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When the buffaloes come for coffee at Camp Linyanti

One of the highlights of a morning game drive (aside from the epic wildlife encounters and watching the bush come alive) is the coffee break. Just as the morning is warming up and your tummy starts to grumble, your well-prepped guide pulls up to a nice, scenic spot in the bush and pulls out the flasks and muffins.

This is your chance to explore the area with your binoculars, take in the silence, and photograph those birds you keep speeding passed. It’s been a while since your pre-dawn coffee ‘n rusk and these mid-morning snacks are very welcome, but you can never quite foresee the presence of Africa’s most fierce bovids at your coffee spot!

At Camp Linyanti, guests were unexpectedly visited by a group of buffalo, on their morning tea break. This region of the Chobe National Park is renowned for its abundance of big game, ungulate migrations, and huge herds of buffalo.

You never can predict what is going to happen in the bush, and you should always be prepared, especially when it comes to these large, horned herbivores, but what happens most often is this: a moment spent witnessing Africa’s wild animals in their natural habitat. Just some of Africa’s Big 5 passing by…

Leopard antics at Mapula Lodge

Leopards are some of the most sought after cats in the world. These spotted beauties are far more elusive than lions and are seen in much fewer habitats, but in fact, leopards are the most prolific of the cat species. Living and hunting alone, leopards stay well hidden, so when you see the swish of a white-tipped tail or hear its rasping growl, get those cameras ready.

At Mapula Lodge in the remote north-western corner of the Okavango Delta, a mother leopard and her grown cub were spotted hanging out in a tree with what was left of an impala kill. Usually, leopards are solitary animals and do not share their food, but the exception arises with the relationship between a mother and her cubs, who will often remain together until the cubs are 18months old.

Female leopards are exceptionally good mothers (raising their cubs alone) and will protect and provide for their young for the first year of their lives – leopards are capable of making their first kill at about 11 months old. In this video you can see the fearsome interaction between leopard and hyena, which is a common occurrence in the wild. Leopard cubs suffer a high mortality rate because of lions and hyenas, and once they are grown, leopards are in constant battle with hyenas for food.

Mapula Lodge is in a prime, private location on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve and exclusive sightings like this are some of the most special safari memories, even for the most veteran traveller!

Take a look:

Video: A cheeky baby honey badger at Camp Linyanti

Most of us have had a laugh at the famous YouTube hit about the fearless honey badger. This fairly small creature has one of the biggest attitudes of all animals, nevermind its size. Its immune system is so strong that it can fight the effects of the deadliest snake venom, and it escapes capture with a very unique ‘turning’ tactic. The honey badger’s tough skin is loose around its shoulders, enabling it to turn 360° in its skin and turn on its own predators. The story goes that these small carnivores target the groin of large animals that threaten it, and as a result, it does not have many predators!

These are fascinating creatures, and as its name suggests, its diet consists largely of bee larvae and honey, but it also makes a tasty meal of mice, scorpions, spiders, lizards, and snakes. Have a look at this baby honey badger giving the cameraman attitude at Camp Linyanti in Botswana. Filmed by Kevin MacLaughlin.

Not as cute has he looks!

Discover Camp Linyanti

When you’ve been to the top-rated safari hotspots and fallen in love with Africa hook, line, and sinker, you begin to search for the hidden gems. The locations that are more remote, more raw, and more wild are found in Botswana’s swampland paradise just north-west of Chobe. Read what 2 bloggers had to say about Camp Linyanti in the remote and untamed Linyanti marshlands:

Chobe is fondly referred to as the ‘Land of Giants’ because of its abundance of elephant herds, which is one the highest concentrations of game in Africa. It has a diverse habitat comprising savannah, grasslands and the lush floodplains and marsh areas that form part of the Chobe River. Drive down any road in the Chobe region and you’re bound to spot elephants grazing on the grass embankments.

During November, zebras foal in the Savuti and migrate to Linyanti between February and April. Witnessing a wildlife migration is always a highlight of any safari and this is a major attraction in the area. The Linyanti is a remote, off-the-beaten track wetland oasis ideal for wildlife enthusiasts wanting a remote safari experience. The Linyanti is fed by the flooded Chobe and Kwando rivers and is nestled in the north-west corner of the Chobe National Park.

