Born To Be Wild

With its abundant wildlife and spectacular landscape, beautiful Botswana is fast becoming the safari destination of choice for sustainable luxury travellers.

- Karen Tee

AT ABOUT 4:30pm every day, the slumbering safari reawakens. The humans, many still slightly drowsy from their daily siesta in the stifling African afternoon heat, gather for a revitalising beverage before embarking on their afternoon game drive.

I am at Kwara Camp, located in Botswana’s celebrated Okavango Delta and as I stumble out for some much needed iced refreshment, I spot some movement out of the corner of my eyes. To my delight, there is a female warthog and her babies foraging for food right by the resort’s swimming pool. As it turns out, the wildlife, too, start to awaken as the midday sun begins to set and many wander out in search of some sustenance.

My guide Daniel, who knows I have a soft spot for these unassuming yet good-natured hogs, motions for me to follow him. We creep towards them gradually until I am barely 2m away from the mother and her grazing piglets, who carry on seemingly oblivious to our presence. At that moment, I realise I am truly on a safari where there is no barrier between man and wildlife. Who needs to step out of the camp grounds, when the wild animals come freely to us?

LUXURY WITH A DIFFERENCE

It is a reflection of the eco-luxury ethos of Kwando Safaris, which runs Kwara Camp and a few other lodges through Botswana, that there are no fences to keep the animals out. This is to ensure the landscape remains as untouched as possible and to allow the movement of animals through and around the camps without disrupting these ancient pathways. To ensure guest safety, a guide is always available to accompany us when we walk to and from our lodges, especially at night.