PLAINS OF AFRICA – For those on a first time visit or those ‘hooked’ on Africa, we invite you to take your African journey with us. Our beautiful safari portfolio has a carefully selected safari portfolio to a range of destinations that provide you with a thrilling experience, in safety, comfort and style.
For the more adventurous we have safaris that focus on rustic safari styles. You may opt to trek on foot & lower your carbon hoof print.
Our wildlife safaris in our portfolio offer different styles that travel to remote corners of Africa.
Why Travel With Us?
Plains of Africa – will arrange all your safari logistical requirements. We provide standard rates with no hidden costs or extras. All safaris are carefully selected to enable you to explore remote wilderness in exclusive camps and lodges. Customer care and attention to your safari requirements is our priority.
What We Can Do for You?
Provide competitive rates for star rated camps & lodges.
Provide excellant customised safari itineraries to the top and unique safari destinations in Africa.
Provide experienced professional guides.
Provide important information to assist you on your safari.
Offer exclusive special interest conservation expeditions where your dollar directly supports endangered wildlife and community development..
Safaris Styles
These are graded in a number of ways and again individual safari companies put their own respective charm to the overall experience:-
• Luxury:
All camps offer a fully inclusive rate, whilst the accommodation is spacious, comfortable with en-suite facilities. A large main complex can be found at each property.
• Classic:
All camps offer a fully inclusive rate. Accommodation is comfortable with rustic en-suite facilities. An intimate main complex serves the property
• Rustic:
All camps offer a fully board with activities rate .Accommodation is rustic with rustic en-suite facilities. An intimate main complex serves the property
AUTHENTIC GRADE’ – FULLY SERVICED MOBILE SAFARIS
FULLY serviced mobile safaris into any of the National Parks, or to remote regions. Top quality equipment is used and a support vehicle goes ahead to set up camp. All meals are prepared by our safari chef.
For many visitors, witnessing the annual “Great Migration” is the main reason to visit Tanzania or Kenya. But here’s the thing—it’s not a one-time show! The migration is a never-ending, year-round annual wildlife journey split into key phases. From newborn calves to heart-stopping river crossings, each phase of the migration brings its own unique excitement!
Calving season It kicks off with the calving season on the Serengeti’s southern plains, where wildebeest and other grazers give birth in a dramatic display of new life. From late January to early March, approximately 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in the Serengeti – an explosive birth rate of 8,000 to 10,000 wildebeest calves born daily.
River Crossings As the herds move northward, they dare perilous river crossings in an iconic scene of survival and endurance, as they battle strong currents and high numbers of crocodiles waiting for an easy meal. They’ll face the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor (typically late May to early June) and the wider and deeper Mara River in the northern Serengeti, at the border with Kenya’s Maasai Mara (generally July to October).
Year-round action Throughout the year, the Serengeti remains home to plenty of resident game, ensuring the action never truly stops. The general movements of the herds are often mapped out, but nature doesn’t always follow predictable patterns. Take 2006, for example: the big herds decided to hang out in the central Serengeti in January and February, then unexpectedly shifted south in April and May. The animals are constantly on the move, sometimes covering up to 40 km in a single night. And don’t expect one giant parade—it’s more like a series of pop-up gatherings, with many small and large groups, each moving to its own beat.
JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH The southern plains of the Serengeti eco-system, including Ndutu, bustle with wildebeest during calving season. The open grasslands make for great visibility, with plenty of predators around. 500 000 calves are born at a rate of 8 000+ a day during the peak birthing period.
APRIL & MAY The ‘green’ season is a great time to avoid peak season crowds and enjoy good low- season rates. While game drives might be affected by road conditions, the rains usually bring short, intense afternoon storms rather than persistent downpours. Dramatic clouds provide fantastic photo opportunities, while the rain washes the dust away.
JUNE The herds are making their way north within the Serengeti, venturing through the central region and the ‘Western Corridor’ and up into the Lobo area. As they cross the Grumeti River in the west, they’ll face a host of crocs!
