Luxury Roving Tented Camp Safaris in Botswana
A Luxury Roving Tented Camp Safari - Mixing Adventure with Luxury
Botswana is the ultimate dream for many safari purists. Beautiful scenery; an abundant diversity of wildlife; and wilderness locations far removed from the crowds. Camps are small, and for the peak seasons when the Okavango Delta is in full flood they are booked up often a year in advance. Many clients come to Knighton Reeve with a pre-conceived idea of the style of camp they would like, or particular areas to visit. But we’d like to share with you something you may not have thought of.
A 'Luxury Roving Tented Camp Safari' quite frankly can reach the parts other safari options just can’t touch. We are huge fans of migration camps in East Africa for example, where the whole camp moves 2 or 3 times per year to set up in the best wildlife viewing corridors. But in a country as diverse as Botswana, you need to move around different locations to get the full experience at any time. Instead of you flying between permanent lodges though, why can’t the specialist camp move with you for the ultimate in personalised service? One of our favourite partners are the team at Golden Africa, who absolutely epitomise the Knighton Reeve spirit of mixing adventure with real luxury.
We’d love to introduce them to you…
Is a luxury roving tented camp safari safe?
Ok let’s get this one out of the way. A lot of people get nervous about the idea of a tented safari anyway, but throw in the 'roving' element and for some it can feel a little too adventurous. Yet the reality is, the safest place for everyone come nightfall is zipped up in your tent. The guide tents will be within calling distance, and tents can be pitched close together to allay any fears. There is no need to venture out after dark as all your bathroom facilities are en-suite, and you will be equipped with an alarm just as is the case at any permanent camp.
The mantra of everyone is to “never put a guest in harm’s way” – and that is the same at dusk as at dawn. You will be escorted from the fireside to your tent at the end of the evening, but no camps – roving or permanent – have a waking watch in Southern Africa, as it is just not necessary. All guides have a minimum of 15 years’ experience guiding in Botswana, so you can rest assured you will be in a safe pair of expert hands.
Safaris in the Best Locations to view Wildlife
Always a key element of a good safari, being 'roving' allows you to move and get to the best areas for the wildlife. Your camp site will be chosen and booked in advance by the team, so they will know exactly where you are setting up – no scrabbling around for the best pitch here. There may sometimes be other camps within a kilometre or so, but you would never know as each site is private. Key areas that work well on a mobile safari are Moremi, Khwai and Savuti, though we can also get you down to Nxai Pan and the Kalahari if you wish.
A great 9 night itinerary would involve 3 nights in your private luxury roving tented camp followed by 3 nights in a carefully chosen permanent camp such as Sable Alley while the support team moves your roving camp to the next location for your final 3 nights. While at the permanent camp you will continue to enjoy game drives with your private guide who will stay with you throughout, as well as having the added benefits of the camp’s facilities, such as a pool – a real ‘win-win’! And of course, your mobile camp leaves no mark on the environment, so a very eco-friendly way to travel.
Accommodation and facilities in a luxury roving tented camp
“But how luxurious can a tent be?” is another one we get asked a lot. We’ve stayed in our fair share of permanent tented camps across Africa and we can assure you that the Golden Africa setup will WOW you! The sleeping arrangements are spacious and well thought out, with high quality linens. You can even choose a soft or firm mattress if you have a preference! Flush toilets and showers complete with a big shower rose, waist-level tap, duck board and water delivered as requested: cold, medium or hot, feature in the bathroom. Laundry can be done as is usual on safari. Lighting is provided by 5 light fittings with switches: 1 on either side of the bed, 1 at the entrance to the tent, and 1 in each of the shower/basin area and toilet.
Copper basins and Persian rugs make for beautiful finishing touches – as one of our happy (and experienced safari) clients said “they have really pushed the quality as far as is possible on a luxury tented roving safari”. Hurricane lamps are used in the open around the camp for ambient lighting.
You will also find a mess tent and a “chill tent” – so plenty of space for the whole family to spread out and relax when in camp. It’s not unusual to find some of a group relaxing on the comfy floor cushions and sofas, enjoying a book and a drink, or a variety of games, whilst others enjoy a game of kubb with the guides. Beware, you might find yourself getting quite competitive and a week-long championship taking place between game drives! You won’t have Wi-Fi of course, but there are facilities to recharge the camera batteries, and the team have Sat-phones for emergency use at all times.
Quality Experienced Safari Guides
We always say the guides are the most important aspect of any trip. A good guide could take you on safari round a car park…thankfully though the playground here is much more interesting anyway. All of the guides are vastly experienced, with a minimum of 15 years' experience and have been involved in training the next generation too. You can be assured of expert knowledge of the bush, but also a friendliness that will leave you feeling you are one big family.
Getting to know you is a priority for each member of the team, and spending time sharing stories around the campfire is the perfect way to make everyone feel at ease. Going the extra mile is firmly engrained in each and every member of staff, from guide to chef. The food is always rated as delicious by our guests, who are constantly wowed by the culinary creations that magically appear at meal and snack times. Dietary requirements? No problem, just let us know in advance.
Personalised Wildlife Experiences
Of course the animals are the main draw on any safari, so heading out on game drives is always going to get the adrenaline flowing. An unappreciated bonus of having your own private luxury roving safari is that you can spend longer out in the open-sided vehicles, enjoying spotting all your Lion King favourites. Shared game drives in traditional camps are typically around 3 hours in length, but spending 4-5 hours on safari at any one time is more the norm here. Though of course being on your own schedule, you can personalise your preferences far more than usual.
Botswana is famous for its range of game viewing options, and you don’t need to compromise on any experiences with Golden Africa. Beyond your private game drives, we can arrange walking safaris and night drives, mokoro and boating activities and even a helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. Each and every trip can be curated to create memories which will last a lifetime.
Happy Client Review of Luxury Roving Tented Camp Safari Experience
We’ll leave you with some feedback from a well-travelled family who went with “high expectations, yet it exceeded every one”:
“In our family we always have a peaks and pits conversation when we get home - what were your best moments? What were the worst? But this year we could only think of peaks and none of us could narrow them down - we ended up creating our top 10 peaks and even that was hard!”
Contact us
Ready to make a move on a luxury roving tented camp safari in Botswana?
Watch our video for safari inspiration
Give our expert & knowledgeable team a call on 01904 866 033 or email: africa@knightonreeve.co.uk.