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Get into the bush on foot experiencing a walking safariBotswana

The peace and serenity of the bush are best experienced out on foot. No noise of a game-viewing vehicle's engine, and the opportunity to change the pace and see the wilderness from a different angle.

Golden Africa Safaris

Most activities when on safari involve being in a vehicle. We are able to cover more ground and therefore cast eyes over a greater range of bush in search of the wildlife that abounds. But taking a walk in the bush, with one of our highly experienced armed professional guides is a way to mix it up and slow it down. Walking at the pace of the slowest member of the party, this is a way to stop, listen, smell, feel and appreciate the smaller aspects of the wilderness of Botswana. Time is taken to focus on the elements that would otherwise not be seen or talked about. It could be anything from tracks, signs of activity from wildlife, dung, bird nests, or bones, through to the botany of a particular area, or picking up tracks of an animal of interest and following them. Being connected with mother nature in her rawest form whilst on foot, all whilst being guided through the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural environment give one the appreciation of a habitat in its purest form. Walks are typically anything from 2 to 4 hours long, and will involve periods of education as well as time to pause and appreciate the calm serenity of the bush. There may even be the possibility of approaching larger wildlife on foot such as elephants, to truly get a measure for how small we are compared to their large frames.

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Take to the skies in Botswana on a helicopter scenic flightBotswana

There is something which is very, very cool about a helicopter, and even more so about riding in one. Seeing Botswana's vast wilderness areas this way, opens up a whole new view on the this world of wildlife and wonder.

Golden Africa Safaris

We involve helicopters a lot in the safari itineraries we put together, and once you've been in one over the wilderness out here, you'll soon understand why. There are several ways to enjoy helicopters when on safari, and we thoroughly recommend that at once, you have a ride in one during your safari. Some people opt to have every transfer that they do, be by helicopter. Others might just have a half-hour scenic flight with the doors off. Whatever your disposition, we can arrange it for you. Seeing vast herds of buffalo or elephant from the sky, or having a birds-eye view of a pod of hippos splashing in crystal clear waters whilst huge crocodiles watch on, or perhaps even lucking out and catching a glimpse of a pride of lions on the move should you opt for an early morning scenic flight; all are incredible experiences.

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Track down leopards, Africa's most elusive predatorsBotswana

Let's face it, everyone wants to see a leopard. No other animal is as sought after on safari as the leopard. As much as people yearn to spend time around lions and elephants and giraffes, there is something very special and unique about the leopard, and we know just why.

Golden Africa Safaris

As the predator that has the highest tolerance for habitat diversity, ranging from the dry desertified landscapes of the Kalahari through to the tropical swamps of the Okavango Delta, the leopard (Panthera pardus) is found all over Botswana, yet very few people have the fortune to see one. There is a spell-binding mystery to this elusive big cat. Its raw beauty, its silky smooth coat, and its spotted pattern, unique to each cat as our fingerprints are to us. We estimate that for every leopard we see, there are another five that see us whilst remaining hidden to our sight. It's a heart-stopping moment, one that generates heart palpitations, that split second when you realise that your eyes are not lying, and that this beautiful creature is in your line of sight. The urgency to capture a photo, a video, to point, mouth agape, to pinch yourself. Is it a statue? Is it real? And then she starts to move, to glide, effortlessly through the bush, naturally disguised against the backdrop of whatever is before her. And then as if never there in the first place, she disappears back into the bush from where she came. But will you see her again? Was that it? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Only time and the skill of your professional guide with his wealth of experience will determine that. Plus, and most importantly, she will decide if she allows herself to be seen again, or if she'll leave you yearning for just one more moment in her presence.

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Explore the Okavango Delta's waters on a traditional mokoroBotswana

For centuries, the Bayei people of the Okavango Delta, have moved throughout its waterways using these traditional dugout canoes, known locally as mekoro (plural) or mokoro (singular). This is one of the must-do experiences when coming to Botswana, and you'll soon realise why.