JULY, AUGUST, SEPT & OCT By late July the herds are making their dramatic crossings over the Mara River, often crossing back and forth over several weeks. Keep in mind, though, that a significant portion of the wildlife stays in the Serengeti year-round. While the area sees large herds this time of year, it’s also the high season—so expect it to be busy and crowded!
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER High Season. Kenya’s Maasai Mara is bustling, with good herds gathering up north.
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER The herds are starting their journey southward, moving back into the Serengeti through the central Seronera region, ready to kick off the entire migration cycle once again.
The Savuti Channel has a fascinating history of flooding and drying up independently of good rainy seasons and flood levels elsewhere – a mystery that has intrigued geologists and other researchers for many years.
In 2008, the Savuti Channel, having been dry for many years, once more became a deep, clear waterway harbouring Hippo and other aquatic life with a large variety of waterbirds. Wildlife, from plains game to predators, has had to adapt to a new source of water and all the opportunities and menaces it has brought with it. How long will it be before the water dries up again? Judging from historical records it could be more than a hundred years or less than ten. Nature has the final say in such matters.
The dead Camelthorn trees on the Savuti Marsh have become one of the most prominent features of the landscape – skeletons of trees drowned in the flood-waters at least 40 years ago. The shallow basin of the Mababe Depression is now the waterless bed of an ancient lake and the marsh itself is grassland that is home to large numbers of animals. The western edge of Savuti is formed by the Magwikhwe sand ridge, which is approximately 100 km long and 20 m high. This is the ancient shoreline of a super-lake that once covered most of Northern Botswana. It is hard to imagine that this harsh, dry landscape was once submerged under an enormous inland sea. Another part of the Savuti is characterised by the Gubatsa Hills, which were formed millions of years ago during volcanic movement. These hills rise to a height of about 90 meters out of an otherwise completely flat landscape.
The Savuti area offers great game viewing at certain times of the year. The annual Zebra migration is closely followed by many Lion prides. Good sightings of Cheetah and Leopard are possible and the endangered Wild Dog also occurs here. Savuti is famous for its large concentrations of Elephants that congregate around the waterholes, making game-viewing exceptional.
Birdlife is also amazing, with Secretary Birds and Kori Bustards often seen around the Savuti Marsh. Summer migrants and water birds include Abdim’s Storks, Carmine Bee-eaters, Fish Eagles. Red-billed Queleas, which gather in their thousands, are a spectacular sight as they wheel and turn in unison.
The only permanent game lodge situated on the banks of the Chobe River within the famous Chobe National Park, the Lodge is Botswana’s premier venue for guests looking for a perfect base from which to explore the National Park and Chobe Riverfront. This five-star Lodge has full eco-grading by Botswana Tourism Board.
WHERE TO STAY?
ACCOMMODATION
The Lodge can accommodate up to ninety-four people in total luxury. Each of the forty-four rooms at the lodge is river-facing and air-conditioned, featuring overhead fans, complimentary mini bar, en-suite bathrooms and a private terrace. For those guests who demand the ultimate in exclusivity, the Lodge has four river-view suites, each with its own plunge pool and separate lounge area.
THE LODGE
The Lodge is designed as a haven of peace and privacy – where relaxation is effortless and you can enjoy your own space. With six comfortably furnished viewing decks, a riverside boma, two bars, six different lounges and four dining locations, a comfy chair or lounger is never far away, each with a different perspective on the wilderness that surrounds the lodge. A large swimming pool provides welcome relief during hot afternoons and there is always a waiter on hand to bring you refreshments from the bar.
Guests wishing to pamper themselves are welcome to book one of the delightful treatments from the in-house beautician (for which there is an extra charge) or hit the gym for some exercise between the usual Lodge activities (complimentary).
Chobe Game Lodge caters for travellers with disabilities; all recent additions to the lodge were designed to provide easy accessibility.
CHOBE BOARDWALK & DECK
This is the perfect place to relax or explore during your spare time at the lodge, with excellent game viewing, bar facilities, toilets and plenty of areas to just sit back and watch the sunset or the Chobe wildlife parade.
