Venture To Africa

24/05/2024

For our international guests, there are also some great deals in Botswana...

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/botswana-specials.html

22/05/2024

For SADC citizens and residents, there are some great specials being offered at an excellent selection of Botswana Lodges. For more details:

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/sadc-botswana.html

17/03/2023

Okavango Part 2 - Moremi

You can’t talk about the Okavango without reference to the splendid the Moremi Game Reserve (which is some 3 900 square kilometres in extent). This is a gem of an area, and one that you might not initially associate with the Okavango.

Moremi’s two best known areas are Khwai and Xakanaxa. The latter a good combination of water and land, the former great for game drives.

When I first went on game drives in the Xakanaxa area I was transfixed – a forest area, with towering trees (great for shade during an afternoon game drive, deliciously cool during the morning drive). Although the main aim of being out and about is to spot the local wildlife, this is an area that you can enjoy for the scenery – whilst not quite an enchanted forest, it does have a something special to offer. Then a leopard is seen languidly looking down from its branch, and you are back on the game drive… where any number of species can be seen - elephant or lion, always the birds, and then the tree squirrels dashing between branches….

I always think of the Khwai being more of the classic game drive area, lots of open spaces, interspersed with groups of trees. Great viewing for plains game, open vistas, and big sky.

Either way, the Moremi has a small number of Lodges and some well-placed campsites. It’s an easy drive from Maun, and is adjacent to the Chobe National Park.

08/02/2023

Botswana – part one. The Okavango

The Okavango Delta – perhaps the first area that people think of in terms of Botswana. After all it is the largest inland Delta in the world, and literally the life-blood of country.

My first visit was many years ago – and not knowing what to expect, was somewhat disconcerted as we flew in the 5-seater charter to the airstrip – to see how flat things were! As one pilot happily told me, on a subsequent trip, (I was the only passenger) he loved flying over the Delta – as there was ‘’nothing to hit”!

Once on the ground, or preferably, in the water (boat or mokoro), the Delta takes on a very different mantle. I have been privileged over the years to camp (good old fashioned campsites) and to stay at a number of the Camps and Lodges in and around the Okavango and Moremi…. The waters ARE crystal clear, mostly with an amber hue. Travelling (definitely gliding) in the mokoro is one of the most tranquil experiences you can have. Birding, in particular, is incredible (the delightful little malachite kingfisher is a personal favourite).

As the waters in many of the channels are relatively shallow, you can see down to the Kalahari sands that underlie Botswana. In these shallow waters the fish dart about, with reeds and water lily stems adding to the scene. And the crocodiles can be heard dropping into the water. Depending upon the time of day you also come across them resting on sandbanks…. You can eye each other up as you glide past (trust me, you will be first to blink)!

In the evening, the Delta is surprisingly full of noise – this is especially the case if you are close to a hippo pod… they graze at night, but also call out in what is best described as a deep belly laughs. Lions also call – these are not roars, but low and long grunts that carry some distance. Elephants are also known for their ‘gurgles’ – it may sound like indigestion, but is it is actually low frequency communications – once heard, never forgotten.

The morning start early – literally with the dawn chorus. The Delta is home to birds – great in number and diversity, and more-so in the breeding season between November and March.

You can use the normal terms of the Okavango – vast, scenic, pristine…. All of these, but much more. Truly one of the great natural wonders, and unique beyond measure.

06/02/2023

As Botswana is one of our favourite destinations (you'll understand if you have travelled there - and if you haven't, get in touch!), we will be showcasing its most iconic areas in the coming weeks.

Our extensive Botswana site has a lot of useful information (we hope), and has recently been refreshed; but it would be great to share some personal information and opinions on the best areas to visit, and why.

Stayed tuned, as they say, for some more on Botswana.......

Botswana Safari plans and assistance by true experts. We work to make your plans a reality, with friendly and quick assistance. Contact us: [email protected]

23/05/2022

Rovos Rail (the luxury train that should be on your bucket list) is offering SADC citizens some incredible 50% off deals.

See details on our page:
https://www.venture-to-africa.com/sadc-south-africa-specials.html

Now is the time to visit South Africa, if you are a SADC resident, you qualify for some excellent deals.

25/04/2022

Some more good news; as of last week, fully vaccinated visitors to Mozambique no longer need to get Covid 19 tests to enter the country. This means that Southern Africa is very much open for business in terms of welcoming Leisure tourists.

30/03/2022

As hoped, Zimbabwe has also just announced the dropping of Covid 19 PCR test requirements for entry. Again, for all fully vaccinated travellers.

This now means that travel within Southern Africa, in general, for the fully vaccinated, has become logistically much easier.

26/03/2022

And more good news - Zambia has also dropped the PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers......👍👍

23/03/2022

Some good news for Tourism and those looking to travel... as of today, fully vaccinated travellers no longer require a PCR Test for entry into South Africa.

We have joined the growing list of countries dropping the PCR test - which also includes Botswana, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania.

We look forward to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique doing the same.

Travel is now going to be a lot smoother (and cheaper) without the need for these tests.

28/01/2022

For SADC residents, now is the time to travel. There are some exceptionally good deals available at the moment.

For example, Rovos Rail is offering reduced rates on board a Cape Town, Victoria Falls or Durban Luxury Train Safari. If you can Travel in February or March - you can enjoy this world-renowned train at hugely reduced rates.

See these and other SADC Specials:

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/sadc-south-africa-specials.html

All SADC Specials:

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/sadc-residents.html

Contact us for your Southern African SADC Safaris. Best prices are now available. Time to get away on Safari....

02/12/2021

When International Travel, for Tourism, comes back, we have some ideas for you.... to be used as they are, or to be amended for your personal preferences and budget.

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/safari-ideas.html

Looking forward to 2022 and helping you with your Safari plans.

Some ideas for Southern Africa Safaris. Great offers for Botswana, Zambia and Namibia

01/12/2021

Now that we are all learning, slowly, but surely, what seems to be the entire Greek Alphabet, all we can do is eagerly wait for travel bans to be lifted again.

If you are fortunate enough, however, to live in Southern Africa, you can enjoy some exceptional special travel offers:

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/safari-specials.html

11/10/2021

01/06/2021

We have added more SADC special packages to our Botswana site:

https://www.venture-to-botswana.com/sadc-resident-specials.html

These packages include return Johannesburg flights and in-camp Covid tests in Botswana - making them as all-inclusive as possible. After-all, you are meant to be on Holiday.

23/04/2021

There are some more exceptional Botswana specials available - some of which extend into early January 2022. These are for SADC citizens and residents, and it is extremely rare that the High Season is covered.

The winter months are by far the best for wild life viewing and if you have ever been thinking of taking Botswana from your Safari wish-list, to actually travelling there, now is the time.

Here is our link to SADC Botswana specials

https://www.venture-to-africa.com/sadc-botswana-specials.html