasons. First

and foremost it’s safe. Botswana is a progressive coun-

try with a modern, proactive government. The variety of

wilderness from the stark Kalahari Desert to the lush,

thick bush of the Okavango Delta to the grassy plains of

Savuti, it’s a veritable feast for the senses.

Best of all, though, is that if you are looking for an or-

ganisation that can provide you with everything you need

for an amazing experience, you don’t have to look any

further than African Dreams Botswana. Owned and oper-

ated by people who grew up in the Okavango Delta and

who have spent the last decade leading safaris across

Botswana, African Dreams will custom tailor a safari that

not only meets, but exceeds your expectations.

We invite you to enjoy this magazine. Picture yourself

in one of our luxurious lodges watching elephants drink a

few hundred feet from where you sit sipping your favorite

beverage. As night falls

you wil hear the cry of

creatures as they set out

for the evening hunt. It’s

a sound as old as time;

it’s pure Africa. It’s African Dreams

Botswana.

WELCOME

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A Typical Safari

Destinations - the Heart of a safari

Destination Okavango

Destination Savuti

Destination Kalahari

Destination Chobe

Highlights of an African Dreams Safari

Lodges - the Soul of a safari

Savuti Safari Lodge

Chobe Savanna Lodge

Camp Moremi Lodge

Camp Okavango Lodge

Experiences - the Memories of a safari

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“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

Rachel Carson

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A day on safari starts early in the

morning, with your guide waking you

around 5a.m. with a gentle “koko”

(the Tswana wakeup call). Fresh coffee/ tea

and a light breakfast (juice, rusks, fruit, yo-

ghurt, cereals, toast and jams) will be served

around the camp- fire. After which we set

out for a morning game drive, where there

is the chance to see lion, buffalo, leopard,

wild dogs, elephants and many other animal

species.

We can take a short break for a hot bever-

age and time to stretch our legs before we

continue again looking for wildlife.

Around noon we return to camp, where our

chef will be waiting to serve us a delicious

lunch/ brunch, before you retire for a well-

earned siesta in your tents, or to catch up

on some reading, chatting or relaxing. This

is also the best time for showers as there is

better sunlight now.

After high tea in the afternoon we will start

the afternoon game drive. During the game

drive we may take a break for a sun-downer

at a scenic spot to watch the African sun

disappear over the horizon turning the sky

crimson red, whilst enjoying cold drinks.

After the sundowners, we will head back to

camp, and may be just in time to catch any

nocturnal animals as they start to become

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active. This is the transition period where

the diurnal animals wind down from the day

and the nocturnal creatures come alive. You

may have the opportunity to see the secre-

tive creatures of the night under a spot light;

possibilities are porcupine, honey badgers,

spotted or brown hyena and the rarely seen

aardvark.

On this return drive the guide may stop and

turn the vehicle engine off to give you time

to get in touch with your surroundings, by

listening to the call of Africa and watch the

night skies. With very little light pollution

and a vast sky the stars and constellations

will leave you in awe.

On arrival at camp you will be warmly wel-

comed by camp staff. We then sit around

the fire, for pre-dinner drinks. All meals are

cooked on an open camp fire and guests

have the opportunity to watch or take part

in the making of these meals cooked in the

bush. Then we can recap on the day’s events,

perhaps recalling or recording our bird and

animal sightings. You will later retreat to the

comfort of your tent after enjoying a night-

cap around the campfire, and fall asleep to

the calls of the wild.

On the days that we move camp, the guide

and the camp hand will pack up the equip-

ment then travel to the next camp-site and

prepare the camp at the next location (For

the affordable safari guest will be required

to help). When traveling between locations,

the route is often through the parks and re-

serves and is therefore an extension of your

daily game drives. A picnic lunch can be en-

joyed en-route.

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Botswana is as diverse and any place in Af-

rica when it comes to scenery and attrac-

tions. From the Makgadikgadi Pans in the

heart of the Kalahari Desert to the Chobe

River on the border of Zambia, there is an

abundance of wildlife, breathtaking scenery,

and a wilderness playground ripe for new

memories.

Consider this: the Makgadikgadi is one of the

largest salt pans in the world and for most of

the year is a dry, dusty destination that offers

its own kind of stark beauty. But in the rainy

season the whole Kalahari turns into its own

garden of eden. For a few short weeks the

region is alive with game, wild flowers and an

abundance of colour and energy.