Golden Africa Safaris

Traditionally fashioned from certain species of the larger trees found in the Okavango Delta catchment area, the mokoro has been, and continues to be, one of the best means of transport in this area for both locals and tourists. Historically, it has been the Sausage tree (Kigelia africana), the Jackalberry (Diospyrus melispiliformis), and the African Mangosteen (Garcinia livingstonei), which have been the most commonly used trees that are fashioned to produce a mokoro. A mokoro builder will typically first start off by excavating downwards to reveal the roots of the tree and will fell the tree from as low down as possible, to ensure that the maximum amount of it can be used. From there, he will chop away all the braches to leave the main trunk lying on the ground, ready to be worked on. From there it is a slow process of chopping away all that is not needed, to reveal the traditional long, flat-bottomed shape of a mokoro, typically about 2 feet wide (60cm) and around 10-12 feet long (3m). Nowadays, the felling of trees is forbidden and can only be done with a special license. Not only that but there is a government-backed policy of using fiber-glass mekoro, which are not only much more resilient and long-lasting but also steer truer in the water, and of course do not require the felling of important indigenous tree species. Taking a gentle morning's mokoro ride on the open waterways of the Okavango Delta is a very peaceful affair. Hearing stories of the bush from your poler, and seeing the crystal clear waters, interspersed with fish, waterlilies, and frogs, is a special experience to have, and one that everyone coming to the Okavango should do.

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Discover ancient skill sets of the world's oldest bloodlineBotswana

To be masters of this harsh environment requires a vast array of skill sets and an intimate understanding of the natural environment in which one lives.

Golden Africa Safaris

Being one of the most apparently difficult habitats to live in, eking out an existence is superficially difficult, yet once you scratch past the surface, you realise that there's a knowledge and wisdom to the Ju!hoasi people which is second to none, in terms of making their natural environment work for them. As a nomadic people, they are of no fixed abode, however also have what are known as n!ore, which would be the western equivalent of a smallholding. Whilst there are no defined lines on a map, they all know whose is whose, and they will migrate from one to the next following the best available food. Via these nomadic movements, they take with them only that which they need and can carry on their back or in their cured animal skins like a backpack. Items include digging sticks, hunting implements such as bow & arrows for the men, warmer skins for cold nights, knives, fire sticks, rope made from natural fibres etc. At each location where they seek to prospect for food, they setup shelters, make fires, set traps, hunt using bow & arrow, dig for roots and tubers, and a variety of other tasks, all using the raw materials provided for them by the bush around them. At first glance, this environment appears bereft of workable material to use or eat, yet the deeply set knowledge and wisdom of these amazing people ensure that they are able to live a relatively comfortable existence wherever they find themselves in their natural environment.

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Experience the intense power of the Khoi San's trance danceBotswana

The trance dance is the most powerful and spiritual element of this ancient culture. It brings people together as a group of men, women, and children to collectively play a role in empowering the shamans to channel the energy of their ancestors.

Golden Africa Safaris

After your day spent with the Ju!hoasi in the wilderness, you’ve showered, eaten and rested a bit, then it starts…, just off in the distance…, but close enough to hear… As you walk over to their camp, the stars are out, the fire glows an eerie orange, the women are clapping and chanting, the men are dancing, the babies are silent, almost asleep, and you’re a day’s journey from the nearest signs of formal civilization. Soon enough, one of the men falls into a trance. The women control his movement through their perfect beat and beautiful voice, and he controls his level of trance through his breathing and experience. Never has something felt so alien, and never have you felt so involved in anything so ancient and sacred. Experience this wonderful group of ancient people in their natural environment, which is harsh only to our untrained eyes. This ceremony around the fireplace can last for several hours, and the experience for our guests is almost exclusively determined by the levels of empathy that they bring with them. On some very powerful nights, the shamans have been know to enter a third level of trance (listen to the Postcard Travel podcast on this). On other nights, they have been known to go on until dawn, and on some occasions to have performed the healing rituals which are part of their role, on our guests.

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Be up close & personal on game drive with Botswana's lionsBotswana

There is no greater thrill than setting eyes on one's first lion in the wild. As Africa's largest predator, they are both an ambassador for the African safari experience, and also a key species in the balance of the natural environment.