In conjunction with offering the standard game drives, Camp Linyanti also offers daily boating activities on a fully-kitted boat ideal for navigating the unexplored channels teeming with hippo and crocodile.

Views at this camp are awe-inspiring. Dotted in the distance is Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and vistas of the Linyanti lagoon stretch on for miles into the horizon. Here you will find high concentration of elephant, zebra, giraffe, antelope and a variety of mammals.

Camp Linyanti comprises five elevated, ensuite rondavel-style tents – the perfect balance between comfortable and luxury. In true safari style, there are outdoor showers, wooden platforms and plenty of game viewing areas.

Secluded and off the tourist path, Camp Linyati is just you, the views and the wildlife. What more could you want?

By Carolynne Higgins (read the full article here: Top 5 Places for an Authentic Botswana Safari)

In this fairy-tale part of the Chobe National Park, families can be accommodated in true camping style. Separate tents, amongst the trees, provide tranquil viewpoints from which to sit back and absorb the activity that unfolds as if you weren’t there at all.

A famed location for elephants is the Linyanti region of Chobe. The river – another permanent water source quenching the thirst of an overabundance of wildlife in winter – is the lifeblood of this uncrowded reserve. Namibia’s Caprivi Strip (recently renamed Zambezi Region) is visible on the far horizon, with little but the great lumbering forms of elephants to interrupt it. A tented paradise cosies up on the Linyanti lagoon, a secluded destination for only 10 people at a time.

The 5 uniquely rounded canvas tents have private decks and open-air ensuite showers, while one exceptional little piece of heaven is reserved for honeymooners. All the surrounding water means that the camp is located in a wildlife hotspot, while game drives are often by boat; however, Camp Linyanti has recently opened never before seen game drive routes, exploring even more of this hidden joy.

By Chloe Cooper (read the full article here: Discover Botswana’s Hidden Secrets)

Watch this short video summarising the Camp Linyanti experience.

Camp Linyanti: a destination of dreams

Chobe National Park’s Linyanti Marsh region is one of the country’s most phenomenal game viewing locations. It is an untamed wilderness adjacent to the Linyanti River where riverine woodlands and lagoons surround the saturated areas close to the water, creating characteristic marshland, where the likelihood of spotting rarities, such as the red lechwe and sitatunga antelope, will sugarcoat your safari. The Linyanti swamp is favoured by predators whose prowess guarantees their dominance in the area. The presence of lions, leopards and wild dogs amplify the offer making this unexplored, remote region of Botswana the perfect place for Camp Linyanti.

Copyright Kevin MacLaughlin

Copyright Kevin MacLaughlin

The floodplains of this swamp land seep through the area approaching Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, adding to the ingenuity of this particular camp’s position. Unruly, unspoilt, and undiscovered, Camp Linyanti nestles discreetly within the waterways and lagoons of the Linyanti floodplains and commands the pictorial representation of wilderness. Five elevated canvas rondavels stand defenceless before breath-taking views, eliciting a sense of marvel in the onlooker. Riverine forests and huge trees surround this intimate camp, which provides for its guests open-air showers and private balconies, which capture Botswana’s glory as it stretches toward the Caprivi Strip.

An abundance of animals congregate here; whether it is in the rich greenery born of the rains, or the golden grasslands that become of the land once the sun has scorched the surface. Botswana is reputed for some of the best wildlife sightings in Africa, and Linyanti surely takes that title for Botswana; little else need be mentioned on this destination. Where Kalahari giants roam in a higher concentration than anywhere else in the world, and Africa’s rarest predators follow the ancient migration routes of the most popular prey; the prolific region of the north-western Chobe is a destination of dreams.

Images by Kevin MacLaughlin.

