Latest news with #Okavango
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
This New Ultra-Luxury Safari Camp In Botswana Is One of Africa's Best
As it celebrates its first birthday this month, Atzaró Okavango–a singular newcomer to Botswana's incomparable Okavango Delta–is setting a new standard for ultra-luxury safari experiences in a country widely regarded as the original trailblazer of low-impact, high-value safari tourism in Africa. Celebrating its first birthday this year, Atzaró Okavango Camp sets a new standard for luxury in a country that pioneered low-impact, high-end safari tourism. Atzaró Okavango's debut last June marked the start of an enterprising partnership between two esteemed giants of hospitality. The Ibiza-based Atzaró Group–the creative force behind the acclaimed Atzaró Agriturismo Hotel in the island's verdant interior, and Prana by Atzaró, Indonesia's premier exclusive-use phinisi sailing yacht–was eager to expand into Africa (Atzaró Cape Town, the brand's uber-chic boutique hotel, also opened the same month). To sidestep any potential concerns about Atzaró's lack of experience in the safari arena, the group joined forces with African Bush Camps (ABC), the sustainable safari company founded in 2006 by Zimbabwean entrepreneur and former guide Beks Ndlovu. ABC operates 17 camps and lodges in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and is renowned across the industry and beyond for its exceptional guiding and operational expertise in some of Africa's most pristine locales. Located in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, the one-of-a-kind camp is reached by a short and scenic helicopter ride from the Maun Airport. Set within a 425-square-mile private concession between the Moremi Game Reserve and the Gomoti Plains, the entirely solar-powered camp–reached by a spectacularly scenic, 15-minute helicopter ride from the airport in the Delta gateway town of Maun–offers an immersion in rarefied bush luxury. Its eight sprawling suites (measuring nearly 1,800 square feet each) and two, two-suite family villas, all equipped with plunge pools, feature a panoply of top-tier creature comforts: canopied king-sized beds, parquet flooring, mid-century modern furnishings, and artful Turkish rugs pair with inspired accents like large-format wildlife photography, hand-carved masks and beaded objets, and pendant lights crowned with handwoven lampshades. En-suite bathrooms feature both indoor and outdoor bathtubs (stone inside; copper outside) and showers, while air conditioning, high-speed wifi, and a minibar brimming with drinks and homemade goodies round out the long list of amenities. The camp's eight sprawling suites and two family villas feature ultra-luxe furnishings and a laundry list of top-tier amenities. The open-plan common areas, designed to showcase the continent's vast aesthetic and natural bounty, champion the distinctly African luxuries of seemingly boundless space and exuberant nature. Oversized Chesterfield sofas and other luxe leather couches center seating areas adorned with boldly patterned textiles, elaborate cowrie-shell collar necklaces (which symbolize fertility, prosperity, and protection in many African cultures), and artifacts ranging from antelope horns to ostrich shells. An outsize circular fire pit presides over a seasonal lagoon that steadily grows as the famed floodwaters arrive, flowing a thousand miles from the Angolan highlands to the delta from May to September. The entire camp is built some 20 feet above the ground to accommodate the deluge, and minimize the property's footprint on the land. Inspired common spaces pair a wide array of African art and artifacts with cozy seating nooks and ambience galore. Though you can easily while away the day enjoying the camp's myriad charms–a 65-foot, lagoon-facing lap pool, holistic spa, standout gym, and yoga shala among them–the main attraction remains a peerless safari within Africa's most extraordinary oasis. The Okavango Delta, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's most remarkable wetland ecosystems. Covering some 5,800 square miles during peak flood season (June through August), the massive inland delta forms when–due to the region's underlying geology–the Okavango River fans out into the Kalahari Desert (rather than flowing into the ocean, as most rivers do). This bona fide natural wonder supports a dazzling array of wildlife, including nearly 500 bird species and north of 130,000 elephants, the largest population of any country in Africa. Cheetahs number among a host