BOTSWANA’S MABABE CONCESSION WELCOMES NEW WILDERNESS MOKETE TENTED CAMP

The new Wilderness Mokete tented camp opens in September 2023 in previously unchartered territory: the famed Mababe wilderness area on the eastern fringe of the Okavango Delta. Vast, remote and teeming with game, Mababe is an exceptional Botswana safari destination. The first and only one of its kind, Mokete will be a limited edition; available to book for two years only, it promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a select few.

PICTURE HERDS OF BUFFALO BY THE THOUSAND, THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION IN AFRICA, AS WELL AS PROLIFIC PREDATORS AND MEGA-AGGREGATIONS OF ELEPHANT (AND AT TIMES, ZEBRA DURING THEIR MIGRATION), DRAWN TO THE MABABE MARSH. MEANING FEAST, ‘MOKETE’ IS A BANQUET OF ASTOUNDING WILDLIFE, DIVERSE HABITATS, AND UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY, AND WE ARE IMMENSELY PROUD TO BE WORKING WITH OUR LIKE-MINDED PARTNER AND OWNER OF MOKETE, COBUS CALITZ, TO LAUNCH THE FIRST CAMP IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY, REMOTE AREA”, noted Kim Nixon, Wilderness Botswana MD.

Situated between two national parks, the 50,000-ha Mababe Concession sits in a privileged position, on the eastern fringe of the Okavango Delta and the famed Moremi Game Reserve, to the south of Chobe National Park. Here nutrient-rich grasses are fed with a constant supply of water thanks to the Mababe River, which started flowing again in 2007, and the waters of the Okavango, which drain into the Mababe wetland. This supports an amazing and unique ecosystem of great herds, an abundance of predators and a plethora of birdlife.

Every year the waters of the 2,600-hectare permanent marsh are reinvigorated with the seasonal inflow, welcoming wildlife from all directions of the dry hinterland, in search of this precious life source. “It’s this exclusive position and rich ecosystem, combined with the privacy of the concession, that will make this experience utterly special”, added Kim.

Wilderness Mokete will consist of nine en-suite canvas tents, with a tented lounge area and swimming pool connected by ground level wooden walkways. Each suite will have a retractable roof that slides away to reveal the stars. Offering an immersive experience, the spacious camp’s various luxurious touches will also be intentionally minimalist to ensure the lightest footprint.

“While we have no doubt that the camp itself will offer a wonderful experience with delicious local food and warm hospitality, our focus is on the out-of-camp experience. Lions often spend the daylight hours on the hunt in Mababe; taking down buffalos in and around the marsh, with hyenas in clans of up to 60 often competing with them. With no other commercial properties in the area, our guests can choose to stay out on drive as long as they wish. Here, time is dictated by nature, not the clock”, Kim said.

Mokete Owner, Cobus Calitz, added that experiencing this truly remarkable landscape, which is unlike anything seen before in northern Botswana, will leave an everlasting memory for guests visiting Mokete. “The landscape and the wildlife experience are truly astonishing. Working closely with the Mababe community, we are thrilled to put this beautiful part of the country on the map. Residents will benefit through employment opportunities and many more exciting initiatives that will see our community partners benefit from this development”.

“As Mokete is a limited edition, in 2026 we will be building Meraka, a signature camp to take its place. Meraka will welcome 24 guests in 10 rooms, including two family units. A first, and only one, of its kind, Mokete is a taste of things to come, and we look forward to welcoming guests to this wildlife paradise. Through high-value, low-impact photographic tourism, we aim to help conserve one of our planet’s last remaining wild sanctuaries”, concluded Kim.

BenguerraEnchantinglyIsland:

Reasons why you must put this Mozambican Island on your idyllic destination bucket list.

Lapping up the rolling tides of Africa’s diverse coastlines is always a memorable treat. From the cosmopolitan beaches of Cape Town’s waterfront, to the haunting Skeleton Coast of Namibia, Kenya’s culturally immersive Diani Beach, and that of Ghana, dotted with numerous relic castles now turned to museums, Africa is endowed with spectacular, mostly untouched beaches that all create a perfect backdrop for a dreamy vacation escape. Mozambique, with its shores lying on the Indian Ocean coast of Southern Africa, bears tropical beaches that are idyllic as they are a haven for local culture and maritime adventures. And off the mainland shores is the Bazaruto Archipelago, formed by five islands, and home to its second largest, Benguerra Island.