Further north the Okavango Delta is one of

the natural wonders of Africa. The Delta is

fed by rainfall from the Angolan Highlands

and it spreads out over a massive area at-

tracting wildlife from across Botswana. It’s

an inland delta formed by one of those rare

occasions when a river flows away from

the sea. As the area of most abundance in

southern Africa it attracts the most game.

As they say, in the bush you just need to find

water and wait. All animals need to drink

and sooner or later they will come to you.

For those armchair adventurers that watch

National Geographic programming on TV,

the very best footage is shot in Botswana, in

Savuti. From dramatic lion kills to the scav-

enging antics of hyenas to the amazing bird

life, Savuti has it all. It’s raw Africa, wild and

untamed.

If you love the thought of huge herds of

buffalo roaming the great plains you have

to visit Chobe National Park. The Chobe

River attracts large herds of both elephant

and buffalo and is one of the rare places

on earth where you can see these animals

in such great numbers. Like the Okavango,

the Chobe River attracts wildlife from across

Botswana and is rich with diversity from tiny

dung beetles to the birds of prey that perch

high over the river waiting and watching.

Botswana is a true feast for your senses.

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The Okavango Delta is where you will see the Delta itself, being a mosaic of channels, waterways, floodplains, swamps and woodlands. The most diverse flora and fauna occur here. This is where you will

get to see an abundance of water birds, elephants, waterbuck, and red lechwe, islands covered in riverine vegetation and palm trees.Moremi Game Reserve was voted the best Game Reserve in Africa in 2008.It is a well-known habitat for the endangered Africa wild dog and is one of the top wildlife destinations in Africa, boasting one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

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The Okavango Delta is where you will see the Delta itself, being a

mosaic of channels, waterways, floodplains, swamps and woodlands.

The most diverse flora and fauna occur here. This is where you will

get to see an abundance of water birds, elephants, waterbuck, and red

lechwe, islands covered in riverine vegetation and palm trees.

Moremi Game Reserve was voted the best Game Reserve in Africa in 2008.

It is a well-known habitat for the endangered Africa wild dog and is one of

the top wildlife destinations in Africa, boasting one of the richest and most

diverse ecosystems on the planet.

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The Okavango Delta is where you will see the Delta itself, being a mosaic of channels, waterways, floodplains, swamps and woodlands. The most diverse flora and fauna occur here. This is where you will

get to see an abundance of water birds, elephants, waterbuck, and red lechwe, islands covered in riverine vegetation and palm trees.Moremi Game Reserve was voted the best Game Reserve in Africa in 2008.It is a well-known habitat for the endangered Africa wild dog and is one of the top wildlife destinations in Africa, boasting one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

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If you have ever watched a National Geographic program or a program

done by the BBC that features african wildlife, it’s likely to have been

filmed in Savuti. This area of grasslands and majestic boabab trees is

raw and pure and unspoiled and most definitely untamed. It is the heart

of Africa and a place to watch lions on a kill, hyenas trying to get in on the

kill and vultures taking advantage of the confusion. The sights, sounds and

experiences of Savuti will stay with your forever.

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The Central Kalahari Game Reserve covers about 52,000sq km,

covering about 1/16th of Botswana’s total area, and is second

the largest protected area in the world. Central Kalahari Game

Reserve is located in the Kalahari, right in the center of the country

with the Kuke fence running along its northern border and the Khutse

bordering it in the South.

Here you will find unique wildlife experiences where the Kalahari has

transformed its sand dunes into harsh savannah plains. Penetrate the

remote corners of the Kalahari and see it bursting with springbok, gems-

bok, wildebeest, hartebeest, the black manned lions of the Kalahari,

cheetahs, leopard and other wildlife. Catch a glimpse of the rare Brown

hyena.

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Chobe National Park is Botswana’s top wildlife destination and in the

dry season home to the largest elephant population in Africa. Here

there are a lot of activities that one can opt for: boat cruises, game

drives, fishing, birding etc.