Safari Highlights
ACTIVITIES & WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Chobe Game Lodge offers a choice of land or water-based activities and the most complete game experience in the Chobe National Park.
Early-morning and late-afternoon game drives are conducted by our expert guides in open-sided 4×4 vehicles to ensure maximum visibility of Chobe National Park’s spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. The Lodge has introduced four electric-powered game drive vehicles for a more immersive, carbon-emission free safari. Meanwhile, riverside game viewing is done from the lodges full fleet of solar-electric powered safari boats offering silent safaris on Botswana’s renowned Chobe River.
Chobe’s diverse wildlife roams in abundance – it is, for instance, home to the largest concentration of elephant in Africa. During the dry season these large herds, as well as vast herds of buffalo, congregate on the fertile flood plains along the Chobe River to drink, bathe and play. There are frequent sightings of lion, African wild dog, puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffe and roan antelope.
Botswana is an exciting destination, with about 80% of the country is covered by Kalahari Sands. Located in these sands is the Okavango Delta and River systems to the north including Kwando, Linyathi and Chobe River systems. The abundant water offers a haven for both flora and fauna and is renowned for its great beauty and diversity. Botswana has a rich mix of African cultures the largest tribal group being the Botswana forming about 50% of the population. The original inhabitants some 2000 years ago were the San Bushmen. A fascinating Kalahari safari experience with these most ancient of all people is almost a ‘must do’ in your itinerary. Plains of Africa have hand picked the best destination in Botswana to suite a variety of tastes. Take a look at some of them here
Climate
Botswana can be visited at any time of the year – summers are generally hot and winters mild with a few cold spells. Seasons: High July 1 to October 31; Shoulder: March 1 to June 30 & November/December 1 to 31
Places Of Interest To Explore! SAFARI HOTSPOTS!
Chobe National Park – Famous for large herds of elephant along the Chobe river, excellent birding and game viewing. There are a number of lodges in the northern section at Kasane However, service and standards are varied and it tends to be touristy. Traveling into the Savuti region situated in the heart of the park along the Mababe depression is excellent for predators and other game and more of a rugged wilderness experience.
Magadikgadi National Park – 140,000 sq kilometer ancient sea, formed approx. two million years ago is renown for its beauty and incredible vistas. It is a major breeding site for greater and lesser flamingos. The western grasslands are home to huge herds of migrating zebra and wildebeest and lion prides between February and March.
Moremi Game Reserve – Situated on the Eastern edge of the Okavango Delta offers a wide diversity of habitats and species of wild game and has become a popular tourist destination. Best game viewing time is from April to October.
Okavango Delta – a vast 15,000 square kilometer wetland oasis in the heart of the Kalahari sands. A mired of flood plains, lagoons, islands, a tropical paradise with incredible wildlife and bird life viewing. Exclusive camps and lodges in magnificent settings, a must do!
Tsodilo Hills – In the remote northern western part of the Kalahari is a group of four isolated hills. Among these 800 million old hills are more than 4000 rock paintings by the ancestors of the san people and have deep mythological and religious value. Some paintings are older than 2000 years. A unique and fascinating experience to hike up into the hills and exploring the ancient rock art.
WHAT TO DO?
Culture – a wide diversity of tribal peoples with their interesting traditions and ceremonies reflecting their heritage. Special focus on the Kalahari Bushmen.
Game Drives – these are operated in open vehicles, usually at dawn and dusk to seek out the most interesting wildlife. Night drives are also available in private reserves.
Makoro (Dugout canoe) Safaris – glide with your private poler through the delta in a traditional dugout canoe. A mokoro was used by the orginal inhabitants of the Okavango Delta. This is a quiet and slow way of travelling throught the shallow channals of the delta, relax and sit back and absorb the magical variety of birdlife, crystal clear waters and beauty of the lagoons and waterways.
Motor Boat Trips – These are used in the deeper channals that are too deep for mokoro’s giving acess to large laggoons. They are noiser and disturb the wildlife and their wake can be harmful in areas where there are nesting birds e.g. the african skimmers nest on sand bars/banks. Boat trips can be good providing they are run considerately – encourage your guide to go slowly, you will see so much more as a result.