Watch the video, narrated by Kevin MacLaughlin: Camp Linyanti – An Undiscovered Gem

Copyright Kevin MacLaughlin

Copyright Kevin MacLaughlin

Copyright Kevin MacLaughlin

Lioness and cubs with a giraffe kill at Mapula

The lions of the Okavango Delta have been documented many times with special focus tuning to their unbelievable strength and learned ability to hunt in water. In Dereck and Beverly Joubert’s film for National Geographic – The Last Lions – a lone mother lioness has to learn to take down buffalo alone. It is an incredible act of strength and endurance as she continues to fail, until she learns to hunt these huge, horned bovids in the water.

Here, at Mapula Lodge – a quiet and undiscovered piece of Delta luxury – a similar scene played out for guests on game drive. This mother lioness and her 2 cubs were seen with a freshly killed giraffe. Watch the power as she drags the enormous carcass into the grass and her young babies learn about feasting like a lion. The lion activity in the Okavango Delta is exceptional. This is nature at its best.

Mapula: One of Botswana’s Hidden Secrets

What stands out most about Mapula Lodge is its prime location in the Delta. The lodge determinedly makes the most of this with a structure that is open and airy, inviting the natural surroundings in through the large, mesh windows and onto the wooden decks. From the bedrooms, the private bathrooms, the lounge, the dining table, the bar, and the pool, views of the lagoon and its reed beds are all-encompassing. It really is a special destination, and what we like to call, one of Botswana’s Hidden Secrets.

Read about Mapula Lodge as described by 2 bloggers in Getaway Magazine and Africa Geographic:

Deep in the Okavango Delta in a pristine, unexplored area lies the intimate Mapula Lodge. Situated on a private concession of 12 000 hectares and bordering the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve, Mapula is perfectly situated for a variety of sightings on a Botswana safari. Professional guides will take you out on a traditional mekoro (a wooden dugout canoe) to enjoy a water safari where you will see hippo and crocodile. Coupled with this, guests can enjoy both morning and evening game drives. Lion, leopard and wild dog have been very active in the area and there is prolific birdlife for keen ornithologists.

In terms of accommodation, this uncomplicated, luxury lodge has seven twin rooms, one double room and one family unit. Mapula has been built as an extension of the environment and exquisite hardwood trees and fig trees provide a natural canopy over the lodge. Rooms have been built on wooden stilts which provide a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta. Open-air showers and classic zinc bath tubs complete its rustic atmosphere.

Mapula is your answer for simple luxuries. And yes, high tea is served.

By Carolynne Higgins (read the full article here: Top 5 Places for an Authentic Botswana Safari)

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpuf

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpufBy Carolynne Higgins (read the full article here: Top 5 Places for an Authentic Botswana Safari)

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos.

This is remote, this is hidden, and this is where you and your family will enjoy a private safari, absorbing nature and being exposed to the kindness of the local people. Mapula is owner-run and staffed by local men and women, affectionately referred to as the River Bushmen. Their knowledge and experience of this secret location is learned from childhood. Rustic, earthy, and secluded are three words one could use to describe Mapula, while the experience it offers is unrivalled.

By Chloe Cooper (read the full article here: Discover Botswana’s Hidden Secrets)

(Get a sneak peek of Mapula Lodge here)

This is remote, this is hidden, and this is where you and your family will enjoy a private safari, absorbing nature and being exposed to the kindness of the local people. Mapula is owner-run and staffed by local men and women, affectionately referred to as the river Bushmen. Their knowledge and experience of this secret location is learned from childhood. Rustic, earthy, and secluded are three words one could use to describe Mapula, while the experience it offers is unrivalled. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpuf

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpuf

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpuf

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpuf

A location as celebrated as the Okavango Delta is sure to have a busy season you might want to avoid, but without missing the height of animal activity. On a private concession, on a tree-filled island all of its own, Mapula Lodge is nestled in a very special part of Botswana. A diversity of game find their homes here, from elephants and lions, to the endangered sable antelope and African wild dog, while Mapula itself overlooks a lagoon full of resident hippos. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/discover-botswanas-hidden-secrets/#sthash.YzQTiW0Z.dpuf

The Magic of Mapula Lodge

Whether you are spotting an infinitely diverse number of bird species from the depths of a dugout canoe, or trundling along in an open 4×4 Land Rover while admiring leopard, lion, elephant and wild dog with staggering frequency, one’s love of Botswana can only be renewed after a visit to Mapula Lodge. This exquisite setting in the north western region of the Okavango Delta shares a border with the breath-taking Moremi Game Reserve and cradles on its riverbank, Mapula’s wooden construction. Wrapped around the water fig trees and perched atop tall stilts, Mapula Lodge sets the scene for an unforgettable Botswana safari.

