Afrika Ecco Mobile Safaris
For travellers wanting a deep connection to nature and a sense of adventure, Afrika Ecco Safari Camp is the perfect place. Moving through some of Botswana’s most outstanding wilderness, such as the Okavango Delta; Makgadikgadi Salt Pans; Central Kalahari Game Reserve; Moremi Game Reserve; and the Savute-Chobe National Park, guests will not be disappointed for lack of adventure. Camping in diverse landscapes, under the wide starry skies of Botswana there is little to separate you from the nature. Canvas tents are traditional Maru-style and include two stretcher beds with cosy duvets and pillows for a touch of comfort.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Being mobile, the camp can be set up in many different areas which showcase the diversity and natural beauty of Botswana. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site and encompasses many different landscapes from small islands, channels, lagoons and sparkling waters. The Moremi Game Reserve encompasses part of the delta and offers thickly wooded areas, with elephants, lion, giraffe, hippo and cheetahs all frequent sightings.
The Savute Region in Chobe National Park is another destination for the camp and is a region covered in rolling grasslands and immense savannahs bisected by the Savuti Channel. The camp can be set up in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which is the second largest game reserve in the world, or nearby the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan which is one of the largest in the world and a great place to spot flamingo. No matter where the camp is set up, great wildlife sightings will be available and the air will be filled with grassland bird songs.
- Mobile camp pitching in the wildlife paradises of the Okavango Delta
- Explore the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans; Central Kalahari Game Reserve; Moremi Game Reserve; and the Savute-Chobe National Park
- High density of game; elephant, lion, hippo, zebra, giraffe, cheetah, Nile crocodile and wildebeest, to name a few
- Local, experienced and knowledgable guides
- Dinner served al-fresco under the wide skies
- Relax around the campfire in the evenings
- Comfortable canvas tents, with ensuite bathrooms
- Explore on water or land, with a mixture of boat excursions, game drives and guided walks
The dry season in the Okavango Delta, paradoxically, is when the water levels are at their highest. This occurs usually from May to October. During this season, there is little rain and humidity is low. The dry season offers the best game viewing as animals flock to the waters looking for a drink.
The wet season is from November to April, with a few more clouds in the sky, the temperature is cooler and occasional rainfall and thunderstorms occur, setting the stage for some astounding sunsets. The wet seasons generally offers the best bird viewing, as the delta is full of both resident and migratory birds.
Dinner is served under the stars near a crackling campfire, where the local guides may share stories of their many years in the Okavango Delta. Create long lasting memories from mokoro excursions, game drives, guided walks and boat trips, all of which offer exceptional game viewing from elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and hippo to over 400 bird species. Enjoy the wildlife whilst knowing you aren’t leaving a big environmental impact, with just a few peg holes as the only sign of the camps presence after leaving.
Afrika Ecco Mobile Safaris can set up six canvas Maru-style tents. Each of these are minimalist, but spacious and comfortable. Each tent can accommodate two people, on separate stretcher beds which have thick, cosy mattresses, duvets and pillows.
Mosquito netted windows fill the space with natural light and warm light is provided in the evenings by a solar powered lamp. Each tent comes complete with its own ensuite bathroom, which includes a bucket shower, an eco bush toilet and basin stands with warm water provided in the mornings and afternoons.
A covered space outside the front of the tent acts as a patio area, and guests can relax here after a long day exploring and immerse themselves in the sounds of birds calling and crickets chirping.
Dinner is served al-fresco around a communal dining table with a crackling fire nearby which guests can relax around after dinner. Subtly lit by lanterns, guests will enjoy a three-course meal prepared by a dedicated chef over a fireplace.
When the camp is set up in the Moremi Game Reserve guests have the opportunity to explore Chiefs Island – the very centre of the Delta and one of the largest islands – on foot. With a knowledgeable guide, explore animal prints and marvel at micro-ecosystems, if you are lucky you may see some zebra, wildebeest or impala.
At the camp locations in the Okavango Delta – when waters are high enough – Mokoro excursions are available. Glide serenely along sparkling, clear waters in a traditional dug out canoe and keep an eye peeled for buzzing dragonflies or colourful reed frogs.
Guests have the opportunity to experience a 3-hour boat cruise when travelling to reach the Xaxaba campsite on Chiefs Island. This is one of the best ways to view water loving animals such as elephant, hippo and the Nile crocodile. Bird watching is outstanding on the water, with various species of water bird and migratory birds.
A riverfront cruise in Chobe is available for guests, leaving during the sunset, guests will be able to float along the river with refreshments.
When staying at the camps in the Moremi Game Reserve, Central Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi Pans game drives are the prime excursion. Explore the areas in comfort in a 4×4 vehicle, regularly stopping for pictures and to view the outstanding game. This activity allows guests to get up close to the animals without disturbing them, and every game drive offers a unique experience.
As the Okavango Delta is in such close proximity to the border of Zimbabwe, for guests staying at the site in Kasane, day trips to Victoria Falls can be arranged. Driving into Zimbabwe in the morning, guests can spend some time at the breathtaking Victoria Falls before looking around the curio shops before heading back to your lodge accommodation.
Guests can enjoy a guided tour of Xaxaba village, which is where the owner of Afrika Ecco grew up. This is an excellent way to find out about the culture of the Okavango Delta, guests will be able to see how the people of Xaxaba live sustainably off the land through self-sufficient fishing and vegetable-farming. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase handmade arts and crafts from the local women of the village.
BOGA, which stands for the Botswana Guides Association, was established with the aim to help conserve, manage wildlife and educate local people to be guides. Being a member of BOGA means Afrika Ecco is an eco-friendly camp and ‘100% locally operated.’
The lamps used in the camps are solar powered as there is no electricity, and there is one per tent. The campsite has a minimal carbon footprint, and is designed in an eco friendly way which doesn’t leave a lasting impact on the land on which the camps are pitched.
Children over the age of 12 are welcomed at Afrika Ecco Mobile Safaris