We can also take you to the Victoria Falls, only 80km way from Kasane

for a tour of this spectacular sight, Africa’s only one of the seven natural

wonders of the World. In the western side of Chobe National Park, we can

take you through a desert-like landscape of the Savuti where the channel

has recently started flowing for the first time in many years.

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• Enjoy a safari from the luxury of lodges or camp

• Travel through Important bird areas and enjoy fantastic birding

• Enjoy a bird eye view of the delta by a scenic flight

• Discover the big five and great wildlife sighting

• Cruise by boat on the Chobe River, en-joying the scenery and sunsets

• Kayak Along the delta whilst enjoying the thrill of the water

• Experience the thrill of a large Tiger fish on your line

• Ride into the wild on horse or elephant back

• Take wild walk in the wilderness• Excellent self drive opportunities

NORTHERN BOTSWANA

• Take an enchanting mokoro ride (dug out canoe) through the Okavango delta

• Experience the haunting feeling of Tsodilo Hills and its rock art and the spelunking caves at Gcwihaba.

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KALAHARI/CENTRAL BOTSWANA

• See sightings of the rare black manned Kalahari lion and other desert animals

• Enjoy vastness of the Makgadikgadi on quad bikes and feel so alone here

• Witness the flamingo migrations• Enjoy amazing birding experiences• Witness the largest zebra migration in

the Southern hemisphere during the rainy seasons

• Meet the Kalahari “Kool Kats” getting unbelievably close and personal with a gang of incredibly friendly, habituated meerkats.

• Take a walk with the san• Explore archeological/historical site at

Kubu Island• Enjoy a village tour of Gweta

ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

• Bungee jump and free fall into the• Zambezi• Experience the showers of the Zambezi • Water raft on one of the best water raft-

ing spots in the world• Indulge in arts and crafts shopping at

local markets• Take a scenic and get a bird eye view of

the falls• Enjoy a walk amongst habituated lions• Experience the rush of gorge swing in

Livingstone• Take a dip at the Devils pool & enjoy a

stylish Island lunch on the banks of the Victoria Falls

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It’s hard to imagine that deep in the Afri-

can bush you can find pure luxury that ri-

vals the very best accommodation found in

“more civilized” parts of the world. But it’s

true. Some of the lodges in Botswana are

truly world class and you will feel as if you

have not only stepped back in time to an

earlier, more simple age, but that you have

stepped ahead to new heights of pampering

and luxury.

While many on safari love the simplicity of

life in the bush, living in tents and cooking

over an open fire, there are those that like

to combine their time in Africa. A few days

on the road camping “rough”, and then a day

or two back “at the lodge” as the settlers of

old used to refer to it when they returned

home. The juxtaposition of a simple tent life

and the sumptuous accommodation of the

lodges makes for a memorable, and if it’s

what you desire, a romantic experience.

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Take a journey of the heart and listen to the

call of the wild.

Hear the sound of a crackling campfire and

feel the joys of having a bucket shower.

Savour the taste of a dinner cooked al

fresco and feel completely alone and at one

with the wilderness.

Immerse yourself in African cultures.

Travel beyond the limits of your imagina-

tion on a journey that will change your life

forever.....

vvvvvvv

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Savuti Safari Lodge peers out from ancient

Camel thorn trees on the shore of the Sa-

vute channel, Botswana’s fabled ‘stolen river’

which dried out more than 20 years ago, in the heart

of Chobe National Park. The Savute channel forms

part of the dynamic Savute eco system renowned for

its large concentration of elephant and lion and their

extraordinary relationship.

The lodge has twelve tastefully furnished twin bed-

ded suites, with spacious interiors offering a lounge

area, ensuite bathrooms, private decks and large

glass sliding doors and windows, which set the lodge

apart from typical safari accommodation. The lounge,

library and cocktail bar are situated in the thatch and

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timber main building overlooking the channel as well as a

viewing deck, outdoor dining area and swimming pool.

Activities focus on game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles

in the Savute area including the Savute Marsh and the

ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills. Being situ-

ated in the National Park, no night activities are permitted,

with the afternoon drive returning just after sunset. The

dry winter months offer incredible game viewing as the

parched wildlife congregates at the water holes to drink –

here you may witness the famed elephant hunting lion in

action. The summer rains in Savute bring a fresh feast for

lion, hyena and cheetah as thousands of migrating zebra

and wildebeest arrive in search of the rain rich grasslands

of the Savute Marsh.