of predators–including leopards, lions, and wild dogs–in the Okavango Delta. Setting off at the crack of dawn, you might spy a pride of thirsty lions slinking through the speargrass that edges the delta's legion waterways for a drink, before retiring to a shady spot to snooze until nightfall. Other predators in bountiful supply include Africa's rare wild dogs, whose tactical pursuit of prey–like red lechwe antelope, which are uniquely adapted to wetland environments, often taking to the water to escape danger with the help of their long, powerful legs and splayed hooves that prevent them from sinking into mud–is a pulse-pounding sight to behold. Night drives provide an exhilarating chance to encounter a whole other host of delta dwellers that thrive in Africa's starry-skied moonlight–like leopards, spotted hyenas, porcupines, and honey badgers, to name a few. A lap pool, spa, and gym are just a few of the exceptional amenities in camp. If you're eager to get some steps in, walking safaris at Atzaró Okavango present a prime opportunity to spotlight the region's extraordinary biodiversity. Traversing the bush on foot along trails forged by elephants and hippos over millennia–single-file and accompanied by an armed guide for safety–offers an invigorating perspective on the myriad complexities of its ecosystems. You'll keep an eye peeled for the 'Little Five' (ant lion, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, red-billed buffalo weaver, and rhino beetle)–the walking-safari alternative to the traditional 'Big Five' sought-after safari animals (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo)–and learn about some of the delta's more than 1,000 plant species. Walking safaris offer the opportunity to survey the bush from a fresh and fascinating perspective. Towering termite mounds, sculptural and otherworldly, are another mainstay of the landscape best examined up close. Besides enriching the soil and promoting plant growth–thanks to the astonishing industriousness of their residents, a keystone species in the delta–they've played a fascinating (and ongoing) role in creating the more than 150,000 islands that comprise this matchless habitat. Very simply put, trees–often palm, jackalberry, and strangler fig–that colonize the mounds draw water and nutrients to the surface, forming elevated land masses that subsequently develop into the ever-evolving isles on whose very existence the delta depends. Termite mounds–like this one showcased in camp–have played a pivotal role in the Okavango Delta's formation. A sojourn to Botswana's inland Xanadu would be incomplete without a ride in a mokoro, the shallow-water canoe–traditionally dug out from a tree trunk, and nowadays crafted of (more sustainable) fiberglass–that's long been a key mode of transport here. Floating along these storied waterways, a friendly local steering in the stern with a ngashi (wooden pole) as the breeze rustles the surrounding papyrus and pampas grass, conjures a gentle reverie. They're also an avian paradise; the dazzling array of feathered friends on display, which your poler will happily identify, astounds. Perhaps swallow-tail bee-eaters, Africa openbill storks, and Burchell's starlings, their stunning plumage flashing blue-green in the pink-gold gloaming: such sightings lend instant credence to the adage that Africa will make a birder out of anyone. A mokoro ride along the delta's storied channels is a must-do during a stay at Atzaró Okavango. Back at camp, there's plenty of gourmet fare to satiate the appetite you'll work up exploring the bush. The Atzaró Group's well-earned reputation for world-class cuisine (the group also operates several celebrated restaurants in Ibiza) extends to the delta, where organic, locally sourced ingredients, paired with zesty African flavors in an ever-changing seasonal menu, take center stage. There's also a beautifully decorated boma (Swahili for 'enclosure') for festive group dinners by candlelight and cultural gatherings; an elevated observation deck and tea room for scrumptious snacks before afternoon drives (think homemade empanadas, mini quiches, cakes, and macarons); and an elegant wine cellar, outfitted with chandeliers and velvet-swathed settees, where you can sample vintages from renowned African and international vineyards while gazing out over the lagoon and the Santandibe River beyond. The camp's gourmet cuisine highlights locally-sourced organic ingredients and African flavors in inspired seasonal menus. Like most standout safari operators, Atzaró Okavango supports local