Okavango Delta, Botswana One-hour Wilderness Air light in a Cessna

Okavango Delta, Botswana

One-hour Wilderness Air light in a Cessna

WHY HERE?

Oten hailed as the best safari country in Africa due to its varying terrain (from the arid Kalahari Desert to the rich, water-illed Okavango Delta), its abundance of large animals (the lions here are enormous) and its high-quality camps, Botswana is also, with Namibia, one of the continent’s last unpopulated wildernesses.

WE STAYED: VUMBURA PLAINS CAMP

Ater the rustic design and charming authenticity of Toka Leya, arriving at Vumbura Plains is like being abducted to a terriically swanky outpost (think Anthropolgie does safari). his re-vamped premier camp has open-plan lodges, perfect if the idea of a tent is a tad too scary for you both – each with a very welcome plunge pool and vast sit-and-stare terrace (there were hippos chomping outside our room). here’s an art-deco style bar, while smart restaurant tables are artfully arranged around a huge termite mound.

Food and drink are a cut above here, too, so expect your elegant beef tartare to be paired with an exquisite red. When it comes to the wildlife, it’s likely you’ll hear the guttural roar of lions at night; unlike Toka Leya, this is big cat country and they seem to pop up like clockwork on most drives. Oh, and when it comes to ‘big game etiquette’ make sure to stop and look each way when you come across a ‘hippo highway’ in camp. It’s a dip in the raised platform so the animals can get to the watering hole – if they weren’t there, they would just smash through.

Ater taking a ride on a mokoro (a trad dug-out canoe), our favourite thing was to lop on to the camp’s viewing deck overlooking the Kaparoto lagoon, to watch electric storms light up the sky in the distance.

HONEYMOON HIGHLIGHT

The bespoke, pour-it-yourself ‘gin stops’ (or whatever tipple you’re into) set up as a surprise on a game drive. hink candle light, Bombay Sapphire and a bucket of tonic, ice and lemon, all perched prettily on a log. Owilderness-safaris.com/ camps/vumbura-plains.

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