“If there was one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again” – a quote from Karen Blixen, world-renowned author of Out of Africa, and a sentiment that Desert & Delta Safaris are committed to fulfilling for each of their guests in utmost luxury and comfort. Established in 1982 as one of the original safari operators in Botswana, Desert & Delta Safaris have nine camps and lodges in prime locations in northern Botswana’s famous national parks, game reserves, and private concessions: Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Savanna Lodge, Savute Safari Lodge, Xugana Island Lodge, Camp Okavango, Nxamaseri Island Lodge, Camp Xakanaxa, Camp Moremi, and Leroo La Tau.

With safari lodges and camps in the Savute Region, Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and on the Chobe Riverfront, each of the Desert & Delta Safaris’ properties provides a luxurious sanctuary for guests to retreat to after a long but fulfilling and thrilling day of safari. Each of the stunning lodges boasts breath-taking views across the surrounding landscapes and emulates the rich culture of Botswana through traditional interiors that meet the needs of the contemporary traveller.

The five-star Chobe Game Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the highest concentration of elephants in the world onboard a Chobe River safari cruise. Home to Africa’s first all-female guiding team of expertly trained women on-hand to navigate the exceptionally diverse National Park including the recipient of the 2021 National Geographic Traveller Reader ‘Innovator’ Award, Florence Kagiso. Each of the 44 river-facing rooms features a private terrace where guests can take in the picturesque views. Just across the calm waters of the Chobe Riverfront is the Chobe Savanna Lodge, in Namibia’s Zambezi Province, the perfect destination for a completely exclusive and secluded safari experience. Overlooking the vast floodplains of the Puku Flats, the heart of the camp is thatched with an open-sided lodge boasting 270-degree views over the river. Guests sleep in 12 beautifully furnished chalets, each with a private deck for spotting elephants, buffalos, hippos, and rare pukus (antelopes).

Located in the sensational Savute Region is the Savute Safari Lodge with its ever-changing channels and marsh. With 11 thatched chalets made from local timber and one, two double-bedroom family suites, the lodge provides a completely private and relaxing environment. The shaded viewing deck is the perfect place for guests to relax and watch resident elephants drink, bathe, and play in the nearby watering hole – a truly remarkable insight into the daily dynamics of the local elephant populations.

The magnificent Okavango Delta is an oasis, home to 24 species of globally threatened birds, providing water for some of Africa’s most prolific herds of animals, and is home to five of Desert & Delta’s properties. Situated in the most spectacular permanent water site, the Xugana Lagoon is the Xugana Island Lodge. With just eight reed and thatch chalets on an island, guests can expect a private and truly authentic water-safari experience exploring the crystal-clear waterways by boat or mokoro (traditional dugout canoe). Camp Okavango is a unique and exclusive water-based camp located in the World Heritage Listed, Okavango Delta. With eleven spacious suites and one two-bedroom family suite, Camp Okavango is located on the remote Nxaragha Island and is a perfect location to explore the Delta by motorised boat, mokoro (traditional canoe) or on foot (all hosted by a guide, of course) to spot rare species such as the sitatunga antelope as well as elephants, giraffes, and buffalos. Nestled in the centre of two UNESCO world heritage sites: Tsodilo Hills and the Okavango Delta, Nxamaseri Island Lodge has eight stunning suites, all under the shade of huge Jackalberry trees and wild date palms with breath-taking river views. Nxamaseri Island Lodge is the perfect destination to explore Tsodilo Hills – a remarkable cluster of rocky hills in the flat Kalahari Desert and home to one of Africa’s most impressive collections of ancient rock art with over 4,500 paintings in over 400 different sites dating back as far as 100,000 years. The Nxamaseri Island Lodge wonderfully showcases the beauty of the permanent swamp in which it is located whilst subtly expressing and celebrating the rich heritage and vibrance of the indigenous people.

In the renowned Moremi Game Reserve is Camp Moremi where guests can expect the classic African safari experience. Rebuilt in 2018 as a modern luxury safari lodge with 12 elegant, thatched tents, guests can choose morning or afternoon game drives through different ecosystems or motorised boat excursions into the Okavango Delta. The blend of fantastic activities allows for access to incredible landscapes and wildlife including impalas, kudus, and waterbucks. In the heart of the magnificent Moremi Game Reserve, on the banks of the Khwai River is Camp Xakanaxa which is one of the few safari camps to offer guests an authentic tented camp experience. Situated in the fringe of the glorious lagoon, 11 spacious Meru-style luxury safari tents and one two-bedroom family tent each have private viewing decks to fully immerse in the awe-inspiring environment.

On the banks of the Khawi River in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve is Camp Xakanaxa. The beautiful location hosts one of the very few safari camps that offers guests an authentic tented camp experience, along with year-round Okavango Delta land and water safari encounters.

In the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, is Leroo La Tau. Literally translated as ‘lion’s paw’ and set high above the western bank of the Boteti River, the luxurious camp boasts striking views of the river and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The lodge features twelve elegant thatched and glass-fronted suites with en-suite bathrooms, each raised on a wooden platform. Guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park focus on exceptional wildlife sightings including Botswana’s renowned zebra migration along the Boteti River. During the dry season (July – October) long stay guests are invited to sleep out under the stars on the remote salt pans for a truly memorable experience.

The African plains are a sight to behold and thankfully, the Okavango and Chobe Rivers provide a safe haven for the diverse wildlife that roam the land in the ‘jewel of the Kalahari’. Being one of the world’s largest inland water systems, the Okavango Delta is a crucial water resource for Botswana’s abundant wildlife. The Chobe National Park is home to the largest elephant population in the world with over 50,000 elephants dispersed across the National Park and the Savute Region houses the second largest zebra migration in the world. The magnificent country is also home to remarkable birds, buffalos, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, hippos, giraffes, kudus, lechwes (antelopes), and cheetahs to name but a few! As custodians of one of Botswana’s pristine and naturally diverse environments, Desert & Delta Safaris strive to be carbon neutral. Using solar-powered electric boats and electric game vehicles, Desert & Delta Safaris provide their guests with a spectacular safari experience whilst minimising noise, eradicating carbon emissions, and reducing environmental damage.

Desert & Delta Safaris CARES philosophy is centred around their dedication to supporting the local people of Botswana and their rich culture, from careers and communities to environment and wellbeing. Botswana has extraordinarily rich wildlife, of which it is proud, yet the environment is constantly under threat by environmental and human pressures. Natural and anthropogenic-induced climate change is exacerbating drought and desertification whilst resource extraction, deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and poaching all pose a threat to African wildlife, especially rhinos for their horns and elephants for their ivory. Desert & Delta Safaris recognises and understands this issue that the environment is facing across the continent and is committed to going above and beyond to protect the glorious environment. By employing local people as tour guides and management staff at their lodges, they are providing for local communities. Female empowerment is also a top priority for the company and, as a result of hard work and determination, over 50% of Desert & Delta management team and lodge staff are women with Chobe Game Lodge becoming one of the first safari lodges in Africa to have an all-female guide team affectionately known as ‘Chobe’s Angels’ and led by Florence Kagiso.

With 40 years of experience in the safari industry, Desert & Delta Safaris understand that creating and implementing sustainable practices now, not only guarantees that guests have an experience of a lifetime, but it also ensures there will be a safari to visit in the future. Desert & Delta Safaris are excited to continue their incredible work of empowering Botswana through tourism whilst providing each guest with a luxuriously thrilling safari adventure. Desert & Delta Safaris – where luxury meets adventure.

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