Botswana - Places To Stay

Xakanaxa and Khwai areas - There is something magical about the atmosphere created by the soft, warm glow of a lantern and showering under a starry night sky with a steaming bucket full of water warmed by the campfire. Although going back to basics is part of the experience on our mobile camping safaris, the tented accommodation is very comfortable, spacious & luxurious and the camps are set up at selected campsites throughout your safari.

There are no fixed buildings or facilities at the campsites used and the entire camp is erected and removed by the supply team. All water, wood etc. is driven in and waste taken out. A supply team moves with the group to set up and break down camp as required, and take care of general camp duties like cooking and washing up.

A luxury mobile safari usually includes at least 3 locations. Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana Campsites (HATAB) are used, and these exclusive wilderness sites can only be booked by members of HATAB.

The tents are 9*15ft wilderness tents with high roof and a 9 foot covered area in front of the tent. The tents are fitted with high camp beds made up with mattresses, sheets, duvets and pillows.

For families travelling with younger children on private trips a family safari tent is available, ensuring the children's safety and their parent's peace of mind. A family tent is a two-bedroom unit with an adjoining bathroom and lockable exit/entrance.

Activities on safaris include game drive (looking for wildlife from vehicle), walking safaris, boating, fishing, night drives. Not all safaris include all of these activities. Walking and night driving depend on getting bookings for areas outside of the National Parks as these activities are not allowed within the Park boundaries.

Mobile camping safaris have a low impact on the environment, as there are no permanent structures, all rubbish is removed after camping, and the use of bucket showers ensures that very little water is used, especially important in drier climates.
The vast majority of staff are Motswana, who are well trained. These mobile safaris also directly benefit communities such as the Khwai Community Trust and the Sankuyo Community Trust, who receive a portion of your safari payment (around USD82 per person per safari).
Your safari carbon footprint is off-set by Letaka by planting one indigenous tree for every guest on safari. All these trees are grown at their nursery in Maun. On average they plant and distribute free-of-charge over 500 indigenous trees every year. In-house education programmes in conjunction with Okavango Guiding School encourage their staff and guides to plant trees at their homes, trees which are provided free of charge.

Facilities: All tents have en-suite short drop toilet facilities and a bucket shower at the rear of the tent. Showers can be ordered as hot, cold or warm and the water is heated in a bucket on the fire. Showers may be taken at any time but on Kalahari safaris the guide withholds the right to limit water use and showering depending upon the availability of water. Each tent has an oil/paraffin lamp on the veranda and in the bathroom and within the tent itself, a LED rechargeable camp light is supplied along with a side table in the sleeping area and in the bathroom. Although each tent has lighting and there are lamps strategically around the camp for navigation, it is essential to bring your own headlamp for additional lighting.

Vehicles: 4x4 safari vehicles that are spacious and comfortable taking a maximum of 9 or 12 guests are used. The seats are in a three seats per row configuration. There will be a fridge either on the vehicle or the trailer to keep cold drinks available to guests at all times during a game drive. Socket points are available in all vehicles for battery recharging, as well as a first aid kit and riffle for your safety.

Staff: The safari team consists of a professional guide, a chef and camphands who are there to make your safari even more enjoyable. The camp staff set-up and break down camp as required as well as carrying out various daily camp chores ensuring that guests enjoy total relaxation on safari.

Laundry: A limited laundry service (hand wash) during full days in camp whilst on safari is offered, depending upon the availability of water and the weather. Laundry service is not available on moving days.