TA LWA R SAFA R I G UI D E D BY JA M E S RO BE RT S O N
BOTSWANA 1 1 th - 1 8 th AU GU ST 2 0 1 9
I T I N E R A R Y
O V E R V I E W
Z A R A FA - L I T T L E M O M B O
11th August 2019: Arrival Johannesburg
On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to your private charter and will �ly via Gabarone to Selinda.
11th - 13th August 2019: Zarafa
You will have three nights based at this premium camp which will be exclusively yours. We have planned for some chopper �lying to really appreciate this extraordinary area and also some boat safaris. Game drives promise to be exciting too as this year in Botswana has been surprisingly dry.
14th - 17th August 2019: Little Mombo
After three nights at Zarafa you will �ly to Little Mombo, again the camp is exclusively yours with one over�low tent at Mombo which is connected. You will have four nights here. We will explore using vehicles with a chopper �light and have included a day with rhino conservation specialist Bas Sandenberg.
18th August 2019: Travel day
After lunch you will �ly back to Johannesburg by private charter.
B O T S W A N A
Botswana lies at the heart of Southern Africa, covering 148.355 million acres of which 39% is set aside for national parks and private concessions.
The country offers extreme comparative ecosystems, from the lush, well-watered green lands of the Okavango Delta, to the harsh arid scrubland of the Kalahari. Whilst animals wander freely across vast reserves, Botswana is home to fewer than 200,000 people, thus its wild places remain relatively undisturbed by man.
Stone Age tools discovered at Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, San paintings in the Tsodilo Hills and the ancient riverbeds of the Savuti, give a glimpse into Botswana’s enticing history, scarcely altered under British colonial administration, which concluded in 1966. Botswana, once one of the poorest countries in Africa, made a timely discovery of diamonds that transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The government quickly evolved into a beacon of stability and prosperity, a true African success story.
Botswana is de�ined by democracy, closely aligned with the western concept of this system through the traditional tribal kgotla. The people of Botswana exude a sense of national con�idence and pride, re�lected in their approach to tourism. The thriving eco-tourism industry is the envy of the continent and the government’s philosophy of low impact is achieved through minimizing numbers at a handsome price. The highly sophisticated approach and emphasis on high-end travel ensures that Botswana remains the African destination for the true safari connoisseur. Botswana is exciting within the comfort of familiarity however, scratch deeper and this land of staggering beauty consistently assures unsurpassable experiences and adventures. The opportunities to view authentic wildlife interactions are second to none, with more than 160 species of mammals and 600 bird species.
Zimbabwe Namibia
BOTSWANA
Swaziland
South Africa
Lesotho
“A t r u e A f r i c a n s u c c e s s s t o r y ”
O K A V A N G O
D E LT A
The Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana, covers 4.9 million acres and is the largest inland delta in the world. Flowing for approximately 300 kilometres the water is crystal clear naturally �iltered by the sand and aquatic vegetation that forms the delta’s basin. The delta is a natural phenomenon and is relatively young in geological terms. The source of this African oasis is in Angola, entering Botswana 1,600 kilometres later at the Okavango River. Here, the fate of the �low is determined by a series of parallel fault lines. As it passes over the �irst, it splits and fans into a number of waterways and channels that from space, look like the �ingers of a giant hand. The second and third fault lines guide the �low down their length until reaching Maun. The view from the air is one of breathtaking magni�icence a maze of meandering channels papayrus reed walls and intermittent palm islands – a paradise encircled by the sands of the Kalahari.
This dynamic ecosystem, in which today’s channels may be the islands of tomorrow, provides a permanent and seasonal home to proli�ic bird and wildlife. Spectacular herds of elephant roam, buffalo graze, antelope species congregate under the watchful eye of predators such as lion, hyena, leopard and the less common cheetah and wild dog. This is a truly remarkable area for bird watching, game viewing and photography.
Through the signature cry of the �ish eagle under clear African skies, the Okavango Delta extends an open invitation to indulge in its mystery. The thrill of exploring its wild corners by game drive vehicle, the intimacy and unique connection of rambling on foot, and the sheer peace of �loating in a mokoro amidst the large leaves of lily scattered lagoons, all experiences without parallel. Moremi
Chobe N.P
Maun
OKAVANGA DELTA
Nxai Pan N.P
Makgadigadi Gadi N.P & Pans
Central Kalahari G.R
L I N YA N T I
&
S E L I N D A
The Linyanti Reserve is one of the most remote, wild and pristine regions of Botswana. It is bordered by the Linyanti River in the north and the Chobe National Park in the east , and is the primary attraction for one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. Two thirds of the Savute Channel is situated within the Linyanti Reserve. The ‘stolen river’, as it is chronicled by Joubert’s documentary, was a dry waterway until 2008, previously �lowing from 1967 to 1981. A phenomenon that has occurred over the centuries, this cyclical and changing feature of wet and dry is not completely understood, though tectonic activity deep below the Kalahari sand bed is believed to be at least partially responsible.
