Natural Selection

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Natural Selection We may be new but our roots run deep within African safaris.
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Our fearless leaders earned their proverbial [zebra] stripes in the bush eons ago (don't worry they aren't THAT old, we're just wanting to point out how much experience they have) and are among the true pioneers of photographic safaris in Southern Africa. Natural Selection is made up of a group of old friends who are devoted to the simple premise that safari tourism, when done right, can be a powe

rful tool in conserving and protecting Africa's last great wild place. This means that we partner with local communities, governments and conservation organisations to help protect, as well as expand critical wildlife habitats and protected areas through the development of gold-standard ecotourism projects across Southern Africa. This deep commitment to conservation is matched only by our devotion to providing our guests with truly extraordinary safari experiences.

Marvel at the geologically remarkable clay castles near Shipwreck Lodge.
24/04/2024

Marvel at the geologically remarkable clay castles near Shipwreck Lodge.

Wake up to salty sea air and the ocean view of a lifetime at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
23/04/2024

Wake up to salty sea air and the ocean view of a lifetime at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.

Today is Earth Day – we asked our Director of Conservation Dr Jennifer Lalley what she feels Earth Day is all about.Here...
22/04/2024

Today is Earth Day – we asked our Director of Conservation Dr Jennifer Lalley what she feels Earth Day is all about.

Here’s what she said:

“Earth. If we each take a moment today to feel into the power and beauty of this extraordinary planet and what this means to us individually, perhaps we can help shift humanity’s greater sense of gratitude and united responsibility for Earth.

For you, the moment might evoke a connection with a particular mountain, a coral reef, uninterrupted grasslands, or that feeling of smallness during the recent solar eclipse that graced the northern hemisphere.

For those of us at Natural Selection, it will be African savannahs teaming with wildlife, silent desert landscapes adorned with the distant figure of an elephant, or the life giving waters of the Okavango Delta.

For us, every day is Earth Day and we ask that you join us on our journey to make this planet a better place where natural wonders can thrive. We remain steadfast, committed, and heart driven in running meaningful conservation programmes and camps that tread lightly and give generously.”

To learn more, have a look at our updated impact report: https://lnkd.in/eDCd9VZM

Experience the Makgadikgadi Pans from beautiful San Camp.
19/04/2024

Experience the Makgadikgadi Pans from beautiful San Camp.

Namibia’s desert-adapted wildlife is extraordinary and Hoanib Valley Camp is the perfect place to see it.
18/04/2024

Namibia’s desert-adapted wildlife is extraordinary and Hoanib Valley Camp is the perfect place to see it.

Quintessentially Okavango Delta, North Island Okavango embodies the essence of an iconic Delta experience. With a hive o...
17/04/2024

Quintessentially Okavango Delta, North Island Okavango embodies the essence of an iconic Delta experience.

With a hive of year-round safari activities interwoven in a tapestry of modern African luxury design, it's not surprising that this very private camp has been voted one of this year's Travel + Leisure IT List winners for best new hotels in 2024.

Together with our local partners Nakwa and the Magobagoba Youth Trust we are tremendously proud of this recognition.

A waterhole for the hippos and another for the humans at Sable Alley… Photo by Mark Swandale
16/04/2024

A waterhole for the hippos and another for the humans at Sable Alley…

Photo by Mark Swandale

The wild dogs await… at Tawana.
15/04/2024

The wild dogs await… at Tawana.

12/04/2024

An absolutely gorgeous new arrival at Hoanib Valley Camp.

Khwai Private Reserve is an exclusive slice of pristine wilderness in the Okavango Delta. Come and experience it for you...
12/04/2024

Khwai Private Reserve is an exclusive slice of pristine wilderness in the Okavango Delta. Come and experience it for yourself.

Experience desert opulence at Jack’s Private Camp where unmatched flexibility and exclusivity will set your African safa...
11/04/2024

Experience desert opulence at Jack’s Private Camp where unmatched flexibility and exclusivity will set your African safari apart.

There have been some incredible pangolin sightings at Jack's Camp recently - better get your trip booked!
10/04/2024

There have been some incredible pangolin sightings at Jack's Camp recently - better get your trip booked!

Sit out around the fire North Island Okavango exchanging stories with your fellow travellers and making plans for the ne...
10/04/2024

Sit out around the fire North Island Okavango exchanging stories with your fellow travellers and making plans for the next day’s adventures.

