Tour Highlights

  • Okavango and Linyanti at the peak of the annual flood
  • Large prides of lions, denning wild dogs, leopards and cheetahs
  • Large elephant and buffalo herds, elusive sable and roan antelopes
  • Nocturnal species during night drives
  • Private, wilderness experience with off-road access and few vehicles around
  • All inclusive itinerary
  • Countless opportunities to capture unbelievable photos

Who should consider?

Anyone who would like to experience a bespoke, wildlife behaviour-focused safari with carefully selected, proven and comfortable accommodations led by a passionate guide.

Enthusiasts of photography who would like to capture incredible wildlife moments on camera and media to share and remember for years to come.

Everyone who is looking for a very low density of visitors and vehicles, and expects to experience an unspoiled wilderness.

What to Expect?

We plan to spend a maximum amount of time in the field, looking for great sightings, understanding animal behaviour, spending time with wildlife rather than ‘chasing’ species.

We will leave our camps before sunrise, after coffee, and may return for lunch or as needed – flexibility in our schedule will be a key. We will come back well after sunset and a sundowner in the field. It is not a bootcamp, but we also don’t won’t to miss amazing sightings.

We will ensure that both, novice and advanced fans of photography, as well as the ‘iPhone shooters’ will have opportunities to capture amazing pictures and video clips.

Understated luxury during the time back in the camp with tasteful food and always helpful staff.

Sunny days with very cool mornings (4-6 deg C) and comfortable temperatures of around 25 deg C during the day.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusion

  • All local air transfers from Maun to camps
  • Accommodation on shared basis (limited single supplements available)
  • All meals, drinks (incl. alcoholic) and laundry
  • Safari activities - road and water
  • Two, vehicles exclusive for our group (1 vehicle in case of 4 participants)
  • All tourism levies, relevant taxes, park fees
  • Professional guiding and photography tutoring
  • Online support, travel and preparation advice ahead of the trip

Exclusion

  • International flights from home to Maun, Botswana
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities and tips

Destinations and Wildlife at a Glance

We will sample the best Botswana has to offer with a visit to our favorite two areas: the vast Okavango Delta and smaller marshes of the Linyanti Waterfront on the border with Namibia.

In the Okavango Delta the key species that we focus on include painted dogs, big cats (lions, leopards, cheetah), buffalos and elephants. However, these are also areas where we often see shy antelopes such as Sable, Roan or Eland. Large herds of red lechwe grace marsh areas, while the general games such as giraffes, zebras, impala and wildebeest are found behind ‘every corner’. Nocturnal ’regulars’ that are spotted during evening drives include civet, genet or African wildcat.

The Linyanti Waterfront is located between the Chobe National Park to the east and the Okavango to the south. We will stay in concession on the West side of Linyanti, where prides of lions, elusive leopards, painted dogs and large herds of elephants always deliver incredible sightings. Amazing sightings of hundreds of elephants bathing in Kwando river and its channels are possible – and we may be next to them observing this ritual from the boat in perfect harmony.

Your guide

Artur Stankiewicz

Is a seasoned organizer of bespoke nature and wildlife adventures, with a solid knowledge of the African continent and wild animal behaviors that he will share during the trip. He is also a passionate wildlife photographer who’s work has been recognized in many international wildlife photo contests and published in various media. Artur offers photo tutorials during the trip on as required basis which he adjusts to everyone’s needs and desires.

Read more about Your Team Leader

Accommodations and Vehicles

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Camps

We will stay in camps operated by the Kwando Safaris - our favorite group of camps in Botswana. All the camps we utilize are in private concession areas where off-road driving allows for the highest quality game-viewing and ensures that diversity of species can be seen. ‘Our’ concessions are 150,000-250,000 hectares which offers an unprecedented low guest density providing a truly unspoiled experience. Guest tents in most locations are usually canvas-walled but raised off the ground with hardwood flooring, housing real beds and other furniture, and featuring ensuite bathrooms with full plumbing. All camps have small pools, lavish central lounges and high quality of food and service.

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Linyanti Waterfront

In Linyanti Waterfront we spend time between Lagoon and Lebala camps located very close the border with Namibia. The location will offer a mix of mopane forest and wetlands, with spectacular views from the main deck at Lagoon. Accommodation is in a comfortable permanent tents with ensuite bathroom and shower, and outside shower. The concession has a well deserved reputation for a big game, elephants and buffalos, as well as large predators - prides of lions in Kwando concession often exceed 15-20. Very rare animals such as brown hyena are known to den in the area.

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Okavango

In Okavango we will stay in a massive Kwara concessions which shares 30 km border with the famous Moremi Game Reserve. The location remains far superior to many other Okavango areas, and provides excellent opportunities to see large mammals such as elephants and buffalo, hippos from the water level all the way to predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. Painted dogs are regulars in the Kwara as well. We will stay in recently renovated, and luxurious Kwara camp.

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Vehicles

Vehicles that we will be using are completely open offering a full, unobstructed, 360 degree viewing. On our photographic safaris we allow max. 4 person in vehicle (couple or partners sharing only one row and singles having a full row available).

