Expect an Elegant Experience at Machaba Camp

    The newly built Machaba Camp is located in an enviable position on the banks of the Khwai River in Bostwana’s Okavango Delta – one of the prime game viewing destinations in Africa. The Delta comprises lush vegetation, intricate waterways easily explored by traditional mokoro’s and is home to Africa’s greatest concentration of wildlife.

    The Okavango Delta is a large inland delta formed by the Okavango river which hit a tectronic trough in the Kalahari Basin. It’s a sought after destination, and Machaba Camp lies graciously in the midst of the wildlife mayhem. Night time at Machaba boasts a spectacle of sounds. Visitors can expect to hear bloats of hippos bellowing into the early hours of morning, baboons barking and shrill sounds of a variety of colourful birdlife. Situated in the game rich Khwai area on the eastern tongue of the Okavango Delta, it is also a stones throw away from the Moremi Game Reserve.

    The atmosphere at camp is one of fine sophistication and the decor offers stylish finishes in neutral colours. Each one of the 10 tents lie nestled in a thicket of Sycamore trees accessible via natural pathways lined with lanterns. While relaxing in luxury canvas tent you will feel a sense of tranquility and isolation – created delibrately to feel like it’s just you and the bush. Dinners are served outside next to the camp fire and guests who are seeking a gastronomic safari will not be disappointed. Traditional braais and healthy cuisine can be expected.

    A simple, elegant camp ideal for upmarket guests.

    Fast Facts:

    • There are 10 tents. 8 luxury twin tents and 2 luxury family tents.
    • Experienced rangers ensure both the morning and evening game drives run smoothly.
    • Independently owned.
    • Views over the Khwai River and Moremi Game Reserve.
    • Accessible via charter flights to the Khwai Air Strip.
    • Mokoro trips and trips into Moremi can be arranged.
    • Ideal for guests seeking a gastronomical safari experience.
    • Eco-friendly – solar driven power.
    • Swimming pool on the banks of the river – it looks like a massive circular farm dam but with sparkling, turquoise waters.

    Keywords that spring to mind after my safari at Machaba Camp in the Okavango Delta:

    Clean, sophisticated, refreshing, stylish, gourmet food, unpretentious, welcoming, simple.

     

    Camp Machaba Tented Accommodation

    Luxury Tented Accommodation at Camp Machaba

     

    Dining Area at Camp Machaba

    Gourmet Safari Dining at Camp Machaba

     

    Outside Dining Area Camp Machaba

    The Dinner Area at Camp Machaba

     

    The Library and Lounge Area

    Lounge and Library Area at Camp Machaba

     

    Game Viewing at Camp Machaba

    Giraffe Spotted on a Game Drive at Camp Machaba

     

    Tighter Controls at the Sabi Sand Gates

    There has been a rapid increase in rhino poaching over the past year and as a result, the Sabi Sand Wildtuin has decided to enforce additional controls at the Sabi gates. Guests will now need to produce proof of their booking at their safari lodge. Should they not produce the required documentation there will be a delay at the gate until the lodge can prove the booking is legitimate.

    Please click here to read our newsletter for more information about the rhino poaching and the reasons for tighter controls.

     

     

     

    A Surprise Bush Dinner with Africa on Foot & nThambo

    The bonus about sending guests to a camp like nThambo or Africa on Foot is that the management team is flexible in terms of guests’ needs. Yesterday guests were treated to a surprise bush dinner. If you have guests looking to tailor-make an affordable safari and have unusual/adventurous requests then please contact our team – nThambo and Africa on Foot are the ideal lodges in the Kruger for these types of safari holidays.

    Courteney, one of the managers, had this to say about their recent bush dinner:

    “The guests from Africa on Foot and nThambo were treated to a bush dinner last night! To top it off the entire Ross pride was lying less than a kilometer away and during the meal they started roaring, giving the guests a true African sound experience. Recently, the game viewing has been epic with sightings of lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant and plains game being plentiful. As per usual,  our guides have been keeping the guests busy with the small wonders of nature such as spiders, snakes and geckos.

    The veld is very thick this time of year and the weather is starting to cool in the evenings. Any guests arriving in the next few weeks please remember to pack a few warm essentials. Gloves and a beanie won’t hurt for those brisk morning walks and drives in the months to come!”

