Blogs from Moremi Game Reserve, North-West, Botswana, Africa

Botswana… As a lover of all things African wildlife I have heard stories and wanted to visit Northern Botswana for years… Northern Botswana did not disappoint and delivered a very “basic” safari/camping experience. The country of Botswana manages tourism tightly and has pushed prices up, to limit the volume of tourists… this means more money for them, and more pristine habitat for animals and humans alike. While this approach helps keep the numbers low, it makes it harder for those on a budget so for this go round we joined a group of 9 others for a camping safari. The campsites were ultra basic, basically a designated spot in the woods with no running water or facilities of any type and we would pitch tents, cook over an open campfire and provide free fertilizer to the ... read more

After spending a few days in Maun getting ourselves organised and the Land rover fixed ready for our trip through the centre of Botswana, 550 miles through Moremi, Savuti and Chobe. We would spend 8 nights travelling through these areas which can only be described as wilderness areas. They are all national parks with lots of game and very rough 4 by 4 tracks, but no food, water or petrol so we had to pack all our supplies, plus extras in case we hit any problems. So we did all this…but nothing can prepare you for what it was like, there were some days where we did not see another car which is bit concerning when you are driving through water that covers the bonnet of the land rover, you knew if you got stuck or ... read more

The Lion Sleeps Tonight - NOT! The Third Bridge Lion Pride kept us entertained for a few days. Last night, when the females had killed the buffalo and the pride was starting to feed, we noticed them looking off into the night as though expecting someone. The two male lions in this pride were somewhere in the dark and we knew they would be along any time. Obviously they were expected. During the night, we heard much fighting, roaring, and at one point the lions charged right through camp chasing off the hyenas. In the morning, after an early breakfast, we headed over to the kill to see what was happening. The pride had been feeding all night and were lounging around on the road. One of the dominant males was nearby. Shortly after we arrived, ... read more

Ultimate Safari Day. For those of you who don't want to read the whole blog, skip to the part below, starting with Lions. Up early this morning, which would be our pattern for the rest of our days on safari. Breakfast buffet at the hotel, load up the luggage on a cart that is pulled behind the safari vehicle. Glad we brought duffle bags ined with orange garbage bags. Most everyone else has regular luggage, and it would get pretty beat up and dusty over the next days, to be sure. This was a mobile camping safari, meaning that our camp moved with us from place to place. We would be staying in privately-booked special group campsites, so all on our own. It was nice to learn that we would not be staying in any public ... read more

Gabriel arrived at camp looking exhausted, but with adrenalin still clearly pumping. He briefly confirmed what Femke had already radio-ed in. The two of them had spent the night with a newly-identified pride of lion and wanted to collar the “matriarch” lioness as part of their research into large predator interactions. Anne-Lise - somehow, despite the early hour, already bright-eyed and chicly turned out, albeit in a practical bush manner (as you might expect of the French in Africa) - went off to prepare her drug and dart supplies with Louis’s help, while Gabriel made sandwiches for his starving colleague and himself. Meanwhile, Andrew co-ordinated vehicles and personnel; would we like to come along? Pope. Catholic. If I could have bitten his hand off - and if there had been any point - I would. I ... read more