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The lodge accommodates just 24 guests in

stylish thatched chalets, all with private

decks, a combined bedroom/lounge area

and en-suite bathrooms. All rooms are air-condi-

tioned and have complimentary minibars.

Facilities include a swimming pool, gazebo ideal

for small group lunches and an open boma area

(place of eating), on the banks of the Chobe River,

where guests are treated to panoramic views.

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The emphasis is on complete relaxation and solace. All

activities are conducted by resident professional guides,

whose intimate knowledge will make for an unforgettable

experience. Guests have a choice of boat excursions in

small maneuverable boats, ideal for close up encounters

with wildlife along the rivers edge.

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Camp Moremi is situated on the picturesque

Xakanaxa Lagoon in the eastern extremity

of the Okavango Delta, within the Moremi

Game Reserve. The area is a wildlife haven with

incredible game viewing opportunities year round.

Camp Moremi accommodates twenty two safari

guests in beautifully furnished East African style

safari tents with private facilities, each tent with

a private deck. The elevated Moremi Tree Lodge is

the dazzling central point of the camp and houses

the luxurious main lounge, a wildlife reference li-

brary, dining room and cocktail bar, shaded by

giant Ebony trees and overlooking the Okavango

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Delta’s Xakanaxa Lagoon. Facilities in the camp include

a curio shop, swimming pool, shaded boma and elevated

observation platform.

Activities offered are game drives in open safari vehicles

exploring the diverse range of habitats within the reserve

– from open floodplains to belts of mopane woodland.

Guests can also venture out onto the open waters of the

Okavango by motorboat, visiting the Xakanaxa Lagoon and

beyond up to the seasonal heronry at Gadikwe. Moremi

Game Reserve offers some of the most spectacular game

viewing in Botswana and guests may encounter breeding

herds of elephant, a hunting lioness or a sleeping pride of

lion, grazing impalas and kudus and much more.

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Camp Okavango is situated on the remote

Nxaragha Island in the heart of the perma-

nent Okavango Delta, assuring a year-round

water wilderness experience. Camp Okavango is

a romantic and peaceful haven, offering an idyllic

getaway.

Camp Okavango accommodates twenty four guests

in intimate exclusivity in East African-style safari

tents individually situated on raised teak platforms

with en-suite facilities and private sun decks. In

addition Camp Okavango boasts the “Okavango

Suite” a thatched cottage offering complete privacy

and the option of private game-viewing activities

and dining options – ideal for honeymooners.

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The thatch and lethaka main lodge building features a cock-

tail bar, lounge and wildlife reference library, open-air patio

for evenings around the open boma. Other lodge facilities

include a secluded bird-viewing hide, shaded hammocks, a

delightful sun deck and plunge pool for relaxing during the

hot midday hours.

All game-viewing activities are conducted by experienced

professional guides and include exploring the Okavango

Delta by mokoro (traditional canoe) and motorboat. Guided

nature walks on the various islands afford an opportunity

to track some of the larger species that inhabit this water

wilderness. Bird watching opportunities are outstanding,

and fishing for bream and tiger fish is also offered as an

activity at Camp Okavango.

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For a truly unique African experience consider an elephant safari. You wil

not just ride atop a majestic elephant, but you will come to know these

amazing animals on a deep and very personal level. You will learn their his-

tory and begin to understand a little of what makes these grand, wise creatures

what they are. Watch the interactions of the herd, how they walk silently and

majestically along through the bush, trunks swinging, ears flapping. It will be an

experince that you will never, ever forget.

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“To see ten thousand animals untamed and not branded with the symbols of human commerce is like scaling an unconquered mountain for the first time, or like finding a forest without roads or footpaths, or the blemish of an axe.”

Beryl Markham(West With the Night)

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BOTSWANA OFFICE

Thalitha MoutloatseRita Ridge

African Dreams Botswana, LtdPo Box 1264,Maun, Botswana

Tel: + 267 71635522skype - thalitham

UNITED STATES OFFICE

Brian Hancock

African Dreams Botswana, LLC33 Waterside RoadMarblehead, MA 01945USA

Tel: + 1 617 314 4468skype - callbrianhancock

www.africandreamsbotswana.com