Ten chalets produce vast views of the watery maze before it. The Hippo Lagoon slithers through the expanse of grass and stretches towards the woodwork of the leafy trees on the riverbanks. It is a stylishly comfortable lodge that clearly makes the most of its position. Rustic thatch covers the stone units, while wooden pillars frame the doors and act as bed posts, keeping nature at close hand. The ensuite bathrooms are beautifully ‘country’ with great, zinc bath tubs, taps and sinks, and again, promote the exceptional views through lightly meshed windows and walls.

Mapula has a generous array of activities on offer, all conducted by guides and trackers who live in the villages surrounding the Delta and the Moremi, making their knowledge of the area unbeatable. A true passion and understanding of the waterways of the Okavango, these Tswana men and women provide a link to one of Africa’s most primeval wildlife destinations. Land-based game drives often take guests on an interesting adventure through flooded paths and overflowing walkways after the rainy months. A silent and serene canoe safari drops one’s vantage point to eye-level with the hippos that peer out from shallow surfaces. River-crossing elephants send wading ripples across the surface of the water creating an incredible mokoro experience. Lions, leopards and wild dogs are regularly sighted in the conservancy, as are buffalo, wildebeest, zebra and crocodile. A wildlife extravaganza awaits visitors at Mapula Lodge and with mokoro, driving and walking activities, there is little that can be missed.

A scrumptious array of dishes is produced by the chef, making mealtime a heavenly occasion that can be enjoyed on the open, wooden deck providing a fantastic ambience of the Delta by night. Specific dietary requirements are smoothly accommodated into the diverse menu, ensuring every guest is catered for with equal enthusiasm. Children over the age of 6 will delight in the discoveries they make at Mapula Lodge, bringing an imaginative animal world to life, but if Moms and Dads prefer a less worrisome afternoon in this peaceful paradise, Mapula’s staff members will happily entertain little ones, given prior notice.

Accommodating only 20 people at full capacity, one’s time spent at this gloriously positioned safari destination will undoubtedly remain private and undisturbed. It is truly a wonder to behold such an uninterrupted view of one of Africa’s most precious wildlife abodes. The Okavango Delta has been named a World Heritage Site, giving it its deserved status as the protected pulse of the continent. The vitality of the Earth is envisaged in the greens and blues of the Delta and the activity of the animals flourishing within its intertwining waterways is a gift to be enjoyed.

Cruising down the Olifants River with Nokana Safari Camp

This is something special, especially for people who have not had the experience of a safari from a boat, or a water-based safari. It is something quite unexpected to be in the wild region of the Kruger Park and add a river cruise to your safari experience, but at Nokana Safari Camp, it is a part of the weekly itinerary.

Every Sunday, guests at Nokana wake up in their own time before ambling down to the lodge for breakfast at about 9am. By 10h45, owner and host Michel Laforet has made home-made pizza, packed the cooler box with a variety of beers and cold drinks, and is ready to set off for lunch on the water. Please be reminded to bring your cameras – you’re going to want to remember this!

The drive to this section of the Olifants River takes about an hour. We knew we had entered the wild area outside of Phalaborwa town when we saw road signs warning cars about elephants crossing. We also saw waterbuck and impala grazing beside the road, and before we knew it we were parked between some elephants in the reeds. It was already an exciting ride and we hadn’t even boarded the boat!

Once we parked the car and climbed on board the boat, we took out our binoculars and cameras and didn’t put them away until we had returned a few hours later. Covering only a short stretch of the river, this cruise moves slowly and allows time to veer off course and approach the riverbank for, say, a basking crocodile, or a herd of buffalo.