If your idea of paradise involves unspoiled landscapes, pristine coastlines, and a symphony of nature’s wonders, then pa...
09/04/2024

If your idea of paradise involves unspoiled landscapes, pristine coastlines, and a symphony of nature’s wonders, then pack your bags and set your compass to GweGwe Beach Lodge in the Mkambati Nature Reserve.

Small, relaxed, and teeming with elephants and predators... Mokolwane will soon become a rustic favourite.
08/04/2024

Small, relaxed, and teeming with elephants and predators... Mokolwane will soon become a rustic favourite.

Take the most stylish swim of your life at Jack’s Camp.
05/04/2024

Take the most stylish swim of your life at Jack’s Camp.

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is best known for its land-based whale watching, but it's a rather lovely outlook whichever way ...
04/04/2024

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is best known for its land-based whale watching, but it's a rather lovely outlook whichever way you look!

These bat-eared fox babies make the Kalahari landscape even more enchanting.
03/04/2024

These bat-eared fox babies make the Kalahari landscape even more enchanting.

Kids and zebras make the perfect combination at Meno a Kwena!
02/04/2024

Kids and zebras make the perfect combination at Meno a Kwena!

‘Stars shining bright above you…’ Immerse yourself in Namibia’s star-spangled skies from the star-gazer part of Kwessi D...
02/04/2024

‘Stars shining bright above you…’ Immerse yourself in Namibia’s star-spangled skies from the star-gazer part of Kwessi Dunes’ suites.

Families can luxuriate in the family suite at Tuludi before heading out on game drive together.
01/04/2024

Families can luxuriate in the family suite at Tuludi before heading out on game drive together.

Take a honeymoon in the wild at Sable Alley.
29/03/2024

Take a honeymoon in the wild at Sable Alley.

The zebra migration usually thunders into Meno a Kwena around April or May. They've arrived early this year though as Bo...
28/03/2024

The zebra migration usually thunders into Meno a Kwena around April or May. They've arrived early this year though as Botswana is currently so dry and there's permanent water available for them at Meno.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Meno, but with front row seats to this spectacle our guests are glued to the sights at the river below camp! Who can blame them?

Photos by Martin Harvey

We’ve supported Wild Shots Outreach for some time now and the programme is currently underway in Botswana and Namibia. ...
27/03/2024

We’ve supported Wild Shots Outreach for some time now and the programme is currently underway in Botswana and Namibia.

Wild Shots Outreach works to engage previously disadvantaged young Africans in wildlife and conservation through photography.

We love hosting the workshops at our camps so we thought we’d share some of these shots from the project at Meno a Kwena and some of the photos they captured.

Elephant photo by Agang
Zebra photo by Faith
Wild Shots Outreach

From the sunken hide that offers an elephant experience like no other, to the predators that roam the reserve, magic awa...
26/03/2024

From the sunken hide that offers an elephant experience like no other, to the predators that roam the reserve, magic awaits at Hyena Pan.

It’s no secret that rhinos are under threat, and that’s why we keep them under close protection. Etosha Heights Private ...
25/03/2024

It’s no secret that rhinos are under threat, and that’s why we keep them under close protection.

Etosha Heights Private Reserve is one of those rare and precious places where you can savour time with this extraordinary beasts.

In an enigmatic landscape of perfect silence, discover a haven of peace, privacy and desert opulence at Jack’s Private C...
21/03/2024

In an enigmatic landscape of perfect silence, discover a haven of peace, privacy and desert opulence at Jack’s Private Camp.

Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Namibia journeying from desert to ocean.
21/03/2024

Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Namibia journeying from desert to ocean.

Discover paradise for yourself at GweGwe Beach Lodge which opens next month.
19/03/2024

Discover paradise for yourself at GweGwe Beach Lodge which opens next month.

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Videos

An absolutely gorgeous new arrival at Hoanib Valley Camp.

Extraordinary Meno a Kwena.

Who said cats don't like water? They'll go through anything to reach Tawana in time for its May 2024 opening!