Read more about Acomodation and Vehicles

Itinerary

Arrival Maun, Botswana and transfer to Lagoon airstrip via local plane (45 min flight).  Check into the camp and the afternoon game drive.  Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Breakfast before sunrise following exploration of the area from a very early morning to late evenings.  Lunches in the field or in the camp, depending on the action and proximity to the camp.  We will be following big cats or wild dogs in their daily activities hoping to witness hunts.  We plan to spend some time with elephants and other large mammals. Evenings drives in search of nocturnal species. Dinners at the camp.
Today, after early breakfast we depart for the game drive heading south towards Lebala camp.  The entire transfer from Lagoon to Lebala is within the concession thus we will not miss a minute while changing locations.  We will check into Lebala in time for lunch. The afternoon/evening drive around the camp with return for dinner.
Breakfast before sunrise following exploration of the area from a very early morning to late evenings.  Lunches in the field or in the camp, depending on the action and proximity to the camp.  The location is known for fantastic sightings of big cats.  We plan to spend some time with other mammals as opportunities arise. With some luck we may see such elusive animals as aardwolf, aardvark or pangolin. Evenings drives in search of nocturnal species. Dinners at the camp.
After an early breakfast and morning drive around the lodge, we will pack and depart for a short flight (30 min) to our next camp in the Okavango.  After checking into the camp, we will have lunch and depart for the afternoon drive.  We may explore the area around the camp checking the latest sighting spots. Dinner back at the camp.
As per our previous routine, we will have an early breakfast and head out before sunrise in a hope for great lighting and action in the field.  This concession has a very good possibility to follow leopards, but prides of lions and pack of wild dogs are also present.  Evenings will always bring opportunities to see nocturnal cats before we retire to camp for dinner.
After a final early breakfast, we will go on our last morning drive, after which we will depart to Maun on a local flight (ca. 30 minutes) to catch our 2pm return to Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Price list

Price per person sharing
Price:
$13200
Deposit:
$3250
Single supplement:
$2400

Testimonials

“I like rituals – porridge in the morning close to the campfire, a ‘bush baby’ in the vehicle before sunrise, a cold beer on a hot afternoon or a comfortable bed when I am tired. Everything was well organized and nicely timed. Nature was unforeseeable – every day something surprising happened. It was a great privilege to see variety of animals in their natural environment and spend hours with them observing their behaviours and daily routines. Unforgettable days were with painted dogs when many things took place – from their greetings to hunting. This trip requires reflection – some images are still fresh in my mind… and I miss them. It was a mix of a very well organized and planned trip, and astonishing nature. Thank You Artur.”

Ryszard & Jarka Brozyna

Orlowo, Poland

“My wife and I wanted to thank you for the experience of a lifetime we have had in our recent trip with Wild Encounter Safaris to Botswana and Zimbabwe. It was an absolute joy to observe the wildlife that up-close and get an insight on animal behavior within their natural habitat. The encounters just kept getting better and better; from a wild dogs’ hunt followed by a standoff between a cheetah and a leopard, to being literally surrounded by over 50 elephants taking a mud bath, and the list goes on with unforgettable encounters that were truly epic. Your knowledge and guidance on animal behavior truly made the difference in ensuring we were always in the right place and the right time. This was our first ever wildlife Safari and we had multiple questions and concerns prior to going to Africa; but you were always there to provide a detailed and thorough response that made the trip completely hassle and stress free.”

Khalifa Al-Qanaee & Nasimah Al-Sane

Kuwait (September 2019)

“We took our first guided African safari in Botswana with Wild Encounter Safaris and experienced the true “trip of a lifetime” that we are all trying to plan and participate in.  Artur was attentive from the moment we decided to join, offering answers to all of our questions, even the most trivial. We never spent a moment worrying about transport, transfers, or trip logistics....Artur showed us a part of Africa and the local wildlife that few likely ever truly experience.  We saw, yes – but the true joy was the interactive experience with the animals that we enjoyed, where Artur demonstrated his true skills as a trusted and personal guide for everyone on the safari. ...  The priceless value that Artur brings when he guides is that you are on a private tour, where he has command of the vehicles and all logistics, and the results are truly unforgettable – wildlife encounters in their natural habitat, not chased or tormented, but a respectful and responsible interaction that will leave incredible memories.  Before the trip Artur provided support and guidance on field gear, binoculars, and camera options....The photos I came home with are a lasting testament to the care and coaching shared with a novice and attention to detail as a guide.  We would joyfully and without reservation recommend Artur to anyone looking to go on the safari and wildlife encounter of a lifetime – you will not be disappointed!”

Mark & Thaimar

Houston, TX, USA (June 2019)

“How carefree it was to be able to go on a trip where all of the logistics have been meticulously sorted for us down to the very last detail by a perfectionist like Artur. We had the most incredible time on safari. If we had made a list of all we’d hoped to see and to experience, the list would have been exceeded in all respects. This was not, however, “tick it off the list” safari where just spotting the animals was the goal. Instead, we were able to take time to follow magnificent wild creatures like lions, cheetahs, wild painted dogs, elephants and leopards and observe their behaviour. It was very much an emotional investment. With an expert photographer’s eye, Artur was always careful to ensure we all had the best possible vantage for viewing and for photography. Last but certainly not least the camp accommodations including the food were superb, thanks to the attentive staff. Great work Artur! Many thanks.”

Evelyn & Peter Audretsch

Calgary, Canada (June 2019)

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