The Okavango Delta - elephant back Safaris

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world's largest inland river systems. The Okavango River, born in the uplands of Angola to the Northwest, flows into and fans out across the Kalahari Desert to form an immense inland delta of lagoons, channals and palm filled islands. This fragile ecosystem remains one of the worlds unspoilt and beautiful wilderness where a vast diversity of animals and birds can be seen.

The Abu Camp
The elephant back safaris are based at Abu Camp on the western side of the Delta. Set in half a million acres of private concession, this tranquil shady corner of heaven is in a pristine wilderness, threaded by crystal waters. Surrounded by open grasslands, island sanctuaries and the papyrus-fringed channels, which make this part of Africa unique, Abu Camp is the perfect spot from which to explore the mystries and magnificance of this ancient land.

Abu Camp's atmosphere is that of the ultimate house party created each week for ten guests. A ratio of four staff to each guest ensures the best of attention and service. Accommodation is in luxurious custom-designed tents, raised on teak decking and overlooking a lagoon. The tents, described as Bedouin influence meets the African bush, have fully zipped entrances, and rool down canvas on the windows. All the tents are beautifully and individually furnished with mahogany four-poster beds or antique sleigh beds. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom complete with copper or porcelain baths, shower and flush toilet. Every tent has a dfferent style but all reflect the very high standard that defines Abu Camp.

The dining area is set on layered teak decking that winds its way around African Ebony and Sycamore Fig trees. An expert safari chef conjures up magnificent meals, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. Sundowners are served in the shade of these majestic and ancient trees with abundant cocktails on ice.

The lounge tent is the perfect place to relax in soft and comfortable chairs. A well-stoked library is available to all, with a number of reference books and beautiful coffee table books on Africa displaed. Pictures of Abu and the elephant family abound. In fact elephants are reflected everywhere, from charming ornaments placed by the baths, to carved elephants walking down the centre of the table at dinner time.

So, whether one wishes to commune quietly with the silence of the bush from the veranda of one's own tent, or exchange stories around the fire at the mess tent, Abu Camp is the perfect hideaway for a safari to remember and Savour for ever.

The Elephants

The camp is named after Randall Moore's legendary elephant 'Abu', the star of such motion pictures as 'White Hunter Black Heart', and 'The Power of One'. Abu is an Arabic word meaning 'everything to do with elephants'. Abu currantly leads a herd of five adults and seven juveniles ranging from five years old to 40 years old.

"Elephants are complete hedonists. Their stately being is animated by a streak of pure frvolity. Always un-threatened, except by drought and man, they have been able over aeons to cultivate and polish a daily routine of relaxed enjoyment, eating, bathing, meditating and going for long walks through the bush. And that is exactly what this safari is all about. Abu Camp has elaborated this lifestyle into a series of dreamlike adventures, simple dawn and sunset rambles or daylong outings across the floodplains in the company of Africa's finest travelling companions. There is no better way of interacting with the wilderness and wildlife of the Delta.

At Abu Camp, guests are transported in large comfortable custom-made saddles into the shimmering water- colour of the Delta, on the most effective of all 4x4's. An elephant not only is able to cope in water and sand with equal ease, but can also get really close to other game, which is generally unaware of the human presence aloft. But the real kick lies in the extraordinary experience of the elephant perspective, walking besides them or riding high through the bush, at one with the largest ears, the longest noses in the world. The youngsters cavort
and roll in the water, wander off, and come charging back. The adults amble quietly on, browsing, snapping off the odd branch to munch on as they go. Expressive long-lashed eyes patience, mischief and pleasure. The Ultimate Safari".

The Safari

Departures operate every Tuesday and Saturday for a 3 night stay. Packages are for minimum 2 guests (unless surcharges are applied as below):

Jan – Dec 2007

U$ 6100 .00 per person sharing

U$ 2160 .00 single room supplement

Jan – Mar 2008

U$ 6170 .00 per person sharing

U$ 2160 .00 single room supplement

April – Nov 2008

U$ 6295 .00 per person sharing

U$ 2160 .00 single room supplement

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