sustainability and conservation projects with the help of the African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF), including a community partnership with the nearby Ditsiping Village. ABCF provides after-school tutoring and exam preparation for learners aged 12–18 from Ditsiping, along with a dedicated learning center and full-time tutor to help students reach their academic goals. Bae Siethuka, the African Bush Camp Foundation's first female trainee guide, joined the Atzaró Okavango team this year. Besides its first birthday this month, the camp marked another notable milestone in 2025. ABCF launched its pioneering Female Guides Program in 2021–a two-year course of study that combines classroom, practical, and on-the-job experience, as well as skills training, mentorship, and rotations at ABC camps and lodges. Graduates emerge as highly competent guides, skilled in wildlife, conservation, safety, photography, and tracking. This year, ABCF's first female trainee guide, Baemule 'Bae' Siethuka, joined the Atzaró Okavango team–an exceptional achievement in an industry that remains decidedly male-dominated. Rates at Atzaró Okavango range from $690 per person, per night in low season to $1490 per person, per night during peak season. Private villa rates (four-person capacity) range from $3,450-$7450 per night between low and peak season. Contact the camp with questions or to book. A stay at Atzaró Cape Town, the group's new luxury boutique hotel, offers a terrific way to kick off a world-class safari holiday. Rates at Atzaró Cape Town, located at the foot of Table Mountain, range from 7650-12,650 ZAR ($430-$710) between low and high season. Contact the hotel with questions or to book. Atzaró can easily design an African odyssey with stays at both properties–contact either for details.
The South African
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Hollywoodbets Durban July: 61 entries received
Sixty-one entries from 28 stables were received at the initial nomination stage for this year's R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2 200m on Saturday, 5 July. In pursuit of his sixth 'July' victory, Champion trainer Justin Snaith leads the way with 10 entries, including the multiple Grade 1-winning 3-year-old Eight On Eighteen and the very progressive Okavango. Eight On Eighteen is likely to follow the traditional WSB Guineas (Grade 2)/Daily News (Grade 1) pathway into the Hollywoodbets Durban July, while Okavango could be seen next in the World Sports Betting 1900 on 10 May. Alec Laird has gone empty-handed since winning the 100th 'July' with London News in 1996, but he has nominated the exciting Fire Attack, a 3-year-old son of Fire Away who landed his first Grade 1 success when taking out the Champions Challenge over 2 000m at Turffontein last month. Laird has also entered this season's Betway Summer Cup (Grade 1) winner Atticus Finch and Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) winner Parisian Walkway. With 'July' success very much a Laird legacy – Alec's father Syd won the race seven times between 1961 and 1978, while cousin Charles saddled the 2007 victor Hunting Tower – Alec will be keen to land the honours in the 129th renewal of Africa's greatest horse racing and social event. Brett and James Crawford are on a hat-trick, having won in 2023 with Winchester Mansion and last year with Oriental Charm, and the latter has been nominated to defend his crown. By the time race day comes around, James will be flying solo as father Brett will have left to take up his new challenge in Hong Kong. Mike de Kock, now training in partnership with son Matthew, is also seeking his sixth 'July' winner and the team holds five entries at this early stage, with the promising Immediate Edge possibly their leading contender. It's been more than a decade since Sean Tarry won back-to-back 'July's' with Pomodoro and Heavy Metal. He has entered the SA Derby (Grade 1) winner Legend Of Arthur alongside last year's runner-up Cousin Casey, who has been out of action for 10 months. Let's Go Now, Litigation and Hotarubi complete Tarry's five entries and he will be hoping to make a serious bid for top honours come 5 July. Tony Peter has entered The Equator (Ireland), an imported son of Galileo who was formerly trained by the legendary Aiden O'Brien. The Equator won his maiden over 2 000m and was runner-up in his last two starts before being exported to South Africa. First Declarations: Monday, 12 May First Supplementary Entries: Tuesday, 13 May Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