In the early evening, breeding herds of elephants gather at the pools and mudholes to socialise, drink, wallow and play. The Linyanti waters meander to form a myriad of pools and lagoons favoured by hippos, crocodiles and overwhelming numbers of water birds. The Selinda Spillway is a shallow channel connecting the Panhandle region of the Okavango Delta with the Chobe River system. The Spillway �lows only in years of high waters and contrary to popular belief, �lows in one direction from the Okavango to the Chobe.
Inland are spectacular mixes of woodlands which conceal elephant, giraffe and the less common sable and roan Antelope. Seasonal �loodplains transform into open grasslands in the dry season, inviting a congregation of plains game which seduce a following of lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. The Linyanti ensures privacy and exclusivity, a wonderful diversity of habitat and a haven for wildlife. LINYANTI SELINDA Moremi Okavanga Delta
Chobe N.P
Maun Nxai Pan N.P
Makgadigadi Gadi N.P & Pans Central Kalahari G.R
ZA RA FA
Z a r a f a C a m p i s r e n o w n e d f o r i t s r e m a r k a b l e c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f w i l d l i f e , p r e d a t o r s i n p a r t i c u l a r, and luxuriously-appointed, quintessential tented accommodation.
Zarafa camp is located on the Selinda Reserve, private concession, in the Linyanti region of Northern Botswana, north of the Okavango Delta. With only 4 rooms, Zarafa is one of Botswana’s smallest camps and consequently offers one of the country’s most exclusive game viewing experiences. The main area of Zarafa Camp is made up of 2 large rooms, a dining room on the right and an incredibly furnished lounge area with ornaments and books around the place. There is a central walkway which leads out onto an open veranda area looking over the Zibadianja Lagoon, which teems with game.
With a maximum of 8 guests, the emphasis here is on individual hospitality and privacy. Each tented room has a 360° veranda which is dissected by a private pool and outdoor shower, which seems to spray water inwards from all directions! The bedroom and living areas are huge, and equipped with vintage and antique decor. The bathrooms are designed with copper in�luence all round, a free standing copper bath, sink and shower. Just in case you get chilly, there is also a central �ireplace.
And just to throw a contemporary touch into the mix, you get your very own Canon 50D camera for your stay.
All of the Chobe wildlife is present at Zarafa with a varied bird and mammal community. Abundant plains game can be found here, it is also a predator-rich reserve including cheetah, wild dog, lion and leopard. The massive herds of elephant pass through the area in the dry season.
There is a wealth of activities here including game drives, walks, night drives, bush dinners, �ishing, canoeing and boating. Even the most discerning travellers hold Zarafa as a �irm favourite over all other Africa Safari camps.
“There is a HARMONY to Zarafa. Perhaps it is the intimate size
of the camp, the calming waters of the lagoon or the genuine n a t u r e o f t h e l o c a l s t a f f .”
L I T T L E
M O M B O
One of the most luxurious camps in Botswana overlooking a �loodplain in the Okavango Delta,
Little Mombo offers the highest standards of guiding and service in a remote and pristine location. Little Mombo is an extension on Mombo
enjoy a shower under the stars. All the tents
Okavango
There is a sala, large veranda and lounge
Camp situated on Mombo Island, adjoining
the northern tip of Chief ’s Island in the Delta.
Mombo
Island
is
surrounded by open �loodplains and the camp itself is largely built in and around the
shade of some large mangosteen, ebony and �ig
trees
-
overlooking
a
�loodplain teeming with game.
wonderful
The camp’s 3 luxuriously furnished tents
are raised high off the ground and adjoined by wooden walkways. This allows game to wander freely through the camp while at the same time enabling guests to maintain a
safe distance. One often �inds that animals take refuge under the rooms, making for
some interesting night-time noises! The canvas-walled rooms are very comfortably and
stylishly
furnished
with
ensuite
bathrooms and �lush toilets - and an additional outdoor shower for those who
have views of the surrounding �lood plains.
area, providing ample place to relax and
enjoy the view. Little Mombo Camp also has
its own dining room, kitchen, curio shop and a plunge pool on the main deck makes a great place to relax in the heat of the day.