     

    Types of food arranged for bush dinners

    Canapes Served on New Years in the Bush

     

    New Years Eve Sundowners

    These are the Types of Bush Dinners Arranged by Management

     

     

    LIVE Safari Diary: Day Trip into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

    Cue day 2. This morning was another glorious early morning wake-up call. I say glorious with a hint of sarcasm and air of trepidation. Why? Well, my wake-up call was at 5:00. The agenda for the day – traverse the endless plains of the remote Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in the hopes of finding cheetah, Black-maned lions and a plethora of other wildlife. With vigour, energy and excitement we traversed the Kalahari! My guide told me it would be a long day. He was right – the day was long but enthralling.  We spent the entire day in the park with the knowledgeable guide, Isaah from Haina Kalahari Lodge.

    Nothing could prepare me for the immensity of the harsh and unruly Kalahari landscape. The arid landscape against the neverending turquoise sky creates an endless beauty and installs an overwhelming sense of awe. Punctuated by Umbrella trees, willowing grasses and dwarf shrubs; the Kalahari Reserve is one most barren regions in Africa.

    Our 4 x 4 twisted and turned on the grey sandy roads bashing past Acacia Thorn Trees until we hit an endless open plain – The Deception Valley. A vast expanse of bushveld outlined by clusters of misplaced Umbrella trees and a landscape that looks like a hazy mirage, this is the Deception Valley; the original home of the Bushmen. The Deception Valley is so named because the Voortrekkers mistook the valley for a large oasis of water, when it was nothing more than a mirage.  So flat, still and reflective.

    You can see for miles across the plains, even the meek tortoise cannot hide itself. During high season, this is one of the best places in Africa to view predators. Silhouettes of predators with their sleek bodies dotted against the horizon make for award-winning photographs. While we we were soaking up the spiritual experience, the Ground squirrels, Oryx and other buck species glanced our way and then continued their foraging.

    Our first sighting was of a community of adorable ground squirrels who, by the way, possess a somewhat nervous energy.  Despite the obvious breathtaking beauty and sightings of small mammals, my main goal was to spot the Dune Kings  – the rogue Black-maned lions of the Kalahari.  Finally, after bashing past thorn bushes, we spotted the kings. I literally jumped – out of fright and excitement. There the boys were, relaxing quietly under a tree. They seemed agitated and a bit skittish. Two sub-adult males began to swoosh their tails against the tree and after seeing their pupils dilate, we became cautious. However, we remained undeterred and continued to observe the kings.

    The black tips of the tanned colour manes look soft and inviting. I wanted to run my hands through their hair and comb their locks, but the notion was ridiculous. And of course, I’m joking. Shortly after our encounter with the sub-adults we stumbled across two females relaxing under the shrubbery on the side of the road. The welcome we received was not warm. One of the females locked eyes with me and seemed ready to pounce. The other female kept a close watch, observing the two-legged creatures with interest. We left, unharmed, but unnerved by the experience.

    Kalahari lions are tough, powerful and fierce. There’s something a bit more forboding about them compared to the lions of the Kruger Park . Many of these lions are not used to vehicles – the CKGR is the second largest game reserve in the world (the largest is Selous in Tanzania) and some parts are so remote that vehicles do not travel there. The lions that migrate from the more remote areas are more skittish with humans because of their lack of interaction.

    Overall, the landscape and scenery in the CKGR is incredible and the park is well-worth a visit. However, because the area is so vast, predator sightings are not guaranteed. The tour to the reserve is conducted by Isaah from Haina Kalahari Lodge and you’ll need to let them know beforehand if you’re interested in visiting the CKGR.

    Anyway, it’s time for a sundowner. Chat tomorrow, when I’ll tell you about my Quad biking and Bushmen experience.

     

    Haina Kalahari Lodge Game Vehicle

    Carolynne Attempting to Drive into the CKGR

     

    The Central Kalahari Game Reserve Entrance

    Entrance to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

     

    Oryx Spotted in the Kalahari

    Oryx Spotted in the Kalahari

     

    Ground Squirrels found in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

    Ground Squirrels in the Central Kalahari

    Kalahari Umbrella Tree

    Umbrella Tree in the Kalahari’s Deception Valley

     

    Botswana Sky in Central Kalahari

    That endless Botswana Sky in the Central Kalahari

     

    Kalahari Lioness

    Wild and Untamed Lioness from the Kalahari

     

    The Black-maned Lion from the Kalahari

    Black-maned Lion from the Kalahari

     

    Impatient Black-maned Kalahari Lion

    A Rather Impatient Black-maned Lion of the Kalahari

     

    Kalahari Lioness ready to pounce

    The Staredown – Lioness Waiting to Pounce

     

    Kalahari Lioness

    Lioness Waiting to Pounce on Me – I can See You !