Mozambique harnesses countless reasons why travellers would like to explore its islands, with Benguerra Island lying approximately 14km away from its shores, and easily accessible by a short helicopter flight from the Vilanculos International Airport or by boat, charter boats often available from the resorts one would call home upon arrival. With this, here are five reasons why for your next island vacation, you should consider adding the enchanting Benguerra Island on your bucket list of beautiful destinations to explore:

1. It is a haven for award-winning luxurious escapism. Benguerra Island can very well be looked upon as a hidden gem for those with a preference for high-end experiences in exclusive settings. With only a few luxury hotels on the island, namely andBeyond Benguerra Island, Azura Benguerra Island and the newest addition to the island’s luxury offering, Kisawa Sanctuary, guests are spoilt for choice in a tailor-made holiday that calls for ultra-relaxation in a full view of virtually untainted beaches. Service is beyond exceptional, and every facet of the experience clearly curated for guests who are simply not hindered by price point. A Benguerra Island vacation is definitely one set aside for ultimate indulgence and unforgettable memory making.

2. What’s not to love about pristine, remarkably untainted beaches? Beaches on Benguerra carry uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean’s azure waters, and are warm and perfect for a swim at just about any time of day. Adventure lovers can set off to discover stunning coral reefs, which can be explored under the ocean’s surface where marine life is rampant. If it is a casual stroll that’s calling, a romantic or family horseback ride is on the cards or a lazy dhow cruise from the shores of Benguerra’s beaches, coupled with the inland, freshwater lakes and rolling sand dunes, there’s plenty on offer to explore. This island destination is truly picturesque as much as it awards countless opportunity for more relaxed activity, leaving you captivated

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3. You will get to still time on an island that doubles as a protected lagoon. Benguerra Island is part of Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, and the protected marine reserve is home to an intricate natural ecosystem, which comprises dense forest, savannah and tropical fauna. Inland freshwater lakes and wetland cover equally sustain diverse population of fauna, flora and birdlife species. Resorts on the island also offer guests opportunities to learn more about the island’s biodiversity through curated, educational excursions hosted by local communities – a treat for adventurers and conservationists at heart.

4. Maritime adventures for the entire family. We have mentioned horse riding, nature walks and dhow cruises, which in their own unique ways offer distinctive learning opportunities. Guests can also enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling, helicopter rides that give an incredible view from above of the turquoise waters and pinkish white sand beds over which they flow, fishing trips, dune boarding to name a few activities available on the island. Because the island’s topography is truly unique, opportunities are plentiful for the entire family to enjoy a full spectrum of things to do, or slow things down a lot by taking in their pristine natural surroundings.

5. Exclusivity that is synonymous with private island living. Because there are very few, ultra-exclusive boutique resorts on Benguerra Island, you will note that a stay on the island feels very much like being marooned on your very own luxury private retreat. Villas and suites are largely hidden within the tree coverage or appear on such high vantage points, boasting uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean below. Constructed with spectacular design aesthetic that reflects an appreciation for natural elements and use of sustainable materials, married with environmental consciousness and utmost privacy in mind, you’ll be guaranteed a stay that truly feels like home away from home, yet restorative in its isolation from the hustle and bustle that often comes with big city living.

Today’s traveller is looking for among other trends, experiences that reward them with a sense of wellness and grounding with earth’s natural beauty. Travelling far and wide in pursuit of being mentally, physically and euphorically transported to another world, a trip to destinations like Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago are sure to leave one invigorated and reconnected with self, given the drastic movement into a more remote location for the ultimate dose of renewal and luxuriating. Mozambique’s beaches may be lesser known than those of island or beach destinations like Mauritius, Cape Town or Zanzibar, but they do avail guests willing to absorb a heftier price tag for the ultimate retreat, an enchanting, exclusive stay to remember. Will you consider a trip to Mozambique then?