Golden Africa Safaris

With one of Africa's best predator densities, Botswana is at the forefront of offering access to some of the best game-viewing areas in Africa where lions can be found. The lions' ability to adapt to a variety of different habitats means that Botswana has lions in the middle of the Okavango that are very adept at swimming across vast bodies of water in pursuit of better feeding grounds, as well as the famous black-maned lion found in the Kalahari; arguably the largest lions of all. Variety in habitat and prey base means that no two lion prides are alike. Botswana is famous for having had the "giant killers' of Savuti, famed for taking down fully grown male elephants; as well as the rippled lions of Duba where they are famed for their hunting of buffalo. As a species that relies on the pride - the collective term for lions - the social aspect of lions is key to their success. By collaboratively hunting, their combined strength and guile can help to bring down prey much larger than themselves. Lions are also the apex predator in these lands, out-competing and out dominating hyenas, leopards, wild dogs, and cheetah, often scavenging from their successful hunts. They make for fantastic photography, and should you be lucky enough to be close enough when a lion roars, you soon learn that the reverberation through your body is so profound that it can touch your soul.

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Our lead guide Moa curates African journeys of distinctionBotswana

A seasoned professional guide leading your safari brings with it a dimension that is invaluable. The experience, tenacity and instinct of someone so akin with his natural environment, allows for the language of the bush to be interpreted for your maximum enjoyment and fulfilment of the safari.

Golden Africa Safaris

Considered one of Botswana’s most respected and experienced professional naturalist field guides, Moa was born and raised in Maun, Botswana, often known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not satisfied with resting on his laurels, Moa has also diversified his work experience by separately conducting monitoring of lions and endangered bird species. To increase his knowledge and experience base he also has led mobile safaris across all the habitat biomes found in Northern Botswana. His passion for wildlife photography has seen his images in publications like Africa Geographic and Birding & Birding. More recently he has developed a burgeoning interest in ethnology. In his time away from leading safaris, Moa often works with up-and-coming professional guides as a trainer and assessor. This involves everything from classroom work for the foundational knowledge, to training in the field, as well as walking and weapons handling for approaching dangerous game on foot. Many a guide has been inspired to join the industry thanks to his experience, professionalism, and ease with which he conveys information and makes learning engaging. Now a firmly established and very well-respected professional naturalist guide in Botswana, Moa spends most of his time privately guiding safaris, which has always been his passion and calling. This enables his guests to enjoy a unique and enriching experience, as those interested in gaining an in depth understanding of Botswana’s and Africa’s wild places, all benefit from the depth and breadth of Moa’s extensive experience, love of the natural environment and ease of communicating the language of the bush.

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Take your time to relax in comfort out in Botswana's bushBotswana

Being on safari can be a busy affair. We wake you up an hour before sunrise, and you're often heading to bed at around 9-10 pm; it can be tiring. We've thought of everything to make sure that you also relax - you're on holiday afterall.

Golden Africa Safaris

When we were at the drawing board stage of designing our camp many years ago, we took a lot of time to think about what really matters when being on safari. The obvious and arguably most important thing is spending time in the wilderness viewing wildlife. Well, we operate in Botswana, so that's a simple tick. Then there are the delicious menus and fine wines. There's another tick. We also put you in the right areas at the right times of year for the right reasons; another tick. But what about your downtime? With early morning starts, bumpy roads, and oftentimes long game drives, we have also taken time to ensure that when you're not out in the bush or having a meal, you have time and space to relax in absolute comfort. We have thought of everything. Whether it is your super-king double beds with a mattress menu (yes mattress menu!), 400 thread-count cotton percale linen, and a variety of pillows to suit all tastes for you to have an afternoon siesta; or whether it is our welcoming mess tent resplendent with deep, comfy sofas, carpets, cushions and shade for you to read your holiday book or review your morning's photos, or have a game of cards, all with our waiters on hand to bring you a refreshing cool drink. Having a place to be at rest and at peace is essential when on safari. recharging not only your camera batteries but also your own, allows you to change the pace and take all the time you want to enjoy your surroundings, and maybe, just maybe, nod off with the peaceful background sounds of the bush.

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