     

    Coffee Break in the Central Kalahari

    A Much Needed Coffee Break in the Central Kalahari

     

     

     

     

    LIVE Safari Diary: Haina Kalahari Lodge – the Journey to Now

    I’m sitting here with an ice cold Savanna (cider) in my hand listening to the high-pitched cry of a jackal in the background. The sun is slowly sinking into oblivion behind the Umbrella trees that are the ever-present mark of the Kalahari. My suede colour canvas tent is protecting me from inquisitive predators and provides much needed respite from the seering heat of the African Bush. I’ve finally arrived at my destination – the Haina Kalahari Lodge.

    Located close the borders of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, this four star lodge provides an ideal hideaway for avid safari-goers. Tented lodges lie comfortably on wooden platforms and are located far from one another; creating an almost isolated “middle of the bush” experience. Should there be a medical emergency there are air-horns in the room to alert management. I was told that a lion outside your tent is not an emergency !

    I feel calm, restful, peaceful and grateful. In my tent I have a massive deep set bath, a shower gracefully encased in a glass cubicle overlooking the bushveld and all the modern amenities of a city hotel. Haina, after all, is a four star lodge. Despite the evidence of the modern world, it is still authentic and feels like the bush. The camp has been designed to incorporate elements of the natural surrounds into the decor.  There’s plenty of wooden furniture, leather couches and hints of Africa.

    I’ve migrated from my room and made way to the communal lounge area which overlooks the pool. There is wireless here – but not in the rooms. The rooms are for reading, sleeping, relaxing and listening to the cries of the Kalahari. Do you really want to be tempted into logging onto Facebook and playing Farmville all day? Thought not.  Right now, I’m staring at white candles in glass jars, my feet are up – littering the cherry wood table laden with wildlife books;  and I’m listening to the birds prattling away. In the background I can hear a feint neighing sound from Ponchos, the foal. Wanda, the camp manager, rescued a foal and is currently rehabilitating this poor creature before she is adopted.

    Feels like home here and I’m not sure I want to leave. I’m impressed with the friendliness and efficiency of the staff. One of the things I love is that everyone here greets me by name. I’m looking forward to what’s in store for the next few days. I’ve heard I’m headed to the CKGR (Central Kalahari Game Reserve) to find the famous Black-maned lions – the Dune Kings ! I’ll also be hanging out with the Bushmen – the Bushmen experience is a unique selling point of the Haina Kalahari Lodge.

    Facts I’ve learnt about the Haina Kalahari Lodge:

    • 90 % of the staff have Bushmen heritage.
    • There are 10 tents. 3 luxury, 1 family and 6 standard.
    • There is a great little Bushmen crafts and curio shop on site.
    • The tiny watering hole in front of the lodge is frequented by Cheetah.
    • To get here; the best option is to fly into Maun then arrange a charter to Haina – they have their own landing strip.
    • You need to book your day trip into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in advance through Haina.
    • The Bushmen experience is a highlight for many guests (I’m looking forward to it!)
    • The management team is very flexible in terms of tending to guests’ needs.

    Read here for all the reviews about Haina Kalahari Lodge on Tripadvisor

    Stay tuned !

     

    Wanda Rescuing a Foal at the Haina Kalahari Lodge

    Wanda Rescuing a Foal at the Haina Kalahari Lodge

    My Luxury Room at Haina Kalahari Lodge

    My Room – one of the Luxury Rooms at Haina Kalahari Lodge

     

    The sunset over the Kalahari

    A Typical Sunset over the Kalahari

     

    Haina Kalahari Lodge Shower

    Love the Shower at Haina – Glass Cubicle Overlooking the Bushveld

     

    Golden Sunset over the Kalahari

    Golden Sunset Over the Haina Kalahari Lodge

     

     

    What is the LIVE Safari Section About?

    When our marketing team visits our camps or attends educationals, we blog live from the destination. We find this brings a sense of reality, vigour and life to our posts. We want people to know what is feels like to be on safari and we don’t want second-hand information. After all, passion about a product comes from the first-hand experience.

    There is nothing better than live, up-to-date posts about recent wildlife sightings, cultural experiences and life at camp. The live safari section helps our readers to soak up the experience. We look forward to sharing all of our live safari experiences with you!

    Recently, we visited nThambo and Africa on Foot and blogged live from the camps.

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