Walking Safaris – there is no better way of getting really close to nature than this. Lead by experienced armed guides/rangers/trackers, walkers are able to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the bush in harmony with their surroundings.
MAMMALS
The Okavango Delta and surrounding reserves of Northern Botswana support one of the last assemblages of large, free ranging mammals. This includes African elephant, wild dog, tsessebe which occur in the greatest numbers than anywhere else in Africa. The reclusive and rare Sitatunga, an adapted swamp antelope, is found no where else south of the Zambezi . Lion, leopard and cheetah occur in good numbers.
The Northern Chobe /Caprivi river system is the only area in Botswana and in fact Southern Africa where one will find the Puku. This is also found with the red lechwe occur in small herds near water. The riverine habitats are good places to find the Chobe bushbuck with its marvelous colour and coat markings. The Chobe River has plenty hippo, crocodile, and the largest herds of elephant found anywhere in Africa. Sable and Roan antelope are a special especially in the woodland areas, or at pans and rivers when they come down to drink.
The Central Kalahari has specials like the desert lion, brown hyena, gembok and kudu are also common.
A wide variety of mammals occur in Botswana.
BIRDING HOTSPOTS
Did you know that Botswana hosts:
The single largest population (ca 20%) of Wattled Cranes in the world and over 60% of the world’s Slaty Egrets, both birds of global conservation concern?
Approximately 600 species found in a wide variety of habitats.
Situated in the Eastern Caprivi, Zambezi Province of Namibia, a narrow strip of country on the northern bank of the Chobe River, Chobe Savanna Lodge overlooks the vast floodplains of the Chobe National Park’s Puku Flats. The Chobe River is home to large herds of Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo, as well as dense concentrations of other wildlife – including the rare Puku antelope – which come down to the river’s edge to drink and graze.
WHERE TO STAY?
THE LODGE
The Lodge is set in a classic African Savanna environment of sweeping vistas. The focal point of the lodge is a thatched, open-sided main building that features a 270 degree view over the Chobe River and beyond to the Chobe National Park.
Attractive gardens featuring a secluded swimming pool further enhance the lodge’s enviable location. In addition to the scheduled game-viewing activities, the Lodge is also a perfect venue for guests to simply take time out to watch the natural world go by in one of the most spectacular settings imaginable.
ACCOMMODATION
A private and secluded safari experience is guaranteed as the Lodge accommodates only twenty six guests in beautifully furnished thatched chalets, each with a private deck, an integrated bedroom and lounge area and en-suite facilities. Every chalet is air-conditioned and has its own complimentary mini bar.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Guests are linked from one camp to the other by means of light aircraft. Ensuring the crucial links from the hubs of Maun and Kasane to the network of lodges and camps is performed with ease; All of properties are in close proximity to airfields and some of the lodges have their own private airstrips. Unless a private charter is requested and booked as such, your flight transfers have been booked on a ‘seat on plane’ basis. Flight times are arranged according to each day’s requirements to fit in with activities and the movements of all our travellers on any given day. Therefore, aircraft and the day’s scheduling may pick up and drop off other guests en route to your destination. Times will vary from day to day and will be communicated to you the afternoon before departure. Flights to Kasane for the Chobe lodges and for Victoria Falls/Livingstone depart early to meet the scheduled road transfers; so early morning activities for guests departing on these flights could be curtailed. Should you wish, private charters can be arranged, in which case you will be the only guests in the plane and you may specify your departure times. We are happy to quote separately for private charters.
What to do?
ACTIVITIES & WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
As this is a water-based lodge, guests have a choice of aquatic activities. River excursions in small, easily manoeuvrable boats are ideal for close encounters with the wild visitors to the river’s edge. Fishing is also a popular pastime; our catch-and-release fishing trips for Bream or Tiger Fish are a firm favourite with guests of all ages. Those wishing to experience some of the local Namibian traditions will enjoy a cultural village visit to one of the surrounding communities, where one can observe the ancient heritage of the local people.