(Watch the video of this crocodile moving towards the boat)

The birdlife along the Olifants River banks is prolific and pretty. We could hear the calls of African fish eagles, and spot the pied kingfishers, little bee-eaters and wire-tailed swallows that flitted alongside the reed beds. There wasn’t a section of water or land that wasn’t occupied by wildlife. From elephants, to hippos, to crocodiles; giraffe, impala, waterbuck, buffalo; the list goes on… The Nokana guests had come to the end of their week on safari and there couldn’t have been a better way to spend the day.

After a drink or 2, lunch was served at a table on the lower deck. The pizzas – handmade by Michel that morning – were warmed up on a ‘skottle’ (gas-powered pan) and served alongside some salad and wine. The river and all its wildlife drifted slowly passed us as we sat and enjoyed to our hearts’ content.

Welcome to the Nokana Experience!

There’s no other way to describe Nokana Safari Camp other than as ‘an experience’. It is quite unique in the sense that guests go on game drives, bush walks and river cruises in a number of different areas; in 27 000 hectares of private game reserve, and in the endless extent of the Kruger National Park. This unusual itinerary opens guests up to a world of new experiences that would just not be possible on the regular safari routine.

(Watch the video of the Nokana experience here)

2 Days a week are spent gallivanting in the Kruger National Park; 1 day takes guests on a cruise down the Olifants River within the Kruger; and 3 days offer game drives in either Karongwe, Thornybush, or Tshukudu Private Game Reserves. (Read about these Kruger Park day trips, the Olifants boat cruise, and the private reserve game drives)

All these activities are under an hour’s drive away from Nokana Safari Camp itself. The transfers to the reserves are smooth and enjoyable, and the game viewing value is well worth the drive. Michel Laforet (owner and host at Nokana) has an endless supply of facts and stories, and unfailing energy that carries guests through the early mornings.

Michel has something special going on in his home Blyde-Olifants Conservancy, which is dotted with waterholes and sprawled with trees. Zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, vervet monkey, as well as a resident genet make themselves comfortable around Nokana Safari Camp, and it is not unusual to pass any number of them on the short walk to the tents.

A game viewing festival to be had at the Nokana Waterhole.

Accommodation at this inviting home of bush luxury is in raised tented units, constructed beautifully of canvas and wood. There are 6 units in total, 4 of which have double or twin beds fit for 2 people, while the remaining 2 have adjoining ensuite bedrooms suitable for families of 4. Additionally, there are 2 Africa-inspired thatched chalets, each sleeping 2 people, bringing the total capacity of Nokana up to 20.

The point of being on safari (well, one of the points) is to have constant access to the sights and sounds of the bush that surrounds you. Private verandas and wooden decks extend from each accommodation unit offering a quiet place for its occupants to relax, look and listen to the activity that surrounds them.

Tented units complete with ensuite bathrooms and wooden decks.

All the feasting at Nokana happens in the traditional fireside fashion, either in the wilderness at a bush dinner site or at the lodge beside a roaring boma fire. There is a fine selection of wines, as well as an option for a ‘light’ meal instead of the regular decadent dishes. Sundowners are enjoyed from the tall ‘sunset tower’, which is a thatched-roof platform standing on high stilts and overlooking everything up the Drakensberg Mountains in the distance.

Dinner around the boma at Nokana Safari Camp.

The game-viewing tower is visited for sunset once a week, equipped with eats and drinks and of course, cameras.

The view from the game-viewing tower in the evening: the sun setting behind the Drakensberg Mountains.

There are a few days out of the week that provide afternoons and mornings for relaxation by the pool, or in the privacy of your own rooms. (Bear in mind there is room service and each room as a mini-bar, so there is little to want for). Michel also takes his guests out on game drive in Nokana’s reserve, which introduces guests to a number of the species that reside here. Evenings at the waterhole are particularly exciting with a diversity of animals coming together.

Wildebeest and giraffe stopping by the waterhole at Nokana Safari Camp.

Falling asleep to the sound of jackals and in complete bedroom comfort, it is hardly a challenge to answer to the 530am wake-up call that introduces the next day of exciting safari activities.

The setting sun over Nokana.