Every safari tells a different story.
Our recent Botswana Exploratory was no exception. Over the course of the week, we experienced the diversity and scale that make Botswana one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. We watched a pack of painted wolves move effortlessly through the bush, gained a bird’s-eye view of the Okavango Delta by helicopter, and explored its winding channels by traditional mokoro. Each day brought a new perspective on this extraordinary ecosystem, from thrilling wildlife encounters to quiet afternoons watching elephants wander peacefully past camp.
The wildlife was everything we’d hoped for, but as I reflect on the journey, it’s the people and the shared moments that stay with me just as much as the sightings themselves.
Each evening, our group gathered around the fire after a full day. Everyone had a story to tell. Someone had just seen their first lion. Another couldn’t wait to share a photograph they’d captured. Someone else was still replaying a wildlife encounter in their mind, trying to put into words what they had just experienced.
Those nights quickly became one of my favorite parts of the journey. Stories turned into laughter, photographs were passed around the table, and before long, strangers had become friends.
That’s one of the things I love most about safari. The wildlife brings people together, but it’s the shared experience that creates lasting memories.
Why Botswana Continues to Draw Me Back
To me, Botswana feels like traditional Africa. There is a magic here that is difficult to put into words, but anyone who has spent time in the bush will understand it. It is the vastness of the landscape, the feeling of true wilderness, and the sense that nature still dictates the rhythm of each day.
Whether you are gliding silently through the Okavango Delta, watching elephants gather along the water’s edge, or simply taking in the sounds of the bush around you, Botswana has a way of making you feel completely immersed in the wild.
What I love most is that it has remained authentic. There is space to slow down, absorb your surroundings, and appreciate the small moments as much as the big ones. That is the magic of Botswana, and it is what keeps drawing me back year after year.
Experiencing the Delta
One of the things that makes Botswana so extraordinary is the variety of ways you can experience the Okavango Delta.
Seeing it from the air is breathtaking. As our helicopter lifted above the floodplains, winding waterways stretched across the landscape while elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and zebra moved quietly below. From that perspective, you begin to appreciate just how vast and untouched this ecosystem truly is.
After landing, we gathered for breakfast in the bush, reliving the flight while already talking about everything we’d seen from above.
Later, we traded the helicopter for traditional mokoros and experienced the Delta at an entirely different pace. Gliding silently through narrow channels surrounded by reeds and birdsong is one of the most peaceful ways to experience Africa. Without the sound of an engine, every detail becomes more noticeable, the movement of the water, the calls of birds overhead, and the quiet rhythm of the Delta itself.
One evening, we explored the waterways by boat before gathering for a sundowner. With our boats tied together in the heart of the Delta, we watched the day fade into evening and soaked in the incredible sense of peace and wilderness that makes Botswana so special.
A Painted Wolf Encounter I’ll Never Forget
Of all the wildlife encounters during the Botswana Exploratory, one stands above the rest.
We came across an extraordinary pack of painted wolves, one of Africa’s most endangered predators. The pack was active, moving together with remarkable coordination and energy, weaving effortlessly through the bush as they communicated with one another.
As a wildlife photographer, photographing a large pack of painted wolves at eye level is the kind of opportunity you hope for but never expect. Moments like that are incredibly rare.
But what stayed with me wasn’t my camera.
It was the people sitting behind me.
One guest quietly wiped away tears. Another simply smiled in disbelief. For many, it was their first time seeing painted wolves in the wild, and the experience was even more emotional than they expected.
No matter how many times I return to Africa, watching someone experience their first lion, elephant, leopard, or painted wolf never loses its magic. Every group experiences the bush differently, and seeing Botswana through fresh eyes reminds me why I fell in love with it in the first place.
More Than Wildlife
One of the highlights of our journey was visiting Gudigwa Primary School, where the teachers shared insights into the local community and the important role the school plays within it.
Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and connection to the natural world were inspiring. Conservation isn’t only about protecting wildlife; it’s also about supporting the communities that live alongside it. Spending in the community was a meaningful reminder that the future of Botswana’s wild places depends on both.
No safari would be possible without the incredible people who welcomed us throughout the journey. Our guides, camp staff, mokoro polers, boat captains, chefs, and everyone working behind the scenes helped transform each day into something truly special. Their knowledge of the bush, passion for conservation, and warm hospitality enriched every experience and deepened our appreciation for this extraordinary country.
Looking Back
As I reflect on this year’s Botswana Exploratory, I’m already looking forward to returning.
A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us from Chester Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Seneca Park Zoo, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. I hope Botswana left the same lasting impression on you that it continues to leave on me.