Activities include morning and afternoon
game drives in open 4x4’s which provide an exquisite vantage for viewing. The highlight here is the concentration of plains game and all the predators, with lion sightings being
particularly good, as well as game even wandering straight through camp.
"The Mombo concession is certainly one of the best f o r g a m e v i e w i n g i n B o t s w a n a .”
J A M E S
R O B E R T S O N
T h i r t y - � i v e y e a r s a f t e r l e a d i n g h i s � i r s t e x p e d i t i o n , J a m e s i s c h a i r m a n o f t h e b o a r d a t K e r & D o w n e y, and an in�luential leader of the new movement in community-led conservation.
Like the safari industry itself, James Robertson was born and raised in Kenya, where his appetite for adventure has earned him a reputation as one of the modern pioneers of the global safari business.
James’ dependability for never following the same itinerary twice, and for continually searching out new experiences for his clients, has won him admirers across the industry, as well as an army of repeat guests (including two families who have each travelled with him 26 times!). Among his long-standing Kenyan crew, he’s known as “Ndorobo” after the fabled hunter-gathers of northern Kenya – a tribe renowned for their resourceful bushcraft, and their complete absence of fear for wild animals. Although James’ �irst love and main base is Kenya, he is an “all-Africa guide” and just as likely to be found travelling through the game-rich parks, reserves and conservancies of eastern and southern Africa. In recent years, he has been supporting a number of Maasai and Samburu communities that have turned part of their grazing lands over to conservation – giving guests a chance to see some rarer wildlife species, and to experience an absolutely authentic immersion in two of the world’s oldest tribal cultures. In 2001, James was a founder of The Mara Conservancy, a ground-breaking and widely-admired partnership between conservationists and the county government, which established a new public-private template to protect the critical wildlife dispersal areas north of the Maasai Mara Reserve. He sits on the board of the (removed the MMWCT) Kenya Wildlife Trust , and his unrivalled contacts enable his guests to meet some of the leading conservationists and wildlife researchers in the world.
Having been raised on the edge of Kenya's largest National Park, Tsavo is close to James’ heart. His most recent focus is on protecting the last remaining Great Tuskers of which there are around 10 bulls each carrying in excess of 100lbs of ivory per side. He is working closely with the Tsavo Trust to protect these valuable elephants.
James and Abigail live within a wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of Nairobi, where they host most of their guests personally. They work together as much as possible out on safari where their shared passions are apparent to anyone travelling with them.
R O B
J A N I S C H
African born and bred, Rob began his love affair of 'all things wild' as a young boy a childhood much of which was spent in the African wilderness. To d a y, R o b o f f e r s e x c l u s i v e , s p e c i a l i s t g u i d e d s a f a r i s a c r o s s t h e c o n t i n e n t . Rob obtained two very different degrees at university, one in the Arts and one in Biokinetics. Consequently his studies covered a wide range of subjects from Philosophy, English Literature & History of Art to Human Physiology & Anatomy.
Rob signed up as a guide at the renowned Mala Mala Game Reserve in the late nineties. It was here that he truly found his passion that was to become his vocation for the next 18 years: beating about the bush, introducing guests to the wild wonders of Africa, and developing a deep understanding of the genius of the natural world. More than anything, through blithe days spent in the bush, Rob was able to satisfy his spiritual needs unlike anything else he had encountered.
Over the years, Rob has worked as a guide, tourism consultant, biomimicry specialist, lodge manager & camp owner, and most recently guide trainer in Southern & East Africa. He has also endured more than his fair share of unbeaten paths across the continent (much to his elation!) Through his distinctive specialist safaris, Rob aims to provide a more holistic insight to the natural world. He encourages his guests to re-connect with their true human nature. As Rob says: "Coming from, and being part of the natural world means we should have a much deeper connect with things wild than perhaps we do currently. We can learn a whole lot more from it all than perhaps we are doing at the moment; learnings that could help keep us on this planet for a little longer as a species…"
Rob's fascination with all things living has led him to be inspired by the emerging science of Biomimicry, a subject around which he has become an African �ield specialist and on which he consults & presents to large organizations & institutions across the region. Rob also hosts & facilitates specialist Genius of Nature expeditions in living laboratories around Africa. “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~ Albert Einstein
TEL: +254 (0)720 911 143
EMAIL: INFO@JAMESROBERTSON.CO.KE S K Y P E : J RS A FA R I S
W W W. K E R D O W N E Y S A FA R I S . C O M