Chitabe Camp Has Re-opened After Refurbishment

Situated in a game rich area of the south-east Okavango Delta, Chitabe Camp has wowed guests this year following the rebuilding of all eight guests rooms and the refurbishment of the camp’s main area. Elegantly designed using four different themes; ebony, grey, mahogany and tan each of the spacious rooms provides a luxurious retreat in between exciting game viewing activities. Set on huge decks raised up on wooden stilts each room also has a private veranda affording magnificent views out across the floodplain in front of camp where animals can be seen throughout the day. The bathrooms have also been revived with rich leadwood and granite vanities and outdoor showers all of which are completely separated from the bedroom by two sliding doors.

Activities include game drives both during the day and at night, walking and game viewing by day, all accompanied by experienced guides. On drives you move further afield seeing larger herds, while on foot you can go ‘behind the scenes’ of the African bush, tracking animals, and gaining an insight into bush craft. Chitabe also has a well located hide where you can spend time observing elephant, zebra, antelope and many other animals and abundant birdlife.

A walking safari at Chitabe

Join a party of up to six guests who, over three days, will be taken by highly experienced and armed guide on a walking safari exploring the reserve. Sometimes you will wander down old elephant paths observing the tracks of animals that have gone before you, or you pause by a waterhole or lagoon to admire the beautiful birdlife or animals coming down to drink. Learn a huge amount about the bush and its inhabitants as your guide shares his deep knowledge and love of the environment. The walking is not strenuous, though it is so fascinating that you could easily find that you have been walking for three or four hours without having noticed the passage of time. An assistant will be with you with drinks, snacks and hot water for tea and coffee, and you can enjoy simple but delicious meals.

Background information on the Chitabe Concession

The private Chitabe Concession covers an area of 28,000 hectares and comprises of vast open savannah broken up by beautiful acacia woodland and mopane forest which attract magnificent herds of elephant, herds of buffalo, zebra, giraffe and a plethora of other plains game. The Chitabe Concession is also well known for its excellent predator population and is home to good numbers of leopard, prides of lion and the elusive Wild Dog all of which guests can expect to see during their stay. Being located in a drier part of the Okavango Delta, a few days at Chitabe could be combined with a second camp in a more watery area, providing a unique wildlife experience in one of the most exclusive safari regions on the African continent.

BOTSWANA

Getting there

There are no direct flights to Botswana. You could fly with a number of different airlines to Johannesburg and connect onwards to Maun. The international flight takes approximately twelve hours and the connecting flight to Maun is two hours. There are regional flights to Namibia – making it a good combination. Neighbouring South Africa and Zambia are also good options. You will fly by light aircraft between camps.

Passports & visas
All passports must be valid for at least six months after you leave Africa. British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Botswana. Other passport holders should seek advice from Africa Exclusive or by contacting the Botswana High Commission on 020 7499 0031.

Health
No vaccinations are mandatory. Immunisation against Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid are recommended but you should consult your doctor for advice. In parts of Botswana, there are malarial mosquitoes. You are advised to consult your doctor about anti-malarial measures.

In Botswana, water is generally safe to drink anywhere, even from rivers and lagoons in the Delta. Bottled water is widely available.

Time
Botswana is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and one hour ahead of British Summer Time.

Capital
Gaborone.

Languages
Setswana is the national language. English is the official language, whilst other languages are spoken.

Power
Most camps and lodges are situated in remote areas and generate their own electricity. If you need to have your video battery re-charged, this can often be done whilst you are out on an activity. You will need to take a spare battery for use whilst the other is being charged. The three pin “South African” plug is required (BS546).

Currency
The local currency is the Pula (P) which is made up of 100 Thebe. Botswana Pula are not available in the United Kingdom. Only 500 Pula may be taken out of the country in cash, but any amount in travellers' cheques. Please ensure you obtain a currency declaration form on arrival in Botswana and retain it as you will be asked for it on your departure.

US$ are widely accepted at all camps and lodges and are the “general” form of currency for tourists.

Most camps and lodges accept Visa and Mastercard but very few accept American Express. Your travel co-ordinator will advise you on which cards are accepted at your properties and also if they accept travellers' cheques.

Alcoholic beverages
At most safari camps and lodges drinks are included, with the exception of champagne and premium wines.

Food
All meals are included at the camps and lodges.

Laundry
Due to the light aircraft flights your baggage allowance is usually limited to between 12kg and 15kg per person. Laundry is included at most of the camps but it should be noted that it is not culturally allowed for the staff to wash underwear.

Climate
From January to March the arid areas become temporary grasslands, often attracting migrating birds, whereas the Linyanti and Okavango deltas tend to be green at all times of the year.

During the summer months (November to March) which is also the rainy season, temperatures are about five to ten degrees warmer, with warmer nights and some humidity, although this is seldom uncomfortable.

The winter season begins in May and ends in August. This is also the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool however evening and night time temperatures can drop considerably.

The in-between periods of April and September/October tend to be dry with pleasant temperatures averaging 25°C and warmer nights than in the winter months.

In November and December the first rains bring the vegetation to life and rejuvenate the waterholes, providing relief for the animals which often give birth at that time.

Tipping
A tip of US$10.00 per guest per day for guides is usual. Camp staff are tipped at your discretion, most camps having a central kitty system for kitchen and cleaning staff. US$3/5.00 per guest per day is an ample tip.

Mokoro paddlers are very hard working and derive a great incentive to work even harder when rewarded by tips; a suggested amount is US$5.00 per guest per day.