Cruise the gin-clear delta channels from North Island Okavango or Duke's Camp and discover secrets seen only from the water. Video by Martin Harvey

The lion is one of Africa’s most iconic species, but this bastion of the African wilderness is classified as Vulnerable. We work with CLAWS (Communities Living Alongside Wildlife Sustainably) to try and ensure the future of these majestic big cats. “Africa has lost an estimated 75% of its lion population in the last 5 decades,” explain Dr Jennifer Lalley, our Director of Conservation. “This sobering loss is largely due to land transformation from wildlife habitat to agriculture. This is exactly why Natural Selection partnered with CLAWS in 2018 to fund their mission to increase human tolerance of lions in livestock areas outside the Okavango Delta. Sadly, as lions have been forced into decreasing and fragmented habitat, they naturally spill into growing human settlements where they prey on livestock and are subsequently poisoned by subsistence farmers. CLAWS addresses this issue by bringing livestock herds together in jointly managed communal herds, allowing for greater protection from lions using trained herders and a lion alert system. Less cattle predation equals fewer lion deaths.” Please support this valuable work if you can https://www.naturalselectionfoundation.org/donate/?target=Communal+Herding+for+Livestock+and+Wildlife+Protection

Thanks to Chris Liebenberg of Piper & Heath Travel who recently kitted out our anti-poaching team at Etosha Heights in brand new gear! See the gear in action on today's story.

Our award winning Elephant Express buses are transforming the lives of both humans and elephant. Please help us keep them going by donating here https://www.naturalselectionfoundation.org/donate/?target=Elephant+Express No donation is too small. "Never before has the Okavango Delta panhandle had so many elephants moving through so many human settlements," explains our Director of Conservation Dr Jennifer Lalley. "A local elephant conservation NGO, Ecoexist, identified several elephant corridors in this area and have been working on ways to reduce conflict with the increasing human population. When the community expressed the need to help their children get to school safely, Natural Selection bought two buses and partnered with Ecoexist and the community to create the Elephant Express school buses. Guest bookings into Duke's Camp and now North Island Okavango are helping to fund the operational costs of these buses. In 2022 we also erected educational bus shelters and will soon have a third bus on the road thanks to Piper and Heath!"

The circle of life continues at Thamo Telele. On the 14th of November, we welcomed a new calf to our giraffe herd. The calf has been named 'Kgomotso', (the Setswana word for 'comfort') by Jana Lackey, the reserve's owner. The name is fitting after saying a sad farewell to one of the reserve's oldest bull giraffe, who died of natural causes, just two days prior to the new calf being born.

Safari from the Skies
Safari from the Skies

Elephant Proof Fencing
Elephant Proof Fencing

"If tourists travel to Botswana, they're not only going there for leisure, they're also giving back to the communities. This will be a sustainable thing. This will be forever." Thank you Anton from 4x4 Outfar for putting together this video about how your stay has a positive impact on those living near wildlife areas.

This African Wild Cat was recently spotted on the camera traps at Thamo Telele. It might be known for the resident giraffe, but there really is so much to see at this gorgeous riverside retreat in Maun.

We love this video from the Maria Ramsden Learning Centre in Khwai. We renamed the pre-primary school in memory of our friend and colleague Maria, who gave so much of herself and cared so deeply for this wonderful community. Khwai Private Reserve has today started a new initiative providing nutritious meals for the children here, along with the generous support of our friends at African Bush Camps We'll be posting more about this super new initiative soon, but for now, what could be more joyful than a child on a slide?

Thanks to guide Tizza for sharing this sighting from Khwai Private Reserve yesterday evening.

Thanks to @africome and @tommasobalestrini for sharing this incredible sighting they enjoyed on their way out of Tuludi. We asked private guide and head of sales Peter Allison for his view on what happened. "Presumably the leopard made the kill and then the hyena came in. The two have reached an agreement to take a side each of the carcass. When the lioness comes in though, she's bigger and stronger so she trumps them both and wins the meal." The guides were KG and KK.

Beautiful San Camp
Beautiful San Camp

San Camp is exquisite, and her Kalahari surroundings are out of this world.

Join Ride Botswana with David Foot Safaris to experience Thamo Telele on horseback.

Elephants at Jack's Camp
Elephants at Jack's Camp

Elephants return to Jack's Camp having quenched their thirst out in the Pans. Video: Martin Harvey

Elephants in Khwai Private Reserve
Elephants in Khwai Private Reserve

A pair of ele gents play fight and test one another's strength in Khwai Private Reserve

Elephants at Hyena Pan
Elephants at Hyena Pan

Elephants cool off in the water near Hyena Pan. Video by Martin Harvey

Tuludi's Boat
Tuludi's Boat

Explore the channels of the Okavango aboard Tuludi's boat. Video by Martin Harvey

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